Pitt Basketball Faces Tough Test in Backyard Brawl Against WVU

Pittsburgh, PA – The Pitt Panthers basketball team faces a significant test Thursday as they travel to West Virginia for the 192nd installment of the Backyard Brawl. Pitt, under the guidance of coach Jeff Capel, heads into the rival matchup with a perfect 3-0 record, while West Virginia is also undefeated at 3-0.

For sophomore guard Nojus Indrusaitis, this game presents a new challenge as he steps into a more significant role following his freshman season at Iowa State. Freshman Omari Witherspoon and fellow freshman Roman Siulepa are also navigating early collegiate challenges. “I’m anxious to see how we respond to hostility, how we respond to really good competition,” Capel said, highlighting the anticipated electric atmosphere at WVU’s Hope Coliseum.

The rivalry dates back to 1906, with West Virginia leading the series 101-90. The Panthers have achieved early victories against teams such as Youngstown State, Longwood, and Eastern Michigan, but Thursday’s game will be their first road encounter of the season.

The previous matchup in Morgantown drew a crowd of over 12,000, a figure that Capel expects to match or exceed. “Everything that we’re doing is new,” he remarked. “They’ve never played in front of a big crowd. We’re going to be in someone else’s gym.”

Additionally, Pitt’s roster grapples with the absence of guard Brandin Cummings, who is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Cummings has been a crucial player, averaging 18.5 points per game. In his absence, Indrusaitis stepped up, contributing nine points and three rebounds in a recent victory.

Regardless of Cummings’ status, Capel emphasizes the importance of acclimating his team to tough conditions. “I know it’s a big game,” he said. “But the main things I want us to get better at are: I want us to play well.”