Pitt Basketball

College Hoops Analyst Evan Miyakawa Releases Preseason Rankings

Published

7 months ago

October 10, 2024

Pitt, Duquesne, and Robert Morris' basketball staffs have been busy recruiting throughout the month of July. From left to right: Andy Toole, Jeff Capel, Dru Joyce III

On Wednesday, college basketball analyst Evan Miyakawa (@evanmiya on Twitter) released his preseason college hoops team rankings.

Check out Miyakawa’s full rankings here.

Pitt came in at No. 42 overall in the nation in his preseason rankings, with a No. 41 offensive ranking and a No. 38 defensive ranking. Duquesne came in at No. 141, with an offensive ranking of No. 173 and a defensive ranking of No. 126. Robert Morris came in at No. 307 overall. The Colonials ranked No. 284 in offense and No. 318 in defense.

Check out Miyakawa’s full rankings here.

Pitt is heading into year seven of the Jeff Capel-era, coming off a second-straight 20-win season. The Panthers finished last year 22-11, but said goodbye to stars Bub Carrington (Washington Wizards) and Blake Hinson (Golden State Warriors) as they went off to the professional level. In addition, the Panthers said goodbye to Federiko Federiko (Texas Tech) and William Jeffress (Louisiana Tech), as both players transferred out this past spring. Pitt returns key players Jaland Lowe, Ishmael Leggett, and Zack Austin, among others. The staff also brought in a talented group of newcomers, headlined by transfers Cam Corhen (Florida State) and Damian Dunn (Houston) as well as freshmen Brandin “Beebah” Cummings, Amdy Ndiaye, and Amsal Delalic.

Pitt basketball guard Jaland Lowe competes in Combine Testing drills at a Pitt practice in mid-September 2024.

Duquesne is entering year one of the Dru Joyce III era. Last year’s team won the Atlantic 10 Tournament and took down BYU in an NCAA Tournament upset, and now, Keith Dambrot has retired and Joyce has taken over. The Dukes return Jakub Necas, Jake DiMichele, Kareem Rozier, and David Dixon, while bringing in a loaded transfer class that includes Tre Dinkins, Eli Wilborn, Cam Crawford, Jahsean Corbett, Alex Williams, and Max Edwards.

Duquesne Dukes guard Jake DiMichele (44) January 23 2024 David Hague/PSN

Robert Morris is in year 15 of Andy Toole’s tenure, and the Colonials added a few intriguing pieces to a solid returning corps in hopes of a turnaround. Last season’s team finished 10-22 overall (6-14 Horizon). Toole and his new-look staff brought in transfers Kam Woods and DJ Smith, among others, to team up with returners Justice Williams and Chris Ford.