2011–12 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball
College Basketball Invitational Champions
Philly Hoop Group Classic Champions
CBI Champions
ConferenceBig East Conference (1979–2013)
Record22–17 (5–13 Big East)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Pat Sandle (11th season)
  • Brandin Knight (4th season)
  • Bill Barton (1st season)
Home arenaPetersen Events Center
(Capacity: 12,508)
2011–12 Big East men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 11 Marquette14–4 .77827–8  .771
Notre Dame13–5 .72222–12  .647
Cincinnati12–6 .66726–11  .703
No. 15 Georgetown12–6 .66724–9  .727
South Florida12–6 .66722–14  .611
West Virginia9–9 .50019–14  .576
Connecticut8–10 .44420–14  .588
Seton Hall8–10 .44421–13  .618
Rutgers6–12 .33314–18  .438
St. John's6–12 .33313–19  .406
Pittsburgh5–13 .27822–17  .564
Villanova5–13 .27813–19  .406
Providence4–14 .22215–17  .469
DePaul3–15 .16712–19  .387
*No. 2 Syracuse0–1 .0000–3  .000
**No. 17 Louisville†0–8 .0000–10  .000
† 2012 Big East tournament winner
As of March 31, 2012[1]
*Syracuse: 30 reg. season games, 4 postseason games vacated due to sanctions against the program; Disputed record: Syracuse–(34–3)(17–1) **Louisville: 25 reg. season games, 5 postseason games vacated due to sanctions against the program; Disputed record: Louisville–(30-10)(10-8)
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2011–12 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 2011–12 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Their head coach was Jamie Dixon, who was in his ninth year as head coach at Pittsburgh and 13th overall at the university. The team played its home games in the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and are members of the Big East Conference. Pitt entered the 2011–12 season picked to finish fourth in the Big East Conference,[2] ranked #11 in the pre-season ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll,[3] and with the Big East pre-season player of the year, Ashton Gibbs.[4] They finished the season 22–17, 5–13 in Big East play for a disappointing 13th-place finish. They lost in the second round of the Big East Basketball tournament to Georgetown. They were invited to the 2012 College Basketball Invitational where they advanced to the best of three game finals series against Washington State. They defeated the Cougars 2 games to 1 to be the 2012 CBI Champions.

Outlook

The Pittsburgh Panthers finished the 2010–11 season as Big East Regular Season champions with 28–6, 15–3. They received a number 1 seed in the 2011 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, but were upset by eventual national runner-up Butler in the third round. Finishing at No. 12 in the final Coaches' Poll, Pitt returns two starters, including 2011–12 Big East Pre-season Player of the Year, Ashton Gibbs,[4] as well as two of its top four scores, 41% of its scoring, and 45% of its rebounding. Four freshman joint the team, including McDonald's High School All-American Khem Birch.[5]

At the Big East Conference media day on October 19, 2011, Pitt was selected by a vote of the league's coaches to finish fourth in the Big East Conference receiving one first place votes.[2] Pitt guard Ashton Gibbs received preseason Player of the Year and first-team all-conference selections.[4] The Panthers are ranked 11th in the nation in the preseason USA Today Coaches' Poll.[3]

Coaching staff

Name[5]PositionYear at
Pittsburgh		Alma Mater (Year)
Jamie Dixon Head coach 13th (9th as Head Coach) TCU (1987)
Pat Sandle Assistant coach 11th San Francisco State (1987)
Brandin Knight Assistant coach 6th University of Pittsburgh (2005)
Bill Barton Assistant coach 1st Salem State (1989)
Brian Regan Director of Basketball Operations 5th Saint Vincent (1988)
Jordan Marks Video Coordinator 3rd University of Pittsburgh (2008)
Jason Richards Graduate Manager 2nd Davidson (2008)
Tony Salesi Athletic Trainer 26th University of Pittsburgh (1980)

Recruiting

2011 Pitt Recruiting Class Signees.

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Khem Birch
forward		 Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec Notre Dame Prep 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Sep 30, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:5/5 stars   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 97
Malcolm Gilbert
center		 Smyrna, Delaware Academy of the New Church 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Aug 23, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 95
Durand Johnson
shooting guard/small forward		 Baltimore, Maryland Brewster Academy 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190.5 lb (86.4 kg) Aug 16, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 92
John Johnson
point guard/shooting guard		 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Girard College 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 166.5 lb (75.5 kg) Sep 17, 2009 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 91
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 12   Rivals: 20  ESPN: 15
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Pittsburgh Basketball Commit List: 2011". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  • "Pittsburgh College Basketball Recruiting Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  • "College Basketball Recruiting Schools: Pittsburgh Panthers 2011". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  • "2011 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.

