Panthers Ranked No. 25 in USA Today Coaches Poll
11/25/2024 3:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh men's basketball team is ranked No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll as announced Monday afternoon. Head coach Jeff Capel's squad is off to a 6-1 start to the season, including a 5-0 mark at the Petersen Events Center, in earning a spot in the Coaches Poll for the first time since week 17 of the 2022-23 season.
The Panthers' early season computer metrics are also strong with Pitt ranking in the top 25 in KenPom net rating (17th), adjusted offensive efficiency (20th), and adjusted defensive efficiency (17th) as well as ESPN's BPI (25th).
Pitt is also just outside of the top 25 of the AP Poll coming in at No. 27.
The Panthers are led by the returning backcourt tandem of Ishmael Leggett and Jaland Lowe along with transfer big man Cameron Corhen. Leggett is averaging a team-high 18.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while Lowe is the only player in the country averaging at least 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.0 steals per game on the season. Corhen has scored in double figures in all seven games and is averaging 13.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while leading the ACC with a .707 field goal percentage.
Pitt returns to action Friday, Nov. 29 with a road game at Ohio State. The Panthers will also play Mississippi State (Dec. 4) and Virginia Tech (Dec. 7) on the road before their next home contest on Wednesday, Dec. 11 (Eastern Kentucky).
