On Friday night in Pittsburgh, Pitt will host West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl at 7 p.m.
The historic rivalry dates all the way back to 1895, and will be played Friday night in the Petersen Events Center.
Ahead of the Brawl, let’s take a look at all of the new faces that will be contributing in this matchup.
PITT:
Nelly Cummings, G
Cummings, a Colgate transfer, posted eight points and seven assists in game one against UT Martin. The 6-foot point guard will control the pace for the Panthers alongside a very experienced back court that includes Nike Sibande, Jamarius Burton, and Greg Elliott. Cummings’ shooting ability will be a major key on Friday.
Blake Hinson, W/F
Hinson, the Ole Miss transfer, shined for Pitt in game one of the year. He posted 27 points on 9-for-18 shooting, hitting four threes. At 6-foot-7, 235 pounds, he will pose a matchup problem for the Mountaineers inside and out.
Greg Elliott, G/W
Elliott, a Marquette transfer, is a sharp shooting wing who will catch and shoot all night for the Panthers outside. If Cummings can draw defenders out and find Elliott in transition, look out for the wing to have a big game.
WEST VIRGINIA:
Emmitt Matthews, F
Matthews returns to West Virginia after a one-year stint at Washington. The 6-foot-7 forward played under Bob Huggins from 2018-21 before transferring home to UW. At Washington, Matthews improved his shot under assistant and former NBA guard Quincy Pondexter. Matthews recorded 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists in his return to West Virginia on Monday.
Tre Mitchell, F
Mitchell transferred in-conference from Texas to West Virginia as he looks to find a better fit. WVU marks Mitchell’s third team in four seasons. Mitchell played 14 limited minutes for WVU on Monday, scoring 13 points with a pair of three’s.
Erik Stevenson, G
West Virginia will be the fourth and final stop for guard Erik Stevenson. Stevenson comes from South Carolina after stints at Washington and Wichita State. Stevenson averaged 11.6 points for Frank Martin at USC last season.
Joe Toussaint, G
Toussaint comes to WVU after three seasons at Iowa under Fran McCaffery. The Bronx native posted a 2.3 assist-to-turnover ratio last season, which Huggins and his staff loved when recruiting Toussaint in the transfer portal.