Roster

2011–12 Pitt Panthers basketball roster[5]

2011–12 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
G 2 Isaiah Epps Current redshirt 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)185 lb (84 kg) FrHargrave Military Academy/Plainfield HS Plainfield
G 12 Ashton Gibbs 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg) SrSeton Hall Prep Scotch Plains, New Jersey
C 33 Malcolm Gilbert 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)235 lb (107 kg) FrAcademy of the New Church Smyrna, Delaware
G/F 5 Durand Johnson 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)190 lb (86 kg) FrBrewster Academy/Lake Clifton Baltimore
G 4 John Johnson 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)175 lb (79 kg) FrGirard College Philadelphia
F 44 J. J. Moore 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)205 lb (93 kg) SoSouth Kent School/Brentwood HS Brentwood, New York
C 15 Aron Nwankwo 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)205 lb (93 kg) SoBaltimore City College Baltimore
G/F 21 Lamar Patterson Current redshirt 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)229 lb (104 kg) SoSt. Benedict's Prep/J.P. McCaskey H.S. Lancaster, Pennsylvania
G 14 Nick Rivers 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)180 lb (82 kg) SrBrophy College Prep Phoenix, Arizona
F 35 Nasir Robinson 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)225 lb (102 kg) SrChester HS Chester, Pennsylvania
F 11 Dante Taylor 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)240 lb (109 kg) JrNational Christian Academy (MD) Greenburgh, New York
G 1 Travon Woodall Current redshirt 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)195 lb (88 kg) JrSt. Anthony HS Brooklyn, New York –Paterson, New Jersey
G 3 Cameron Wright Current redshirt 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)205 lb (93 kg) FrBenedictine HS Cleveland
F 42 Talib Zanna Current redshirt 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)230 lb (104 kg) SoBishop McNamara HS (MD) Kaduna, Nigeria
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: 2011-10-22

  • Note: Freshman Khem Birch (#24, 6 ft 9 in, 220 lb), at the time Pitt's starting center, left the team on December 16.[6]

Schedule

Pitt's 2011–12 schedule.[7]

