219 thoughts on “Virginia Tech at Pitt Basketball Thread”

  2. Intense interest in the game tonite as evidenced by the fact that, 12 minutes before tip-off, no comments. But then, I probably won’t be watching the game either. H2P and good luck Panthers 🍀🙏🖖

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  5. It’ll be interesting if Pitt can get Gueye out as a three point defender, can he get back get the boards.

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  8. Without looking… Cignetti sounds like Pittsburgh’s own… Billy Gardell. You know. Mike Biggs from Mike and Molly. They look a little like each other as well.. Frank = Billy

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  10. This Pitt team is so overmatched but they have regressed game by game. Playing ole defense.

    I wish Capel would scrap the Flex offense and go back to the 1-4 where you can set hard screens.
    Flex requires shooters and Pitt has none! Almost ready to switch to NCIS!

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  13. You can be a bad shooting team, which we are for the most part..

    You should never be a bad defensive team because that is just effort and hard work…..

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  14. Pitt can’t score and can’t defend 23-8 Hokies and it’s not that close.
    What does this team do in practice??

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  17. On the other hand, Hemingway’s was great! Food was good, beer was ice cold, Fran was hilarious! Well worth the price of season tickets!

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  21. Is that the same Murphy that played at Pitt and 4 other schools.

    WOW – you talk about bad basketball. This may be the worst team in the P6.

    Capel with his head down most of this game while VT embarrasses the Pitt D with 75% from the field. They are wide open on most 3 point shots.

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  23. D takes effort, hustle and a plan.

    I see none of those three.

    It also takes talent. Coaches recruit talent and teach the other 3 above.

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  27. Pitt just runs around on offense. No screens, no one gets open. Horrible poorly coached basketball. Disgraceful showing for a D1 team.

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    1. Careful Dan – several on this blog don’t think Capel is the problem.

      Clearly he is IMO.

      Pitt is down more points at the half than they scored. That is coaching – poor recruiting, poor teaching of fundamentals, poor off court discipline and no point guard.

      Is there any other team in the P6 without a scholarship PG – I know walk-on EZE receive a scholarship mid season this year / smoke & mirrors.

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  28. Has Horton scored yet?

    Prediction: when Oscar T at Kentucky is the POY and 1st round NBA draft pick, Hugely will fill in nicely with HC Calipari’s team next season.

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  29. 22-49 at the half. No effort on defense. Dan was right.

    Felton saw his shadow….six more weeks of bad basketball. This first half has been an embarrassment for the university. You can lose, no problem. Not playing defense, never acceptable.

    The announcers are saying the defense isn’t there. It’s like pitt is letting them shoot as if it is just a shoot around….it is awful!

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  32. Embarrassing. Why on earth would you bring this staff back for another year? I honestly believe you could plug Mt. Lebanon’s Head Coach Joey David in there tomorrow and get better results next week.

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    1. Go-Fund-Me

      To relieve Pitt men’s BB fans of really poor coaching.

      I’m ok with the players getting a free education. I’m not ok with 4 bad coaches receiving any sort of a paycheck for this debacle.

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  34. looking at the box score it seems Pitt might be only playing 4 guys on the offensive end and 2 or 3 on the defensive end, none on the 3-pt line

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  35. This is impossible to watch. Disgusting basketball. No effort and no clue. Offense is to pass the ball around on the outside, and take a crazy shot as the clock winds down or drive into double coverage and force it or turn it over. Intramural teams play better bb than this. Odd that he doesn’t put in 5 subs when playing this bad. Can Aiken and Smith be any worse. Switched to the Olympics.

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  36. Yeah, I am not sure why I am watching. I can’t even get mad because it is too funny. Part of me thinks the fans will start to boooo! They should. I would boo if I paid money I worked for, to watch entertainment where the entertainers did not work hard. Why should I work hard and use my money to watch garbage!

    Maybe they will come back, or maybe we will see them lose by 40! On pace for a 44-98 final!

    Rubbing it in more, vt shoots 75% the first half. It was their best offensive 1/2 of a game since they joined the ACC.

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  38. Hey, Chancellor Gallagher.

    I know some fans think you walk on water because of your title at Pitt, but you’re most responsible for the mess that is Pitt hoops.

    Shame on you for not supporting Dixon and pretty much forcing him to look to move on from Pitt.

    Maybe you can call Todd Turner a second time since he was so wonderful six years ago.

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  39. A hook shot from a guard……

    vt has 12 made 3’s…..they average 9. For those not watching, congrats! 16:45 minutes left in game 29-55

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  40. Whoops I thought the game started at 8 so I just turned it on and now I will turn it off after seeing some of this debacle. Hokies shooting the basketball like a cruise missile. WE STINK ( and that is being nice).

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  41. It’s like watching a plane crash in slow motion!

