Pitt guard Nike Sibande has been named the ACC Sixth Man of the Yr for his efficiency off the bench for the Panthers this yr.

Sibande got here off the bench in all however two video games, averaging 8.3 factors and three.9 rebounds on the yr. The Indianapolis native has scored in double digits 15 occasions this season, together with latest performances of 19 and 16 factors towards Notre Dame and No. 16  Miami, respectively.

Sibande began on Senior Evening final week, and Blake Hinson praised the veteran for his skill to return off the bench.

“What Nike does and has been doing for this program is likely one of the most unselfish issues I’ve ever skilled first hand,” mentioned Hinson. “Reality of the matter is, he would begin on most groups within the nation in my view. He’s keen to just accept the position of not doing that for our staff for the betterment of this staff, and that simply embodies what this staff is about and what he’s about. He completely deserves it man, that’s simply what it’s. He would begin in all places else. Coach simply did an excellent job of assembling expertise, and that’s what his position is for us, in order that’s what he deserves, that’s what he will get.”

Sibande started his profession at Miami (OH), the place he spent three seasons and averaged not less than 13 factors per recreation in every season. He scored over 1,400 factors in his Redhawk profession, and transferred to Pitt earlier than the 2020-21 season. That yr, he missed a number of video games as a consequence of his switch waiver not being accepted till mid-way by way of the season. After he returned, he posted averages of 6.9 factors and three rebounds per recreation. Sibande missed final season totally as a consequence of a torn ACL suffered in a preseason exhibition.

It’s onto to the second season for Jeff Capel and the Pitt males’s basketball staff as they put together for the ACC Match.

The Panthers open up play on Wednesday in opposition to both Florida State or Georgia Tech.

Pitt (21-10, 14-6 ACC) has been certainly one of if not the largest surprises within the ACC this season because the preseason predictions had them ending close to the underside of the convention.

The most important motive for the resurgence of Pitt basketball is the masterful additions that Capel and his basketball workers have been in a position so as to add by the switch portal.

The skin notion is that it’s simply straightforward so as to add gamers by the portal however the actual motive it labored for Pitt is that they added the precise gamers with the proper personalities and gamers that got here to Pitt for one sole objective: to win.

Pitt is hoping they’ve a variety of basketball left to play however now that we’re on the finish of the common season, we needed to get your perspective on one thing.

Our PSN Ballot query is: what has been the most effective particular person storyline on the 2022-23 Pitt males’s basketball staff?

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CORAL GABLES, Fla. — After No. 25 Pitt misplaced to No. 16 Miami and Clemson completed off a win over Notre Dame, the ACC Event bracket was finalized with the Panthers enjoying because the No. 5 seed.

Pitt will open event motion on Wednesday, March 8, dealing with the winner of Florida State and Georgia Tech’s first-round battle. Pitt’s first sport will tip off at 2:30 p.m.

Pitt has defeated each Florida State and Georgia Tech this season. Florida State completed 9-22 on the season, and 7-13 in convention play. Georgia Tech completed 14-17 on the 12 months, and 6-14 within the ACC. The Seminoles are the 12-seed, whereas the Yellow Jackets are the 13 within the ACC Event.

Pitt held sole possession of first place within the ACC only one week in the past, however two-straight losses by the Panthers and robust finishes to the 12 months by Virginia, Clemson, Duke, and Miami gave them the top-four spots.

Miami is the No. 1 seed, Virginia is the No. 2, Clemson is the No. 3, and Duke is the No. 4.

If Pitt wins its first sport towards Georgia Tech or Florida State, it’s going to play No. 4 Duke on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.