With Signing Day less than two weeks away, how does Pitt's recruiting class look? On today's Morning Pitt, we're breaking down the class - from a four-star decommitment to an impressive group of committed prospects and more.

But did anyone think for one second he'd be signing here? I see dudes like that pledge a commitment to us in June and just laugh.

I am heading down on fri morning, hoping the weather holds off. Looking forward to the matchup with LSU, will be a good test. Wiscy should be able to handle UCF so another intriguing matchup on Sunday looms with Wiscy, first team to 85 will win that one.

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2000 Pitt Grad, Alliance 412 Member and Backshore Apparel founder - Mike Romano

Otherwise, might be the 1st time ever that I’d be leaning towards watching a game other than Pitt’s. Will be rooting hard for IU.

Cignetti/Shanahan/Sunseri having the perennial doormat Hoosiers at 10-0. Who had that prediction?

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Backshore has revamped the trucker hat - a modern twist on a classic favorite. Our innovative, laser cut hats are crafted from moisture-wicking fabrics, ensuring they are lightweight and breathable. Experience the ultimate durability and unique floating feature when you select a Backshore hat.

In addition to the hats; Backshore Beach Tech Hoodies and T-shirts are the perfect combination of style and functionality. They are crafted with flex fabrics to keep you cool and thinking of warmer weather. The breathable material ensures you feel fresh all day long, while the stain-resistant protection keeps your hoodie looking new for longer. And let's not forget how incredibly soft they are.

2000 Pitt Grad, Alliance 412 Member and Backshore Apparel founder - Mike Romano

We are giving Pantherlair members early access to our Black Friday Sale. Use BF20 for 20% off site wide

Backshore has revamped the trucker hat - a modern twist on a classic favorite. Our innovative, laser cut hats are crafted from moisture-wicking fabrics, ensuring they are lightweight and breathable. Experience the ultimate durability and unique floating feature when you select a Backshore hat.

In addition to the hats; Backshore Beach Tech Hoodies and T-shirts are the perfect combination of style and functionality. They are crafted with flex fabrics to keep you cool and thinking of warmer weather. The breathable material ensures you feel fresh all day long, while the stain-resistant protection keeps your hoodie looking new for longer. And let's not forget how incredibly soft they are.

2000 Pitt Grad, Alliance 412 Member and Backshore Apparel founder - Mike Romano

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Saw Dotson play on Friday. He's a really good pickup for Pitt. Has great instincts, is fast and physical. It might get tricky holding on to him since he's going to keep picking up offers through the season as more teams see his senior film.

Commits to Michigan per Rivals

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Backshore has revamped the trucker hat - a modern twist on a classic favorite. Our innovative, laser cut hats are crafted from moisture-wicking fabrics, ensuring they are lightweight and breathable. Experience the ultimate durability and unique floating feature when you select a Backshore hat.

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2000 Pitt Grad, Alliance 412 Member and Backshore Apparel founder - Mike Romano

** It’s fair to wonder why we schedule opponents such as VMI. Should we proclaim that the best outcome is to drive up the score enough to drive up our NET?

** Fortunately, in the long run the Panthers were up to that task. But it didn’t necessarily start out the way, and when VMI cut our lead to cut three with just under 6 minutes remaining in the first 20, many of the few thousand fans at the Pete were likely thinking WTF?

** During VMI’s 10-2 run of that moment, there were at least three trips where they just drove by our defense. TBH, I found this a little troubling. And knowing that VMI played zone, there is still the wonder if that’s going to be something that gives us struggles throughout the course of the campaign.

** IDK what Capel told the troops in the huddle when he called timeout. Whatever it was, it worked. And in the game’s final 25+ minutes, the Panthers outscored VMI 72-30. This includes only surrendering 10 field goals in that time.

** IDC how bad the opponent is. That’s impressive.

** Despite this tremendous advantage on this night, IMO we still haven’t really yet seen how good this team can be. Sure, we finally started hitting shots, and Ish’s three out of the timeout was actually our first of the game, which we followed with 11 more.

** Perhaps the biggest reason we can suggest that we haven’t really yet seen how good this team can be is because it still seems TBD how good Jaland can be. This is a bit of an odd assertion about the guy who just notched a triple double. But he looks to be forcing a little bit on the offensive end, even compared to how he played down the stretch last year.

** I assume that it’s Jaland’s POV that he needs to be the prime catalyst of the offense, and last year Bub and Blake carried that mantle. Hopefully we’ll enjoy him growing and getting better, and I do think he’ll eventually be fully up to the task.

** And keep in mind that my expectation for Jaland is to be named All-ACC.

** Beyond giving Jaland the opportunity to work himself out and gamer his 11-10-10, I suppose the next best value of a game against VMI is to drive up the MPG of our team members beyond our first six.

** I was glad to watch Amsal and Brandin, AKA Beebah, combine for 34 minutes. I expect both players to have critical roles once games really start to matter in January, even if both are being brought along a little more slowly than some of our pre-season hype for them would have wanted. Amsal certainly has a great looking shot from deep, but it’s going to take him some time and confidence to learn more about when and how to let it fly. And I like how Beebah isn’t forcing things thus far. But there may be times when we might need him to offer a bit more. He seems to have it in him.

** It was such a blast to watch JGD drain four of four threes, especially since the last three threes were the buckets to earn Lowe his 8th, 9th and 10th assists. Both guys seemed so absolutely thrilled for each other for these accomplishments.

