So do we hate Capel again or still love him?

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

In fairness, Dior and Kante were part of this year's roster construction before stuff happened.

I don't disagree, but this is becoming such a weird thing with Capel teams that I almost just assume there's going to be a built-in excuse every season.

If Hugley didn't get suspended. If Horton didn't get suspended. If the locker room didn't hate each other. If Dior didn't get the boot. At some point, it just seems like there is some type of prudence that is lacking. We need more good players, instead of all these "depth pieces" or supposed "defensive specialists," who are really just guys who should be playing at Lafeyette or something, so we can overcome those things when they inevitably happen.

I mean I'm definitely open to the idea that Capel caught a tough break with Johnson, but it's hard to give him the benefit of the doubt anymore when we keep on only having 6 or 7 legitimate (I mean, even in a backup capacity) players on the roster. And a lot of people were predicting a redshirt for Kante anyway, if I recall correctly.

 

[Protes]

Your comment is the "if only" world and just another Capel apologist comment. Coaches lose players all the time, every year.
The dior situation just shows you how dumb Capel really is, ohh and the hugely situation and the toney situation and on and on and on.....
He has lost his roster every year he has been Herr. Last year was the only year he lost it due to eligibility expiring. We will see who is left on the roster this time next year.

I'm hardly a Capel apologist, LOL! I simply pointed out a fact in response to comments about this year's roster construction. 2 players were supposed to be on this team. One got kicked out of the university right before the school year started and the other got injured. This isn't really a controversial statement to make.

 

[caleco's]

I'm hardly a Capel apologist, LOL! I simply pointed out a fact in response to comments about this year's roster construction. 2 players were supposed to be on this team. One got kicked out of the university right before the school year started and the other got injured. This isn't really a controversial statement to make.

It's not controversial but it is another excuse and as @TheWerewolfFromTwilight said there is an excuse every year about a player being suspended...every year. As someone else pointed out kante was to redshirt...
This guy is out of excuses like when he blamed covid.... seriously wtf was that

 

[Vader_Storm]

I don't disagree, but this is becoming such a weird thing with Capel teams that I almost just assume there's going to be a built-in excuse every season.

If Hugley didn't get suspended. If Horton didn't get suspended. If the locker room didn't hate each other. If Dior didn't get the boot. At some point, it just seems like there is some type of prudence that is lacking. We need more good players, instead of all these "depth pieces" or supposed "defensive specialists," who are really just guys who should be playing at Lafeyette or something, so we can overcome those things when they inevitably happen.

I mean I'm definitely open to the idea that Capel caught a tough break with Johnson, but it's hard to give him the benefit of the doubt anymore when we keep on only having 6 or 7 legitimate (I mean, even in a backup capacity) players on the roster. And a lot of people were predicting a redshirt for Kante anyway, if I recall correctly.

I agree its unacceptable it keeps happening again and again with suspensions and such. Enough is enough with that crap and Im sick of losing players because of it. So I totally agree with you there.


With that said,

There was no one predicting Kante to redshirt. And if they were, they have zero idea what they are talking about. He's an immediate impact player. Guaranteed.

 

[NCPitt]

Your comment is the "if only" world and just another Capel apologist comment. Coaches lose players all the time, every year.
The dior situation just shows you how dumb Capel really is, ohh and the hugely situation and the toney situation and on and on and on.....
He has lost his roster every year he has been Herr. Last year was the only year he lost it due to eligibility expiring. We will see who is left on the roster this time next year.

You are really stretching your comparison. Both players were on his roster and 1 remains on the roster. The roster construction issue is diminished when that is understood. That is quite different than lacking a penis.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

I agree its unacceptable it keeps happening again and again with suspensions and such. Enough is enough with that crap and Im sick of losing players because of it. So I totally agree with you there.


With that said,

There was no one predicting Kante to redshirt. And if they were, they have zero idea what they are talking about. He's an immediate impact player. Guaranteed.

