Much has been made about the team Pitt is not playing next season, but the Panthers' non-conference schedule for 2020-21 continues to take shape.
According to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, Pitt will play Gardner Webb.
A member of the Big South Conference, Gardner-Webb finished 16-16 last season and 11-7 in league play. The Bulldogs lost top guard Jose Perez, who transferred to Marquette this offseason. Perez averaged 15.2 points last season. As a freshman, Perez helped Gardner-Webb reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a 71-56 loss to eventual national champion Virginia.
Pitt last played Gardner-Webb on Nov. 14, 2016, a 99-80 win for the Panthers at Petersen Events Center. It was the second game under the direction of Kevin Stallings.
Last month, it was reported Pitt would play Morgan State about the same time Jeff Capel said the City Game against Duquesne would not be played for a second consecutive season.
The Panthers finished 16-17 (6-14 ACC) last season.
KOVAK'S VIEW
Garnder-Webb might not sell a lot of tickets, but this is the type of game a program like Pitt needs on its schedule.
With newcomers Ithiel Horton, John Hugley, William Jeffress, Femi Odukale, Noah Collier and Max Amadasun along with the departure of key contributors Trey McGowens (transfer to Nebraska) and Ryan Murphy (Tulane), the Panthers will sport a new look. Games like should help the growth process.
But until Duquesne is added back to the schedule, additions like this will be looked at disapprovingly.
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