Check out our entire college basketball season preview!
The college basketball season is less than two weeks away, and here at FTN Fantasy we have you covered for what promises to be another thrilling year of upsets and incredible finishes. We will be previewing each team from all of the major conferences along with some mid-majors as well. We will recap betting trends from last season, list projected starters, preview the season and talk about any key players for that program.
The ACC is home to some of the most storied programs in the history of college basketball. Lately, the Final Four champion has come out of the Big East or the Big 12 but the ACC has a great chance to reclaim the title of the best conference in CBB. There has been an influx of talent via the transfer portal, good old-fashioned recruiting and the additions of SMU, Stanford and Cal.
Let’s take a look at the Pittsburgh Panthers.
2024-25 College Basketball Season Preview: Pittsburgh Panthers
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Jeff Capel (7th season)
2023-2024 Record: 22-11
ATS: 21-9-3
O/U: 18-13-2
Projected Starters: G Jaland Lowe, G Ish Leggett, G Damian Dunn, F Zack Austin, C Cam Corhen
Jeff Capel was on the hot seat heading into 2022-23, but a surprising Tourney appearance and back-to-back 20-win seasons have him at a comfortable level with the program, for now. The Panthers will have to replace their leading scorer Blake Hinson along with NBA-bound Carlton Carrington and Federiko Federiko.
Lucky for them, Jaland Lowe grew up quickly as a freshman last year and is on quite a few breakout lists as a Super Sophomore heading into the new season. They’ve got solid continuity with Zak Austin, Ish Legett and the Diaz Graham brothers returning. Transfers Cam Corhen (9.4 PPG at FSU) and Damian Dunn (6.4 PPG at Houston) will feature heavily in the rotation right away as likely starters.
Key Player: Jaland Lowe
In a recent exhibition win over Point Park, Lowe asserted himself in a 22-point scoring effort and he also managed 4 steals. We have to take those exhibition games with a grain of salt, but it’s still good to see him taking the game seriously. By mid-January he was logging 28-plus minutes a night and will likely be tasked with playing 35-36 this year. He shot 41% from long-range in conference games and he could have an All-Conference season if he can maintain that level of efficiency with the added usage he will get.
Projection
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