Panthers Open New Year Wednesday Against ACC Newcomer California

[rv/rv] Pitt (10-2, 1-0 ACC) vs. California (7-5, 0-1 ACC)

Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 • 2:00 PM

Pittsburgh, Pa. • Petersen Events Center

ACC Network • 93.7 The Fan

THE OPENING TIP

Pitt (10-2, 1-0 ACC) opens the new year at home Wednesday, Jan. 1 against California (7-5, 0-1 ACC). Tipoff from the Petersen Events Center is set for 2 p.m. with Dave Leno and Tim Welsh calling the action on ACC Network.
The Panthers are playing on New Year's Day for the seventh time in program history and the first time since Jan. 1, 2012. Pitt is 3-3 in New Year's Day games.
Pitt has won 13 consecutive games at the Petersen Events Center for its longest home win streak since a 14-game stretch from Feb. 27, 2013 through Jan. 21, 2014.
Pitt's 10-2 start through 12 games matches its best start since the 2016-17 season. The Panthers last 11-2 start was also in 2016-17.
The Panthers are 7-0 at the Petersen Events Center this season with a +30.7 points per game scoring margin. Five of Pitt's seven home wins have been by 20 or more points.
Pitt ranks No. 11 in the NCAA NET with three Quad 1-2 wins (West Virginia, vs. LSU, at Ohio State). The Panthers are also receiving votes in both the AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll.
The Panthers' starting backcourt of Ishmael Leggett and Jaland Lowe combines to average 34.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 3.5 steals per game. The duo has combined for 21 double-figure scoring games, including eight games with 20 or more points scored. Leggett (17.5 ppg.) and Lowe (16.7 ppg.) rank sixth and eighth, respectively, in the ACC in scoring.

BY THE NUMBERS

Pitt is one of two programs (joined by VCU) in the NCAA with two guards averaging 16.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game or better. Ishmael Leggett (17.5 ppg., 6.1 rpg.) and Jaland Lowe (16.7 ppg., 5.3 rpg.) have anchored the Panther attack through the first 12 games of the season.
Ishmael Leggett is one of four players in the NCAA averaging at least 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
Jaland Lowe is filling the stat sheet this season averaging 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. He is one of three players in the NCAA averaging at least 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game on the season.
Ishmael Leggett ranks among the ACC leaders in scoring (6th - 17.5 ppg.), rebounds (T-18th - 6.1 rpg.), defensive rebounds (11th - 4.8 drpg.), field goal percentage (4th - .513), steals (8th - 1.7 spg.), and minutes (10th - 33.67 mpg.).
Cameron Corhen has scored in double figures eight times and is averaging 10.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while shooting a team-high 67.9 percent (53-of-78) from the field. He leads the Panthers with 21 dunks and 25 offensive rebounds.
Zack Austin is averaging 13.7 points and shooting 53.1 percent (17-of-32) from three-point range over the past six contests. He has made two or more threes in five of the past six contests, including a pair of games with five made threes.
Guillermo Diaz Graham is averaging 6.8 points and a team-high 6.3 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game. He has scored in double figures in four games, while also grabbing seven or more rebounds five times.
Zack Austin is three blocked shots shy of becoming just the fourth player in NCAA history to total at least 1,200 points, 600 rebounds, 170 three-pointers, and 200 blocks in a career.
Ishmael Leggett is averaging 18.3 points per game, while going 49-of-74 (.662) from the field, including 11-of-22 (.500) from three-point range, in seven contests at the Petersen Events Center.
Pitt ranks second in the ACC in field goal percentage (.489) and first in effective field goal percentage (.563), while ranking third in scoring (84.0 ppg.). The Panthers are averaging 103.0 points on 59.7 percent (71-of-119) shooting over the past two games.
The Panthers rank 19th nationally (third in the ACC) in KenPom adjusted offensive efficiency at 119.0 points per 100 possessions. Pitt is also 35th (third in the ACC) in adjusted defensive efficiency at 97.6 points per 100 possessions.
Pitt is 10-0 on the season when winning or tying the rebounding battle. The Panthers were outrebounded by a combined 22 boards in their two losses this season.
The Panthers are averaging 9.0 three-pointers per game, while shooting 35.3 percent (108-of-306) from beyond the arc for the season. Pitt is 27-of-54 (.500) from three-point range over the past two outings.
Pitt is averaging 92.4 points per game, while shooting 53.6 percent (228-of-425) from the field and 40.9 percent (74-of-181) from three-point range, in seven games at the Petersen Events Center this season.
The Panthers have recorded 20 or more assists in each of the past two games and are currently fifth in the ACC at 14.9 assists per game. Pitt is also third in the conference with a 1.49:1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Pitt is 12-3 in its past 15 ACC contests dating back to last season. The Panthers have won six consecutive ACC home contests in that stretch.

PANTHER SPOTLIGHTS

Zack Austin entered the starting lineup prior to the Virginia Tech game (12/6) and is averaging 16.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in the past three games. He is 18-of-29 (.621) from the field, including 8-of-15 (.533) from three-point range, in that span.
Ishmael Leggett is averaging 19.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, while going 19-of-33 (.576) from the field, over the past three games for the Panthers.

Panthers Open New Year Wednesday Against ACC Newcomer California

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Players Mentioned

Zack Austin

Cameron Corhen

Guillermo Diaz Graham

Ishmael Leggett

Jaland Lowe

Panthers Open New Year Wednesday Against ACC Newcomer California

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Next Event

Players Mentioned

Zack Austin

Cameron Corhen

Guillermo Diaz Graham

Ishmael Leggett

Jaland Lowe

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