GAME NOTES: The Pittsburgh Panthers will tip off their 2014-15 campaign on Friday as they host the Niagara Purple Eagles at the Petersen Events Center for a non-conference tilt.

Coach Jamie Dixon's Panthers made it clear they were up to par with the competition in their inaugural tour of the ACC last season, finishing 26-10 overall including a respectable 11-7 ledger in conference play. Pitt will have to discover a way to achieve the same success this season without departed stars Lamar Patterson (17.1 ppg) and Talib Zanna (13.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg). The Panthers will struggle to reach the same level of success from a year ago if they cannot identify a new leader to carry the squad on the offensive end of the floor.

The Purple Eagles will be hoping for better results this season after finishing the 2013-14 campaign with only seven wins. Head coach Chris Casey, who somehow moved his way up through the ranks despite having a record of just 27-46 in three seasons at the Division III level, will have to adjust to life without star swingman Antoine Mason (25.6 ppg), who decided to transfer to Auburn for his final year of eligibility.

Niagara has won two of its three previous meetings against the Panthers. The teams met once during the 1913-14 season and twice in the 1970s. The Purple Eagles defeated Pitt, 78-69, on Dec. 2, 1975 in the most recent battle between the two schools.

The Panthers has some stability in the backcourt with the return of both senior Cameron Wright (10.5 ppg) and junior James Robinson (7.6 ppg, 4.1 apg), Expect more from sophomores Josh Newkirk (4.6 ppg) and Chris Jones (2.4 ppg) as well. Sophomore forward Michael Young (6-9, 235) is the go-to-guy up front to start the year. The hope is that a healthy Durand Johnson (6-6, 210) is back to form and that Vanderbilt transfer Sheldon Jeter (6-8, 225) can provide offensive balance. Juco transfer Tyrone Haughton (6-9, 220) could evolve into a solid pivot, although he is a much better defender and shot blocker than scorer at this time.

Niagara has a total of 10 new players on its roster for this season and is one of the youngest teams in the nation with a total of 13 underclassmen. Casey will have back Ramone Snowden (8.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Wesley Myers (6.7 ppg) to a squad that will try to incorporate top newcomers Dominique Reid, Matt Scott and DayJar Dickson. The Purple Eagles are 10-11 in their last 21 season openers, including a 5-4 mark in season openers on the road.

Niagara is 31-66 against current members of the ACC. The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference unit will have a tough time in the unfriendly atmosphere of the Petersen Events Center. Although the Panthers lack some of the notable names from a season ago, they still have plenty of size and athleticism which should be enough to start out the season on a positive note.