Pittsburgh Basketball: Ranking the 10 confirmed non-conference opponents for 2024-25

9. Gardner-Webb Bulldogs - 2023-24 season record: 17-16 (13-5 Big South)

In recent memory, Gardner-Webb has been consistently near the top of the Big South but will be without their top four scorers from last season. Senior guard Lucas Stieber (7.3 ppg) is the top guard back, while forwards Isaiah Richards and Ademide Badmus return as the focal bigs in the frontcourt, with plenty of size to combat teams. They’ll need wing transfers Anthony Selden and Jamaine Mann to have an impact and have enough offense this time around.

8. Eastern Kentucky Colonels - 2023-24 season record: 17-14 (12-4 ASUN)

The ASUN regular-season champs are without star forward Isaiah Cozart but do have 6’6 forward Devontae Blanton (14.0 ppg and 5.3 rpg) back. Joining him are a pair of transfers from Charleston in Mayar Wol and Jordan Crawford, along with 7’0 center Cyril Martynov, a transfer from Eastern Michigan. Blanton alone should make them competitive in the ASUN but they need the young transfers surrounding him to have an instant impact.

7. Radford Highlanders - 2023-24 season record: 16-17 (5-11 Big South)

The top five scorers are gone from last season, including 14 ppg guards, DaQuan Smith and Kenyon Giles. Starting forward Justin Archer (8.6 ppg and 7.9 rpg) is back, along with senior rotation guard, Truth Harris. Joining Radford are Tony Felder (12.0 ppg at Stonehill) and David Early, who led Tennessee Tech with 14.3 ppg on 37% shooting from deep.