Last season, the Pittsburgh Panthers had a strong start in the non-conference. After a win over Ohio State on the road, they were ranked. However, after a blowout loss at Mississippi State, things spiraled for the Panthers, eventually leading them to miss the postseason.
This year, Pittsburgh is hoping for a more consistent campaign, starting in the non-conference. With the ACC having two fewer league games, there are now 13 games against teams outside of the conference. With the schedule official, here’s a power ranking of who the Panthers will face.
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— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_MBB) August 19, 2025
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13. Binghamton Bearcats
2024-25 season record: 15-17 (7-9 America East)
The AEC program lost all of its main scorers from last season and will have to start over. Two of the key newcomers to the roster are Demetrius Lilley (7.7 ppg and 5.8 rpg at La Salle) and Jeremiah Quigley, a guard from George Mason who was formerly a double-digit scorer at Iona.
12. Bucknell Bison
2024-25 season record: 18-15 (13-5 Patriot League)
Last season’s Patriot League regular season champions are without Noah Williamson, the star forward and Conference POY. The team does return three other key pieces, including starters, Ruot Bijiek (8.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg) and Achile Spadone. They’ll need Toledo transfer forward Grgur Brcic to have a breakthrough year after two years of reserve minutes off the bench.
11. Youngstown State Penguins
2024-25 season record: 21-13 (13-7 Horizon League)
Not only are the top four scorers gone for the Penguins, but they are also without 7’3 national shot-block leader, Gabe Dynes. Seniors Jason Nelson and Chris Carroll are back as lead guards, while YSU also brought in two key transfers in Bryson Dawkins (14.8 ppg at Houston Christian) and Vlad Salaridza, a 6’7 forward who produced 10.8 ppg and 7.8 rpg at UT-Martin.
10. Eastern Michigan Eagles
2024-25 season record: 16-16 (9-9 MAC)
The top six scorers for the Eagles left, but the team added a trio of double-digit transfer guards from the portal. Addison Patterson (Northwestern State), Mehki Ellison (Stetson), and Mak Manciel (Detroit Mercy) all should have big roles for the Eagles, but the question is whether there’s enough frontcourt depth for them to be a threat in the MAC.
9. Longwood Lancers
2024-25 season record: 18-14 (7-9 Big South)
It's a new roster and staff at Longwood, with 6’7 forward Elijah Tucker (9.7 ppg and 5.0 rpg) as the key returning piece. Two of the most important newcomers to watch include Jacoi Hutchinson (6.5 ppg and 2.4 apg at George Washington) and Alponzo Billups, a 6’7 forward and former four-star prospect from VCU.
8. Hofstra Pride
2024-25 season record: 15-18 (6-12 CAA)
Last season was a rare off-year for the Pride, but they were able to bring back a big piece in Cruz Davis, who led the team with 14.4 ppg and 4.4 apg. Former Saint Francis guard Carlos Lopez is back after missing last year, while AJ Wills could be a breakout transfer newcomer, arriving over from Wyoming after averaging 4.8 ppg on 43% shooting from deep.
7. Quinnipiac Bobcats
2024-25 season record: 20-13 (15-5 MAAC)
The Bobcats are one of a few teams that returned a Conference Player of the Year, bringing back star forward, Amarri Monroe (18.1 ppg and 9.1 rpg). Plus, Jaden Zimmerman returns after producing 11 ppg as a freshman starter. Of all the “buy” games, Quinnipiac is easily the toughest for the Panthers.
6. Penn State Nittany Lions (N)
2024-25 season record: 16-15 (6-14 Big Ten)
The top four scorers for the Nittany Lions are gone, including first-round NBA Draft pick Yanic Konan Niederhauser. Freddie Dillione (9.4 ppg) is back, joined by Josh Reed, a transfer from Cincinnati looking for more playing time. The concern with this team is that their frontcourt is nothing but freshmen and is largely unproven.
5. UCF Knights (N)
2024-25 season record: 20-17 (7-13 Big 12)
Between the transfer portal and graduation, UCF lost everyone from last season. In comes 11 transfers from the portal, including former Milwaukee stars, Themus Fulks and Jamichael Stillwell. Former Mississippi State guard Riley Kugel is one of the few high-major guys on the roster and will need to become the go-to option for them to be competitive in the Big 12.
4. West Virginia Mountaineers (A)
2024-25 season record: 19-13 (10-10 Big 12)
Another coaching change has created a brand new roster for the Mountaineers. Former North Texas HC Ross Hodge brings with him forward Brenen Lorient (11.7 ppg and 4.9 rpg), the focal point of the frontcourt. The top pickup for the team was 6’6 wing Treysen Eaglestaff, who averaged 18.9 ppg at North Dakota, along with Honor Huff, a 5’11 guard from Chattanooga who produced 15.2 ppg on 42% shooting from deep.
3. Villanova Wildcats (A)
2024-25 season record: 21-15 (11-9 Big East)
As with WVU, the Wildcats also have a new head coach, with Kevin Willard coming over from Maryland. Tyler Perkins is the lone key returning piece, along with several newcomers. Devin Askew averaged 19 ppg at Long Beach, while Acaden Lewis is a top-30 freshman guard prospect. Duke Brennan averaged nearly a double-double at Grand Canyon last season and is set to be the focal point of Villanova.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
2024-25 season record: 17-15 (9-11 Big Ten)
The top three scorers for the Buckeyes are back, including All-Big Ten guard Bruce Thornton (17.7 ppg and 4.6 apg), along with Devin Royal (13.7 ppg and 6.9 rpg) and John Mobley (13 ppg). The newcomers to the new frontcourt include former Santa Clara center Christoph Tilly, along with Brandon Noel, a 6’8 forward who averaged 19 ppg and 7.7 rpg at Wright State.
1. Texas A&M Aggies
2024-25 season record: 23-11 (11-7 SEC)
The Aggies are another program with a new coach/roster, with Bucky McMillian coming over from Samford. Among the news to the group include Pop Isaacs (16.3 ppg and 3.9 apg in eight games at Creighton), Mackenzie Mgbako (12.2 ppg at Indiana), and Federiko Federiko, who comes over from Texas Tech and will make his return at the Peterson Events Center in a few months. From a talent and coaching perspective, Texas A&M should be the toughest team Pitt sees in the non-con.