1) Jamarius Burton - The floor game displayed the last 15 games or so by Burton is the best point, off-guard or combo guard play I can remember at Pitt since Brandin Knight. Sometimes people don't read what's being written here so for clarity, I'm discussing his overall play as a guard within a specified time period, which is vastly different than rating him as the best player (or guard), and a different discussion altogether.
His stat line reads 16 ppg, shooting 52% from the field and 37% from 3. He's shot 60-72 (83%) from the line. He averages 5 rebounds per game and has an assist (96) to turnover (59) ratio that's slightly less than the coach-coveted 2:1 figure, but he's a playmaker, not a point guard ball protector/distributor ala James Robinson, so the cost-benefit equation favors him.
In summary he's 2nd in scoring, 3/10 of a pct behind Hinson, 3rd in rebounds, 1st in assists while playing a team high 33 min per game. Not to make this too long (because I can 😂) what separates him are the non-statistical and hidden intangibles, critical playmaking, defensive help, poise under pressure and swag. He looks like a pro. Not saying he's an NBA player. Just saying he has the court awareness, poise and presence of player that owns the floor and can do what they want when they want.
2) Capel's Coaching Style - It took me years to understand why coaches who allow players to play offensively unstructured were called good coaches. I never understood the industry obsession with Roy Williams, Coach K. My thinking was if I could not identify a discernible offensive or defensive scheme then I questioned their validity despite the number of wins. To me they were the best recruiters and their greatness was earned from getting the best players, not necessarily being great coaches.
I clearly saw Jamie Dixon's influence, ditto with UVA's Tony Bennett, Purdue's, Matt Painter, Georgetown's John Thompson, former Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan and others. I've evolved somewhat. I've come to realize a large aspect of good coaching is not just teaching and implementing schemes and concepts, but recognizing what players can thrive, execute and win in an unstructured offensive system. To me, this is Capel's calling card. There's a coaching talent component to this and I think this is where his coaching style lies, good, bad or indifferent. The challenge is very good to great players are needed pull it off. If he can get them, then Pitt Basketball as we once knew it might return.
3) The Return of "The Pete" and "The Zoo" - Speaking of returning, I'm not sure if Pitt Basketball has returned to prominence, but The Zoo and the Pete overall has returned from the low decibal echoes of an empty basketball arena of years past. The last few years reminded me of watching the career end of professional athletes who was just a shell of themselves and where you were actually kind of embarassed for them and hoping not to many people were tuned in.
I started and ran a basketball league years ago and former ABA and Midland High school star, Simmie Hill played in it. He was in his late 30's at the time, but knee injuries and age had taken its toll. I remember I couldn't wait to see him play before the game and by the 2nd quarter I remember feeling kind of bad he played at all. I was too young to remember him (last played with the Spurs 1973-74) but was going by others who had seen him play in high school (1st Team Parade All-American) and followed him throughout his career.
Back to my point, in this case the legend is and was the Pitt basketball brand and the respect and dignity it once had. In the 2000's, the energy was unmistakeable the moment the college basketball jingle finished playing on ESPN and the color and play-by-play commentators appeared with chaos directly behind them. I have such great memories of those scenes and hopefully Pitt can reclaim it's once proud heritage, if for no other reason than to help brighten the grey of winter. I moved back to Pittsburgh from DC in 2018. I don't mind the cold or the snow, (neither of which is anything close to what I remember years ago) but it's the disappearance of the sun which can go unseen for days and sometimes a week or so. 😂
4) Sophomore Phenom, Maleek Thomas - Yeah.... this is long. I'm getting my monies worth as I don't post as often
for those still tuned in. I've seen top 2025 Pitt recruit Maleek Thomas play live in 3 times this year and 3 last year. I'm still trying to place him amongst Pittsburgh all-time greats and I'm having difficulty not placing him at number 1 all-time as he stands two years away from graduating.
My assessment:
1) If he was a senior he's still be a top 100 player. Remember he's still a SOPHOMORE.
2) I can't use former local asketball players to compare him with. I have to use Pitt football great Bill Fralic as a comparable player at a similar age.
3) I used to live in Wash DC and my son played in the band at DeMatha, hence I needed to see every DeMatha game for two seasons, 2012-13 & 2013-14. I don't recall any player as advanced as Thomas was as a freshman or is as a sophomore and I saw a bunch of players repeatedly up close like NBA overall number 1 pick Markelle Fulz and many others who play in the NBA
His growth as a player from 9th to 10th grade will be VERY difficult to maintain as he enters into his final two seasons. This is the time where other less notable players accelerate their playing level and catch up to the more heralded players. So I look forward to seeing if this develops. Nonetheless, he's an extremely good player. Can handle, shoot and defends with as much energy as he spends on offense, which is very uncommon.
Areas that he's less polished in is ball security, strength and decision making in the lane, all of which is nit picking as one has to remember he's a HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE.
5) Pitt Inbounds Issues - I'm not sure I've seen an inbounds play executed in the handful of games I've watched at the end where Pitt has had trouble closing out games due to inbounds issues. When I say executed, I mean I don't even see an inbounds play being setup TO EXECUTE from under the opponents basket or that end of the court. Plays typically involve three people, one or two setting screens and creating just enough space to inbound a ball without deflection or pressure.
The intention seems to operate under the assumption that one of two PItt players will get open on their own and we'll see what happens from there. Odd to me but maybe it's not a college basketball norm. I don't watch other teams as closely so maybe that's it. Pretty simple stuff though. 5-10 minutes of practice time once or twice a week gets it done.
