On to recruiting . . .

[DC_Area_Panther]

Coaching staff completed. Let's see how recruiting goes for--

A. Completing/filling the roster for 2018-2019 season--hopefully to produce a team that can win more than 10 games overall and not go "0 for" in ACC play.

[Aside-->Why do both Rivals and 24/7 still show Kingsby as a commit if he is really no longer as reported on this board?]

B. Getting commits for 2019-2020 (November 2018 LOI Day) so that the 2019-2020 season can have a team that at least makes it to about an 0.500 overall record.

 

[Pittnerski]

I think if he can bring in some grad transfers and land a couple recruits, with light OOC scheduling we can be .500

 

[joeydavid]

Without official visits at his disposal, he needed to focus on the local kids first to see he can close a couple without burning official visits. Same goes for the players on the roster.

I don't know how many grad transfers will come here without an official visit and I doubt he wants to waste an official visit on a 1 year patch.

 

[pittzap]

Without official visits at his disposal, he needed to focus on the local kids first to see he can close a couple without burning official visits. Same goes for the players on the roster.

I don't know how many grad transfers will come here without an official visit and I doubt he wants to waste an official visit on a 1 year patch.

He has officials and can get more due to the coaching change.

 

[joeydavid]

They have only 3 according to Capel.

He has officials and can get more due to the coaching change.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

I think if he can bring in some grad transfers and land a couple recruits, with light OOC scheduling we can be .500

Love your optimism!

However, there are likely 32 games (assuming one and done in ACC tourney. There are also usually 13 OOC games of which a maximum of 9-10 will be against non-major opponents.

Based on the above, I would assume the best possible outcome would be 9-10 OOC wins. That means that getting to 0.500 means winning a minimum of 6 ACC games.

So, going 10-3 OOC and 6-13 (w ACC tourney) to finish 16-16 seems a huge huge stretch for what this year's roster has the potential to ultimately looks like.

This is why my hope, which I believe is more realistic, is for winning 9-10 OOC with 2-4 ACC wins to finish in the 11-21 (at worst) to 4-18 (at best) range with going 0.500 (16 wins) not realistic until Capel's second season.

IMO, finishing 13-19 next season would be a huge success under the circumstances.

 

[PittCity]

Wow. Making predictions with half a roster so far. Unreal.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Wow. Making predictions with half a roster so far. Unreal.

These are hopes and wishes--Not real predictions. But, they do reflect expectations for what at least some fans think Capel should accomplish via adjustments and additions to the current incomplete roster.

That being said, Capel's ultimate ability to succeed at Pitt will be judged by many Pitt fans at the end of next season (his first) based on a combination of next season's W-L results, the quality of the 2019 recruits signed to LOI's this November and whatever early verbal commits may have been secured for the 2020 class.

If at this time next year the outcome closely resembles KS's results (i.e., less than 10 wins, mediocre 3-stars signed in November and no promising 4-star verbals for the following class)--then, all the current optimism and good will have evaporated.

I do not expect such an outcome.

 

[MarshallGoldberg]

It's entirely possible without Luther and Carr and Stewart we're looking at the worst Pitt roster in 40+ years. I agree with the idea the 2020 class is a fairer test for our coaching staff.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

It's entirely possible without Luther and Carr and Stewart we're looking at the worst Pitt roster in 40+ years. I agree with the idea the 2020 class is a fairer test for our coaching staff.

Mostly agree. However, Capel was hired to, and is is expected to, out-perform KS. If it doesn't immediately happen on the court, recruiting results over the next 12-18 months will have to be significantly superior to KS's recruiting results or PItt hoops fan interest and Pete attendance will return to where they were when KS was canned and Capel's honeymoon with the fans will be over.

 

[PittAU]

It's entirely possible without Luther and Carr and Stewart we're looking at the worst Pitt roster in 40+ years. I agree with the idea the 2020 class is a fairer test for our coaching staff.

Possibly, but the roster includes the coaching staff, so I'd say it is well in our favor now.

 

[MarshallGoldberg]

Schedule light until we have some ACC players and cross our fingers :|

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

We will have top 20 classes in 2019 and 2020. Watch.

 

[PittCity]

It's entirely possible without Luther and Carr and Stewart we're looking at the worst Pitt roster in 40+ years. I agree with the idea the 2020 class is a fairer test for our coaching staff.

I find it hard to believe Capel will not be able to piece together a roster better than last years O-fer.

 

[MarshallGoldberg]

I find it hard to believe Capel will not be able to piece together a roster better than last years O-fer.

For which season? There isn't a lot of talent left for this upcoming year (2018-19.) For 2020, I definitely agree.

 

[Jpripper88]

They have only 3 according to Capel.

