New faces with a new fire: the Pitt women's basketball team is hunting for wins this season

New Faces with a New Fire: The Pitt Women's Basketball Team is Hunting for Wins This Season

Staff writer Rithika Praturu previews the upcoming season for Pitt’s women’s basketball team, where fresh talent and renewed passion define their 2025–26 campaign.

“If you want to be great, you come to the University of Pittsburgh.”

This motto guides head coach Tory Verdi’s recruiting approach. Now in his third season with the Panthers, Verdi looks to build on last year’s progress and keep the momentum going.

Momentum and Vision

After achieving 13 wins—the most in recent program history—the Panthers aim to transform their cultural shift into consistent success on the court. Verdi continues to emphasize a strong team culture, complete buy-in, and finding the right players to fit that philosophy.

Revamped Roster

This season’s roster embodies that vision, featuring 10 newcomers, including seven first-years and several transfers, along with four returning players. The refreshed lineup brings improved athleticism, adaptability, and skill that the coach believes were lacking in prior seasons.

“Our roster is better today than it was the last few years,”

Verdi shared at ACC Tipoff, expressing confidence in the team’s improved chemistry and collective growth.

Optimism for the ACC Challenge

Facing the fierce competition of the ACC, Pitt understands that every matchup will gauge their development. Still, their renewed energy, deeper bench, and dedication to team culture set an optimistic tone for the months ahead. The central question now is how quickly this group can gel and convert its promise into results.

Author’s Summary

Pitt women's basketball enters the new season reenergized, with a deeper bench and a fresh mindset under coach Tory Verdi, aiming to turn potential into consistent victories.

The Pitt News — 2025-11-05