    If I’m Heather I’d make the entire staff go without pay for this game !

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  42. Why does Femi not play with intensity at the start of a game. He pads stats just like the last blow out loss.

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    1. But my question is why not in the first half.

      Femi has a ton of talent. It’s the effort I struggle to measure.

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  47. This could be the greatest come back of all time! Someone should get Dan back! Pitt is on fire! Or, they run out of gas and lose by 25…

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  49. Watched Duke whip the Heels then turned the TV to the PITT game… watching with JeanieB who was quite a player in her day.. she just shakes her head l- can’t believe how poorly they play…. We are now watching the World Ax Throwing League… talk about form, touch and accuracy… maybe Capel should recruit some of these guys…. Back to the PITT game and they are on a 17-2 run…,,

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  54. Agree – 1st half disaster!

    Mutts has an interesting move down low. He backs in and shoots backwards over his head. He is 0-2 that way and each time it looks awkward. Pitt has upped the defensive pressure and because of that, the net is shrinking for VT. This is a very good second half effort.

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  56. I don’t get how this team can play so poorly and then decide to play in the second half. Their transition game is actually working and they’re hitting shots.

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  59. Pile of Grass Clipping > Stallings > Capel

    If Lyke doesn’t own her mistake and fire this clown she is just as bad.

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      1. i can see your point, but part of that was the momentum had changed and the pace was hectic…and results were in our favor.

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  61. Odukale hitting the first couple in the second half was HUGE to momentum change

    THAT shooting then a couple hustle induced defensive stops and breaks got the run going and energy intensified all over the court for Pitt

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  62. VT is 4-7 in ACC. Pitt is 3-8. Not sure why they are making pitt sound like losers and that they can actually think we could win the game on monday. What about tonight?

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  77. Not sure that i even feel good about that loss. The first half was a disaster and the second half will not be repeated again by Femi. He played over his head. Great offensive performance by him, but I just don’t think that is going to be a consistent output going forward. VT shut down Big John.

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    1. We have seen the bad…. a lot.

      What we haven’t seen is Femi having a shooting clinic from way deep AND from the foul line!

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  79. All that said, the game was served to pitt on a platter at the end and we just didn’t do the little things to pull it out.

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  80. What does it say about this team that they can stink so badly one half and tear it up the second half? Are they a bunch of head cases? Why such a slow start? I don’t get this team..

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  82. If Capel can hold on to what he has, especially Hugley, Burton and Odukale, he has something to build on for next year. Has to find 2-3 guys as good/better as them to make a difference.

    Really too bad Mo is done

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  83. how amazing would it be if this was anywhere near the real Femi

    Hugley absolutely needs to work on his passing out of the double team – turnover machine when the double gets there fast

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  84. I do wonder what was said in that locker room at half time. That was some different level of intense defense played in the second half. But it all comes down to making threes and that is problematic for our Panthers.

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  85. but also let’s not forget the couple of calls that DID go Pitt’s way, esp the Femi step on the kid’s ankle that was called a flop

    not saying it was way a badly called game overall, maybe a few questionable each way

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  86. I don’t think Hugely is at Pitt next season. Capel, I believe he has a financial security blanket thanks to Heather Barnes LLC.

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    1. McGoweno, Johnson, Toney, Justin, Hugley, Coulibaly, Femi, Jeffress, Collier (last 2 highly rated but mistakes)

      Horton, Nike, Burton, Gueye

      He had Mintz

      Some say he could have had Julian and Posh Alexander

      I am guessing he passed on other gets while holding out for better

      That level far exceeded ACC Dixon or Stallings. It would have brought a level of success if he could have managed and maintained his players.

      We were “back“ around the time of the Duke game. The Hugley arrest started The end of that sentiment. The near season’s end transfers and the revelation of internal turmoil continued it. the Capel press conference on the transfers wearing a BLM sweatshirt and failing to invite half the media was pathetic. The Lyke ridiculous excuse mission was also pathetic. Covid, Covid, Covid. The Capel mansion tweet ended it for me, the epitome of clueless . He has no idea how to deal with the public. The lack of recruiting since these public utterances is the exclamation point

      The opening double digit home loss to Citadel was treated as just another game.

      And the same attitude exhibited there and the excuses continue.
      .
      There was the act of self destruction compounded by never ending excuse making regarding that self destruction.

      It really needs to end

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  87. Kudos for the great comeback almost win by Pitt! Of all the things this team needs to fix; this one has to be at the top of the list….

    When it’s late in a game and you are behind, you need to take the first available good shot! I can show you on film that If you don’t take that first available shot, you will pass it around and have that very same shot but 30 seconds will have elapsed. Time is not your ally when you’re behind late!