He should have 6, based on Rule 13.6.2.6.7

 

[Pittx9]

Just the fact that the guys returning played last year, if Ellison stays, maybe bring in 1 or 2 juco or grad transfer this roster will almost definitely be better, albeit just slightly. Unless the guys are top recruits there really is nothing worse than having almost all freshmen.

JWF in his senior year playing for capel now should be much better, I think brown having a year of experience will be better. And the Luther loss wouldn't make much of a difference because he only played 10 games, injured Luther or Luther somewhere else both mean he's not on the court here.

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

Just the fact that the guys returning played last year, if Ellison stays, maybe bring in 1 or 2 juco or grad transfer this roster will almost definitely be better, albeit just slightly. Unless the guys are top recruits there really is nothing worse than having almost all freshmen.

JWF in his senior year playing for capel now should be much better, I think brown having a year of experience will be better. And the Luther loss wouldn't make much of a difference because he only played 10 games, injured Luther or Luther somewhere else both mean he's not on the court here.

Keeping Ellison at this point would be big.

Anyone who has some talent would be good to stay as Capel has yet to bring in anybody.

 

[Pittx9]

Keeping Ellison at this point would be big.

Anyone who has some talent would be good to stay as Capel has yet to bring in anybody.

I'm worried he hasn't said what his decision is yet but I just can't fathom how leaving makes any sense at all for him. Sitting out 2 years in a row and completely losing a whole year of eligibility just isn't worth it IMO.

 

[Jpripper88]

Keeping Ellison at this point would be big.

Anyone who has some talent would be good to stay as Capel has yet to bring in anybody.

Frankly, if Ellison is dumb enough to leave, I wouldn't trust him as a part of the team. If he sits out 2 seasons AND throws away a year of eligibility to join a (most definitely) lower program, he is an absolute moron.

 

[sonofabit]

Chapel has a history of recruiting 15 year olds and up - cultivating relationships. I can't believe expectations should be that high for the '19 class. That's like a half a year to gain trust. Some may fall into his lap based on prior recruiting with Duke or some recruit's father who has a relationship with JC. I'm willing to wait until that '20 class for high schoolers.

 

[President Stache]

It's entirely possible without Luther and Carr and Stewart we're looking at the worst Pitt roster in 40+ years. I agree with the idea the 2020 class is a fairer test for our coaching staff.

Please... last year's team might have been one of the worst rosters ever in power 5 bball. We had Luther... who was then hurt, and some midling to decent recruits with no experience.

The shear experience factor of Stevenson, Davis, Brown, Wilson-Frame now being a year older already makes this team better than last year.

 

[MarshallGoldberg]

Please... last year's team might have been one of the worst rosters ever in power 5 bball. We had Luther... who was then hurt, and some midling to decent recruits with no experience.

The shear experience factor of Stevenson, Davis, Brown, Wilson-Frame now being a year older already makes this team better than last year.

If we were one of the worst rosters ever in power five basketball last year (and I think we probably were), then we should still be remarkably bad this year as well. It's the same roster except maybe our three best players are gone. We didn't really look much better at the end of the year than the beginning. Some of these guys just have low ceilings. And it's not like other ACC teams won't be returning their starters and loading up on better recruits in the mean time too.

Capel got a seven year deal for a good reason.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

The difference between last year and this year, besides some additional experience with the guys that decide to stay, is we have a better coach. Coaching does matter, and we had probably the worst coach in P6 college basketball last year. Even if Capel is so-so for a couple of years, he'll be light years ahead of Stallings and his staff.

 

[President Stache]

If we were one of the worst rosters ever in power five basketball last year (and I think we probably were), then we should still be remarkably bad this year as well. It's the same roster except maybe our three best players are gone. We didn't really look much better at the end of the year than the beginning. Some of these guys just have low ceilings. And it's not like other ACC teams won't be returning their starters and loading up on better recruits in the mean time too.

Capel got a seven year deal for a good reason.

Dont get me wrong, I am not disagreeing. Just think this year will be better with whatever we cobble together just cause we got more experience.

 

[dukedevilz]

He's following quite a few guys on twitter. I think he's visited all of the players that he's following, at least. I know Capel isn't going to land all of these guys, but on paper he's at least targeting better prospects in just 3 weeks time.

2018
Emmitt Matthews, #165 (247)
Xavier Johnson, #236 (247)

2019
Josh Green, #27 (247)
Aidan Igiehon, #39 (247)
Kofi Cockburn, #44 (247)
Trey McGowens, #90 (247)
Maceo Austin, #265 (247)

2020
Ethan Morton, #59 (247)

Also, he visited 5-star prospect, Cole Anthony, yesterday. Obviously he already has a relationship with him while he was recruiting at Duke. Not sure if Anthony is a serious Pitt prospect, but I know Capel can recruit with the best of them. I would expect 1 or 2 4-star prospects in 2019. Probably better classes in the years that follow.