Bonus:No metric exists that defines one of the greatest team goals coaches covet. Teamwork and unselfishness. Astute observers can see when it's present and when it's not. It is revealed in the huddle, in action on the court and off-action body language. This Pitt team has it.
His stat line reads 16 ppg, shooting 52% from the field and 37% from 3. He's shot 60-72 (83%) from the line. He averages 5 rebounds per game and has an assist (96) to turnover (59) ratio that's slightly less than the coach-coveted 2:1 figure, but he's a playmaker, not a point guard ball protector/distributor ala James Robinson, so the cost-benefit equation favors him.
In summary he's 2nd in scoring, 3/10 of a pct behind Hinson, 3rd in rebounds, 1st in assists while playing a team high 33 min per game. Not to make this too long (because I can 😂) what separates him are the non-statistical and hidden intangibles, critical playmaking, defensive help, poise under pressure and swag. He looks like a pro. Not saying he's an NBA player. Just saying he has the court awareness, poise and presence of player that owns the floor and can do what they want when they want.
2) Capel's Coaching Style - It took me years to understand why coaches who allow players to play offensively unstructured were called good coaches. I never understood the industry obsession with Roy Williams, Coach K. My thinking was if I could not identify a discernible offensive or defensive scheme then I questioned their validity despite the number of wins. To me they were the best recruiters and their greatness was earned from getting the best players, not necessarily being great coaches.
I clearly saw Jamie Dixon's influence, ditto with UVA's Tony Bennett, Purdue's, Matt Painter, Georgetown's John Thompson, former Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan and others. I've evolved somewhat. I've come to realize a large aspect of good coaching is not just teaching and implementing schemes and concepts, but recognizing what players can thrive, execute and win in an unstructured offensive system. To me, this is Capel's calling card. There's a coaching talent component to this and I think this is where his coaching style lies, good, bad or indifferent. The challenge is very good to great players are needed pull it off. If he can get them, then Pitt Basketball as we once knew it might return.
3) The Return of "The Pete" and "The Zoo" - Speaking of returning, I'm not sure if Pitt Basketball has returned to prominence, but The Zoo and the Pete overall has returned from the low decibal echoes of an empty basketball arena of years past. The last few years reminded me of watching the career end of professional athletes who was just a shell of themselves and where you were actually kind of embarassed for them and hoping not to many people were tuned in.
I started and ran a basketball league years ago and former ABA and Midland High school star, Simmie Hill played in it. He was in his late 30's at the time, but knee injuries and age had taken its toll. I remember I couldn't wait to see him play before the game and by the 2nd quarter I remember feeling kind of bad he played at all. I was too young to remember him (last played with the Spurs 1973-74) but was going by others who had seen him play in high school (1st Team Parade All-American) and followed him throughout his career.
Back to my point, in this case the legend is and was the Pitt basketball brand and the respect and dignity it once had. In the 2000's, the energy was unmistakeable the moment the college basketball jingle finished playing on ESPN and the color and play-by-play commentators appeared with chaos directly behind them. I have such great memories of those scenes and hopefully Pitt can reclaim it's once proud heritage, if for no other reason than to help brighten the grey of winter. I moved back to Pittsburgh from DC in 2018. I don't mind the cold or the snow, (neither of which is anything close to what I remember years ago) but it's the disappearance of the sun which can go unseen for days and sometimes a week or so. 😂
4) Sophomore Phenom, Maleek Thomas - Yeah.... this is long. I'm getting my monies worth as I don't post as often
for those still tuned in. I've seen top 2025 Pitt recruit Maleek Thomas play live in 3 times this year and 3 last year. I'm still trying to place him amongst Pittsburgh all-time greats and I'm having difficulty not placing him at number 1 all-time as he stands two years away from graduating.My assessment:
1) If he was a senior he's still be a top 100 player. Remember he's still a SOPHOMORE.
2) I can't use former local asketball players to compare him with. I have to use Pitt football great Bill Fralic as a comparable player at a similar age.
3) I used to live in Wash DC and my son played in the band at DeMatha, hence I needed to see every DeMatha game for two seasons, 2012-13 & 2013-14. I don't recall any player as advanced as Thomas was as a freshman or is as a sophomore and I saw a bunch of players repeatedly up close like NBA overall number 1 pick Markelle Fulz and many others who play in the NBA
His growth as a player from 9th to 10th grade will be VERY difficult to maintain as he enters into his final two seasons. This is the time where other less notable players accelerate their playing level and catch up to the more heralded players. So I look forward to seeing if this develops. Nonetheless, he's an extremely good player. Can handle, shoot and defends with as much energy as he spends on offense, which is very uncommon.
Areas that he's less polished in is ball security, strength and decision making in the lane, all of which is nit picking as one has to remember he's a HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE.
5) Pitt Inbounds Issues - I'm not sure I've seen an inbounds play executed in the handful of games I've watched at the end where Pitt has had trouble closing out games due to inbounds issues. When I say executed, I mean I don't even see an inbounds play being setup TO EXECUTE from under the opponents basket or that end of the court. Plays typically involve three people, one or two setting screens and creating just enough space to inbound a ball without deflection or pressure.
The intention seems to operate under the assumption that one of two PItt players will get open on their own and we'll see what happens from there. Odd to me but maybe it's not a college basketball norm. I don't watch other teams as closely so maybe that's it. Pretty simple stuff though. 5-10 minutes of practice time once or twice a week gets it done.
Bonus:
No metric exists that defines one of the greatest team goals coaches covet. Teamwork and unselfishness. Astute observers can see when it's present and when it's not. It is revealed in the huddle, in action on the court and off-action body language. This Pitt team has it.
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