Jeff Capel and the Pitt Panthers goal this season was to have a chance to compete for the NCAA Championship.
Over the last three and a half months, the Panthers were rounding into form and playing as not only one of the best teams in the ACC, but in the country.
With a star in Blake Hinson and one of the best young backcourts in the country in Bub Carrington and Jaland Lowe, many people thought Pitt had a chance to continue their strong play in the tournament and possibly be a sleeper team.
However, thanks to a tournament committee that was short-sighted and a system that’s completely flawed, Pitt didn’t get that opportunity to continue their season as they were a tournament snub.
That’s a shame, especially sad for Pitt senior Hinson who didn’t get the opportunity to shine one more time on a national stage. Actually, Hinson did have one more chance, but Pitt said thanks but no thanks.
Following their tournament snub, Pitt was extended a bid to play in the NIT tournament and declined.
Good move Capel, that was the right decision.
While some portion of the Pitt fan base didn’t agree, because they would’ve liked the chance to watch them play one more time, especially at The Pete, what’s the point?
Pitt’s goal and every major college basketball’s program is to compete for the ultimate prize — a National Championship, not the NIT, which is a consolation prize. Without looking it up, who won the NIT last year? That’s my point, no one knows and frankly, no one cares.
Quite honestly, years ago, it was an embarrassment that Jamie Dixon allowed Pitt to compete in the CBI, which they eventually won. To show you how important that “championship” was, Pitt doesn’t even recognize it with a banner in The Pete.
Thankfully, Capel and the Pitt athletic department made the decision to end the 2023-24 season and get a jump on improving for next season.
Aside from it being meaningless, participating in the NIT was just too risky for players such as Carrington, Lowe and Hinson. Can you imagine the criticism that Capel and Pitt would’ve received if one of those players sustained a serious injury during one of those games? Hinson now has the opportunity to start preparing for the NBA combine and some of the other Panthers, who were playing despite being banged up, will have the opportunity to rest and rehab.
More importantly, Capel and his staff can fully concentrate on college free agency, otherwise known as the transfer portal, which opened today. A huge reason that Pitt has enjoyed the success they have the last two seasons is because of the job Capel has done working the transfer portal. Transfer additions Hinson, Nelly Cummings, Nike Sibande, Jamarius Burton, Greg Elliott, Federiko Federiko are a huge reason why Pitt has won a combined 46 games over the last two seasons.
In order for Pitt to maintain and attempt to reach another level, Capel will need to be able to work his magic in the portal to acquire at a big man and possibly more.
Why not get fully invested in that process along with recruiting for a very important Class of 2025?
I fully respect others like former Indiana head coach Tom Crean, who have a completely different opinion than me on this subject. He believes that this is potentially valuable court time for young players to develop and start getting better for next year.
That’s fine and I can understand that line of thinking but I don’t agree with it.
Any tournament other than the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament is meaningless, as are any college football bowl games that are played before December 30th. It’s nice that kids get to play another game, receive nice bowl gifts and travel somewhere but honestly, what’s the point?
Capel comes from a program at Duke with high basketball standards and I’m glad he’s bringing that way of thinking to Pitt. The goal should always be to try and be the best and potentially winning the NIT wouldn’t accomplish that, so what’s the point?
Capel didn’t make the decision, though. The players voted to turn down the invite.
If thats true then Capel & Co. made the right decision by allowing the players to make the decision!
What about what the fans want? They should get to vote since they’re support is the reason for the program’s existence.
Yeah and the players are also the reason for the programs existence. If there are no players then there is nothing to watch. Any true fan of the program would support the people who make up the program.
Good point Dickhead!
Is the final of the NIT even played at Madison Sqaure Garden or have they changed the venue to the Barclay’s Center?
Indy-Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Hinkle Fieldhouse (that old barn) is a far cry from playing at the Mecca of College basketball…..MSG. What a joke.
I always hated the last game. Athletes should want to play anyone, anytime. But I guess when you want to have that feeling of superiority you make all these excuses. I don’t follow them at all so as an outsider this rings as petty, weak, and even cowardly.
You missed a good season then. No one made any excuses. 22-11 in a power 4 conference has its own merit. They did not make the tournament even though they had merit to be in. They moved on to next season. So they are cowards for passing on playing Cornell or St Joes lol in an exhibition/ consolation game?You can definitely tell you do not follow them or basketball in general.
