Panthers to Open Legends Classic Against Michigan
8/22/2022 5:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – Pitt will face Michigan Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn in the opening round of the 2022 Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. on ESPNU with Arizona State and VCU scheduled to follow in the second opening round contest.
The Championship Doubleheader will follow Thursday, Nov. 17 with a consolation game at 7 p.m. and the championship game at 9 p.m. Both matchups will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Pitt (2008, 2013, 2017) is making its fourth Legends Classic appearance and seek its third title. The Panthers won the crown in 2008 and 2013. The Panthers are 6-12 all-time against Michigan with the last meeting coming in the 2012 NIT Season Tip-Off. The two programs have met just two times since the mid-1960s.
The Panthers return their top two leading scorers from last season in Honorable Mention All-ACC selection John Hugley IV (14.8 ppg., 7.9 rpg.) and Jamarius Burton (12.4 ppg.). Nike Sibande (1,570 points) returns from injury to combine with newcomer Nelly Cummings (1,112) and Burton (1,003) to give Pitt three 1,000-point scorers in the backcourt.
Head coach Jeff Capel and his staff also added experienced talent in Greg Elliott (94 career 3FG) and Blake Hinson (9.1 ppg.) along with JUCO standout Federiko Federiko.
Dior Johnson, a top-35 prospect, headlines a freshman group that include Spanish twins Guillermo Diaz Graham and Jorge Diaz Graham.
Wings William Jeffress and Nate Santos also return and are coming off a successful stint of international play with USA East Coast Basketball. The duo combined to start 22 games a year ago for the Panthers.
Tickets for the Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper are currently on sale online at SeatGeek.com or in-person at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.
In the 2021 Legends Classic, Virginia's stifling defense limited Georgia and Providence to a combined 30% shooting from the field in winning the championship in its first-ever appearance. Jayden Gardner earned MVP honors for averaging 18.0 ppg and 9.9 rpg.
About the Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper
First played in 2007, the Legends Classic has become one of college basketball's premier early-season tournaments. Featuring four teams from across the nation, the Legends Classic annually attracts the top programs in the sport with an opportunity to win a championship in downtown Brooklyn and the home of the Brooklyn Nets – Barclays Center.
About the Gazelle Group
The Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper is produced by the Gazelle Group of Princeton, N.J. The Gazelle Group is a sports marketing firm, specializing in event production and management, client representation, and sponsorship consulting. In addition to the Legends Classic, Gazelle produces numerous nationally-recognized college basketball events, such as the Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project presented by Continental Tire, the Gotham Classic, the Sunshine Slam, and the College Basketball Invitational, as well as the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off hockey tournament. For more information on the Gazelle Group, please visit www.gazellegroup.com.
About the Northeast Conference
The Northeast Conference (NEC) is the sponsoring conference of the Legends Classic. Entering its 42nd season, the NEC is a NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association consisting of 10 institutions of higher learning located throughout seven states. For more information on the NEC, visit the official website at www.northeastconference.org or follow on Twitter @NECsports.
About Barclays Center
Barclays Center is a major sports and entertainment venue in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. The arena is home to the NBA's Brooklyn Nets and the WNBA's New York Liberty. Since opening in 2012 with eight consecutive sold out shows by JAY-Z, Barclays Center has established itself as an industry leading arena, hosting some of the greatest entertainers in the world including Barbra Streisand, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Drake, Justin Bieber, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Paul McCartney, Rihanna, and The Rolling Stones, as well as major events such as the MTV Video Music Awards, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, 2015 NBA All-Star weekend, nine NBA Drafts, nationally broadcast New Year's Eve shows, and the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. Barclays Center has been consistently ranked as a top venue by Billboard, Pollstar, and Venues Now.
The Championship Doubleheader will follow Thursday, Nov. 17 with a consolation game at 7 p.m. and the championship game at 9 p.m. Both matchups will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Pitt (2008, 2013, 2017) is making its fourth Legends Classic appearance and seek its third title. The Panthers won the crown in 2008 and 2013. The Panthers are 6-12 all-time against Michigan with the last meeting coming in the 2012 NIT Season Tip-Off. The two programs have met just two times since the mid-1960s.
The Panthers return their top two leading scorers from last season in Honorable Mention All-ACC selection John Hugley IV (14.8 ppg., 7.9 rpg.) and Jamarius Burton (12.4 ppg.). Nike Sibande (1,570 points) returns from injury to combine with newcomer Nelly Cummings (1,112) and Burton (1,003) to give Pitt three 1,000-point scorers in the backcourt.
Head coach Jeff Capel and his staff also added experienced talent in Greg Elliott (94 career 3FG) and Blake Hinson (9.1 ppg.) along with JUCO standout Federiko Federiko.
Dior Johnson, a top-35 prospect, headlines a freshman group that include Spanish twins Guillermo Diaz Graham and Jorge Diaz Graham.
Wings William Jeffress and Nate Santos also return and are coming off a successful stint of international play with USA East Coast Basketball. The duo combined to start 22 games a year ago for the Panthers.
Tickets for the Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper are currently on sale online at SeatGeek.com or in-person at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.
In the 2021 Legends Classic, Virginia's stifling defense limited Georgia and Providence to a combined 30% shooting from the field in winning the championship in its first-ever appearance. Jayden Gardner earned MVP honors for averaging 18.0 ppg and 9.9 rpg.
About the Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper
First played in 2007, the Legends Classic has become one of college basketball's premier early-season tournaments. Featuring four teams from across the nation, the Legends Classic annually attracts the top programs in the sport with an opportunity to win a championship in downtown Brooklyn and the home of the Brooklyn Nets – Barclays Center.
About the Gazelle Group
The Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper is produced by the Gazelle Group of Princeton, N.J. The Gazelle Group is a sports marketing firm, specializing in event production and management, client representation, and sponsorship consulting. In addition to the Legends Classic, Gazelle produces numerous nationally-recognized college basketball events, such as the Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project presented by Continental Tire, the Gotham Classic, the Sunshine Slam, and the College Basketball Invitational, as well as the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off hockey tournament. For more information on the Gazelle Group, please visit www.gazellegroup.com.
About the Northeast Conference
The Northeast Conference (NEC) is the sponsoring conference of the Legends Classic. Entering its 42nd season, the NEC is a NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association consisting of 10 institutions of higher learning located throughout seven states. For more information on the NEC, visit the official website at www.northeastconference.org or follow on Twitter @NECsports.
About Barclays Center
Barclays Center is a major sports and entertainment venue in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. The arena is home to the NBA's Brooklyn Nets and the WNBA's New York Liberty. Since opening in 2012 with eight consecutive sold out shows by JAY-Z, Barclays Center has established itself as an industry leading arena, hosting some of the greatest entertainers in the world including Barbra Streisand, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Drake, Justin Bieber, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Paul McCartney, Rihanna, and The Rolling Stones, as well as major events such as the MTV Video Music Awards, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, 2015 NBA All-Star weekend, nine NBA Drafts, nationally broadcast New Year's Eve shows, and the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. Barclays Center has been consistently ranked as a top venue by Billboard, Pollstar, and Venues Now.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballUnscripted | Episode 1 | NBA 2K26 Summer League
Tuesday, September 02
Unscripted | Coming 9/2/2025 | Pitt Men's Basketball
Tuesday, September 02
Unscripted Trailer
Monday, September 01
Barry's Bites I Episode 3 | Pitt Basketball
Friday, August 08