Stephen Thompson: Pitt's path back to winning basketball may take more than 1 season

Stephen Thompson: Pitt's Road to Rebuilding Wins May Span More Than One Season

Jeff Capel last undertook a roster overhaul of this scale before the 2022-23 season. That offseason, he turned to the transfer portal, recruiting Greg Elliott, Blake Hinson, and Nelly Cummings—players who then lacked elite status. Alongside veterans Jamarius Burton and Nike Sibande, acquired in previous years, Capel formed a core experienced and mature enough to approach an NBA team's average age.

This veteran group led Pitt to 24 wins, including two NCAA tournament victories, lifting the program from the depths of the power conferences. At that time, Capel's future at Pittsburgh was uncertain; he needed fast, significant success. Bringing in seasoned players was seen as the quickest way to achieve that.

Now facing a similar challenge—his contract nearing its end and growing impatience due to limited postseason achievements—Capel's new roster signals a shift in strategy. He aims to focus on the future while building a young, disciplined team.

"We need to play with the sense of urgency every second that we're out there on both sides of the floor," Capel said. "There has to be urgent talk, urgent movement. We have to be unbelievably connected."

Capel's approach embodies a desire to instill strong habits and sustained effort in a developing squad, suggesting Pitt's path back to prominence may take multiple seasons rather than immediate results.

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LancasterOnline LancasterOnline — 2025-11-03

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