Stephen Thompson: Pitt's Path Back to Winning Basketball May Take More Than One Season
The last time Jeff Capel was tasked with a thorough roster rebuild was before the 2022-23 season. His offseason recruiting through the transfer portal brought in Greg Elliott, Blake Hinson, and Nelly Cummings—players who weren’t seen as elite at the time.
Combined with Jamarius Burton and Nike Sibande, two experienced players from previous years, Capel formed a core of seasoned veterans whose average age rivaled some NBA teams. This group went on to win 24 games, including two NCAA tournament victories, lifting the program from the bottom of the power conferences.
Back then, Capel’s long-term future at Pittsburgh was uncertain. He had to achieve significant success quickly, and bringing in experienced players was the fastest way to do so.
New Season, New Direction
Facing a similar crossroads this offseason—his contract nearing its end and patience wearing thin due to a lack of postseason progress—Capel’s latest roster shows a shift in focus. Rather than relying heavily on seasoned transfers, Pitt looks toward building for the near future.
Capel’s description of the upcoming season reflects his eagerness to develop good habits in a young team.
"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."
Looking Ahead
This season marks a period of growth and foundational work for Pitt’s basketball program. Success may not come immediately, but Capel's focus is on instilling discipline and dedication in his players that will pay off over time.
Author's summary: Jeff Capel’s rebuilding strategy at Pitt is shifting from quick fixes through transfers to developing a young, disciplined team focused on sustained future success.