PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt head coach Jeff Capel said he's heard stories about how tough it was before he arrived at Pitt. He felt like after the win over Duke in January, they had showed signs of becoming a good program again.
Then the crash, losing 8 of the next 9.
Now after two of their best players are gone for good, Capel believes they've turned the corner again. Especially after converting the second consecutive good effort game into a victory Tuesday night.
"I knew when I took the job it wasn't a quick fix," Capel said. "That is very difficult for me because I want it to be. We have shown signs that we are on the right path. Again we are showing signs that we are on the right path."
Capel said this after being a plus 19 in rebounding and seeing more ability out of key freshmen William Jeffress and Femi Odukale Tuesday. Plus the hint that Nike Sibande could return for another season. A grad transfer, Sibande led Pitt with 23 points and also had 9 rebounds against Wake Forest.
"It was really good for us to win," Capel said. "I'm not going to lie. For all we've been through to kind of reaffirm that what we are doing is right."
"I believe in what we are doing. I believe in how we are doing it. I know it's going to work. I know we will continue to add pieces that we need to do this thing the right way."
There is more room to add pieces after the departure of Xavier Johnson and Au'Diese Toney from the roster. Terrell Brown graduating gives them another scholarship and figure a player like Gerald Drumgoole, who rarely plays, could look for a new opportunity. Then there is the matter of talented freshman John Hugley who is suspended indefinitely for allegedly being a part of stealing a woman's car.
Capel could potentially have a handful of scholarships to go shopping for leftover high school seniors, JUCO players or a number of athletes who entered the transfer portal.
"I believe we have the right pieces," Capel said. "Obviously we have to continue to add the pieces. I'm excited about the opportunity to add those pieces. I'm excited about the opportunities that have presented themselves where we can add more pieces and more pieces that fit. And want to do it how we want to do it."
Those last two sentences are key. It's avoiding a potential problem that could be a tempting quick fix. That's on Capel and his staff to properly evaluate not only on court but off it.
This team appears to have bonded after facing recent adversity. Can Capel keep this momentum growing for the rest of this season and into a critical third year off-season?