 

[HOF Coach]

He's following quite a few guys on twitter. I think he's visited all of the players that he's following, at least. I know Capel isn't going to land all of these guys, but on paper he's at least targeting better prospects in just 3 weeks time.

2018
Emmitt Matthews, #165 (247)
Xavier Johnson, #236 (247)

2019
Josh Green, #27 (247)
Aidan Igiehon, #39 (247)
Kofi Cockburn, #44 (247)
Trey McGowens, #90 (247)
Maceo Austin, #265 (247)

2020
Ethan Morton, #59 (247)

Also, he visited 5-star prospect, Cole Anthony, yesterday. Obviously he already has a relationship with him while he was recruiting at Duke. Not sure if Anthony is a serious Pitt prospect, but I know Capel can recruit with the best of them. I would expect 1 or 2 4-star prospects in 2019. Probably better classes in the years that follow.

From your lips to God's ear!

Thank you for giving us hope!

 

[dukedevilz]

From your lips to God's ear!

Thank you for giving us hope!

Just trying to point out that he's an intense/pro-active recruiter. At this point, it's all meaningless speculation. But I'm pretty sure most message board content is meaningless speculation. So...

 

[Seneca_Valley]

The difference between last year and this year, besides some additional experience with the guys that decide to stay, is we have a better coach. Coaching does matter, and we had probably the worst coach in P6 college basketball last year. Even if Capel is so-so for a couple of years, he'll be light years ahead of Stallings and his staff.

I expect at least 15 wins next year. It should be easy for a coach light years better than Stallings.

 

[Jeffburgh]

Chapel has a history of recruiting 15 year olds and up - cultivating relationships. I can't believe expectations should be that high for the '19 class. That's like a half a year to gain trust. Some may fall into his lap based on prior recruiting with Duke or some recruit's father who has a relationship with JC. I'm willing to wait until that '20 class for high schoolers.

Hoops recruiting is not like football recruiting.

The cycle for this next class is really just starting to get into gear, he isn't significantly behind for 2019 by any stretch if it was truly starting from scratch.

When Stallings took over and was recruiting the 2016 class, he was in on a good number of top 50 to 150 kids starting in June, and their recruitment did not start heating up until late July/early August. And, most of the kids that got away (which was all but Carr) ended up going with schools that got in on them after he did.

And, to what extent there is some tertiary or early interest being showed, he and O'Toole in particular have already been recruiting a number of the kids they have offered.

Also, he is not going to sign a dozen kids, he likely will only be signing three, four at most. He has the juice to pull in one or two top 50ish kids and one or two top 100ish kids.

 

[Elsalvador]

Think too, that the Kennedy Catholic kids will be high-end and priority recruits for Pitt. Capel easily has ground to make up, but I can see it happening.

 

[Jpripper88]

Hoops recruiting is not like football recruiting.

The cycle for this next class is really just starting to get into gear, he isn't significantly behind for 2019 by any stretch if it was truly starting from scratch.

When Stallings took over and was recruiting the 2016 class, he was in on a good number of top 50 to 150 kids starting in June, and their recruitment did not start heating up until late July/early August. And, most of the kids that got away (which was all but Carr) ended up going with schools that got in on them after he did.

And, to what extent there is some tertiary or early interest being showed, he and O'Toole in particular have already been recruiting a number of the kids they have offered.

Also, he is not going to sign a dozen kids, he likely will only be signing three, four at most. He has the juice to pull in one or two top 50ish kids and one or two top 100ish kids.

Definitely. Plus, there is no doubt he was cultivating relationships with kids for Duke who were 15 last year, but don't end up as top 20 kids Duke is taking when they are JRs and SRs. They end up top 50-75 and right where I expect he should be able to pounce. Really, the FR recruits getting visits and attention are getting the attention anyway. Everyone else is essentially waiting until the SO-JR AAU season to really hear anything. Because of the Duke connection, we should really be ahead of where many other HCs would have been because they simply wouldn't have received the attention the #1 Duke assistant gets when he visits a kid or a program.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Definitely. Plus, there is no doubt he was cultivating relationships with kids for Duke who were 15 last year, but don't end up as top 20 kids Duke is taking when they are JRs and SRs. They end up top 50-75 and right where I expect he should be able to pounce. Really, the FR recruits getting visits and attention are getting the attention anyway. Everyone else is essentially waiting until the SO-JR AAU season to really hear anything. Because of the Duke connection, we should really be ahead of where many other HCs would have been because they simply wouldn't have received the attention the #1 Duke assistant gets when he visits a kid or a program.

And all it takes is one. The first kid, then the dam breaks.

 

[President Stache]

And all it takes is one. The first kid, then the dam breaks.

That is the key...stone

 

[Jpripper88]

That is the key...stone

Stone isn't close to that level of recruit.