Date
time, TV		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Scrimmage
Sat. Oct. 22*
5:00 pm, Pitt Panthers TV / Comcast Network		 Blue-Gold Scrimmage
Fan Fest/Maggie Dixon Heart Health Fair		     Petersen Events Center (6,513)
Pittsburgh, PA
Exhibition
Sat. Oct. 29*
4:00 pm, Pitt Panthers TV / Comcast Network		 No. 10 La Roche W 101–33 
 16 – Birch  9 – Taylor  7 – Woodall  Petersen Events Center (6,525)
Pittsburgh
Mon. Nov. 7*
7:00 pm, Pitt Panthers TV / Comcast Network		 No. 10 Kentucky Wesleyan W 76–67 
 22 – Patterson  9 – Zanna  11 – Woodall  Petersen Events Center (6,536)
Pittsburgh
Regular season
Fri. Nov. 11*
7:00 pm, Pitt Panthers TV / Comcast Network / SNY / ESPN3		 No. 10 Albany W 89–56  1–0
  25 – Woodall  8 – Taylor  10 – Woodall  Petersen Events Center (10,125)
Pittsburgh
Sun. Nov. 13*
6:00 pm, ESPN3		 No. 10 Rider
Philly Hoop Group Classic		 W 86–78  2–0
  24 – Gibbs  8 – Patterson  10 – Woodall  Petersen Events Center (8,712)
Pittsburgh
Wed. Nov. 16*
9:00 pm, ESPNU		 No. 9 Long Beach State L 76–86  2–1
  20 – Gibbs  6 – Zanna  4 – Gibbs, Patterson, Woodall  Petersen Events Center (8,215)
Pittsburgh
Tue. Nov. 22*
7:00 pm, ESPN3		 No. 17 La Salle
Philly Hoop Group Classic		 W 73–69  3–1
  17 – Robinson  6 – Birch, Moore, Robinson, Taylor  10 – Woodall  Petersen Events Center (8,375)
Pittsburgh
Fri. Nov. 25*
7:00 pm, Pitt Panthers TV / Comcast Network Philadelphia		 No. 17 at Penn
Philly Hoop Group Classic		 W 78–58  4–1
  16 – Gibbs  10 – Birch  7 – Woodall  The Palestra (6,843)
Philadelphia
Sun. Nov. 27*
5:00 pm, ESPN3 / Pitt Panthers TV / Comcast Network / SNY		 No. 17 Robert Morris
Philly Hoop Group Classic		 W 81–71  5–1
  21 – Gibbs  15 – Zanna  10 – Woodall  Petersen Events Center (8,758)
Pittsburgh
Wed. Nov. 30*
7:00 pm, CBS Sports Network		 No. 17 vs. Duquesne
The City Game		 W 80–69  6–1
  18 – Gibbs  11 – Taylor  7 – Woodall  CONSOL Energy Center (15,880)
Pittsburgh
Sat. Dec. 3*
5:15 pm, ESPN		 No. 17 at Tennessee
SEC–Big East Invitational		 W 61–56  7–1
  16 – Gibbs, Robinson  12 – Robinson  6 – Gibbs  Thompson–Boling Arena (17,249)
Knoxville, TN
Tue. Dec. 6*
7:00 pm, Pitt Panthers TV / Comcast Network		 No. 15 VMI W 97–70  8–1
  20 – Gibbs  14 – Robinson  6 – Patterson  Petersen Events Center (8,923)
Pittsburgh
Sat. Dec. 10*
2:30 pm, ESPN2		 No. 15 vs. Oklahoma State
Carquest Auto Parts Classic		 W 74–68  9–1
  17 – Gibbs  10 – Patterson  7 – Patterson  Madison Square Garden (17,046)
New York City
Sat. Dec. 17*
6:00 pm, Pitt Panthers TV / Comcast Network / SNY		 No. 15 South Carolina State W 69–55  10–1
  16 – Patterson  14 – Zanna  6 – Gibbs  Petersen Events Center (9,521)
Pittsburgh
Tue. Dec. 20*
7:00 pm, ESPN3		 No. 15 St. Francis (PA) W 71–47  11–1
  15 – Moore  8 – Taylor  4 – Patterson  Petersen Events Center (8,325)
Pittsburgh
Fri. Dec. 23*
8:00 pm, ESPNU		 No. 15 Wagner L 54–59  11–2
  14 – Gibbs  9 – Robinson  4 – Patterson  Petersen Events Center (9,315)
Pittsburgh
Big East Regular Season
Tue. Dec. 27
7:00 pm, ESPN2		 No. 22 at Notre Dame L 59–72  11–3
(0–1)		  13 – Zanna  12 – Zanna  5 – Gibbs  Edmund P. Joyce Center (8,231)
Notre Dame, IN
Sun. Jan. 1
7:00 pm, ESPN Plus/Root Sports Pittsburgh		 No. 22 Cincinnati L 63–66  11–4
(0–2)		  19 – Robinson  11 – Taylor  5 – Johnson  Petersen Events Center (12,508)
Pittsburgh
Thu. Jan. 5
7:00 pm, ESPN2		 at DePaul L 81–84  11–5
(0–3)		  16 – Zanna  9 – Patterson  4 – Gibbs, Johnson  Allstate Arena (8,110)
Rosemont, IL
Wed. Jan. 11
7:00 pm, ESPN Plus/Root Sports Pittsburgh		 Rutgers L 39–62  11–6
(0–4)		  10 – Moore  9 – Robinson  4 – Epps  Petersen Events Center (10,812)
Pittsburgh
Sat. Jan. 14
2:00 pm, ESPNU		 at No. 25 Marquette L 57–62  11–7
(0–5)		  29 – Gibbs  7 – Robinson, Patterson  3 – Robinson  Bradley Center (18,404)
Milwaukee, WI
Mon. Jan. 16
