Pitt Basketball Season Preview: Panthers Aim to Outwork Expectations
Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Pitt men's basketball team, under the leadership of eighth-year head coach Jeff Capel, seeks to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign—marking their second appearance during Capel's tenure.
The Panthers bring back three key players from last season but have largely renovated their roster through numerous transfers and freshmen additions. Although this group may rank as one of Capel’s less individually talented squads on paper, it emphasizes increased size, toughness, and physicality to compete nightly in the ACC.
“We can’t be a team that thinks we can just show up,” Capel said after the second exhibition game. “There is a certain way that we have to show up. We aren’t one of these teams that is just going to out-talent you. We have talent but we don’t have the type of talent that some of these teams do. But if we are tough, and we are together, and we play with an edge, then we can be a really good team.”
Key Returning Players
- Guard Brandin Cummings, who played in 31 games as a freshman last season and earned four starts, is expected to secure a starting role.
- Forward Cam Cohren, another significant contributor last year, aims to lock in a starting spot.
- Forward Papa Kante will be a vital part of the team's rotation.
Team Outlook
The Panthers’ focus on grit and unity aims to offset the lack of elite individual talent compared to other ACC teams, making toughness their defining trait this season.
Author’s summary: Pitt basketball embraces a new era of toughness and togetherness under Jeff Capel, aiming to defy talent gaps and return to the NCAA Tournament in 2025-26.