    Second thing to fix….. against a good three point shooting team you absolutely cannot go for steals! The moment you do, and don’t get it, a three point shooter is standing there wide open! Cannot gamble.
    See 1st half.

    Liked by 2 people

  88. Was at the Richmond – St Boneventure game last night.
    Coulibaly suited up for the Bonnies, but saw little to no time.

    I have a trivia for yinz…only two P5 programs have not won a single NCAA championship in any sport.
    Name them.

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    1. I would have never thought Virginia Tech. Mississippi State would have been three but they just won the college World Series. Pitt only has that one back in 1976.

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  89. They kept running the shot clock down. Very frustrating to see when they are behind in the second half. Their perimeter passing does not produce open looks, and they don’t take the open shots when they do get them.

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  90. So this crappy-shooting Pitt team has a night where they shoot 57% from the floor and 50% on 3s — and they still lose.

    That’s sad.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

      1. it means you used a word that the amazing(ly bad) AI of WordPress decided was not allowed so the post gets held from posting here, only a moderator can look and review and release it for it to see the light of the POV

        could be something not clearly offensive like J u gg e rn au t

        Liked by 1 person

        2. I will try another way. This video tells one all they need about Jeff Capel and avoiding accountability. He was holding a press conference to address transfers and internal strife.

          Half the press was misinformed of the time of his press availability and as a result, we’re denied the ability to ask questions.. Also note the choice of attire and the first questioner and question:

          https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2021/02/26/watch-pitts-jeff-capel-on-transfers-moving-forward/

          This event alone should have been cause for dismissal.

          This was followed by a media excuse mission by AD Lyke (Covid, Covid, Covid) and the ridiculous building a mansion tweet.

          The man is tone deaf and has totally alienated the fan base.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. you might not read on FB, there’s still some good support there

            someone stated last night’s crowd was big and really supported the team through that 2nd half amazing effort/turnaround

            From FB:
            “It is still a great time to be at The Pete.
            Also, next Saturday they are recognizing the football team during the game against NC State. Let’s make sure to #PackThePete…. “

            Liked by 1 person

    2. The Panthers were pathetic in the first half – they were down 27 at the half.

      Adjustments had to be made, like if you don’t shoot, you won’t score and Big John is a turnover machine tonight so let’s get Femi involved more with the offense.

      I’m sure it was much more sophisticated than I’m presenting this morning.

      Bottom line, Pitt lost to a mediocre VT team with a 2nd year HC.

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    3. MM – this is a great way that statistics don’t tell the story. My sense is that if you take a look at the first half shooting percentages, you will not find Pitt shooting near that percentage and they fell behind by so much, that there were no pressure shots taken by Pitt until late in the second half. Femi shot freely and it was marvelous in the second half.

      The mentality of the game changes when there is a lead like that. For VT, it looked like a cakewalk going into halftime and I would think that they did relax a bit too much in the second. Just a different perspective, but my point was that although the overall average and final score looks respectful, what I saw was a very poor Pitt team in the first half, that took advantage of an opponent that didn’t know they needed to keep up their intensity throughout the game. Plus, Pitt did play a little harder on defense, but again, I look at having such a large lead.

      In hockey, they say a 4 goal lead is the most dangerous to the team holding it, because invariably, the dominating fashion that worked to get the lead, gets lessened because it is so difficult to come back from such a lead. A 28 point halftime lead has only been overcome a couple of times in the ncaa. I remember playing in one sided games and it is true, the intensity drops. Just common nature.

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  91. Can’t win when the opposition shoots 14 3s to your 9 and outrebounds you 26 to 18.
    I can’t recall seeing a hotter team thn VT in that first half. They didn’t miss.

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    1. The hokies were wide open – it was like playing HORSE when you were a kid in the driveway with friends. No one guarding you, focus on technique to get it right, clean follow throw – kind of like practice.

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        1. VT guard Storm Murphy from the land of Wisconsin cheesed in 20 points last night.

          On the year he was averaging less than 9 per game.

          There are other stats that show the lack of D in the first half, but seeing it was tough on the eyes.

          Sometimes, no lie, there were two or three hokies open beyond the 3 point line with no Pitt player within 5 yards on one possession.

          Capel had his head down most of the first half. He look defeated and in the end he was.

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          1. When you have eight guys making 3’s it tends to open up a lot of room underneath for a good guard to take advantage of. VT was on fire their ball movement was crisp their shotmaking unreal. Pitt’s D certainly was not up to the challenge and also made too many turnovers.

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    1. That was going to be my next question. I know Horton has only been back for the last 3 games but is this team actually playing better with him now available? Yes, I know we have another body on the bench that could be inserted at any given time but has that additional body actually made any positive difference for the Pitt BB team.

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      1. Last night he played 20 minutes and was 0-3 0-1. Certainly not what Dan was hoping for.
        Obviously zero defensive impact in the first half, although you could say that for everyone.

