University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt-Robert Morris to Open Peoples Court at UPMC Events Center Nov. 12
3/21/2019 12:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh and Robert Morris University men's basketball teams will square off in the inaugural basketball game at Peoples Court at UPMC Events Center Tuesday, Nov. 12, as announced jointly by the two school Thursday.
"Playing in the inaugural game at RMU's new venue is a terrific opportunity for our program to face a quality non-conference opponent in what is sure to be an outstanding road environment," said head coach Jeff Capel. "Coach Toole has built a very good program and we are excited to help RMU open their new building."
The 4,000-plus-seat Peoples Court, a cornerstone of the Robert Morris University strategic plan, replaces a venue that was more than 30 years old and is housed within the new 161,000-square-foot UPMC Events Center on RMU's Moon Township campus.
"We're extremely thrilled to open the UPMC Events Center against the University of Pittsburgh," said Robert Morris head coach Andrew Toole. "Going up against a quality, local opponent from the Atlantic Coast Conference that is extremely well coached is a great opportunity for our program. The opening of our new arena with our first game against the Panthers will be a historic day not only for our program but for the Robert Morris University community and the region."
Capel led Pitt to four wins over NCAA Tournament qualifiers and a six-win improvement over the 2017-18 season in his first campaign at the helm of the Panther program. Pitt is expected to return four starters from last season, including double-figure scorers Xavier Johnson (15.5 ppg., 4.5 apg.) and Trey McGowens (11.6 ppg., 64 steals).
Johnson earned All-ACC Freshman Team honors, while setting Pitt freshman records for scoring, double-figure scoring games, games with 15 or more points scored, 20+ point scoring games, free throws made, free throw attempts and field goal attempts. He was the only player in the ACC to average at least 15.5 points and 4.5 assists per game during the 2018-19 season.
McGowens scored in double figures 17 times and set a Pitt freshman record with 33 points on 12-of-19 shooting in a Jan. 9 overtime win over Louisville. The Pendleton, S.C., native also had 30 points, while going 18-of-19 from the foul line in a 75-62 win over then 11th-ranked Florida State Jan. 14.
The Panthers also return Au'Diese Toney (7.5 ppg., 5.6 rpg.), Malik Ellison (5.8 ppg., 3.8 rpg.), Terrell Brown (5.7 ppg., 4.5 rpg., 60 blocks) and Kene Chukwuka (3.9 ppg., .534 fg pct.), who each started 16 or more games this past season.
Pitt leads the all-time series with Robert Morris, 30-0, including a 9-0 mark at the Petersen Events Center. All 30 previous contests have been played at Pitt's home venue. The two schools last met on Nov. 27, 2011.
Tickets for RMU's first game will go on sale Monday, April 8, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. through Ticketmaster. In order to purchase tickets for the game against Pitt, season tickets must be purchased.
As was recently announced, Pitt will open the season Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the Petersen Events Center against ACC foe Florida State. 14 of the 15 teams in the ACC will open the season with a conference game.
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"Playing in the inaugural game at RMU's new venue is a terrific opportunity for our program to face a quality non-conference opponent in what is sure to be an outstanding road environment," said head coach Jeff Capel. "Coach Toole has built a very good program and we are excited to help RMU open their new building."
The 4,000-plus-seat Peoples Court, a cornerstone of the Robert Morris University strategic plan, replaces a venue that was more than 30 years old and is housed within the new 161,000-square-foot UPMC Events Center on RMU's Moon Township campus.
"We're extremely thrilled to open the UPMC Events Center against the University of Pittsburgh," said Robert Morris head coach Andrew Toole. "Going up against a quality, local opponent from the Atlantic Coast Conference that is extremely well coached is a great opportunity for our program. The opening of our new arena with our first game against the Panthers will be a historic day not only for our program but for the Robert Morris University community and the region."
Capel led Pitt to four wins over NCAA Tournament qualifiers and a six-win improvement over the 2017-18 season in his first campaign at the helm of the Panther program. Pitt is expected to return four starters from last season, including double-figure scorers Xavier Johnson (15.5 ppg., 4.5 apg.) and Trey McGowens (11.6 ppg., 64 steals).
Johnson earned All-ACC Freshman Team honors, while setting Pitt freshman records for scoring, double-figure scoring games, games with 15 or more points scored, 20+ point scoring games, free throws made, free throw attempts and field goal attempts. He was the only player in the ACC to average at least 15.5 points and 4.5 assists per game during the 2018-19 season.
McGowens scored in double figures 17 times and set a Pitt freshman record with 33 points on 12-of-19 shooting in a Jan. 9 overtime win over Louisville. The Pendleton, S.C., native also had 30 points, while going 18-of-19 from the foul line in a 75-62 win over then 11th-ranked Florida State Jan. 14.
The Panthers also return Au'Diese Toney (7.5 ppg., 5.6 rpg.), Malik Ellison (5.8 ppg., 3.8 rpg.), Terrell Brown (5.7 ppg., 4.5 rpg., 60 blocks) and Kene Chukwuka (3.9 ppg., .534 fg pct.), who each started 16 or more games this past season.
Pitt leads the all-time series with Robert Morris, 30-0, including a 9-0 mark at the Petersen Events Center. All 30 previous contests have been played at Pitt's home venue. The two schools last met on Nov. 27, 2011.
Tickets for RMU's first game will go on sale Monday, April 8, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. through Ticketmaster. In order to purchase tickets for the game against Pitt, season tickets must be purchased.
As was recently announced, Pitt will open the season Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the Petersen Events Center against ACC foe Florida State. 14 of the 15 teams in the ACC will open the season with a conference game.
#H2P l Twitter l Instagram
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