Pitt basketball opened its 2024 season against Radford at the Petersen Events Center. Jaland Lowe posted a career-high 21 points in the 96-56 win.
The Highlanders came out of the gate strong and hung around for the opening 14 minutes of the first half. It wasn’t until Guillermo Diaz Graham sunk a pair of free throws that the Panthers were able to gain some momentum on both ends on the court. Pitt ended the first half on a 17-3 run and took a 45-27 lead into the locker room.
Pitt continued its strong form into the second half. The Panthers started the second frame on an 12-4 run as Jeff Capel poured it on and made a statement on opening night. Six Panthers recorded double digits, including Lowe who posted 21 points while Leggett recorded 19 points and 12 rebounds as Pitt basketball cruised to a 96-56 win.
Takeaway #1: Panthers find new gear late in first half
The Panthers will be the first to admit the first 15 minutes of the game didn’t go as planned. Radford had a firm grasp on the game and consistently kept things as a two-possession game. However, the Panthers turned it around and never looked back.
It’s normal for teams to have new-season jitters at the beginning of the game. Still having them three-quarters of the way through the opening half is where it became concerning.
Capel described the team’s slow start as “anxious” and knew it was obvious. Pitt was playing to its opponent, but one simple message allowed the Panthers to play the way they know how.
“Being who we’ve been since we’ve been together,” said Capel. “Being who we’ve been in practice and to really move the basketball with the pass. Find guys that are open, and make the simple play.”
Takeaway #2: Cam Corhen provides new look for the Panthers
Corhen didn’t have a lot of hype surrounding him when the Panthers signed him out of the transfer portal. He was seen as a bounce-back candidate. However, the former Seminole’s play on both ends of the court allowed Pitt to be dynamic and fluid over the course of all 40 minutes.
His size in the paint gave Pitt an edge offensively, and he made life difficult for Radford’s physical forwards. It’s something relatively new for the Panthers, and it adds a whole new layer to Capel’s system.
“He’s just a well-known inside presence that can do a little bit of everything,” said Lowe. “He can shoot the ball, play one-on-one in the post and that’s something we need from him and that he provides for us. We’re glad to have him.”
His presence in the paint is going to make Pitt’s offense even better, and Corhen will continue to be an integral part of it moving forward.
Takeaway #3: Rebounding still a concern for the Panthers
Despite Pitt basketball winning the rebound battle 42-31, it wasn’t a perfect night for the Panthers on the glass. Capel’s group was out-rebounded offensively, and there were several instances where the defensive rebounding was questionable at best.
This was a theme that carried over from the exhibition match against Point Park. Pitt struggled at times with controlling the glass, and it’s the one blemish on an all-around solid performance. The issue compounds even more with Leggett and Guillermo Diaz Graham pulling in 50% of the total rebounds.
Pitt knew Radford was going to be a physical team. However, the Panthers let that physicality get the better of them throughout the game.
“They got them [rebounds] in spurts,” said Capel. “I don’t know if it’s us getting tired, but we got to get in there… we have to continue to get better because as we move up, different types of athletes, different types of size, it’s something people will really try to take advantage of [against us].”
The Panthers certainly have the size and strength to out-rebound any team on the schedule. It’s simply a matter of how much they want it on any given night.
Next up for Pitt (1-0): vs. Murray State (1-0) – Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. EST
Next Game for Radford (0-1): vs. William & Mary (1-0) – Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. EST
[…] for the Panthers, they are fresh off of a 96-56 win over Radford. That game was much closer in the early goings than it should have been, and Jeff Capel admitted […]