Pitt prepares to showcase backcourt in opener vs. Radford

Despite losing its top two scorers from last season, Pittsburgh is far from entering a rebuilding phase.

Pittsburgh, projected to finish seventh in the ACC, will rev up its 2024-25 campaign Monday when it hosts Radford of the Big South Conference.

Blake Hinson (18.5 points per game) and Carlton Carrington (13.8 ppg) have both taken off for professional careers, but the Panthers return a pair of key backcourt playmakers in addition to two transfers who will look to contribute right away.

The Panthers will rely heavily on fifth-year guard Ishmael Leggett and sophomore Jaland Lowe. In his second season with the Panthers after three at Rhode Island, Leggett hopes to build on a year that saw him average 12.3 points per game in 32 contests. Leggett came on strong in Pittsburgh's ACC tournament quarterfinal victory over Wake Forest, pouring in a season-high 30 points.

Leggett and Lowe -- who averaged 9.6 points per game as a freshman last season -- have a chance to contend as one of the conference's steadiest backcourts.

"I think we were mindful about the guys we were able to bring back, and we certainly don't take that for granted anymore," Pittsburgh coach Jeff Capel said. "We were able to keep Ish, keep Jaland. ... Guys that are able to understand what we need and what we want. I think if you have good guards, that's how you win. Ish and Jaland are two really good guards."

Capel, 97-92 in six years at Pittsburgh, added two transfers in Cameron Corhen (9.4 ppg at Florida State last season) and Damian Dunn (6.4 ppg at Houston), who are both slated to play big minutes.

Radford, 16-17 (5-11 Big South) last season, vies to rebound from its worst conference record since finishing 2-16 in 2011-12. The Highlanders will throw out an almost completely unrecognizable roster compared to last year, as they lost their five leading scorers, including Kenyon Giles, who took his 14.3 average to UNC Greensboro.

Head coach Darris Nichols has brought in David Early, who averaged 14.3 points per game at Tennessee Tech last season, and Tony Felder, who put up 12 points per contest at Stonehill. The newcomers are among nine fresh faces.

"We're a lot bigger, and a lot more physical," Nichols said. "I think we have a level of toughness that I like better this year. ... We have a lot of different guys that can really impact each game."

--Field Level Media