It’s been a roller coaster past couple weeks for the Pitt Panther men’s basketball program.
Things definitely crashed following a 33-point demolishing at the hands of Wake Forest, which was, without a doubt, Pitt’s worst performance of the season. However, Pitt’s season went off life support with a nice bounce-back effort against Virginia Tech.
Pitt had life again and was being mentioned as a NCAA Tournament Bubble Team.
Unfortunately, a pin likely went into that bubble last night in a crucial and possibly season-defining game for Pitt. With a win at Clemson, Jeff Capel’s team would have gained some big-time national recognition from the national media and would’ve given themselves a realistic chance to earn a tournament bid. However, that didn’t happen and despite battling a very talented and veteran Clemson team, Pitt fell short.
With three regular season games remaining, none of which have the potential to really bolster their resume, barring a run to the ACC Tournament finals, Pitt isn’t likely heading to the NCAA Tournament for a second season in a row.
With that being the case, not surprisingly, the criticism is already starting to filter in. It actually started prior to the game as people were asking the question, “If Pitt doesn’t make the NCAA Tournament, will this be considered a disappointing season?”
That question along with any criticism of Jeff Capel and this team is completely ridiculous.
The fact that we’ll be entering March and still talking about Pitt and the NCAA Tournament is a sign that the program is climbing back, and it was a successful season. Fans shouldn’t get greedy and have the false confidence that making the tournament last year meant that Pitt basketball is back, and they would be a yearly tournament participant.
That’s not how it works, and the Panthers haven’t reached that level yet.
With 3 games remaining, Pitt has an overall record of 18-10 and 9-8 in the ACC Conference. If they’re able to win 2 of their remaining 3 regular season games, they would reach the 20-win plateau. It would be the first time since 2012-13/2013-14 that Pitt would have back-to-back 20-win seasons.
For the critics out there, sorry, but if that happens, that’s not a disappointing season.
Keep in mind, in the ACC Preseason Media Poll, Pitt was predicted to finish in 9th place. As far as the national media, Matt Norlander from CBS Sports had them finishing in 12th place, the Field of 68’s Almanac had them in 13th place, while Jon Rothstein picked them for No. 9 in the ACC.
The Panthers’ ACC record of 9-8 currently has them tied for 7th place with NC State and Florida State. Things are very fluid, but Pitt is one win from 4th place. If Pitt finishes anywhere from 4th to 7th place, that’s not a disappointing season.
I know everyone loved the taste of being back in the NCAA Tournament, but proper perspective is needed.
Capel entered this season without the veteran leadership of Jamarius Burton, Nike Sibande, Greg Elliott and Nelly Cummings. That was a ton of career games and career points to replace.
Pitt added a handful of new faces to replace them. Despite being newcomers, Bub Carrington, Jaland Lowe, Ish Leggett and Zack Austin were thrown in big roles and have all performed well.
The most encouraging thing to come from this 2023-24 season is the development and promise shown by Carrington and Lowe. Despite being freshmen, both players have stepped up big time in conference play and Pitt looks to have two future 1st ACC All-Conference players on their roster.
How many high major teams were starting two freshman guards this season? And I’ll go one further, how many teams starting two freshman guards have the opportunity to win 20 games?
The fact that Carrington, Lowe, Leggett, Austin are all scheduled to return next season, along with the arrival of 4-star big man Papa Kante, who missed the entire season with a knee injury, make the prospects of 2024-25 very exciting. The fact that Capel was able to recruit and develop two stars is another example of why this season wasn’t a disappointment.
Capel and his staff have shown to ability to add talent in the transfer portal for two-straight seasons and if they can add a couple physical big men during the offseason, Pitt will have the opportunity to once again be in the hunt to earn a NCAA Tournament bid.
First things first, let’s see how the rest of this season unfolds. It’s not impossible that Pitt can earn a bid, although it’s going to be very difficult. While the NCAA’s might be a longshot, playing in the NIT Tournament is a definite possibility.
Does it have the same meaning as March Madness? No, but it’s still postseason basketball and is an opportunity for this program to get better and to become a permanent fixture in postseason hoops.
