2013-14 PITT BASKETBALL
SEASON PREVIEW 2013-14 QUICK FACTS SCHOOL INFORMATION School: University of Pittsburgh Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Founded: 1787 Enrollment: 28,823 Nickname: Panthers School Colors: Blue & Gold (PMS 289/PMS 4515) Basketball Arena: Petersen Events Center Capacity: 12,508 Affiliation: NCAA Division I Conference: ACC Chancellor: Mark Nordenberg Alma Mater, Yr.: Thiel College, 1970 Athletics Director: Steve Pederson Alma Mater, Yr.: Nebraska, 1980 Athletic Department Phone: (412) 624-5550 Ticket Office Phone: (412) 648-7488 or (800) 643PITT BASKETBALL HISTORY First Year of Basketball: 1905-06 Overall All-time Record: 1,517-1,073 (106 years) Yrs. in NCAA Tournament: 24 (last: 2013) Yrs. in NIT: Eight (last: 2001) Last NCAA Tournament game: Wichita State (Second Round, March 21, 2013, 73-55 loss) COACHING STAFF Head Coach: Jamie Dixon Alma Mater/Year: TCU, 1987 Record at School (Yrs): 262-86 (11th year as head coach/15th total year at Pitt) Career Record (Yrs): 262-86 (10 years) Basketball Office Phone: (412) 648-8350 Assistant Coaches: Barry Rohrssen (St. Francis, N.Y., 1983) Brandin Knight (Pittsburgh, 2005) Bill Barton (Salem State, 1989) Director of Operations: Brian Regan (Saint Vincent, 1988) Video Coordinator/Analytics: Jason Richards (Davidson, 2008) Graduate Managers: Branden McDonald David Hanson Athletic Trainer: Tony Salesi (Pittsburgh, 1980) TEAM INFORMATION Overall 2012-13 Record: 24-9 Home Record: 16-3 Away: 6-3 Neutral: 2-3 Conference Record/Finish: 12-6 (4th in Big East) Final Ranking(s): AP-20; USAToday-NR Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2 Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 5/5 Top Scorers Returning: 5 out of top-10
World Championship this summer, started 32 games for the Panthers as a freshman in 2012-13. Robinson averaged 6.1 points, 3.5 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game and was named a Big East Rookie of the Week honoree. Robinson also ranked No. 9 nationally, led the Big East in assistto-turnover ratio (2.83) and finished second on the team with 116 assists. Known for solid defense and his ability as a playmaker to make clutch plays, the sophomore will be counted upon to lead the squad from the point guard position. Top reserve Cameron Wright also returns to the backcourt. A redshirt junior, Wright came off the bench for the Panthers in 30 games last year with one start. He averaged
3.9 points and 1.2 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game. His athleticism and quickness combined with his defensive and scoring abilities will give Wright an opportunity to earn the starting off guard position. The top point guard recruit in North Carolina from the class of 2013, point guard Josh Newkirk brings his well-rounded game to Pitt for the 2013-14 season. Newkirk has the ability to be a scorer and a playmaker due to his quickness and strong feel for the game. Because of his versatility to play both guard positions, look for Newkirk to play valuable minutes as a freshman for the Panthers. In addition, walk-on sophomore Mike Lecak will contribute at both guard positions after redshirting last season.
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TOP LEFT: Lamar Patterson and James Robinson will be keys to the Panthers’ offense in 2013-14 season. The duo ranked second and third respectively on last year’s team in assists and assist:turnover ratio. TOP RIGHT : Sophomore James Robinson led the Big East Conference in assist:turnover ratio last year. He also ranked No. 9 nationally in the same category. Look for Robinson to have a stellar 2013-14 season. ABOVE : The Oakland Zoo consistently ranks among college basketball’s top cheering sections. The Zoo won the popular vote for the 2012-13 Naismith Student Section of the Year. In addition, Pitt has sold out each of its 12 basketball seasons at the Petersen Events Center.