Pitt Men’s Basketball Season Preview
Staff writer Austin Lenhardt-Barley provides an outlook on the upcoming Pitt men’s basketball season, noting the team’s many new additions. The program enters its eighth year under head coach Jeff Capel.
Coaching and Team Progress
Under Jeff Capel, the Panthers have undergone steady growth. During his first four seasons, Capel recorded a 51–59 record. However, since changes to the transfer portal rules, he has guided the team through three straight seasons with records above .500, improving to a combined 63–38.
Impact of the Transfer Portal
Before the 2022–2023 season, the NCAA introduced a rule allowing athletes to transfer once without sitting out a year. This rule reshaped the Panthers’ roster and performance.
“After the rule was implemented, Pitt welcomed future household names to fans like Blake Hinson, Nelly Cummings and Greg Elliott.”
These transfers each averaged over 10 points per game during the 2022–2023 season, helping shift Pitt’s record from 11–21 to an NCAA Tournament appearance. The turnaround illustrated Capel’s success in leveraging transfer opportunities.
Key Returning Player
Senior forward Corhen is back for his final year and will take on a leadership role. In the 2024–2025 season, he averaged 11 points and five rebounds, providing both defensive strength and scoring consistency for Pitt.
Outlook
Pitt’s blend of veteran leadership and new talent positions the team for another competitive season under Capel’s direction, with momentum carried over from recent years of progress.
Author’s summary: Pitt continues to build on Jeff Capel’s smart transfer strategy, combining experience and fresh talent to stay competitive in the next NCAA season.