Pitt Men’s Basketball Season Preview
Staff writer Austin Lenhardt-Barley previews the Pitt men’s basketball season, highlighting many new players on the roster. The team is starting its eighth season under head coach Jeff Capel.
Coach Jeff Capel’s Tenure and Performance
Capel, who began his head coaching career at Pitt with a 51-59 record in his first four seasons, has shown significant improvement recently. Following NCAA transfer portal changes, he has achieved three straight seasons with a winning record, compiling a 63-38 record overall.
Impact of NCAA Transfer Rule Change
Before the 2022-2023 season, the NCAA introduced a rule allowing athletes to transfer once without sitting out a year. This change benefited Pitt, which gained prominent transfers like Blake Hinson, Nelly Cummings, and Greg Elliott.
- All three averaged over 10 points per game in the 2022-2023 season.
- The influx of transfers helped transform the program from an 11-21 record to an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Pitt going from an 11-21 record to the NCAA Tournament is special and not talked about enough — it happened because of how well Capel works with the transfer portal.
Key Players for the New Season
Senior forward Corhen returns for his final and second season at Pitt. He averaged 11 points and five rebounds last season and has been a reliable scorer and strong defensive presence.
Corhen is one of the stronger defensive players for the Panthers and will be a leader during his last season.
Capel’s success with transfer players and developing talent sets a hopeful outlook for Pitt’s upcoming basketball season.
Author's summary: Jeff Capel's effective use of the transfer portal and leadership have revitalized Pitt basketball, turning the team into a competitive NCAA Tournament contender.