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    2. not conditioning it seems

      he never was a high motor guy

      thinking he would be a key this year was overly optimistic, little handle, slow defensively, average shooter which at Pitt means he might be our #1 smh

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  97. OT on Kenny Pickett’s Senior Bowl:

    Dane Brugler
    @dpbrugler
    Asked an NFL scout to power rank how the QBs did during team interviews at the Senior Bowl. His succinct response:

    “Pickett. Gap. Everyone else.”

    H2P!!!

    Liked by 4 people

  99. Gary090650, and anyone else going to the hoop game Saturday we have a small group that meets at Hemingways 3 hours prior to tipoff…back room.
    Hope to see some of yinz there.

    Liked by 2 people

  100. Neat interactive on revenues and expenses for schools and conferences. However data is not available for the private schools like Pitt. And for all intents and purposes Pitt is private given the paltry support from the Commonwealth.

    http://cafidatabase.knightcommission.org/fbs/acc#!quicktabs-tab-where_the_money-0

    Three main sources of revenue are the conference monies, donations and ticket sales

    Three main expenditures are coaching salaries, administration salaries, facilities and then scholarships.

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  101. Probably a week away from learning about this.

    https://triblive.com/sports/pitt-athletic-director-heather-lyke-says-discussions-underway-toward-contract-extension-for-pat-narduzzi/

    I expect a nice bump in salary probably to $6 million per year making him among the top 15 highest paid coaches. He has Kenny and Whipple to thank for that.

    What troubles me is what is Pitt doing about elevating the budget for coordinators and assistants on staff? And how will Pitt afford all this pay escalation if Capels contract needs bought out?

    Is there a shadow booster out there we don’t know about?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Those who coached Boyd and Donald credit their humble demeanors, their willingness to give back to their communities — both run summer football camps for kids — and their desire to be great for their success. Walker called their Super Bowl appearance an “unbelievable representation of Western Pennsylvania football, not just the WPIAL but the University of Pittsburgh.”

      Liked by 6 people

  104. The more I think about it, Capel was just a bad hire from the start.

    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7214108/jeff-capel-got-175m-buyout-oklahoma-sooners

    Got fired at his last HC stop
    Had investigation over NCAA violations
    Couldn’t even get to a Final 4 with the best player in college at the time
    Had two consecutive losing seasons at OU for first time in 50 years
    Had three elite recruits, McDonald’s all Americans, and still couldn’t win
    Spent nearly a decade at Duke as an assistant after the firing

    So many red flags in retrospect

    Maybe it was a Coach K recommendation that did it much like Barry with Paulie.

    Maybe it was a diversity thing

    All I know is that he’s been a terrible hire. At this point, I think if you fire his brother, Capel will just quit. Save yourself the buyout money. Money Pitt doesn’t have to burn.

    These buyouts or poorly constructed contract extensions can also mortgage Pitts athletic future. I view them as opportunity costs. Financial mistakes mean less money for facility upgrades, less money for hiring better coaching staffs, less money for recruiting budgets, less money for marketing and promotion, less money for alumni outreach and building a larger supporter base, less money for potential new sports programs.

    Pitts basketball got them invited to the ACC. Old Pitt stadium got razed for the Pete. Pitt needs to fix this fast

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Lyke continues to voice her support of Capel & thinks he needs more time. The problem with Pitt basketball is Heather Lyke much more than it is Capel. Capei is hapless and pathetic and is giving us another February losing streak (5 games), She compares Narduzzi to Capel which is not a good comparison. Even before this breakout season, Narduzzi was winning enough to get to the post-season.

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  105. Please note that the Capel hire was not like the Stallings hire … one interview and done

    A large handful of candidates were approached supposedly… Hurley, Oats, and even our buddy Crean were among those that either said no or no interest. Hurley went to UConn, Oats to Bama, Crean to UGA…. Remember Pitt just had a winless ACC team with not much talent returning (similar to now)

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  106. I must admit that I thought Capel was a home run hire – though I saw an immediate red flag when he hired his brother. (I remembered what a mess the women’s team became with Suzie and her sister on the staff…). Obviously I was dead wrong about Capel.

    Remember though that HL was aiming high – Hurley, for example…

    I suspect HL will get rid of Capel and his crew come March…

    Go Pitt.

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  107. And the longer this dumpster fire goes on, the less attractive Pitt becomes and more money must be used to entice candidates.

    Hurley would have been a bad fit. Glad he turned down the Pitt offer. Oats supposedly was never formally interviewed. Pitt only reached out to gauge his interest. Buffalo upped his pay but Oats also was patient enough to wait for the right opportunity. Not sure why Pitt was even interested in Crean. Pitt also had an interest in mike Hopkins from Washington.

