What MATTers : Pitt Men's Basketball Update - June 2015

We haven't heard too much from Pitt basketball since its fall in the NIT against George Washington. The seniors weren't able to go out on the high note they had hoped. HC Jamie Dixon wasn't able to guide the players to the success he is accustomed to. Thus, I believe there are many questions about this team heading into the summer. Just to name a few:
-Will Dixon be able to corral his players to get them on the "same page" this season?
-Does the return of F Durand Johnson guarantee any more success for Pitt?
-How will the "graduations" of G Cam Wright, F Aron Philips-Nwankwo, and F Derrick Randall affect the team? Who is going to step up?
A few potential explanations may have been provided, as Pitt added a few graduate transfers over the last 6-8 weeks.
http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sp...042415aaa.html
"Men's Basketball Signs Graduate Transfer Sterling Smith
Smith transfers to Pitt from Coppin State; immediately eligible to compete for Pitt in 2015-16.
pril 24, 2015
PITTSBURGH--The University of Pittsburgh men's basketball program announced today that Coppin State's Sterling Smith (Chico, Calif./Redemption Christian Academy-Troy, N.Y.) has signed a financial aid agreement and will transfer to Pitt for the 2015-16 season.
Smith, who completed his junior year at Coppin State will be immediately eligible to compete for Pitt because he will graduate this spring. He joins center Rozelle Nix (Cincinnati, Ohio/Pensacola State J.C./Withrow H.S.) and guard Damon Wilson, Jr. (Powder Springs, Ga./Our Savior New American H.S.)--as new players on the 2015-16 roster.
"We are extremely excited about adding Sterling for the 2015-16 season," Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon said. "Over his three years at Coppin State, he has proven to be a strong shooter and effective scorer. His size and length will also help us defensively at both guard positions. He also has excelled academically as he graduated in three years."
Smith is a 6-foot-4-inch, 185-pound guard who averaged 13.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game while earning Second Team All-MEAC honors as a junior. A 3-point marksman, Smith also converted 76-182 (41 percent) of his 3-point attempts in 2014-15. Over his three-year, 93-game career, Smith scored 934 points (10.0 ppg.), grabbed 408 rebounds (4.4 rpg.), dished out 129 assists and accumulated 111 steals. He also hit 159 of 408 3-point attempts (39 percent) in 73 career starts. Smith, who played his first two seasons for legendary Coppin State head coach Ron "Fang" Mitchell, signed with Pitt over Louisville, Rutgers and Wake Forest.


Pitt returns four starters including All-ACC honorees Jamel Artis and Michael Young, nine total letterwinners, 85 percent of its scoring, 74 percent of its rebounding and 86 percent of its assists from the 2014-15 team. Pitt is one of only nine programs nationally to earn at least 12 NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 14 seasons (Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Texas, Pitt, Louisville and Arizona).

PITT'S 2014-15 MEN'S BASKETBALL SIGNEES
Player
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Hometown/High School
Rozelle Nix
Center
7-0
318
Cincinnati, Ohio/Pensacola State J.C./Withrow
Sterling Smith
Guard
6-4
185
Chico, Calif./Coppin State
Damon Wilson
Guard
6-5
200
Powder Springs, Ga./Our Savior New American H.S.