You wouldn’t have a clue if I follow them if I didn’t tell you so I threw that in there to see who the simpletons were and both of you jumped right on it. Cowardly? Afraid to lose the tournament might be one of the reasons driving this. They didn’t get picked for the big game so instead of proving how wrong it was they went home and will watch, that’ll teach ’em. Do you think anyone else gives a damn that the Pitt players are having sad feelings right now? Petty weak and cowardly still fits. You can definitely… Read more »
I can tell you were severely misinformed without you saying you did not follow them. You gave no data about the team or their season so you tipped your hand there, shorty. You just spewed utter nonsense. So a non Pitt fan commenting about something they have no knowledge of is calling me a simpleton? Lol. Stick to watching the Steelers my man. Grab a cold one and tune in on Sundays. Maybe they can be 9-8 again for you. A critical thinker like you should not be wasting time commenting on fan site of teams they don’t follow. That… Read more »
Lol. Thank you for proving my point. The only thing you are good at. Certainly isn’t making accurate assumptions about a complete stranger online. You don’t know how to make a point was my point and you slammed down the exclamation point with pride. Lol. F off
Lol. I proved your point? You made no point. Your original comment was that of a third grader. Your comments made no sense. Go eat a dick you loser.
Lol. You even edited it. By the way you haven’t made ONE cogent point. Lol not one! Ahahahaha
If you don’t follow them…then your comment is meaningless. I’ll tell you what is cowardly though…..those that still follow the cowardly Pedo State or WVCCC.
Please explain. The first part, the second part makes even less sense.
Being a genius you should been able to figure out he meant that why comment on a subject that you have no knowledge about, therefore rendering the comment meaningless because it is that of a third grader. Hope that helps you understand that a little more there Sparky.
I read the article and commented on the article. What was your point again? How have you not walked in front of a bus or a train yet? Simpletons
But you are not a fan and you do not watch the games. Your comment on the article is irrelevant. Maybe you will get hit by a bus. The world would be better off.
You cant argue with pitt fans. This fan base is delusional. Honestly I’m surprised someone did say ‘the only reason we didn’t make it is cause the NCAA didn’t want to see pitt as champions’. Pitt went 1-1 in the acc tourament. I get they were a 4 seed so they got a double bye. But you beat wake forest and the loss to UNC, if they were ‘playing like one of the best teams in the nation’ they should have beat UNC, NC state did and made the tournament.
22-11 is tournament worthy. That is not delusional at all. Nothing like another non fan defending a congenital retard.
Classy man. But yea 22-11 is tournament worthy. So when do they play again? Thursday or friday…..
Go away Nitwit or Hoopie, you didn’t get close to the dance, go and buy yourself a pair of pantyhose anyway.
An outsider making a dumb comment. No one was making excuses. Who is cowardly? What are you talking about? Who said they felt superior? Since you do not follow college basketball the NIT is a consolation tournament. There is no real reason to play in this tournament. End of story.
I disagree with your article. I feel Pitt should have played this tournament for a few reasons: 1. They would have been playing at home in front of their fans and on top of that, they would have brought in additional funds to the program that they don’t have now. With the way things are now with NIL, Pitt should take advantage of bringing in as much money as they can. It’s also another way to give your program some additional national exposure to help with recruiting so I disagree with your view point in this article.
Nobody across the nation even looks at NIT scores. In fact on most sports websites they’re even not even posted. It’s been known as the Not Important Tournament for decades. And the 5,000 people who might show for a Home game is chump change.
Pitt gets plenty of money from the ACC, it doesn’t need NIT chump change.
“Work his magic” One bid. Too funny
2 Degrees ……… Too funny
No degrees. Moron.
The Dior Johnson skeptical is why Pitt is not playing in the NCAA tournament. Capel kept him on the team all offseason and because of this, the panthers took much longer to come together as a team. Johnson would have been a great talent had he played, but with all the off the court issues it was hard to see that ever happening. I give Capel a great amount of credit for turning this program around the last 2 years and having fans like myself excited about the future, but I also have to blame him for how he handled… Read more »
I agree that Capel mishandled Johnson and also hope he learns his lesson and continuous focusing on the right kids like Bub and Jaland. But I disagree that Johnson is what lead to the early season struggles. Jaland was injured and it took him awhile to get to any sort of form. I remember in the early going questioning if he would even play come ACC play he looked so lost. Had he been healthy, he may have even started right away, but at the very least would’ve played better and developed chemistry with the other players quicker. As we… Read more »
From what I understand, Johnson was set to return this season, however, following Chancellor Gallagher’s resignation, someone associated with the incoming regime pushed for his dismissal. So basically, one unnamed administrator ended Dior Johnson’s career at Pitt before it began…can’t blame Capel for not seeing that coming.