    All comes down to if the AD has confidence that Capel can make the leap from ACC basement to at least middle tier in the conference within the next two years and stay there without slipping. And if Pitt can find the buyout money. Which they can but it’s money that could be better spent on better things besides hiring mistakes.

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    1. I also was ecstatic with the Capel hire but I’ve been fooled so many times by splash hires. If you look back, like Tex said, there were hundreds of red flags not the least of which “he really wanted to come to Pitt!” Why? We ask 4 years later? He said it was because for the first time in 12 years, he found a program with tradition and stability. Pitt! And an offer….

      As we look back, maybe it’s because he had few if any offers post the debacle at Oklahoma. My God, they were so done with him, they dismissed him mid season! Huge red flag….

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I do remember that a factor in Coach Capel staying at Duke was that he wanted to stay close to his father. The Pitt offer came a while after his father had passed…

        Regardless of his previous problems, I would have thought that sitting next to Coach K. for seven years, after having those previous experiences, would have put Coach Capel in a good position to take over a program and have success. Ironically, I think his biggest problem was aiming too high on the recruits…

        Not easy to hire a coach…but being Pitt fans we have seen that for many, many years.

        Go Pitt.

        Liked by 1 person

  108. Big John with an off night vs the hokies:

    4 shots, 4 rebounds, 1 assist (double teamed so players were open), 1 personal foul, 2 points, all in 29 minutes and a less than aggressive effort.

    The only stat missing was how many turnovers he committed.

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  109. Bleacher Report still has Pitt at No. 25 in most recent pre-season poll.

    What’s head-scratching is that WF is at No. 16 and Mich. St. is at No. 8. Huh?

    Go Pitt.

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    1. WF QB is returning; that’s why they are ranked at #16. I’m not that familiar with MSU’s roster.

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  110. WF has their QB returning. Makes complete sense. Pitt does not. Michigan St. is riding the high of Mel Tucker’s turnaround this year … they could quickly come falling back to earth. Pitt has done thing in recent history to make people think that they can do it again, back to back.

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  111. I whiffed on Capel, too. I do think he’s the right type of hire though. Have to get a recruiter. Developing players takes too long and is too risky the transfer era. Need to build fast and win faster.

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  115. Regarding Capel hindsight is always 20/20. The biggest miss has been his inability to bring elite players to Pitt. Pretty sure he gets one more chance to work the portal and hold on to the guys he has.
    The problem with hiring a new coach is that it is impossible to know whether a guy can attract and keep enough decent players to make Pitt competitive.
    The best guys on the portal are still going to chose the elite schools and if you can no longer recruit young raw talent and wait till they mature like Dixon did, how do you build a program?

    I am sure the brain trust at Pitt is losing a lot of sleep trying to figure this out. Short of hiring Pitino, which will never happen at Pitt, there are no sure things and patience will be thin no matter what happens.

    Pitt’s patience with Narduzzi paid off at least for one year and it looks good for next year. Pitt overlooked his weaknesses and his strengths paid dividends. Pickett and many seniors came back instead of trying their luck elsewhere. Narduzzi gets all the credit in the world for this.

    Unfortunately, Capel experienced just the opposite and had to start pretty much from scratch this year. If it happens again, it will be his last year for sure.

    I must say that the one positive is that this year’s team plays more like a team and without the prima donna attitudes that seemed pervasive last year. Although more talent is needed, the team hasn’t quit and fingers are not being pointed. Except by the fans at the coaches.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. As I (and Ice Tex) have pointed out, along with others, Capel’s past HC record is public knowledge and was when we hired him.

      There is no “Monday morning QB” stuff going on here (hindsight is 20/20) – the Pitt higher ups made a mistake.

      It turns out it is a very costly mistake – the hiring of one Felton “Jeff” Capel.

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      1. I don’t remember either of you lamenting his hire back then, maybe you did. POD is the only one I remember really being vocal about it. The vast majority like the hire.

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        2. I did not want Hurley. Mrs. Erie is a Duke men’s BB fan – Capel was coming from a winning program – I was fairly quiet on the hire.

          I also wasn’t paid to do the background checks.

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      2. I think most believed based on his eight years with Coach K that he exorcised his stint at Oklahoma and would be a superior recruiter which is what Pitt needed and still needs. Don’t remember anyone even POD predicting that he wouldn’t recruit well.

        Liked by 1 person

  116. Hoping that Pickett gets to go to a team with a good O-line. Most teams have some really good receivers.
    The Steelers need to trade their good players for draft choices and have a couple 3 win seasons so they can draft a franchise QB. You can’t win playoff games or a superbowl without an elite QB and you can’t trade for one or get one in the later rounds, because you have to give up too much.

    Liked by 1 person

  117. College sports have changed and Capel’s chance to save himself is figuring out how to play the portal game. He did well with Burton and Gueye. It’s crazy, but you can turn a team around in one year. He has one more shot.

