Pitt Basketball Season Preview: Panthers Aim to Surpass Expectations Through Toughness
The Pitt men’s basketball team, led by head coach Jeff Capel in his eighth season, enters the 2025–26 campaign focused on resilience and unity. The Panthers are striving to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022–23, which would mark their second appearance under Capel.
Roster Overhaul and New Additions
Although the roster looks significantly different from last year due to incoming transfers and freshmen, the group emphasizes physicality and defensive grit. Despite being considered one of the less individually talented rosters of Capel’s tenure, the new makeup could provide a stronger collective identity built around toughness and size.
“We can’t be a team that thinks we can just show up,” Capel said after the team’s second exhibition. “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
- Brandin Cummings – The sophomore guard appeared in 31 games as a freshman, earning four starts and showing potential as a key backcourt presence.
- Cam Cohren – Expected to secure a starting frontcourt role after contributing consistently last season.
- Papa Kante – Will provide size and rebounding as a main rotational forward for the Panthers.
Outlook for the Season
Pitt’s success will likely depend on the collective toughness and cohesion of the team rather than star power. With renewed physicality and depth, the Panthers hope to compete aggressively in the ACC and surpass preseason predictions.
Author’s summary: Pitt enters the 2025–26 season with renewed grit and unity, betting that toughness and teamwork can carry them beyond expectations and back into NCAA contention.