7:30 pm, ESPN Big Monday		 at No. 1 Syracuse L 63–71  11–8
(0–6)		  10 – Gibbs, Patterson, Wright  11 – Taylor  3 – Patterson, Robinson, Wright  Carrier Dome (24,826)
Syracuse, New York
Sat. Jan. 21
9:00 pm, ESPN College GameDay		 No. 23 Louisville L 62–73  11–9
(0–7)		  14 – Gibbs, Patterson  7 – Robinson  7 – Patterson  Petersen Events Center (12,508)
Pittsburgh
Wed. Jan. 25
7:00 pm, ESPN Plus/Root Sports Pittsburgh		 Providence W 86–74  12–9
(1–7)		  22 – Gibbs  11 – Patterson  9 – Woodall  Petersen Events Center (10,049)
Pittsburgh
Sat. Jan. 28
4:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 10 Georgetown W 72–60  13–9
(2–7)		  23 – Robinson  10 – Zanna  10 – Woodall  Petersen Events Center (12,508)
Pittsburgh
Mon. Jan. 30
7:00 pm, ESPN Big Monday		 at West Virginia
Backyard Brawl		 W 72–66  14–9
(3–7)		  24 – Woodall  7 – Taylor  4 – Patterson  WVU Coliseum (13,032)
Morgantown, WV
Sun. Feb. 5
2:00 pm, ESPN		 Villanova W 79–70  15–9
(4–7)		  29 – Woodall  8 – Zanna  5 – Woodall  Petersen Events Center (12,508)
Pittsburgh
Wed. Feb. 8
7:00 pm, ESPN Plus/Root Sports Pittsburgh		 at South Florida L 51–63  15–10
(4–8)		  11 – Woodall  5 – Robinson, Woodall, Zanna  2 – Robinson, Woodall  Tampa Bay Times Forum (4,507)
Tampa, FL
Sun. Feb. 12
12:00 pm, ESPN Plus/WTAE-TV, "Big East Game of the Week"		 at Seton Hall L 66–73  15–11
(4–9)		  26 – Gibbs  9 – Robinson  6 – Woodall  Prudential Center (NA)
Newark, NJ
Thu. Feb. 16
9:00 pm, ESPN		 West Virginia
Backyard Brawl		 L 48–66  15–12
(4–10)		  12 – Woodall  5 – Patterson, Robinson  8 – Woodall  Petersen Events Center (12,508)
Pittsburgh
Sun. Feb. 19
7:00 pm, ESPN2		 South Florida L 47–56  15–13
(4–11)		  21 – Moore  11 – Robinson  3 – Robinson, Woodall  Petersen Events Center (9,849)
Pittsburgh
Sun. Feb. 26
2:00 pm, CBS		 at No. 17 Louisville L 54–57  15–14
(4–12)		  16 – Moore  11 – Robinson  2 – Woodall, Robinson, Wright  KFC Yum! Center (22,746)
Louisville, KY
Wed. Feb. 29
7:00 pm, ESPNU		 St. John's W 89–69  16–14
(5–12)		  19 – Gibbs  8 – Taylor  7 – Patterson  Petersen Events Center (9,449)
Pittsburgh
Sat. Mar. 3
12:00 pm, ESPN		 at Connecticut L 65–74  16–15
(5–13)		  12 – Wright, Patterson  6 – Moore  5 – Woodall  Harry A. Gampel Pavilion (10,167)
Storrs, CT
2012 Big East tournament
Tue. Mar. 6
2:00 pm, ESPN2		 No. (13) vs. No. (12) St. John's
First Round		 W 73–59  17–15
  20 – Gibbs  8 – Robinson  6 – Woodall  Madison Square Garden (20,057)
New York
Wed. Mar. 7
2:00 pm, ESPN		 No. (13) vs. No. (5) Georgetown
Second Round		 L 52–64  17–16
  14 – Gibbs  8 – Patterson  6 – Patterson  Madison Square Garden (20,057)
New York
2012 College Basketball Invitational
Wed. Mar. 14*
7:00 pm		 Wofford
First Round		 W 81–63  18–16
  16 – Moore, Woodall  11 – Robinson  9 – Woodall  Petersen Events Center (1,449)
Pittsburgh
Mon. Mar. 19*
7:00 pm		 Princeton
Quarterfinals		 W 82–61  19–16
  19 – Patterson  10 – Patterson  11 – Woodall  Petersen Events Center (2,001)
Pittsburgh
Wed. Mar. 21*
7:00 pm, HDNet		 at Butler
Semifinals		 W 68–62 OT 20–16
  15 – Zanna  10 – Patterson  7 – Patterson  Hinkle Fieldhouse (3,754)
Indianapolis
Mon. Mar. 26*
10:00 pm, HDNet		 at Washington State
Finals–Game 1		 L 66–67  20–17
  16 – Moore, Woodall  5 – Patterson, Taylor  7 – Woodall  Beasley Coliseum (4,226)
Pullman, Washington
Wed. Mar. 28*
7:00 pm, HDNet		 Washington State
Finals–Game 2		 W 57–53  21–17
  14 – Zanna  8 – Zanna  5 – Patterson, Woodall  Petersen Events Center (3,349)
Pittsburgh
Fri. Mar. 30*
7:00 pm, HDNet		 Washington State
Finals–Game 3		 W 71–65  22–17
  17 – Woodall  7 – Patterson  7 – Woodall  Petersen Events Center (3,849)
Pittsburgh
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from Division I AP Poll unless otherwise noted. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Eastern Standard Time.

