Pittsburgh Panthers men’s basketball

The Rich History of the Pittsburgh Panthers Men’s Basketball Team

Imagine a storied program that has seen it all, from national championships to NCAA tournament appearances and everything in between. The Pittsburgh Panthers men’s basketball team, the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men’s basketball program of the University of Pittsburgh, is one such program. It’s a journey filled with triumphs and challenges, victories and losses, all woven into the fabric of American college sports history.

The Early Days: From 1905-06 to Walter ‘Dutch’ Wohlfarth

Back in 1905-06, under coach Benjamin Printz, the University of Pittsburgh began its basketball journey. But it was in 1911 that the program truly took shape with Walter ‘Dutch’ Wohlfarth at the helm. He laid the groundwork for what would become a powerhouse team.

The Golden Era: Doc Carlson and Beyond

Henry Clifford ‘Doc’ Carlson, who took over in 1922, transformed Pitt into a national power. His teams led by All-American Billy Knight reached the Elite Eight in 1974. Under Carlson’s leadership, Pitt was recognized as a national champion by the Helms Athletic Foundation.

The Modern Era: From Tim Grgurich to Jeff Capel

Tim Grgurich, an assistant coach under Buzz Ridl, became head coach in 1976. He led Pitt into the Eastern Collegiate Basketball League and later into the Big East Conference. Under Larry Harris, the Panthers won the league scoring title in his first season at Pitt.

Dr. Roy Chipman took over from Grgurich, leading Pitt to three more postseason appearances before retiring in 1986. Paul Evans and Ralph Willard continued the tradition of success, with Evans’ team capturing its first two regular-season Big East Championships and securing several top-10 rankings.

The Dixon Era: A Decade of Glory

Ben Howland’s tenure from 2000 to 2006 was marked by sustained success. His second season saw the Pitt team advance to the Big East tournament championship game and NIT. In 2001-02, Howland won the Big East Coach of the Year, Naismith College Coach of the Year, and Henry Iba Award.

Jamie Dixon’s era from 2004 to 2016 was nothing short of legendary. He led Pitt to three straight Big East regular-season championships and nine NCAA tournament appearances in ten years. The Panthers achieved a school record 10-straight seasons with at least 20 overall wins and an NCAA Tournament appearance.

The Stallings and Capel Eras: A New Chapter

Kevin Stallings’ first season saw the Panthers go 16-17, finishing 14th in the ACC. His second year was even worse with an 8-24 record and a 0-18 performance in ACC play. Jeff Capel’s arrival in 2018 brought new energy to the program.

The Future: Under Jeff Capel

In the 2022-23 season, the Panthers finished with a regular-season record of 21-10 and made the NCAA Tournament. The future looks bright under Capel’s leadership as he continues to build on the legacy left by Dixon.

Key Rivalries and Achievements

The Panthers have faced numerous rivals over the years, including the Mountaineers, Penn State Nittany Lions, Syracuse Orange, and their crosstown rival Duquesne. Notable achievements include being recognized as national champions in 1927-28 and 1929-30, with the 1929-30 team winning a last-second basket to cement Charley Hyatt’s place in history.

Notable Players and Coaches

Henry Clifford ‘Doc’ Carlson, Charley Hyatt, and Don Hennon are among the University of Pittsburgh Hall of Fame inductees. Thirteen players have received All-American honors, with 15 First Team selections, seven Second Team, and six Third Team.

NBA Draft Success

The Panthers have been selected 28 times in the NBA draft, three times in the ABA draft, and 11 former Panthers were selected in the CBA draft. Eight Panthers are first-round NBA draft picks with Bub Carrington being the most recent in 2024.

Conclusion

The Pittsburgh Panthers men’s basketball team is a testament to perseverance and dedication. From its humble beginnings under Benjamin Printz to its current success under Jeff Capel, this program has consistently produced champions both on and off the court. The legacy of the Panthers continues to inspire future generations of athletes and coaches.