Pitt was selected by league media members to finish sixth out of 15 schools at its second Atlantic Coast Conference Operation Basketball preseason media day held Wednesday at the Westin Hotel in downtown Charlotte. Over 300 writers, television broadcasters, radio producers and other assorted media members attended the ACC’s 53rd annual event.
In a vote of the league’s attending media members, Pitt finished sixth with 592 total points. Duke was selected to capture first place with 935 points and 41 first place votes, followed by No. 2 North Carolina (870 points/12 first place votes), No. 3 Louisville (847/3 first place votes), No. 4 Virginia (824/7 first place votes), No. 5 Syracuse (706/2 first place votes) and No. 6 Pitt.
It was the second consecutive season that Pitt was picked to finish sixth in preseason voting. The Panthers ended up finishing fifth in their first ACC season in 2013-14.
North Carolina’s Marcus Paige was selected the preseason player of the year, while Duke’s Jahlil Okafor was named preseason rookie of the year. The preseason All-ACC team included Paige, Okafor, Louisville’s Montrezl Harrell, Virginia’s Malcolm Brogdon and Notre Dame’s Jerian Grant.
In preparation for its inaugural season in the ACC, Pitt was making its second appearance at the event. Pitt Head Coach Jamie Dixon, senior Cameron Wright and junior James Robinson represented the Panthers in Charlotte.
The two-day event began with a coaches’ reception and player dinner Tuesday evening at the Westin. On Wednesday, coaches and players went through interview sessions with national, regional and local writers, along with various television entities and radio stations. The day also included a visit to ESPN studios in Charlotte where Dixon was taped breaking down successful plays from the previous year and Wright and Robinson were videoed on several items. Robinson appeared on an ESPNU segment featuring three ACC DeMatha Catholic alums.
Pitt hosts Indiana, Pa. in its first exhibition game on Friday. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center. The Panthers host Philadelphia University for their second exhibition game on Friday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m., then open regular season play on Friday, Nov. 14 vs. Niagara (7 p.m. tipoff on ESPN3).
