PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A together Pitt basketball team held its first practice of the season Thursday at the Petersen Events Center. Five new players plus the return of forward John Hugley as new additions from the last time you saw the Panthers.
"We wanted to get guys that we thought first of all were talented, good people," said Pitt head coach Jeff Capel. "Felt like had up-side that were competitive that wanted to be a part of something. I like what we were able to put together."
"We have size and versatility. We have two guys that have played really well at this level, especially defensively with Dan (Oladapo) and Mo (Gueye). We have a guy that has been a part of two good cultures, who is older (Burton)."
Pitt added senior 6'4" transfer guard Jamarius Burton from Texas Tech, senior 6'7" forward Dan Oladapo from Oakland University and graduate transfer, 6'9" forward Mouhamadou Gueye from Stony Brook. Pitt also adds 6'7" junior forward Chris Payton from Indian Hills Community College and 6'7" freshman Nate Santos.
Capel said it's like they've also added a sixth newcomer with Hugley back from suspension. The 6'9", 240-pound sophomore was one of the jewels of last year's recruiting class before an off-campus incident ended his freshman season after seven games.
"I think they've worked really hard this summer," Capel said. "The thing we keep stressing and stressed since we've been here is to understand how much we need each other. That's what the good programs do. When this program was one of the best programs in the country. That's what they had."
"They had a toughness. They had a togetherness and they always understood how much they needed each other. That's what we have to do. We have to do it all the time."
Over the span of the last year, the Panthers three most productive players transferred -Xavier Johnson, Trey McGowens and Au'Diese Toney. Capel said they weren't part of the culture they needed to create at Pitt.
"We wanted to get guys that wanted to be a part of something," Capel said. "That felt like they had something to prove, more importantly that wanted to be here. We want guys that really want to be here. That believe in us and believe in what we are doing and how we are doing it.
"It (Capel's system) works and we will win when we do it the right way."
"We are more connected as a group this year," said junior guard Ithiel Horton. "A lot of our players have put aside their personal goals and I think we are buying into the team concept. We all need each other to win this year. I think that everybody understands how important each other's role is to this team."
"We can't be by ourselves out there. We have to stay connected, do this thing together. I think a lot of our guys mesh. Last year we didn't have a lot of off-court gatherings like we do this year. We started to get to know each other. I think that is what is helping a lot."
"It's just different this year. I can feel it."
"That's huge," said senior Nike Sibande of the new team chemistry. "That's the biggest thing in a team to me. Knowing that each person is fighting for the next man. Knowing that you got teammates that have your back regardless if you are right, wrong or indifferent."
"I feel like team and us being together through tough situations, 'cause every moment on the floor is not going to be pretty, not going to be perfect. If you know you have all five guys, 10 guys, 15 guys fighting with you every night. I feel like you get more loose balls. More of the little things happen when you are together."
"I think we've infused a teamwork culture," Horton said. "Everybody is on the same page. Everybody is looking to help one another, pick each other up. I think our culture is what we embody. How we show up, keep our promises, make no excuses and appreciate what we have. That is our culture right now."
Panthers will host an open scrimmage at the Petersen Events Center Saturday, October 9 at 2p. Their first exhibition game is Monday, November 1 against Gannon. The first regular-season game is Tuesday, November 9 hosting The Citadel.