    Liked by 1 person

  118. By the way, many have failed early only to have success later in the careers, case in point Bill Belicheck.
    If Pitt can’t hire a guy that doesn’t have a perfect resume (not many do) they will be picking from a very short list.

    Dixon and Wanny are talked about like superheroes now but when they were here there were plenty of naysayers.

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  119. I remember UPitt hating the hire. I had my doubts – How he left OU with a hanging scandal. 8 years an assistant under Coach K. The money surrounding Zion.

    But I like many thought he was at least a good fit and was set up to be successful. And foolish me thought pitt promised him some money bags for recruits.

    What is troublesome is it’s been four years now and I don’t see enough progress nor do I have hope for the future.

    At least with Narduzzi there was hope with Kenny coming back with whipple. Not sure how much Narduzzi had to do with those two.

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    1. When has UPitt not hated everything? LOL
      What winning coach doesn’t have some scandal in his background?
      Calipari, Pitino, Boeheim, Williams, even the greatest of them all had a rich bagman.

      I agree there is no progress and things are dire, but the vast majority of fans,experts and pundits thought this was a great hire at the time.

      I agree that ther isn’t much hope, the guy has to pull an inside straight. Extremely long odds.

      He has had the worst luck in his tenure, not likely that will change with the deck stacked against him.

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  120. Looks like we are now entering full blown “fire the basketball coach” mode here. Just as we were with football three years ago. I don’t have any idea what our administration will do but I know for certain that they have more knowledge than anyone here as to the prospects for hiring someone “better”, whatever that means. Through formal and informal contacts, they know how attractive this position is to those in the college coaching world. What if, just a hypothetical, they find that the only interest is from some geezers who had some success once upon a time and are looking for one last payday before riding off into the sunset? Would that be worth choking down a buyout?

    Would an administrator saddle our program with a buyout to make a change, just for the sake of showing that you are trying to do something for those who are calling for change? But here we go. We’ll scan the won-loss records of coaches at smaller schools and make lists of those who would fall over themselves for the chance to come here to coach in the ACC. Why wouldn’t they? Fun times.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Lyke is not going to make a change – any changes. I think that’s pretty evident. No doubt a year from today we’ll be having the same discussion. Maybe Capel can do better. But it is defeatist to declare no one coach could come here and have success in a year or two.

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    2. I’m all for Pitino if that is who you are referring to – lol.

      How old do you think the VT coach is?

      I’m going to go out on a limb and say I don’t want Gallagher not Barnes nor Heather to hire anyone affiliated with where I park my money.

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  121. It comes down to financials and optics.

    How much longer can Pitt continue to operate with a half empty Pitt and lose money?

    Remember Pitt built the Pete to elevate its basketball program and make money (surplus budget and self sustaining). It was a huge success story. Pitt in the early days under Dixon was one of the most profitable programs in the land.

    If Pitt doesn’t have confidence, if the fans lose hope, pitt will be forced to react. Best to be proactive however.

    Dumpster fires can get larger and spread. Anyone walking into this mess would have certain conditions regarding pay, recruiting and staff.

    And if I were the AD, I’d hire an experienced head coach with a successful resume of rebuilding programs and knack for transfers. Pitt would most likely be this coaches third or fourth stint.

    And as AD I would create a regulated booster club that would channel money to those players under NIL. Say $50k for every recruit or transfer.

    I think things would be turned around within two years. Even UPitt would be somewhat happy.

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    1. Pitt made $2M profit last year on men’s basketball … No urgency.

      The 17-player men’s basketball team at Pitt is kept in shape by one head coach and 3 assistant coaches. In College Factual’s most recent Best Colleges for Division I Men’s Basketball analysis, Pitt ranked #40 out of 324 colleges and universities. This puts it among the top 15% in the country!

      In terms of financials, the Pitt men’s basketball program paid out $11,013,283 in expenses and made $13,220,336 in total revenue. So, the program was a moneymaker for the school, bringing in $2,207,053 in net profit. Mark this down as a good thing.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Pitt is doing just fine financially. They have a very balanced budget. Almost $100M ($15M more than VT) and they spent every dime …

      https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/university-of-pittsburgh-pittsburgh-campus/student-life/sports/

      Pitt Sports Net Profit/Loss
      The sports teams at Pitt brought home $98,866,362 in revenue while shelling out $98,866,362 in expenses. That’s not a profit, but then again, it’s not a loss either.

      … Exactly how a balanced budget should look …

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      1. It’s how they balance it.

        Pitt sports is still heavily subsidized. They transfer monies from the general fund to balance the books. Most schools operate at a deficit and must subsidize. But the Pitt subsidy is one of the highest in P5. Paltry donations, small season ticket holder base, poor management of expenses are some of the reasons.