I see a lot of posts predicting his injury wouldn't change much for this season because he was going to be behind GDG and Fede anyway. Personally, I tend to agree that he would have added a good bit of value this season (in addition to gaining experience for next season) and could have also provided more lineup flexibility.

In any event, I just feel like we're in the same spot with Capel that we always are. Carrington, Lowe, Cummings, Kante, etc. seems like a great future. Will it ever come to fruition? Probably not. Between guys leaving, injuries, guys not panning out, etc.... this program is starting to feel like the Pirates: Hope is the dangling carrot, and the future is never now.

 

[PittPharm2002]

View embedded media

Step up, double down
You wanted Dixon out , too
Your opinions aren’t relevant

 

[TD_6082]

Assuming Pitt doesn't make the tourney this year, Capel will have been to ONE NCAA Tourney in his last 8 years as head coach.

That's pathetic.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

They run very little offense, and what they do run is bad. It's been like that from day 1.

Not like it's news as it's been beaten to death on this board, so not sure how you didn't get what I meant.

Pitt shoots the ball a little better from the floor and the foul line they win the last 2 games . There were plenty of open looks .

 

[caleco's]

You are really stretching your comparison. Both players were on his roster and 1 remains on the roster. The roster construction issue is diminished when that is understood. That is quite different than lacking a penis.

Kante was going to redshirt and Dior had been kicked out since spring on the hopes an appeal process that they do once a term would exonerate him.

The op was excusing Capel because he thinks he was down 2 players. It was excuse for this teams poor play and was not just a roster construct situation. When you understand that you will stop making excuses for this stiff

 

[PittPharm2002]

Assuming Pitt doesn't make the tourney this year, Capel will have been to ONE NCAA Tourney in his last 8 years as head coach.

That's pathetic.

It’s disappointing but he’ll get at least next season to bounce back

 

[HailToPitt1985]

Kante was going to redshirt and Dior had been kicked out since spring on the hopes an appeal process that they do once a term would exonerate him.

The op was excusing Capel because he thinks he was down 2 players. It was excuse for this teams poor play and was not just a roster construct situation. When you understand that you will stop making excuses for this stiff

I think most Pitt fans realize now that Capel is not a very good coach. He seems to recruit decently, but some of his players have character issues. He's a terrible gameday coach.

I think it's reasonable to see how the season plays out, realizing that we're not making any kind of tournament this year. Then give him next year to construct a team and maybe get a light bulb to go on where he suddenly coaches. If that doesn't happen, it's time for Pitt to cut him loose. He'd be a good assistant somewhere. Unless Pitt is content in being a mediocre 0.500 team with an occasional 20 win season every 5 years.

 

[TD_6082]

It’s disappointing but he’ll get at least next season to bounce back

He's under .500 overall in his last 8 years as a hear coach. (8, counting this season)

He's only had 3 seasons where he's finished above .500 in conference play in his combined 10 years at OU & Pitt. (not including this year)

I'm not advocating a change or anything. I'm just surprised Capel has as much support as he does with such a long, abysmal track record.

 

[PittPharm2002]

He's under .500 overall in his last 8 years as a hear coach. (8, counting this season)

He's only had 3 seasons where he's finished above .500 in conference play in his combined 10 years at OU & Pitt. (not including this year)

I'm not advocating a change or anything. I'm just surprised Capel has as much support as he does with such a long, abysmal track record.

And as I said -
He’ll get next season
Making the dance last year bought him some time

Unlike your trash crush

I don’t care about what happened prior to pitt 10 years ago

He took over a dead program and at least injected some life
We will only be as good as Blake plays this year
Same as Burton last year
Everyone else are secondary scorers

 

[TD_6082]

And as I said -
He’ll get next season
Making the dance last year bought him some time

Unlike your trash crush

I don’t care about what happened prior to pitt 10 years ago

He took over a dead program and at least injected some life
We will only be as good as Blake plays this year
Same as Burton last year
Everyone else are secondary scorers

Tony Bennett may be a post season choker and the Wahoos are a dumpster fire this year, but I wouldn't call him trash

 

[PittPharm2002]

Tony Bennett may be a post season choker and the Wahoos are a dumpster fire this year, but I wouldn't call him trash

Your crush is unemployed for good
Just like your other can’t beat a football team with a pulse

 

[TD_6082]

Your crush is unemployed for good
Just like your other can’t beat a football team with a pulse

Who is my crush?