STERLING SMITH
Guard, 6-4, 185, Senior, Chico, Calif./Coppin State/Redemption Christian Academy (Troy, N.Y.)
CAREER: In 93 games and 73 starts, averaged 10.0 points (934) and 4.4 rebounds (408) per game, converted 159 of 408 3-pointers (.390) and 129 of 171 (.754) free throws and registered ....Totaled 41 double figure scoring games and nine 20-point games.
2014-15: Named to the All-MEAC second team and College Sports Madness Third Team...Named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week on Dec. 29...Preseason honors included being named to the College Sports Madness All-MEAC fourth team...Averaged a team-best 13.9 points in 31 games and ranked second on the team in rebounding (4.9)...Ranked third in the MEAC in 3-pointers made per game (2.5), 3-point field goal percentage (41.8), seventh in steals (1.4), 12th in scoring and field goal percentage (44.8) and 19th in rebounding...Led Coppin State with 76 3-pointers and ranked second on the squad with 44 steals...Reached double figure scoring 23 times and scored 20 or more points seven times...Had an eight--game stretch in which he went for 20 or more points five times...Scored a career-high 28 points against Norfolk State and had 27 points against Savannah State...Made at least four 3-pointers in a game 10 times...Had two double-doubles: Eastern Michigan (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Delaware State (27 points, 10 rebounds).
2013-14: Played in all 32 games and made 28 starts...Finished the season as Coppin State's third-leading scorer (10.9 points per game) and third-leading rebounder (4.2)...Averaged 29.7 minutes...Led team with 60 3-pointers...Ranked among MEAC statistics leaders in several statistics: fifth in 3-point field goal percentage (38.5), 12th in 3-pointers made per game (1.9) and 13th in steals (1.7 per game)...Scored in double figures 18 times and scored 20 or more points four times...Finished with a career-high 24 points and nine rebounds in an 81-78 overtime loss to Hampton on Feb. 1...Led team with 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting in 78-73 win over Oregon State (Nov. 10)...Scored 20 points against Ohio Valley College (Nov. 25) and Florida A&M (Feb. 15)...Made at least one 3-pointer in 29 games...He made at least three 3-pointers in a single game eight times...Made a career-best six 3-pointers against Florida A&M...Averaged 11 points per game during the Eagles three-game run in the MEAC Tournament...Scored 14 points in the MEAC quarterfinal win over Hampton (March 12)...Led Coppin State in scoring four times: California (16 points, Nov. 8), Oregon State, Hampton and Florida A&M...Led Coppin State in steals with 39...Made three or more steals five times...Finished the season with 50 assists, which ranked third on the team...He handed out a career-best eight assists against Howard on (March 3)...Grabbed at least four rebounds 18 times...Collected a career-best nine rebounds against Hampton (Feb. 1) and Delaware State (Feb. 3) in consecutive games.

2012-13: Played in 30 of the 32 games with 18 starts during his freshman season...Started 15 of the first 17 games of the season...Averaged 5.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game...Played 712 minutes and averaged 23.7 minutes per game...Ranked second on the team while shooting 42.3 (60-142) percent from the floor...Shot 32.9 (23-70) percent from the 3-point line and 70.6 (12-17) percent from the free throw line...Had 28 assists, 28 steals and three blocked shots...Registered four double-figure scoring games with three double-figure rebounding games...Finished with two double-doubles...Turned in a career game at UMBC (Feb. 12) with a career-highs of 13 points (5-7 FG) and 12 rebounds against the Retrievers...Scored 11 points (5-6 FG) and posted four steals against Saint Joseph's (Dec. 4)...Scored 10 points (4-7 FG/2-3 3FG) and grabbed 10 rebounds against South Carolina State (Jan. 14)...Had 10 points and three rebounds at Maryland Eastern Shore (Feb. 18)...Scored six points, grabbed a rebound and handed out two assists vs. Bethune-Cookman in the MEAC Tournament.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Redemption Christian Academy in Troy, N.Y....Averaged 21.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season...Also attended Chico High School in Chico, Calif....Earned three letters in basketball at Chico...Scored 48 points in a game during his senior season at Chico...Averaged 23.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game as a senior.
PERSONAL: Born on August 14, 1993, in Sacramento, Calif....Son of Anthony and Renee Smith...Major is criminal justice...Expected to graduate in May, 2015 from Coppin State University.
SMITH'S COLLEGIATE CAREER-HIGHS
Points............... 24, Hampton (2-1-14)
FG Made........... 8, at Oregon St. (11-10-13)
FG Att............... 16, at Norfolk St. (1-20-14)
3Pt. FG Made... 6, at Florida A&M (2-15-14)
3Pt. FG Att....... 10, Norfolk St. (2-22-14)
FT Made........... 9, Hampton (2-1-14)
FT Att............... 9, Hampton (2-1-14)
Rebounds......... 9 (2x) last: Delaware St. (2-3-14)
Assists............... 8, Howard (3-3-14)
Steals................ 3 (5x) last: at Morgan St. (2-19-14)
Blocks............... 3, vs. Hampton (3-12-14)
Minutes............ 42, Hampton (2-1-14)
--PITT--"
http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sp...050415aaa.html
"Men's Basketball Signs Graduate Transfer Rafael Maia
Maia transfers to Pitt from Brown, where he led the Ivy League in rebounding in three consecutive years and field goal percentage in 2014-15.
May 4, 2015
PITTSBURGH--The University of Pittsburgh men's basketball program announced today that Brown University's Rafael Maia (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Maine Central Institute) has signed a financial aid agreement and will transfer to Pitt for the 2015-16 season.
Maia, who completed his junior year at Brown will be immediately eligible to compete for Pitt because he will graduate this May. He joins Coppin State graduate transfer Sterling Smith (Chico, Calif./Redemption Christian Academy-Troy, N.Y.), center Rozelle Nix (Cincinnati, Ohio/Pensacola State J.C./Withrow H.S.) and guard Damon Wilson, Jr. (Powder Springs, Ga./Our Savior New American H.S.)--as new players on the 2015-16 roster.
"We are extremely excited about bringing in Rafael for the 2015-16 season," Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon said. "Over his three years at Brown, he has proven to be the Ivy League's top rebounder, effective offensive rebounder and consistent scorer. His size and length will also help us defensively at both low post positions."
Maia (pronounced My-ah) is a 6-foot-9-inch, 245-pound forward who averaged 9.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while leading the Ivy League in both rebounding and field goal percentage last year at Brown. He also earned All-Ivy League honorable mention honors as a senior. Over his three-year, 80-game collegiate career, Maia averaged 10.0 points (799 points), 8.1 rebounds (648) and 3.4 offensive rebounds per game while shooting 50.7 percent (289-570) from the floor. He is also a two-time CoSIDa Academic All-District and All-Ivy League Academic selection.


