ACC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

Pittsburgh’s offense is going to be much better compared to last year, mainly because they were one of the worst shooting teams and barely could get any kind of offense outside of big man John Hugley. He was the team’s best player easily, averaging 14.8 ppg and 7.9 rpg. That included a career-high 32 points against Boston College and 18 ppg in the final seven games of the season.

The Panthers didn’t have a true scholarship point guard last season but have two this time around. One is a 6th-year transfer in Nelly Cummings, who averaged 14.7 ppg and 3.4 apg at Colgate last season and is coming back home to the city. And joining him is Dior Johnson, a 6’3 guard currently ranked in the top-40 of freshmen but at one point was ranked in the top-10 overall. His history of changing high schools and de-committing has lowered his stock but he’s a true pro prospect that could single-handedly change the ceiling of this team.

There’s more talent on this roster than in any year under head coach Jeff Capel. Double-digit scorer Jamarius Burton is back, while Nike Sibande is returning after missing last season with an injury. Former Ole Miss/Iowa State forward Blake Hinston is a versatile combo forward, while 6’11 twin bigs, Jorge and Guillermo Díaz Graham add frontcourt depth alongside Hugley.

Having Hugley back and the addition of Johnson gives the Panthers a pair of potential stars, while several senior transfers make them one of the oldest teams in the country. But after multiple years of struggling, this team and coaching staff will have to prove it on the court before people will believe that they can compete for a postseason spot.