A couple of questions

[gary2]

1 - If Brandin comes on board, where is he in the assistant coach pecking order?

2 - How many new players does Capel bring in during the late signing period?

 

[wbrpanther]

1 - If Brandin comes on board, where is he in the assistant coach peaking order?

2 - How many new players does Capel bring in during the late signing period?

#2 depends on how many players leave. If everyone stays including the 2 kids who signed in November Capel isn't bringing anyone in. Unlikely but possible.

 

[PittCity]

I bet we see at minimum 4 new players for next season not on roster now.

 

[gary2]

I bet we see at minimum 4 new players for next season not on roster now.

I am guessing 3 or 4.

 

[omega]

I am not convinced that Capel is obligated to take any of the current players back. They all asked for their release. He could just allow them to leave if he can recruit better players quickly. The good news is that he has already scouted the Panther roster and he has a pretty good idea of what he has to work with, as well as what it would take to upgrade each position.

 

[jscotpitt95]

I am not convinced that Capel is obligated to take any of the current players back. They all asked for their release. He could just allow them to leave if he can recruit better players quickly. The good news is that he has already scouted the Panther roster and he has a pretty good idea of what he has to work with, as well as what it would take to upgrade each position.

This ^^^ I think it depends on what he knows he can get (in order to know who he will release). Don't kid yourself that he is not working it now to see who is available now.

 

[heybandguy]

It’s not an enviable situation, but Capel has a great opportunity to wipe as much of the slate clean as he wants/needs. It might be tough at points to watch next year depending upon how the roster fills out, but I for one feel that there is significant hope for the future and that the program will eventually flourish again. I think 3 new faces is probably accurate.

 

[Chescat]

It’s not an enviable situation, but Capel has a great opportunity to wipe as much of the slate clean as he wants/needs. It might be tough at points to watch next year depending upon how the roster fills out, but I for one feel that there is significant hope for the future and that the program will eventually flourish again. I think 3 new faces is probably accurate.

If everything stayed the same, we'd see two recruits. There's no way IMHO,
that things stay the same. I really believe at least a few of em will be "counseled" out.
A few may leave on their own. My guess is we see four or five new faces, be them recruits, grad transfers, or JUCO's.
I also believe Capal is not writing this year off, and is telling recruits and those who
asked for a release that he expects to turn the corner and start winning as early as
this coming season.

 

[Bethlehemjohn]

I bet we see at minimum 4 new players for next season not on roster now.

I agree. I'd say 4 or 5.

 

[CaptainMurphy]

I am not convinced that Capel is obligated to take any of the current players back. They all asked for their release. He could just allow them to leave if he can recruit better players quickly. The good news is that he has already scouted the Panther roster and he has a pretty good idea of what he has to work with, as well as what it would take to upgrade each position.

I still don't get why some of the lower level guys wanted their release before a new coach was named. They essentially made it a non issue for the incoming regime to ditch them. Someone was giving them bad advice.

 

[heybandguy]

I still don't get why some of the lower level guys wanted their release before a new coach was named. They essentially made it a non issue for the incoming regime to ditch them. Someone was giving them bad advice.

Bad advice or blind allegiance?

 

[below0w]

I still don't get why some of the lower level guys wanted their release before a new coach was named. They essentially made it a non issue for the incoming regime to ditch them. Someone was giving them bad advice.

Yep, his name's Dan Cage. Good riddance.

 

[hoopsguy72]

I am not convinced that Capel is obligated to take any of the current players back. They all asked for their release. He could just allow them to leave if he can recruit better players quickly. The good news is that he has already scouted the Panther roster and he has a pretty good idea of what he has to work with, as well as what it would take to upgrade each position.

He has made it clear he wants most, if not all, of them back. You need time to recruit over kids, a luxury he doesn't have. At this point, he has at least two scholarships available (Kingsby and Milligan). He'll probably wind up with one or two more. If we lose Carr, Stewart and Luther, he'll have 5. That's a really difficult number to do well in this timeframe. Unless he can get a rental or two, a la grad transfers or 2-year JUCOs.