Pitt returns four starters including All-ACC honorees Jamel Artis and Michael Young, nine total letterwinners, 85 percent of its scoring, 74 percent of its rebounding and 86 percent of its assists from the 2014-15 team. Pitt is one of only nine programs nationally to earn at least 12 NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 14 seasons (Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Texas, Pitt, Louisville and Arizona).

PITT'S 2014-15 MEN'S BASKETBALL SIGNEES
Player
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Hometown/High School
Rafael Maia
Forward
6-9
245
Sao Paulo, Brazil/Brown/Maine Central Institute
Rozelle Nix
Center
7-0
300
Cincinnati, Ohio/Pensacola State J.C./Withrow
Sterling Smith
Guard
6-4
185
Chico, Calif./Coppin State
Damon Wilson
Guard
6-5
200
Powder Springs, Ga./Our Savior New American H.S.

RAFAEL MAIA
Forward, 6-9, 245, Sao Paulo, Brazil/Brown/Maine Central Institute
CAREER: Known as the Ivy League's best rebounder as he led the league in rebounding over three consecutive seasons (2012-15)...Started and played in 80 career games at forward for Brown University...Averaged 10.0 points (799 points), 8.1 rebounds per game (648 rebounds) and 3.4 offensive rebounds per game while shooting 50.7 percent (289-570)...Has competed for Brazil in international competition...Represented Brazil in the World University Games in Russia during the summer of 2013...Two-time CoSIDa Academic All-District and All-Ivy Academic selection.
2014-15: Named All-Ivy League honorable mention selection as a senior...Averaged 9.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while shooting 53.8 percent from the floor (100-186) as a senior at Brown...Started all 30 games on year...Also grabbed a team-high 98 offensive rebounds...Led the Ivy League in rebounding (8.7 rpg.) for the third consecutive year and field goal percentage...CoSIDa Academic All-District selection...Academic All-Ivy League selection...Averaged a double-double (11.4 ppg. and 10.0 rpg) in league games only...Posted seven double-doubles on the year...Recorded season-highs of 19 points vs. Dartmouth and 16 rebounds vs. Princeton, Johnson & Wales and Dartmouth.
2013-14: Started 22 games during his junior year, missing seven due to injury...Averaged 9.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game...Led the Ivy League in rebounding for the second straight season...Led Brown and ranked seventh in the Ivy League in field goal percentage (.478)...CoSIDa Academic All-District selection...Academic All-Ivy League selection...Totaled five double-doubles...Registered nine double figure rebound games, including a season-high 14 rebounds vs. UMass-Lowell...Scored 18 points with 12 rebounds vs. Columbia...Finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds vs. Central Connecticut State...Totaled 10 points and 10 rebounds vs. Niagara....Scored 16 points with 10 rebounds vs. Yale...Finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds vs. Dartmouth.
2012-13: Averaged 10.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore while starting all 28 contests...Led the Ivy League in rebounding (7.5 rpg.) and offensive rebounding (3.5 orpg.)...Two-time Ivy League Rookie of the Week...Named the Ivy League's best rebounder by Lindy's magazine...Reached double figure scoring 13 times...Scored a career-high 22 points while pulling down 13 rebounds vs. Cornell...Grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds against Rhode Island and Sacred Heart...Netted 21 points vs. Maine...Connected on 10-11 field goals in scoring 21 points vs. Dartmouth.
2011-12: Missed the 2011-12 season after being ruled ineligible by the NCAA.
HIGH SCHOOL: Averaged a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior at Maine Central Institute...All-New England selection...Led MCI to the New England Public School Athletic Conference Championship with wins over Brewster Academy and New Hampton...Named team captain.
PERSONAL: Born Rafael Donatti Alves Maia on October 4, 1991...Son of Andre Maria Alves Maia and Sandra Regina Donatti Alves Maia...Team captain of Brazil's National Team for three seasons: Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18...Competed for Club Paulistano, the Brazilian national champions in 2007 and 2008 and the Sao Paulo champion in 2009...Major is Business, Entrepreneurship and Organizations concentration...Expected to graduate in May, 2015 from Brown University...Chose Pitt over South Carolina, Southern California, Nebraska, Providence and Rice.

