While the Pitt-Johnstown men’s basketball team has played well against non-conference teams in their young season, their more competitive conference schedule began on Dec. 1.

Men’s basketball head coach Bob Rukavina said that he is pleased with the team’s play after the first  five games.

“We have played very good competition, which will definitely help us as we start PSAC play this weekend.” Rukavina said.

Rukavina also said that after playing Virginia State, who was nationally ranked, they played well and felt optimistic, despite losing.

Junior guard Josh Wise said that they are getting better.

“I think we should finish relatively high in the conference this year. We are very young, but all of our young guys play a ton of minutes,” Wise said.

Senior guard Romano Sebastiani said that they are improving. He said he was excited for conference play to start going in to this week.

“Our goals in the conference this year are first, to be the No. 1 team in the Western Division at the end of the regular season, and then, to win the conference tournament,” Sebastinati said.

Rukavina said that their unselfishness is their biggest strength. 

“Our guys take pride in being a good passing team and giving up a good shot to get a better shot,” He said.

However, Rukavina said that the biggest weakness for their team was that they lacked  experience.

Wise said he agreed with his coach.

However, He said that one of the ways to counter that is one of the team’s best strengths: their persistence.

“They all play such smart basketball. It’s only a matter of time before we play like a veteran team,” Wise said.