We really need to keep as many kids as possible in order to not put Capel in position to rush or take players on that he ultimately doesn't want to keep.

 

[jrnPitt]

I disagree in that I believe we need to keep very few from the 2017 roster. Someone previously posted addition by subtraction and I second that thought.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

He has made it clear he wants most, if not all, of them back. You need time to recruit over kids, a luxury he doesn't have. At this point, he has at least two scholarships available (Kingsby and Milligan). He'll probably wind up with one or two more. If we lose Carr, Stewart and Luther, he'll have 5. That's a really difficult number to do well in this timeframe. Unless he can get a rental or two, a la grad transfers or 2-year JUCOs.

We really need to keep as many kids as possible in order to not put Capel in position to rush or take players on that he ultimately doesn't want to keep.

I’m sure he’d like to keep the core guys , but unlike KS I think JC will be much more successful in recruiting some of the players he really wants . Both JD and KS had no problem in identifying talented players , the issue with them was in signing them . I doubt that JC will sign freshmen that he doesn’t want just to fill out the roster like KS did last yr , with his recruiting abilities that would be handcuffing himself in the yrs to come . If he can’t get the freshmen players he wants he’ll get grad transfers and jucos to fill the immeadiate needs . Doubt that he wants to get known for one and dones by reneging on scholarships after a yr for players he half heartedly recruited . He received a 7 yr contract for a reason .... they need a lot of improvement and the administration realizes that they have a major rebuild in front of them .
If the core guys transfer out because of the coaching change it only means one thing to me and that’s they don’t feel confident in their abilities to compete with the players he’ll bring in . Unless you played for a guy you don’t really know what the coach was really like , but it sure seems like Pitt upgraded themselves at the HC position why leave ?

 

[Jeffburgh]

There isn't a lot he can do most likely with the current recruiting class. But, good chance he's going to want as many slots as he can work with starting with the 2018-2019 class. Agree with the notion that he isn't going to sit around waiting for the dead wood to naturally work its way through. He's going to want to start the build up the talent level, ASAP.

 

[gary2]

He has made it clear he wants most, if not all, of them back. You need time to recruit over kids, a luxury he doesn't have. At this point, he has at least two scholarships available (Kingsby and Milligan). He'll probably wind up with one or two more. If we lose Carr, Stewart and Luther, he'll have 5. That's a really difficult number to do well in this timeframe. Unless he can get a rental or two, a la grad transfers or 2-year JUCOs. (I read Corey Evans twitter from just 3/15/18 - He lists schools of our level already interested in about 25 players (hs, transfers and grad transfers)

We really need to keep as many kids as possible in order to not put Capel in position to rush or take players on that he ultimately doesn't want to keep.

I think Golden stays. I am hoping Luther may too. I expect Carr and Stewart to leave. Ask one other to leave (Samson?) Luther, Carr and Stewart might be our 3 most important players.

If Luther leaves that would leave 5 scholarships to fill - 2 points, a 2g/sf and 2 bigs needed - 2 or 3 grad transfers and 2 or 3 undecideds or decommits from other schools (maybe a JCT)

Brown - Stevenson - Frame - Ellison - ???
??? - ??? - Davis - ??? - ???

Golden - Peace - Kene

There will be plenty of players available in the late signing period: Grad transfers, coaching change decommits. reclassifiers, late qualifiers and late deciders looking for the best situation. (Corey Evans twitter from just March 15th lists about 25 available players already being recruited at our level)

Capel has a reputation as a recruiter. He has plenty of ACC playing time to offer. I would expect he brings in some players who can play. I would be disappointed if that is not the case.

He does need to bring in a couple of grad transfers. We need some experience for next season and he needs scholarships available for his first full recruiting season.