Perspective and patience are needed. As I’ll continue to say, Capel doesn’t have Pitt completely back but they’re well on their way and this season is an example of that, even if they’re not playing in March Madness.
Lol. The constant feeding of the narrative that 1 NCAA bid in six years from the ACC is anything but an abject failure is pretty funny. Capel and his apologists in the media are so good at gaslighting
Rob missed the point of the article and continues with his same old narrative.
The point being made is that there is clear progress and PITT basketball is finally entertaining again. I enjoy watching this team and look forward to the future.
Radick comments are worthless
LOL. TJ Otzelberger took a 2-22 team over in 2021-22. He had them in the NCAA’s the next year. In Year 3 in the best conference in college basketball he has them in the top ten. The only “old narrative” on this board is the continued excuses made for Capel. Try backing up your shit talk with facts. “Worthless” Jagoff clown
Oh, and Otzelberger has done it making over $1 million less per season than Heather’s overpaid fraud. The 19th highest paid coach in the NCAA has more felons-3 than draft picks 0 and bids 1 combined. Just thought I’d add another worthless comment
The thing people miss about Rob is that he makes valid points. His delivery sets it all up for a fight, which is probably the point, but his points are perfectly valid. You can argue them, and you might be right, wrong, biased or unbiased as opposed to him, but you can’t dismiss the points he is making. Personally I’m seeing progress and I’m happy about it. I said pre-season, and on a post here midway through the season, that I thought a 7th place finish after last year and losing the senior experience would be my passing threshold. Call… Read more »
I find it odd you constantly defend him. Solid point, he brought up an outlier of a team in Iowa st. I could bring up Seton hall, providence, Georgetown, nc state, syracuse, st John’s and a myriad of others that have fallen off. I don’t disagree the guy at Iowa st has done a good job. Did they pay more for players in NIL money? I have no idea but could be a factor or he could be a better coach. Pitt has taken strides the past couple years and I agree they need to keep this team together and… Read more »
Lamont Paris at South Carolina and Steve Forbes at Wake both have have/had over 20 wins in year 2. Syracuse has gone from 17-15 to 19-8 (2-0 vs your hero) in Autry’s first year. Keats at NC State took over a team on probation, he is 130-87, 64-66 in the ACC one losing season 4 postseason bids. Capel by contrast is 93-91, 44-67 four lost seasons one bid. Cooley at Georgetown is in year 1. Providence in English’s first year is 18-9, as is Seton Hall in Hollaway’s second year. He has a .583 pct his predecessor was .584. Putin… Read more »
Pitino is in year 1. Autocorrect
Saying Pitino is Putin was one of your better comments honestly
I really only came in to his defense maybe one other time. So “constantly” isn’t really fair. My point is that too many people get into a polar opposite argument with him. Frankly, you’re one of the few that engages in a meaningful way with counterpoints. I’m just saying that he doesn’t forget that Capel’s first 4 years were not good. 4 years is a long time of excuses. And there were constant personnel issues (the post I was responding to). That was embarrassing to the program, like shameful to the program. It’s valid for him to not forget that… Read more »
I can see that and I can’t sit here and argue that Capel’s first few years were successful. Had some talent but then that blew up and did have too much bad press so to speak. He does seem to have it on track now. I still think Pitt has a shot at the tourney this year. They need to win 5 straight to have a realistic shot. Here’s the rub with Capel and maybe a bit of a pickle for all of us, if Carrington and Lowe leave due to money and Pitt stinks next year, do you fire… Read more »
It would certainly not be Capel’s fault as a coach, but the program’s intrinsic fault. On the surface it seems like Capel has built a culture to overcome monetary limitations, to a certain extent. If the team stays together it will give me confidence in the program’s foundation/infrastructure – for which I would give Capel and Lyke a ton of credit. If not, we’ll need one of our Pitt philosophy majors to weigh in because that would be existential, way more in depth than just the name of the coach.
Why don’t you take your complaints to her yourself. I would LOVE to hear her response.
lol
Your just a negative and angry Dude who is in dire need of counseling.
They better be able to pay Lowe and Carrington if they want those two to come back. Then they’ll need to pay for a post player who weighs over 200lbs too.
Bub is somehow being projected as a lottery pick… Don’t know how/why, but several mocks still have him going 10-14. Have to think that changes, but the NBA makes zero sense.
