Panthers Open Season Monday Against NC A&T

Pitt (0-0 0-0 ACC) vs. NC A&T (0-0, 0-0 CAA)

Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 • 7:00 PM

Pittsburgh, Pa. • Petersen Events Center

ACC Network Extra • 93.7 The Fan

THE OPENING TIP

Pitt opens the season Monday, Nov. 6 at the Petersen Events Center against NC A&T. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. with Jason Earle and former Panther standout Julius Page calling the action on ACC Network Extra.
The Panthers are 80-36 all-time in season openers. Pitt is 16-2 in season openers at the Petersen Events Center and has won 23 of its past 26 season opening contests.
Head coach Jeff Capel is 10-4 in his head coaching career in season openers, including a 3-2 mark at Pitt.
Pitt has won 19 of 21 home openers at the Petersen Events Center and is 93-23 all-time in home openers.
Pitt has compiled a 290-86 (.771) record, including a 168-17 (.908) ledger in non-conference play, in 21 seasons at the Petersen Events Center.
Pitt returns its starting frontcourt from a year ago in Blake Hinson (15.3 ppg., 6.0 rpg., 97 3FG) and Federiko Federiko (6.6 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 1.7 bpg.).
Guards Ishmael Leggett, Carlton Carrington, and Jaland Lowe will look to replace a four-guard rotation that combined to average 45.1 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game a year ago. Leggett averaged 16.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season at Rhode Island, while Carrington and Lowe are highly touted four-star prospects out of high school.

BY THE NUMBERS

Blake Hinson led the Panthers in scoring (15.3 ppg.), rebounds (6.0 rpg.), and three-pointers (97), while posting 30 double-figure scoring games and nine 20+ point games a year ago. He is one of just 24 players (25 times) in the NCAA since the 1992-93 season to average 15.0 or more points and 6.0 or more rebounds per game with 95 or more made threes.
Federiko Federiko returns for his junior season after shooting a team-high 66.7 percent (94-of-141) from the field, while also leading the Panthers in offensive rebounds (86), blocks (58), and dunks (39) a year ago.
Zack Austin has made 60 or more threes and blocked 60 or more shots in each of the past two seasons. He and Duke's Shane Battier (2000, 2001) are the only two players to accomplish that feat in multiple seasons.
Transfer guard Ishmael Leggett posted career bests in scoring (16.4 ppg.), rebounds (5.8 rpg.), assists (73), steals (42), and three-point field goals (49) last season at Rhode Island. He scored in double-figures 30 times with six games with 20 or more points scored.
Guillermo Diaz Graham closed the 2022-23 season on a high note averaging 9.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks over the final four games of the season.
William Jeffress returns for the Panthers after missing the 2022-23 season with a foot injury. He has played in 47 career games with 20 starts at Pitt.
Ishmael Leggett enters the season having started 69 consecutive games. He has scored in double figures 43 times during that stretch. He has 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in Pitt's closed scrimmage win over Georgetown and 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists in an exhibition win over Pitt-Johnstown.
Freshmen guards Carlton Carrington and Jaland Lowe combined for 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field and six assists in the Panthers' closed scrimmage win over Georgetown Oct. 21.
Blake Hinson was named Preseason Second Team All-ACC and the Panthers were picked ninth overall in the projected standings as voted upon by league's media panel.
Carlton Carrington averaged 14.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, while going 10-of-18 (.556) from the field in Pitt's closed scrimmage against Georgetown and exhibition game against Pitt-Johnstown.
Pitt is 19-6 all-time against teams currently in the Coastal Athletic Association [CAA], including a 3-0 mark against NC A&T.
Pitt ranked among the ACC team leaders in scoring defense (4th - 69.7 ppg.), field goal percentage defense (4th - .420), three-point percentage defense (4th - .327), rebounds (4th - 36.14 rpg.), defensive rebounds (4th - 26.03 pg.), and three-point field goals made (2nd - 9.03 3pg.), last season.
The Panthers enter the season with 291 wins all-time at the Petersen Events Center. Pitt has compiled a 291-86 (.772) record, including a 168-17 (.908) ledger in non-conference play, at the Pete.
The Panthers have four players 6-10 or taller on the roster for just the second time in program history. Pitt's projected starting lineup features four players 6-5 or taller and has an average height of just under 6-7.

PANTHER SPOTLIGHTS

Jeff Capel enters his sixth season at the helm of the Pitt program after earning ACC Coach of the Year accolades and leading the Panthers to a 24-12 record overall and a 14-6 mark in the ACC a year ago.
Blake Hinson is tied for sixth in the NCAA among the top returning three-point shooters after making 97 threes in his first season with the Panthers.
Federiko Federiko is the leading returning shot blocker in the ACC (14th nationally). He posted 58 blocks last season with three or more blocks in a game 12 times.

Panthers Open Season Monday Against NC A&T

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Zack Austin

Carlton Carrington

Guillermo Diaz Graham

Federiko Federiko

Blake Hinson

William Jeffress

Ishmael Leggett

Jaland Lowe

Panthers Open Season Monday Against NC A&T

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Zack Austin

Carlton Carrington

Guillermo Diaz Graham

Federiko Federiko

Blake Hinson

William Jeffress

Ishmael Leggett

Jaland Lowe

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