 

[Chescat]

Even though Capel is on record for wanting the players back, IMO he
will probably "counsel" a few to leave; suggesting that they're not
on an ACC level. I'd include George, Chukwuka, and Ilegomah in this
group (I also could see keeping Ilegomah due to size and
athleticism). My guess is a few might leave on their own accord.
I'm also not convinced that Capal wants to honor the two recuits
who already verballed (Kingsly and Golden).
With all that said, I easily see 4 or 5 new faces, a combination
of h.s. recruits, grad transfers, and JUCO's.
Which players remain....obviously Frame and Stevenson, hopefully Browne due
to his potential, and hopefully the transfer, Ellison. Carr, Stewart, and Luther...
I have no idea.

 

[Jpripper88]

I still don't get why some of the lower level guys wanted their release before a new coach was named. They essentially made it a non issue for the incoming regime to ditch them. Someone was giving them bad advice.

Dan Cage and his wife, the author.

 

[Pittx9]

I don't think there's any reason to tell ilegomah to leave unless you're bringing in a can't miss big man recruit. Doesn't hurt to have a big man with raw potential on the end of your bench and he didn't ask for his release so he most likely stays. George was the other that didn't ask so he probably stays as the last guy off the bench and either stays for the education and a chance to be on an ACC roster or transfers next off season.

Chukwuka is really the only one who asked that I would convince to leave. If he brings in even one extra recruit, he'd be the spot I want opened. Anyone else I'd absolutely take back and I really doubt we lose any more than 3 of those kids, 4 at the most if he still decides to let go Chukwuka or someone else on his own.

 

[Chescat]

I don't think there's any reason to tell ilegomah to leave unless you're bringing in a can't miss big man recruit. Doesn't hurt to have a big man with raw potential on the end of your bench and he didn't ask for his release so he most likely stays. George was the other that didn't ask so he probably stays as the last guy off the bench and either stays for the education and a chance to be on an ACC roster or transfers next off season.

Chukwuka is really the only one who asked that I would convince to leave. If he brings in even one extra recruit, he'd be the spot I want opened. Anyone else I'd absolutely take back and I really doubt we lose any more than 3 of those kids, 4 at the most if he still decides to let go Chukwuka or someone else on his own.

Kicking them out and counseling them are two different approaches. If
the coach sees that the player will never play here, yet would have
a better opportunity at a lower level school, and then helps him
with getting a scholarship to that school, he is then HELPING the
player. If the player loves Pitt so much that he wants to continue
to matriculate here for academic reasons, then keep him. Let's be real though,
most are not here only for the academic end....they want to play.

 

[PittSqueak]

A ton of players in the top-150 are still undecided or just verbals. We now have the best recruiting assistant as our head coach; I expect 1 of these guys to sign with Pitt in a couple weeks. I won't be upset if Capel can't swing one that quick, but I think it's more likely than not that he does.

 

[Bethlehemjohn]

He has made it clear he wants most, if not all, of them back. You need time to recruit over kids, a luxury he doesn't have. At this point, he has at least two scholarships available (Kingsby and Milligan). He'll probably wind up with one or two more. If we lose Carr, Stewart and Luther, he'll have 5. That's a really difficult number to do well in this timeframe. Unless he can get a rental or two, a la grad transfers or 2-year JUCOs.

We really need to keep as many kids as possible in order to not put Capel in position to rush or take players on that he ultimately doesn't want to keep.

Saying in a press conference that you are interested in all of the players is not the same as actually really wanting them. This is a tough business, I guarantee not all of them will be asked back. A guy like Capel can easily bring in 4 or 5 better players than we have now.

 

[gary2]

Saying in a press conference that you are interested in all of the players is not the same as actually really wanting them. This is a tough business, I guarantee not all of them will be asked back. A guy like Capel can easily bring in 4 or 5 better players than we have now.

Very true

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Saying in a press conference that you are interested in all of the players is not the same as actually really wanting them. This is a tough business, I guarantee not all of them will be asked back. A guy like Capel can easily bring in 4 or 5 better players than we have now.

