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

Stephen Thompson: Pitt's Path Back to Winning Basketball

The last time Jeff Capel undertook a full roster rebuild similar to the recent one was before the 2022-23 season. Through transfer portal recruiting, he brought in Greg Elliott, Blake Hinson, and Nelly Cummings—players who were not considered elite at the time.

Combined with Jamarius Burton and Nike Sibande, pickups from previous years, Capel formed a core of experienced veterans whose average age rivaled some NBA teams. This group won 24 games, including two NCAA tournament victories, lifting the program from the bottom of the power conferences.

Back then, Capel's long-term position in Pittsburgh was uncertain. Success had to come quickly, and bringing in experienced players was seen as the fastest route.

This offseason, facing a similar scenario with a contract nearing its end and growing impatience due to postseason struggles, Capel’s roster shows a different focus. Now, Pitt aims to build for the near future.

Capel’s Vision for the Upcoming Season

Describing his current roster, Capel sounds like a coach intent on teaching good habits to a young team. He emphasizes urgency and connection on the court:

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

Key Points

Previous rebuild involved recruiting experienced transfers with immediate impact.
2022-23 team won 24 games, including NCAA tournament success.
Current roster focuses on youth and long-term development.
Capel stresses the importance of urgency and team cohesion for success.

Author’s summary: Jeff Capel’s recent roster rebuild at Pitt signals a shift from immediate results to cultivating a young, urgent, and connected team for sustained future success.

LancasterOnline — 2025-11-03