Couldn’t agree more. I’m glad that Pitt turned down the NIT bid. It sends a clear message that the program expects to compete for meaningful championships and isn’t interested in anything else. It’s fascinating that so many people are criticizing Pitt, St. John’s, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, etc. this year but nobody batted an eye at UNC (rightfully) doing the exact same thing last year.
Because it’s North Carolina, Pitt will never ever be at that level
I’m glad they passed on the NIT. If they’re not up for it the experience can be embarrassing. Remember the beating they took at the hands of George Washington several years ago? Pitt was indifferent. GW was fired off. It was terrible!
This is a good point. I wish it wasn’t this way, but it is – and this is a good way to illustrate the feeling that was probably in that room when they made the decision. If they were all gung-ho about winning the NIT I’m sure they would have participated. feel free to call them babies, or whatever, in response to this post, but if you’re not into it then why do it? It’s a consolation prize for anyone who wants to play a bit more. If you’re not into it you’ll just lose quickly, and that could be… Read more »
Completely Disagree about it being right to pass on the NIT Look at Xavier as an example – They didn’t get into the NCAA Tournament two seasons ago with a roster of players due to return the following season – they accepted the NIT bid – which allowed the players to continue to build chemistry and continue to play against other teams and then they went on to win the whole darn thing – which as silly as it may sound to some- allowed that team to prove to themselves that they were a darn good team and that the… Read more »
NCAA owns NIT! Maybe he saw no reason to help the assholes who robbed Pitt.
They made the right decision. Your a joke if you think it was because they were afraid. This team was fearless this year and will make some real news next year.
Ok Howie. Lol.
PITT finishied within the Top 35 basketball teams in the Country, went punch for punch with the No.1 NCAA seeded UNC in ACC semifinals and probably would’ve won that game if Hinson scored anywhere near his average! Regardless how the selection Committee trys to sugar coat things, It makes no DAM sense, PITT was not included in the 68 team Tournament field🤔 If Cinderella teams like Duquesne, no disrespect intended, but if those Cinderella teams luck up and win their Conference Tourneys, then the selection Committee should not pass out automatic bids like Halloween candy, they should expand the field… Read more »
Change the system cause pitt didn’t get in…. play better basketball. ‘Teams like pitt who were sure locks’ kind of hard to be a sure lock and then be left out… pitt could have won the acc like NC State did to ensure a selection. Idk maybe beat UNC and they probably get in, NC State did that too and once again got in. pitt went 1-1 in the acc tournament, had a chan e to play their way in and blew it. Blame only pitt, not the system for pitts lack of wins
Depends on how free agency goes. Today’s the first day. This year was fun and entertaining. I realize I will probably be called an “asshat” or fan boy for saying that. Man, some find it a joy to be angry about so little. If anyone hates Pitt MBB, quit following it.
All of the players get a free education (which is worth nothing to most of them) and some of them receive some serious NIL $$$ to represent the University And play basketball. The University upheld their end of the deal. The players CASHED their checks.
BE THE PROFESSIONALS THAT YOU ARE PAID TO BE and PLAY
I’d love to see the facts you are referencing when you express that the education means nothing to most of them. Is there a new exit interview survey I missed?
They aren’t professionals, that’s the whole reason NIL exists. And when you consider just how much money these “professionals” bring the university, they aren’t compensated nearly enough. These kids are making business decisions for themselves as they should. They owe you nothing.
You can’t possibly that naive or obtuse….
They get paid to play the game. If they weren’t basketball players (or athletes of a “revenue generating sport” ) no one would give them more than $1 for their Name Image or Likeness.
It’s pay to play. They cashed the checks. They will be filing income taxes on the money they made because they are athletes at Pitt. That Jake, makes them professionals.
So nut up, have some pride, be a professional and play the game.
The collective should demand a refund!!!
