Pitt Men’s Basketball Season Preview
Staff writer Austin Lenhardt-Barley previews the Pittsburgh Panthers men’s basketball team as they enter their eighth season under head coach Jeff Capel. Despite a challenging start, Capel has steadily improved the team’s performance.
Coaching and Team Progress
Jeff Capel began his tenure as Pitt’s head coach with a 51-59 record over his first four seasons. However, following NCAA rule changes, he has led the Panthers to three consecutive winning seasons, compiling a 63-38 record in this span.
Impact of Transfer Portal Changes
Before the 2022-2023 season, the NCAA allowed athletes to transfer once without sitting out a full season. This change helped Pitt attract key transfers including Blake Hinson, Nelly Cummings, and Greg Elliott, each averaging over 10 points per game in the 2022-2023 season.
"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."
Capel’s success in utilizing the transfer portal has been crucial in turning the program around and building competitive teams.
Key Returning Player
Senior forward Corhen returns for his second and final season at Pitt. Averaging 11 points and five rebounds last season, he is a key offensive contributor and one of the team’s strongest defensive players. Corhen is expected to take on a leadership role in the upcoming season.
"Corhen is one of the stronger defensive players for the Panthers and will be a leader during his last season."
Author's Summary: Jeff Capel has transformed Pitt men’s basketball by leveraging transfer portal changes, leading to consistent winning seasons and a strong core returning for 2025.