        And Pitt basketball was pulling in $10-$15 million in profit under Dixon. That’s a swing of well over $10 million under Capel. Money that could have been used for other things like a bigger budget for better assistants on capels staff.

        And why keep a palace that’s only half full on most nights. The land has better uses. 🤠

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        1. Pitt football and basketball subsidize the olympic sports, with football leading the way, just like every other university. Lol.

          I never said basketball couldn’t make more money, only that they are still profiting so there is not any urgency. They rank 40th, which is way better than what they actually are so they’re doing something right.

          Pitt football was #26 and Pitt Basketball #40. Pitt is doing just fine financially despite your fake rage that they aren’t and your obsession with the Victory Heights investment …

          Remember when you used to complain about the Director’s Cup …

          Tex, man, just be happy. Pitt had a top 15 finish in football … which you’ve been begging for. I’ll go POD CAPS with BEGGING.

          They’re set up well next year, too. On paper, they can certainly do it again … emphasis on “on paper”.

          Pitt has a balanced budget, is improving in most sports not played with the a round ball and a hoop … Everyone, including Heather, knows it. Chill. It will get addressed in due time. It’s a profitable investment still so there is no urgency and no need to panic. She knows that she’ll have to get it right this time.

          The only way for Pitt to become a fundraising machine is to win. The only way. Nothing else will produce anything substantial. So, please, chill on the stupid fundraising. Pitt did that to themselves over the last 40 years.

          Heather has actually been able to get two pretty big investments from AD and Chris Bickell … so even that is moving the right direction.

          I’m not telling you to settle, but you need to chill. You can want more but sometimes you just have to enjoy it.

          Maybe the anger drives you. I don’t know. But to each their own.

          … But, Pitt is literally getting better at everything except basketball under Heather.

          Liked by 4 people

  122. It appears that The U is going all out for football. Hired the Oregon HC and the Clemson AD .. and just hired Michigan’s offensive coordinator who won the Broyles Award for best assistant.

    The U will be big faves for the Coastal this year … maybe this time it will be legit. Meanwhile, I’m ok with Pitt once again not being highly regarded

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Miami has been trying since the Canes joined the ACC to be the beast on the block. The moves they’ve made this year are significant, but will it be enough?

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  123. If memory serves, we loved the Capel hire in large part because no legit candidate didn’t seem interested. And Capel did have the rep of being a great recruiter

    I can’t emphasize enough that the conditions for the Stallings hire were much more favorable than for the Capel hire. There had to be many promising candidates willing to take over an NCAA ACC team with several starters returning … but we will never know since Barnes interviewed only one

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  125. Some random thoughts: I have often wondered if Coach K “nudged” Capel to PITT as he had someone else that he wanted to take over the Duke job.

    Just talked with brother Iek…his wife Angie is getting a new knee on Thursday…keep those prayer wagons circled.

    Good to see comments by UPitt and Tex…UPitt’s name is engraved on the FRANKCAN Cup!!! …I like the hear what they have to say but then again I enjoy all of your comments (most of the time)… I do miss Arnold Ziffle who’s comical wit while commenting was quite enjoyable…EMEL, miss you too.

    Couple of thoughts on the 2 new coaching hires: Interesting and pleased to see OCFC hit the ground running offering a bevy of QBs…I can’t remember an OC under Narduzzi doing any recruiting with the exception of Chaney getting Peterman from UT…(please refresh my memory if I am missing an OC recruit). Frank brings a wealth of NFL and college experience and coaches a Pro offense. Just that coupled with winning should attract quality recruits.

    Tiquandoe seems to have some really good talent lined up or at least very interested in coming to PITT.,,if he lands these 4 stars I will change his name to Tiquanduu….maybe, just maybe, the Panthers are going make a move into the “next level.” (and just last September I wanted Narduzzi gone..that’s what losing to a WMU will do to a long suffering Panther fan.) I know I am feeling different this off-season when it comes to our Panthers-what say you?

    Liked by 2 people

  126. All this talk about Capal is very repetitive because the only thing that we can discuss is his absolute failure as a head coach. I see very little chance of improvement given the track record of the the Stallings/Capal era. Yes, gold can be struck through the portal but as we all know MUCH BETTER programs are fishing in the same waters. We have assistant coaches who collect paychecks to do ????.

    Tonight’s game will be extremely interesting based on the insanity of our performance against the Hokies at The Pete….Which Pitt team shows up >> 1st 1/2 Pitt or 2nd 1/2 Pitt ? Ice Tex and UPitt have fun answering the unanswerable.
    Pitt basketball in my opinion is the perfect example of a rudderless ship.

