PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt could finally get Miami of Ohio transfer guard Nike Sibande eligible at 5p on Wednesday, Panthers head coach Jeff Capel made is sound like he could start at 6p at Miami of Florida.
“If he’s cleared, he’ll play right away,” Capel said.
Sibande has been practicing daily and waiting to play after transferring to Pitt in the summer, but unlike almost every transfer is any sport, Sibande and a select few others, are waiting. It’s not clear why.
Capel has said since the season started he doesn’t know exactly the reasons the transfer has been denied but there is growing talk that all of the players still waiting, including a Miami Hurricanes player, will be made eligible at some point on Wednesday.
“He provides experience,” Capel said Monday. “He’s played on the collegiate level for three years. He’s been a really good scorer at this level.”
The 6’4” guard scored 1,463 points with the Redhawks in the MAC and averaged nearly six rebounds a game his junior season.
“He’s very athletic,” Capel said. “At Miami of Ohio I think he made 175 threes (186 total, shooting 34%), that’s more than anyone that we have. We think he could help us there.”
“He would add a lot,” said sophomore Justin Champagnie. “He’s a born leader. You can tell by the way he moves, the way he carries himself. He’s older and has experience and I just think having a more experienced guy would help this team a lot.”