Rankings

Ranking Movement
Legend: ██ Improvement in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. ██ Not ranked the previous week. rv=Others receiving votes.
PollPreWk 1Wk 2Wk 3Wk 4Wk 5Wk 6Wk 7Wk 8Wk 9Wk 10Wk 11Wk 12Wk 13Wk 14Wk 15Wk 16Wk 17Wk 18Final
AP 10 9 17 17 15 15 15 22 rv -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- n/a
Coaches 11 9 16 17 14 14 13 22 rv -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- rv

Season notes and accomplishments

  • Pitt won the 2011 Philly Hoops Group Classic title with a perfect 4–0 record.
  • Pitt lost to 2 unranked non-conference teams (Long Beach State and Wagner) at home, for the 1st time in one season. They only had one previous home non-conference loss at the Peterson Events Center.
  • Freshman Khem Birch, at the time Pitt's starting center, left the team on December 16.[6]
  • Starting point guard Tray Woodall suffered a groin/abdominal injury during the Duquesne game on November 30 and did not return until the Notre Dame game on Tuesday, December 27. During the Notre Dame game he reaggravated his injury and did not reappear until the Louisville game on January 21.
  • For the first time under head coach Jamie Dixon, the Pitt basketball team lost over three games in a row,[8] eventually losing a total of eight straight games, its longest losing streak in 18 years.[9] Also, for first time ever, Pitt opened its Big East Conference season with seven straight loses.[10]
  • After averaging 26.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in wins over West Virginia and Villanova, point guard Tray Woodall was named the Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week on February 7, 2012, by the United States Basketball Writers Association.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Big East Conference Standings - 2011-12." ESPN.com. Retrieved 03-31-12.
  2. 1 2 Fittipaldo, Ray (October 20, 2011). "Pitt's Gibbs gets top preseason honor". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  3. 1 2 Grupp, John (October 20, 2011). "Pitt hoops ranked No. 11 in coaches' poll". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 Bontemps, Tim (October 20, 2011). "Pitt's Gibbs named preseason Big East Player of Year". New York Post. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 Pitt Basketball 2011-12 Preseason Prospectus (PDF), University of Pittsburgh, 2011, pp. 1–2, archived from the original (PDF) on December 22, 2014, retrieved October 22, 2011
  6. 1 2 Fittipaldo, Ray (December 17, 2011). "Khem Birch leaves Pitt basketball program". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Pitt Men's Basketball 2011-2012 Schedule". PittsburghPanthers.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  8. ↑ Fittipaldo, Ray (January 6, 2012). "Panthers blow big lead against DePaul, lose 4th in row". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
  9. ↑ Grupp, John (January 26, 2012). "Pitt pummels Big East foe Providence, ends eight-game skid at Pete". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  10. ↑ Fittipaldo, Ray (January 17, 2012). "Syracuse 71, Pitt 63: Panthers' losing streak hits 7". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on January 20, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Pitt guard Woodall earns national honor". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. February 8, 2012. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
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