Predictions for your Pitt bball team

by pantherboy on Nov 3, 2025 11:38 AM EDT

Predict the rotation, the season and the post season...

I really see them having that break out year. With the exception of Duke, I don't see a team that is head and shoulders above our Panthers.

We have so much depth that some of the highly anticipated guys may not see the minutes they would normally deserve.

My Starters (1st off the bench) are

PG Gibbs (Woodall)

SG Wanamaker (Gibbs)

SF Brown (Moore)

PF Zanna (Robinson)

C McGhee (Richardson)

I could see Patterson supplanting Moore or Robinson, but I think Moore will have to get some big minutes based on his offensive potential. However I really think we are going to see more Richardson than Taylor based on Coach Dixon's love of defense.

I see Pitt going 27-3 (15-3) with losses @Gtown, @WVu, and @Lville. I know that's very aggressive, but I just don't see this team having a major weakness.

A strong run to the Final Four this year!

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i like your positive outlook

but i dont know about 27-3 and a final 4, i would love that but that’s a pretty high goal… i’m thinking more like 25 wins and a good run in the postseason perhaps elite-8. but i like your ideas better

by panthro on Nov 3, 2025 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

Dante Taylor?

Did you leave him off intentionally? He’ll get the nod over Richardson.

And while I’d like to see Zanna start over Robinson, not sure he will. Dixon seems to really like Nasir.

by CardiacHill on Nov 3, 2025 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

I did leave Taylor off

From what I have seen and heard, he isn’t progressing the way the coaches want. They have been more impressed with with JJ’s defense and we all know that Coach Dixon values defense and rebounding at the center position more than offense.

It’s like baseball, you want to be strong up the middle.

I’m not saying Taylor won’t get minutes, he will, but I could see him getting less than most think. The more I think about it, I could see Coach Dixon riding the hot hand of JJ or Taylor. By that I mean whoever looked good in practice or the previous game will get the nod until they fail. I don’t see either getting more than 10-12 minutes a game, since Gary will be the stud in the middle anyway (barring foul trouble).

As for Zanna, he will start due to Nasir’s injury and that will decide the rest of the year. My thoughts are Zanna will do enough to make Nasir a VERY nice bench player. I know Coach Dixon likes Robinson a lot, but I believe Coach Dixon is starting to value offense a little more from the PF and SF positions and Zanna gives us more.

Of course as long as we win, I’ll be happy.

by pantherboy on Nov 3, 2025 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

A Few Thoughts

I’m excited for basketball season to get started, especially with this very deep, very physical, and very talented roster. That being said, I think it’s a little overzealous to predict a Final 4 appearance. Of course there may always be an exception to the rule, but generally speaking, a Final 4-type team needs to have at least one big name, impact-type player. I don’t see that guy with Pitt. This roster is made up of many very good players , but there is no obvious “big man” to lead them.

I also don’t like the hype that comes along with the preseason accolades Pitt has garnered. As the Big East favorite and #5 in the nation, they have a target on their backs starting now; I always prefer to be the underdog. I’m expecting a Sweet 16 appearance and anything past that will just be icing on the cake.

In terms of players, I love the trio of Ashton Gibbs, Brad Wanamaker, and Gilbert Brown, and I expect them to primarily carry the team. I think a lot of our success this year will depend on whether Dante Taylor can live up to the supposed hype he came in with. From what I’ve read, he conditioned a lot over the winter and is in much better shape, however I’m still skeptical. He looked lazy and apathetic during the Northwood game on Sunday (granted, it was an exhibition.)

A few other guys I noticed during that game: I liked Talib Zanna a lot. He’s an impressive physical specimen, plus he seemed like a smart player. I’ll be looking forward to seeing more of him. I was also very impressed with freshman J.J. Moore. He had a very Gilbert Brown-esque style of play.

Hail to Pitt, Hail to Pitt Every Loyal Son

by mikeo90 on Nov 3, 2025 7:35 PM EDT reply actions

I believe we have three NBA players on this roster right now

Ashton Gibbs will go early, Gary is getting mock draft love and I believe Gil can be a late second rounder. We have that impact-type player in Gibbs and possibly also in Jonathon Moore.

Keep in mind college bball is down this year, as it was last year.

I really believe this is a team with so much depth that it will make the FF run. Think of a team much in the same makeup of Butler.

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