Well said. Winning over 20 games and a winning conference record is a successful. If they don’t get in the big dance maybe they can win the NIT. There will be at least 8-10 teams in there that are NCAA worthy that will get bumped by teams like Southern, Merrimack, Oakland etc. So let’s see how it plays out. They are playing meaningful basketball again and they are fun to watch. I would bet most of the nay sayers here do not attend the games or donate to the athletic scholarship fund so their opinion really means nothing.
LOL I’m sure you’re a huge donor, a regular Yinzer Daddy Warbucks. Fanboy
People are entitled to their opinions without being attacked by a miserable prick like you Radich. No wonder others get in your face. You must be a Penn State or WV grad shit talking on here. I don’t like it when we lose whether it’s by 1 or 33 but I agree with Vukovcan and some of the “fanboys” on here that seem to know hoops pretty damned well. Crawl back in your hole.
Nah. I’ll stay here and be a “miserable prick” and trigger you you pussy. Two Pitt degrees and one from Duquesne asshat.
If you’re the Rob Radich that is the head of a special needs organization, you should seriously resign
What I may or may not do for a living has no bearing on my opinions regarding College Basketball. Keep your uninformed opinions on ancillary subjects to yourself
2 Pitt degrees and one from Duquesne and you’re still a pathetic piece of shit. I’d love to compare bank accounts with you mr. educated. . I’d love to see you be a smart ass to my face you pussy. I’d enjoy breaking your fucking nose. You are an asshole.
Oooh…frightening. You’ve intimidated me, tough guy. You’re the one that brought up educational affiliations. You are clearly a cretin with anger issues. Get help, skippy
When “we” lose. Lol.
RatDick sure needs a good old fashion ass-kicking. A pussy who hides behind these boards.
Why would you attack me personally? You do not know me. I have season tickets for both football and basketball. I have been a Pitt fan since I was a kid and have been a donor aka golden panther since 1994. So yes I am a Pitt fan. I thought that is what we all were here. I must be confused somehow. What is up with the hate and insults? I am not sure why you have not been banned yet. There is a difference between an online debate and personal attacks. You can not differentiate between the two.
Hey- you’re the one deriding the validity of anyone’s opinion that isn’t a donor………fire scuds, receive them back.
Fuck you asshole. Eat a dick. There is a scud back at you.
Ooooh. Clever. Triggered?
The Zoo, and the team, is an embarrassment from what it was 20 years ago… We’d never settle for the NIT.
They’re not as good. That is correct.
Grab your readers pops. I never said they’re “not as good.” They’re an embarrassment. Just like you.
I don’t see this season as anywhere near a failure … more like a disappointment; however, expectations should have been tempered with the Johnson exit and Kante’s injury. Let’s close the season out strongly. H2P !
Agreed. I’m bummed they’re going to miss out on the tournament, but Blake Hinson was a lot of fun to watch this year, and Carrington and Lowe were pleasant surprises. Relying on young guards is almost never a recipe for success, and this team managed to be decent but not great, in spite of that.
Season is not over yet! 20+ wins with only one senior is a really good season.
and who was to blame for Dior being here in the first place? Capel needs to stop sticking up for convicts…
Personally, I don’t give a damn what happened 3, 4, 5 years ago. Capel’s team qualified for the tournament last year (and won a couple of games as an underdog…imagine that). This season his guys far exceeded expectations in year one of an almost total rebuild. Throughly enjoyed the past several weeks of basketball and look forward to an exciting season next year.
It’s not a failure, but it’s far from a success. Players regress under Capel far more than they develop. Jaland grew as the season went on…Bub regressed. Fed Fed has regressed. Capel was outcoached against Clemson last night down the stretch.
RobRaDICK ….PROBABLY THE DUMBEST HUMAN BEING ALIVE
RaDICK lives in his mom’s basement , he’s just a loser with no friends so he comes on here to get reactions from people …………. Ma the meatloaf !
Except it’s year 6 and they will probably miss the tourney. Doesn’t take 6 or 7 years to build a basketball program, especially in the ACC. It’s been quite a failure. Shouldn’t have forced Dixon out.