PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt basketball confirming they will be back in Brooklyn this season. The Panthers one of four teams in the NIT Season Tip-Off November 22 and 24.
The games sandwiched around Thanksgiving with three other teams from three other conferences--Baylor Bears from the Big 12, Florida Gators from the SEC and Oregon State from the Pac 12. There are a couple of local ties as the Beavers athletic director is Scott Barnes, who hired Kevin Stallings at Pitt. Former WVU forward Jalen Bridges is on the Baylor team now.
The Panthers confirm 2022 recruit Dior Johnson will play this year after sitting out last season. Johnson was a four-star point guard and joins five other newcomers including a Top 25 recruiting class in forward Marlon Barnes, Jr, guard Carlton Carrington and point guard Jaland Lowe.
A starter for a couple of seasons, but missing all of last year with a foot injury, four-star forward William Jeffress has made a full recovery. The Panthers added transfer guard Ishmael Leggett and forward Zach Austin and have two more scholarships available and continue to look for options to fill those spots.
Starters Blake Hinson, who is exploring the NBA Draft with the option to return, and Federiko Federiko will be back along with forwards Guillermo and Jorge Diaz Graham.
The matchups and times for the Wednesday and Friday games will be announced at a later date.