** I should also say that I really like the decision of our CEO to bring Jaland back in the game down the stretch to pursue those last two caroms and three dimes. Some from the older school types might think this is rubbing it in a bit against a substandard opponent. But the kids certainly find it to be plenty of fun, and having fun is what this is supposed to be about isn't it?

** I also enjoyed watching Papa’s 6 minutes which probably drove up is ORTg and DRTg a little higher. But he’s still a large step away from playing important minutes.

** As for our top six, Zach was Zach, and GDG had another strong game. But I will once again offer my assertion that it’s likely not best for our team when he leads us in FGA. Perhaps this is something Capel wants to see when the Panthers are facing zones, and there’s no reason to forget that he drilled threes at a 40% clip last year. This year he’s gone 7-22 which isn’t bad, but it feels to me like he’s rushing them a bit. Or perhaps it’s just another chance to GDG to prove me wrong just as he has for most of his first two years.

** Cam and Damian continue to be tremendous additions and FYI, neither was ranked among ESPN’s top 200 College Basketball’s transfers for this year. Meanwhile, #1 ranked Kadary Richmond is averaging 8.8 PPG at St. John’s and #4 ranked AJ Storr is averaging 10 PPG for Kansas. And we already saw what #7 Tucker DeVries looked like, SMH!

** We’ll end this edition with a nod to another transfer who wasn’t ranked among ESPN’s Top 100 the year prior. After all, in the early going ISH has certainly looked like our MVP. What’s best about ISH isn’t just what he’s doing on the offensive end with both production and efficiency, he’s also been our best defender and our overall leader actually. And after VMI cut the lead to three, he sparked the 16-1 run with his three, then a steal. So if he wasn’t a Top 100 (or 200) transfer, then Ish, just like Blake, Jamarius, Damian and Cam, were certainly steals for Capel.

** Despite this wonderful 5-0 start that has the Panthers now at #16 in Kenpom, things get a little more interesting on Friday against LSU, They come in at #41 in Kenpom, about 300 spots better than VMI. So it’s a perfect test to learn where our Panthers really stand in this early season. I can’t wait!

** But in the meantime, HTP!

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"The visit was great," Hilson told Rivals. "Had a great experience being back at Pitt. They showed me how they use me in the defense and I could visualize myself making plays. It was a great experience for me. I loved the game... the defense played great."

Hilson will trip to Florida and Texas A&M to round out his recruitment.

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It's a hockey night in Pittsburgh.

Opener against the Rangers tonight at 7:30 PM on TNT.

Hope the Pens can make it to the Playoffs this year.

Also wishing safety to all those in the path of Hurricane Milton !

Some ugly losses for the conference so far. Unless I missed it, it doesn’t look like we’ve beaten a single “power” conference team projected to make the tournament. Granted, not a ton of opportunities thus far.

VT losing at home to Jacksonville is a NET killer.

At least it feels like Pitt has its fate in its own hands this year with a better OOC. I can’t imagine the conference will get much respect again in March unless things 180.

It's time for questions, so post yours in this thread and we'll answer as many as we can in this week's Mailbag. We'll take questions on Pitt football, basketball, recruiting or anything else, so fire away and we'll answer them.

Thanks in advance for participating.

See a lot people explaining what Pitt is and complaining about respect and national attention etc.

In the past 23 years from 2000-2023 , which is when I started becoming a full time Pitt fan we are 172-132. Winning only 6 bowl games in 23 years. Highest ranking to start was 9th in 2003 and we finished unranked. Highest we finished was #13 the year we won the ACC but lost our bowl. Only 1 straight forward conference title in 23 years.

We are mid level mediocre and inconsistent football team. And that's okay. I want more and hope many expect and want more as well. But numbers don't lie. We are who we are. At the end of the day I'll take that over some the programs any day.

It would be nice for a few year span to break this cycle. Most definitely. So when you want to compare us to others ... It's just not fair. We can usually sit here and say the ole Tomlin excuse... Well least we didn't have a losing season

New CFP rankings, same as the old. It's the Big Ten/SEC invitational and ACC & Big 12 are one-bid mid-major conferences. It won't be long before the Group of 5 is the Group of 7 and we are just another Memphis, UNLV, Tulane, etc.

I know we weren't making the playoff this year anyway, and I know a one bid league is better than a zero bid league, but the writing is the on the wall. If your team is not in the Big Ten or SEC, you aren't really a high major or 'power' D1 team....you are just fodder to fill out the bracket.

It hurts. But it's also funny lol.

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Pitt got 9 votes and Ohio State received 13 votes.

Was hoping for a lot more, oh well.

And I’m not suggesting you do…

But watch the part after Daniel Carter gets put on the cart to be wheeled off. So many of his teammates were running over and fighting to get in to shake his hand before they carted him off. You could really see how much they cared about him.

It was also cool how the Clemson sideline was really acknowledging him too as he left the field. Klubnik even came over to fist bump him as he rolled past.

Hey everyone, I've got some exciting news.
Keith Gavin has agreed to sit down with me to answer YOUR questions.
Login to view embedded media Post your questions here. I don't think it will be an issue with this group, as I don't think we have keyboard warriors here, but I'd ask that everyone keeps the same respectful tone as you'd have if you were asking the question in person. (And I can't guarantee all questions will be answered)