Pitt-Niagara Open Game Thread

Opponent: Niagara Purple Eagles

Conference: MAAC

Current Record: 2-4 (0-0)

Last Game: Nov 30, L 75-79 @Saint Francis (PA)

2017 Season: 19-14 (12-6), 3rd

Key Losses: G Matt Scott (19.1 ppg, graduation), G Kahlil Dukes (21.0 ppg, graduation)

Key Returnees: F Dominic Robb (2018 13.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg), F Marvin Prochet (2018 20.0 ppg, 11.3 rpg)

Niagara lost a lot of firepower in their backcourt with the graduation of Scott and reigning MAAC POY Dukes (who played two years at USC before coming to Niagara). This year their strength comes from the frontcourt. Robb is a North Catholic graduate who played a year at prep school previously. Niagara is one of the worst shooting teams in Division 1 (36.5%, 338th/353).

Last Meeting: Nov 14, 2014 Pitt 78 Niagara 45

What I said in the recap: “By the way, Pitt announced they were suspending Johnson for the entire season about thirty minutes before tip-off, which sets a new record for fastest a Pitt athletic’s season has gone up in flames...Seriously though, pretty much every player on Pitt played well...The biggest surprise was probably freshman Cameron Johnson scoring 11 points in his debut.”

:(

Prediction: Pitt should win comfortably. As long as they’re not looking forward to the mountaineers on Saturday. Pitt 84 Niagara 51

Hail to Pitt.