Stephen Thompson: Pitt's Path Back to Winning Basketball
The last time Jeff Capel undertook a complete roster rebuild like the current one was before the 2022-23 season. That offseason, transfer portal recruiting brought in Greg Elliott, Blake Hinson, and Nelly Cummings — a group initially not seen as elite. However, combined with Jamarius Burton and Nike Sibande, players acquired earlier, Capel created a core of experienced veterans whose average age rivaled some NBA teams.
That team won 24 games, including two NCAA tournament victories, lifting the program from the bottom tier of power conferences. At the time, Capel's long-term future at Pittsburgh was uncertain. Success needed to come fast, and adding experienced players was generally the quickest route.
Now facing a similar situation with a contract nearing its end and limited postseason success, Capel's new roster signals a shift in approach. Pitt appears to be focusing on the near future as its guiding principle.
"We need to play with the sense of urgency every second that we're out there on both sides of the floor," Capel said. "There has to be urgent talk, urgent movement. We have to be unbelievably connected."
Capel's Coaching Philosophy Moving Forward
- Emphasizes instilling good habits in a young team.
- Prioritizes urgency and connection on both offense and defense.
- Prefers developing talent over quick fixes through experienced transfers.
Capel’s current focus suggests that Pitt’s return to prominence may require patience beyond a single season as the program builds a foundation for sustained success.
Author's summary: Jeff Capel’s shift toward developing a young, urgent team indicates Pitt's revival in college basketball will likely take more than one season to fully materialize.