SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The three Pitt players that were held out of Wednesday afternoon’s dramatic comeback win over Syracuse will likely not be able to return to action in time to play in Pitt’s next game, head coach Jeff Capel said after the game.
Freshman small forward Noah Collier, senior shooting guard Nike Sibande and freshman power forward John Hugley all remained in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Capel said that group of players that are considered high-risk, close contacts, will end their isolation period on Saturday, the same day Pitt is scheduled to face Florida State at Petersen Evens Center.
“The guys that are in contact tracing, if everything continues to go, they will get out Jan. 9, which is Saturday, which is the day we’re scheduled to play and I don’t know if I would play them without practice,” Capel said. “I seriously doubt it.”
Capel said that he would be hesitant to play those players having not practiced at all this week. All three players new to the team this season, with Sibande a transfer from Miami (Ohio).
The No. 25 Seminoles will be Pitt’s first ranked opponent of the 2020-21 season. The Panthers split two games against Florida State last season, winning the season opener at the Pete and losing in Tallahassee before Florida State went on to win the ACC.
