PITTSBURGH, Pa. (PTTP) – Basketball season is over here at Pitt as both programs’ seasons have ended. The women’s team culminated their run much earlier than the men with a loss to Clemson in the first round of the ACC tournament. The men’s historic season came to an unfortunate close this past Sunday, March 19, in the second round of the NCAA tournament. They fell to number three seed Xavier by a final score of 84-73. The Panthers could not keep up with Xavier’s offense, which is ranked number seven across division one basketball, as the Musketeers shot 47% from the field.
Looking ahead for the men’s program, there are pieces that remain for another special group to form. Leading scorer and second-team all ACC honoree Blake Hinson will return, coupled with starting center Federiko Federiko. It is expected that the freshmen seven-foot twins will continue to grow stronger and improve their game as well.
As far as the women’s program, it seems as though a large rebuilding effort is on the horizon. Pitt administration announced March 3 that Lance White is out as head coach of the women’s basketball team. White had been with the team for five seasons, compiling an overall record of 42-99. “Coach White has been wholeheartedly dedicated to the betterment of his student-athletes and women’s basketball at Pitt,” athletic director Heather Lyke said. “I’m extremely grateful for his efforts and wish him only the very best moving forward, both personally and professionally.
Following the announcement over the past couple of weeks, eight members of the women’s basketball team entered the transfer portal. Senior forward Amber Brown was the first to do so, followed by seven others including other star senior Daeshanette Harris. The senior duo was Pitt’s first and third leading scorers this past season. They obtain one more year of eligibility to utilize wherever they end up.