Well I never said they didn’t get paid, I said they didn’t get paid enough. And while NIL is focused on the main revenue generating sports, other athletes can and do receive it. Its much more than just a collective sending a pay check. You should research NIL to properly understand it. To call these kids professional is strictly an opinion. In legal terms the NCAA still maintains their amateurism status so that schools don’t need to pay them. They are not employees of the school, they are students, and all their pay comes from sources that are not considered… Read more »
You are not that naive but you are certainly that obtuse, I’ve researched it plenty. It’s this simple : are the basketball players receiving TAXABLE INCOME because they are basketball players for the university? if yes, then they are PROFESSIONALS. They are not amateurs. You are twisting yourselves up in a pretzel with your “logical” hot takes. May be all of you guys should grab a hot coco and a coloring book go sit in the safe space with Capel and whine. SO SOFT. Be a professional. Play the game that you are being paid AN INCOME for to represent… Read more »
Yeah, God forbid I think an issue through and use logic before letting my emotions control my keyboard. Kids receive an income based on their presence. Typically that’s court/field, but is also heavily tied to social media presence, the Cavinder Twins in Women’s basketball are great examples of people who capitalized on the system. As women in sports, they aren’t nearly as high in revenue, but their online presence granted them significant boosts. And lets not forget, when a player is paid for a brand deal, they are boosting that brand and creating exposure, which is in effect what they… Read more »
If your team doesn’t make the NBA playoffs the season ends. There is no consolation playoffs, because that is stupid. You play to win the championship.
The PItt basketball team are not NBA players. They are college athletes whose words and actions represent the university.
There actions are those of petulant entitled children. When the going gets tough, they grab their ball and go home…. and count their NIL money. Great lesson to be learned here
The problem is you’re saying they’re pros when it fits your argument. then “college athletes” when it fits your argument otherwise. You can’t talk out of both sides of your mouth. NIT has become meaningless due to the professional nature of college sports, as you point out yourself. There is one playoff. 90% of bowl games are meaningless too. Are they professionals or not? If they are, there is one championship and the rest is nonsense. College sports have changed in many ways, not just the ways you approve or disapprove of. It’s that simple.
The Uni isn’t paying them a cent that’s the purvey of 412 Alliance.
Not yet… Are they getting that sweet NIL cash because they are all such great students??? No.
They are getting it because they can dribble and shoot a basketball …wait for it… for the University of Pittsburgh.
Alliance 412 doesn’t pay other players from other schools do they??? Nope!
Alliance 412 should demand a refund from these petulant children. When the going gets tough, whine about it and go home
What makes you think that Alliance 412 gives a shit about playing in the NIT…and the only ones whining about all of this are a couple of posters on this site.
“The purvey” fucking moron
Okay I get NOT wanting to play in the CBI or some other BS tournament but its the NIT which has been around forever. Pitt went 0-18 in ACC play before Capel got hired. This is only his 2nd winning season, so what happens when this team finishes up barely .500 next season, do you turn it down too?
What makes you think they will bottom out next year? They are only losing Hinson at this point.
What makes you think they will be good? This is only Capel’s second winning season. The more the team plays together… the better….unless someone comes along with a BIGGER CHECK…right…
The program is stable now. It is pretty obvious. That is why I think they will be good again. He has good recruits coming in as well.
I believe Pitt was sacrificed by the ACC representative on the selection committee for members of the original All Carolina Conference.
Additionally, I believe Scott Barnes used his influence as the newest member of the committee to gain spots for the Mountain West Conference which Oregon State joins next year.
I literally wrote on another comment ‘I’m surprised pitt fans aren’t saying the NCAA kept them out of the tournament cause they didn’t want to see pitt win it all’ and then saw this comment. Good Ole pitt fans, you can always rely on them coming up with conspiracy theories rather than face facts.
Pitt fans are so delusional. Playing as one of if not the best teams in the country…. yet didn’t get into the tournament. Give it a rest man, pitt sucked and isn’t even one of the top 68 teams in the league and you actually wrote playing like maybe the best team…. hahaha man I wish I could be this delusional, I’ll probably be a lot happier. Yea my nfl team sucks and went 0-17. But man they were really close games and we could have easily been 17 0
You sounds delusional my friend. Claiming that Pitt wasn’t a top 68 team defies all eye tests and metrics. There is literally no case that can be made for what you are saying, except for your own delusion. Lets take it a step further. Pitt didn’t get into the tournament because bid stealers had a revolution this year (5 including 2 power conference teams). It’s classic march madness and what the system is designed for. No one ever claimed that the best 68 teams get into the field, and if you truly believe that then you are truly uneducated about… Read more »
You’re right! Can’t wait to watch Pitt play in the tournament….
Well I said I agreed with the fact they didn’t make it so I can only assume you are talking to yourself at this point. Fitting.
Seems like a “take your ball and go home” mentality. Am I allowed to walk off the job at work if I don’t get my way?