RAFAEL MAIA'S CAREER HIGHS
Points: 22, vs. Cornell, 3/1/13.
Rebounds: 16, three times- vs. Johnson & Wales, 11/30/14; at Princeton, 2/13/15; at Dartmouth, 3/6/15.
Assists: 5, vs. Yale, 1/25/14.
Steals: 4, vs. Penn, 2/15/14.
Blocks: 2, many times.

--PITT--"
On a side note, Pitt will host Purdue in the 2015 ACC/Big Ten Challenge, at Petersen Events Center.
http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sp...051315aaa.html
"Men's Basketball to Host Purdue in 2015 Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Pitt will host Purdue on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at the Petersen Events Center as part of the 17th annual 2015 Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
May 13, 2015
ACC Release | Men's Basketball Season Ticket Interest Form | ACC TV Announcement
GREENSBORO, N.C.--ESPN and the Atlantic Coast Conference jointly announced on Wednesday that Pitt will host Purdue as part of the 17th annual 2015 Big Ten/ACC Basketball Challenge. Pitt will host Purdue on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at the Petersen Events Center. The contest will be televised on one of the ESPN family of networks: ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU.
Pitt and Purdue will meet for the 11th time in history with the Boilermakers holding a 6-4 advantage in the series. The last time the two schools met was on Dec. 29, 1977 in the San Diego Tournament. Coached by Matt Painter, Purdue advanced to the 2015 NCAA Tournament with a 22-13 overall record (12-6 Big Ten).
The contest will be Pitt's third appearance in the Big Ten/ACC Basketball Challenge. In Pitt's two previous appearances in the event, the Panthers defeated Penn State 78-69 on Dec. 3, 2013 and dropped a contest at Indiana on Dec. 2, 2014.
The ACC leads its all-time series against the Big Ten with a 10-4-2 overall record. The Big Ten captured the Commissioner's Cup last year after claiming eight of the 14 matchups.
Pitt's entire 2015-16 men's basketball schedule, tipoff times and television appearances will be announced at a later date. As previously announced, Pitt will open its 2015-16 season against Gonzaga in the Armed Forces Classic on Friday, Nov. 13 at Camp Smedley D. Butler Marine Corps Base in Okinawa, Japan. ESPN will televise the contest.


Pitt's 2015-16 ACC opponents were also previously announced. The Panthers will play Georgia Tech, Louisville, Syracuse and Virginia Tech two times apiece. Home games include contests against Boston College, Duke, Georgia Tech, Louisville, North Carolina State, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. Road contests will be played at Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Syracuse and Virginia Tech.
Pitt returns four starters including All-ACC honorees Jamel Artis and Michael Young, nine total letterwinners, 85 percent of its scoring, 74 percent of its rebounding and 86 percent of its assists from the 2014-15 team. Pitt is one of only nine programs nationally to earn at least 12 NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 14 seasons (Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Texas, Pitt, Louisville and Arizona).
2015 BIG TEN/ACC CHALLENGE MATCHUPS
Monday, Nov. 30, 2015
Clemson at Minnesota
Wake Forest at Rutgers
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015
Maryland at North Carolina
Virginia at Ohio State
Michigan at North Carolina State
Purdue at Pitt
Northwestern at Virginia Tech
Miami at Nebraska
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015
Indiana at Duke
Louisville at Michigan State
Notre Dame at Illinois
Wisconsin at Syracuse
Florida State at Iowa
Penn State at Boston College
Note: ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will combine to televise all 14 games.
--PITT--"
Just remember, be calm and be strong. HAIL TO PITT!!