Stephen Thompson: Pitt's Path Back to Winning Basketball May Take More Than One Season
Before the 2022-23 season, Jeff Capel undertook a major roster rebuild for his Pitt basketball team. That offseason, transfer portal recruiting brought in Greg Elliott, Blake Hinson, and Nelly Cummings — a group not initially seen as elite. However, combined with Jamarius Burton and Nike Sibande, two earlier additions, Capel created a core of experienced veterans whose average age was comparable to some NBA teams.
This roster won 24 games, including two NCAA tournament victories, helping elevate Pitt from the lower tier of power conference teams. At that time, Capel’s future at Pittsburgh was uncertain; he needed quick, significant success. Bringing in experienced players was seen as the surest way to achieve that.
Now facing a similar challenge this offseason—with a contract nearing its end and dwindling external patience due to recent postseason struggles—Capel’s current roster construction signals a different approach. This season, Pitt appears focused on building for the near future.
"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 sounds like a coach intent on developing strong habits within a youthful team, hinting that rebuilding Pitt into a winning program may require patience beyond just one season.
Author's summary: Jeff Capel’s strategy for Pitt basketball has shifted from relying on experienced transfers to focusing on cultivating a young roster with urgency and connection, signaling a longer rebuilding process.