    Liked by 1 person

  127. I too liked the Capel hire initially, and therefore don’t really have any regrets on it, we took a shot, and it didn’t appear to work out. I did have mixed emotions at the time; were we getting the guy that seemed to do a great job at VMU, or the guy who failed at Oklahoma? That said, I am still in the camp that we keep him another year (at minimum) due to the contract, and maybe a few other factors. I hope I am wrong again, and we move on.

    Whenever we move on, I do think we’re going to need a guy who can coach and develop players, with some leadership/administrative savy. In this day and age, failure to connect with players and manage their development will simply lead to their departure/transfer. As it stands now, I am not seeing players progress/develop under Capel, and this is a concern.

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  128. Pitt plays basketball tonight?

    Spread is 12.5

    I like Pitt

    Confetti cignetti was a solid yet uninspiring hire. I just hope we see some 70 yard runs that come with an asterisk. 🤠

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He has not lost the team yet, and he needs more talent…. OK…. Not a glowing endorsement, maybe we are waiting to see how the year plays out? Who knows.

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        1. Prince Charles has waited an entire lifetime to be King. I really feel bad for him. Mum doesn’t want to give up the throne.

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  131. I actually knew Kevin Willard in college. Emphasis on knew … way before social media and cell phones so I haven’t seen him since 96′ or 97′.

    I would put him coming to Pitt at almost zero. I guess time heals all wounds but he HATED Pitt when I knew him. HATED. Hated the way his dad was treated by fans. Hated the way he was treated by fans for being the kid of a coach.

    He was a cool guy. Him and Vonteego would give me rides down the hill occasionally if they saw me walking when they were driving by. I had several classes with him and we did some group projects. Really nice, chill person but he was not in a good place with Pitt back then.

    I think people tend to forget how bad the Ralph Willard era was.

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    1. Good comment and I agree. Kevin was vocal about bashing the Big East football schools for wanting to control the conference. He’s been at Seton Hall a long time. Don’t see him leaving.

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  133. OLman Michael Stratham enters the transfer portal today. One more scholarship to subtract from the total Pitt needs to get down to. I think they are at 87 now and will need two more transfers before next season kicks off.

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    1. there will be more after spring ball. there always are. they’ll be able to probably add a couple more portal guys and offer some scholarships to walk-ons per usual after summer camp breaks.

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  134. Kevin Willard is a helluva coach though … more adjustments than a chiropractor is a common phrase for him on Twitter … I just don’t see him ever coming to Pitt based on what I know from my experience with him.

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  135. For the Pitt FB Central Pa Die Hards fans Narduzzi will be in Harrisburg tomorrow with the ACC Championship trophy for a public reception at 2pm in the Capital building. I guess Narduzzi is attempting to spread the Pitt gospel to those living in Eastern Pa.

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  137. Gordon – Coach Marion made all the difference between KP’s SR year and all his other average at best seasons. Hate to say it but without Pickett, Marion and …just a tiny bit… Whipple, our offense might be Slipping Into Darkness (que Ike with the music) in 2022.

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    1. Hey Reed, feeling for you, Chance and your family. Can’t find the words if there are any? Our prayers, hearts and thoughts are with you all.

      War, one of my favorites, I hesitate to put this one on the POV though.

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  138. Also – and guys, really no need to respond – my son is now doing in-home hospice care and has weeks at most to live. We are all fine, talk, laugh and cry but we are strong together. Honestly, he wants to go and I can’t blame him, his pain is terrible.

    On that note – I cannot stress enough to get every piece of legal issues addressed way before something like this happens to you or a relative. Scrambling around to do Advance Directives, a Will and Powers of Attorney documents at a late date is just flat out horrendous.

    Please, talk to your loved ones and take care of as much as you can now so there is no stress when the worse happens.

    (This Has Been A Public Service Announcement from The Pitt POV and Reed Kohberger).

    Liked by 6 people

  139. I think we tend to forget the most significant of Capel’s credentials at the time he was hired. At that time almost any candidate not named Stallings would have been considered a good hire.

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  140. Reed, we went through a similar process when my Dad went into Hospice last summer. You are absolutely right about getting Advanced Directives in order before they are needed!

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  141. I don’t think Marion had much of an impact. The WR’s with drop issues all left the program or moved down the depth chart, and Mack still had some drops this year before getting injured. But even Mack was losing PT.

    The WR’s getting better were coincidental. Pitt just had better WR’s. The WR coach has to be able to recruit and connect with players. Pickett maturing, staying healthy, and having better receiving options created the season we just witnessed.

    Liked by 1 person

  142. … I was hoping to see some of Marion’s Go-go offense incorporated, however. Being in the DC metro area, I though it would be kind of cool to mesh DC with Pittsburgh with a little Go-go.

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    1. Too much of a gimmick style offense for conventional coaches IMO. Someone will give him a chance to show his stuff though.

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