It’s also the right thing to say.

 

[Bethlehemjohn]

It’s also the right thing to say.

Of course it is, you have to say that. It just doesn't mean it will really happen.

 

[Chescat]

Saying in a press conference that you are interested in all of the players is not the same as actually really wanting them. This is a tough business, I guarantee not all of them will be asked back. A guy like Capel can easily bring in 4 or 5 better players than we have now.

Exactly! I also see 4 or 5 new players better than what we have. If it were a perfect
world given our current roster I would only want Carr, Stewart, Browne, Stephenson,
Frame, Luther, Ellison (and maybe (Davis) back. That would at least give us an experienced returning nucleus . Since at least two of this group IMO, will not be back it's
easy to see that we can bring in 4 or 5 and maybe more.
I'll say it again, Capal IMO is not gonna wait. He's looking to start the winning process
this season. He may SAY he wants em all back, but several are gonna be history.
On another note, I gotta believe Lyke is driving home the attendance and lack of
revenue as an issue. Hiring a new coach whose strength is recruiting with the
promise of a new start with a semi new roster will generate fan interest and
hopefully ticket sales.

 

[levance2]

On another note, I gotta believe Lyke is driving home the attendance and lack of
revenue as an issue. Hiring a new coach whose strength is recruiting with the
promise of a new start with a semi new roster will generate fan interest and
hopefully ticket sales.

A bad omen for the Stallings era was when he came in here and was unwilling to make immediate changes. Then, a year later, he lost the entire roster, and fans had no idea what was going on.

When you have a coaching change, people want change! If nobody showed up to watch this team, nobody is going to show up next year just because another guy is pacing around the sideline.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

A bad omen for the Stallings era was when he came in here and was unwilling to make immediate changes. Then, a year later, he lost the entire roster, and fans had no idea what was going on.

When you have a coaching change, people want change! If nobody showed up to watch this team, nobody is going to show up next year just because another guy is pacing around the sideline.

I disagree , they lost only one vital player from an NCAA team and supposedly and they had three incoming players who were a step up from recent recruiting classes . The only changes I wanted to see from KS was a more exciting brand of bb and better recruiting ( everything Barnes promised ) . All KS needed to do was win , which he didn’t . Had he led Pitt to a sweet 16 berth everything would’ve been fine . Having such a poor season with the talent that was here was unacceptable . Now you couple that with Cams defection ,losing his best recruit in Thompson and such poor recruiting success is it a wonder no one showed up .

 

[levance2]

I disagree , they lost only one vital player from an NCAA team and supposedly and they had three incoming players who were a step up from recent recruiting classes . The only changes I wanted to see from KS was a more exciting brand of bb and better recruiting ( everything Barnes promised ) . All KS needed to do was win , which he didn’t . Had he led Pitt to a sweet 16 berth everything would’ve been fine . Having such a poor season with the talent that was here was unacceptable . Now you couple that with Cams defection ,losing his best recruit in Thompson and such poor recruiting success is it a wonder no one showed up .

That was not a NCAA team and the team for the year after needed major talent infusion even if nobody had left. Stallings couldn’t fill his open scholarship and had a lame first fall class. The Stallings era was doomed 8 months in.

As I’ve said before, what Capel manages to do to this current roster is levels of magnitude less important than what his first November class looks like. He can enter the season with 8 guys on scholarship for all I care if it means he gets more talent signed for next year.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

That was not a NCAA team and the team for the year after needed major talent infusion even if nobody had left. Stallings couldn’t fill his open scholarship and had a lame first fall class. The Stallings era was doomed 8 months in.

As I’ve said before, what Capel manages to do to this current roster is levels of magnitude less important than what his first November class looks like. He can enter the season with 8 guys on scholarship for all I care if it means he gets more talent signed for next year.

Had Barnes not interfered JD would’ve had that team in the tourney .