PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The loss of Xavier Johnson and Au'Diese Toney will hurt Pitt in the short term, but it's an opportunity for other guys to show something as they prepare for next season.
"I feel like we still have good players," said head coach Jeff Capel during his coach's show on the Pitt Panthers Radio Network and 93.7 The Fan Thursday. "Everyone just has to step up a little bit."
Here are the players who benefit.
Nike Sibande (6'4" graduate transfer guard from Miami, OH)
"Nike is a good player," Capel said. "Last game he had more of an opportunity to play and did some good things for us. Knowing that he is going to play is going to help him on the court. He has some experience and we anticipate him playing well for us."
Sibande was the MAC Freshman of the Year in 2018 averaging 14 points and 6 rebounds a game with the Redhawks last year. Sibande had to wait until an hour before the Miami game to become eligible. Also missed 10 days of practice due to contact tracing
The Indiana native started three of the last four games and played a Pitt high 35 minutes against Florida State with a season-high 12 points and 7 rebounds.
Femi Odukale (6'5" freshman guard)
Odukale was in an accident before the season started as a car hit the scooter he was riding on and there were fears his season was over before it began.
"What he went to prior to the season," Capel said. "It still amazes me at times when I see him out there. When I saw him in the emergency room that night. I thought there was no way he would be able to play this year. Not only play, but he's playing very, very well."
"I think he has a big upside. He has a good feel for the game. Offensively and defensively. He has good size. He has length. He's a good athlete. He has a toughness about him. He wants to be good."
The Brooklyn native has started two games, averaging 4.8 points and 2 assists for the year. Odukale had a career-high 16 points against Louisville, 10 points and 7 rebounds in the win at Syracuse. Had 8 points on 3-5 shooting against Florida State.
William Jeffress (6'7" freshman guard/forward)
"Will played well for us early in the season and as we got after Christmas, his playing time decreased," Capel said. "His attitude has been terrific. We believe in Will. We really, really believe he is going to be an outstanding player. A guy that's going to help us change this program."
Capel believes he's grown not just in muscle put in height as the Erie native gave up his senior year to enroll early.
"I think he is going to grow," Capel said. "We are excited about him and his future. At 17, he has a maturity and a desire. You have these conversations with him and it's amazing how he sees everything. How he observes everything. He's a kid that really wants to be good and learn how to be good. He knows he doesn't have all of the answers. He wants to absorb."
Jeffress started the game at Syracuse but only has 7 points total in ACC play. He matched that in his career-opener against St. Francis and the Pitt win at Northwestern. Jeffress has played 32 minutes in his last four games, but those numbers should jump.
Noah Collier (6'8", freshman forward)
"He's a guy that continues to get better in practice," Capel said. "Has continued to work and understand how to work. He's done some really good things in practice for us as well. He's a guy over these last few weeks that will get another opportunity."
Those opportunities have been sparse to date for the New Jersey native playing in only four ACC games with 4 points and 9 rebounds.
Two men's misfortunes are these men's opportunity. What will they do with it?
