NCAA Basketball Teams Begin Official Practices Monday

Basketball season is almost here.

On Monday, NCAA teams around the country begin to officially practice as a group. Previously, teams such as Pitt, Duquesne, and Robert Morris were going through offseason workouts, limited to eight hours per week as a group — normally split between on-court workouts and weight-room workouts. Now, the players can be working out for 20 hours per week as the season has begun.

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Pitt is heading into seven years of the Jeff Capel-era, coming off a second-straight 20-win season. The Panthers finished last year 22-11, but said goodbye to stars Bub Carrington (Washington Wizards) and Blake Hinson (Golden State Warriors) as they went off to the professional level. In addition, the Panthers said goodbye to Federiko Federiko (Texas Tech) and William Jeffress (Louisiana Tech), as both players transferred out this past spring. Pitt returns key players Jaland Lowe, Ishmael Leggett, and Zack Austin, among others. The staff also brought in a talented group of newcomers, headlined by transfers Cam Corhen (Florida State) and Damian Dunn (Houston) as well as freshmen Brandin “Beebah” Cummings, Amdy Ndiaye, and 21-year-old Amsal Delalic.

Duquesne is entering one year of the Dru Joyce III era. Last year’s team won the Atlantic 10 Tournament and took down BYU in an NCAA Tournament upset, and now, Keith Dambrot has retired and Joyce has taken over. The Dukes return Jakub Necas, Jake DiMichele, Kareem Rozier, and David Dixon, while bringing in a loaded transfer class that includes Tre Dinkins, Eli Wilborn, Cam Crawford, Jahsean Corbett, Alex Williams, and Max Edwards.

Robert Morris is in year 15 of Andy Toole’s tenure, and the Colonials added a few intriguing pieces to a solid returning corps in hopes of a turnaround. Last season’s team finished 10-22 overall (6-14 Horizon). Toole and his new-look staff brought in transfers Kam Woods and DJ Smith, among others, to team up with returners Justice Williams and Chris Ford.

Stay tuned PSN for the most comprehensive coverage of the NCAA basketball season in the city!