Kevin Stallings did a really good job at Vandy and I enjoyed watching the Dores when I lived in Nashville.

I've been in Virginia since 2014 & my kids are big into UVA, so now it cheers my heart & warms my blood to sing the good old song of Wah-Hoo-Wah.

I'm not disillusioned about what Stallings is and what he isn't. He was good for Vandy, but he's not a coach that can win at a high level. Dixon had a nice 6 or 7 years riding on Ben's coattails before he flamed out.

If Pitt wants to get serious about basketball, they have to do better than Dixon, Stallings, and Capel.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Who is my crush?

Kevin Stallings did a really good job at Vandy and I enjoyed watching the Dores when I lived in Nashville.

I've been in Virginia since 2014 & my kids are big into UVA, so now it cheers my heart & warms my blood to sing the good old song of Wah-Hoo-Wah.

I'm not disillusioned about what Stallings is and what he isn't. He was good for Vandy, but he's not a coach that can win at a high level. Dixon had a nice 6 or 7 years riding on Ben's coattails before he flamed out.

If Pitt wants to get serious about basketball, they have to do better than Dixon, Stallings, and Capel.

So, to recap, Pitt needs to do better than 6 years riding Ben’s coattails, whatever that means, in year 6 getting a 1 seed and then in year 8 getting a 1 seed. Pitt basketball, which for the majority of its history, needs to do better than that? Some people are really stupid.

 

[TD_6082]

So, to recap, Pitt needs to do better than 6 years riding Ben’s coattails, whatever that means, in year 6 getting a 1 seed and then in year 8 getting a 1 seed. Pitt basketball, which for the majority of its history, needs to do better than that? Some people are really stupid.

No. The results through 2011 were fine. The problem is that Dixon isn't the caliber of coach that could sustain anything remotely close to that level long term.

Dixon hasn't had a team finish with a winning conference record in 9 years He hasn't made past the round of 32 since 2009.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

No. The results through 2011 were fine. The problem is that Dixon isn't the caliber of coach that could sustain anything remotely close to that level long term.

Dixon hasn't had a team finish with a winning conference record in 9 years He hasn't made past the round of 32 since 2009.

1) the tournament is largely luck
2) he had 8 years after Ben

Pitt is never doing better than those 8 years again unless we get 5 Bickells and they want to go all in on hoops.

 

[PatMac59]

Who is my crush?

Kevin Stallings did a really good job at Vandy and I enjoyed watching the Dores when I lived in Nashville.

I've been in Virginia since 2014 & my kids are big into UVA, so now it cheers my heart & warms my blood to sing the good old song of Wah-Hoo-Wah.

I'm not disillusioned about what Stallings is and what he isn't. He was good for Vandy, but he's not a coach that can win at a high level. Dixon had a nice 6 or 7 years riding on Ben's coattails before he flamed out.

If Pitt wants to get serious about basketball, they have to do better than Dixon, Stallings, and Capel.

I don't even know where to begin here. The two Dixon teams that earned #1 seeds consisted entirely of his own players. How is that riding Howland's coattails?

It's highly, highly unlikely Pitt will find a coach better than Jamie Dixon any time in the foreseeable future.

 

[TD_6082]

I don't even know where to begin here. The two Dixon teams that earned #1 seeds consisted entirely of his own players. How is that riding Howland's coattails?

It's highly, highly unlikely Pitt will find a coach better than Jamie Dixon any time in the foreseeable future.

Perhaps riding Ben's coattails is a bit unfair. But it was Howland that built the program and made Pitt basketball a happening thing & a marketable brand.

If they can't do better than Dixon, they are hurting. His overall body of work just isn't all that. Post-2011, it's somewhere between mediocre and bad.

 

[TD_6082]

1) the tournament is largely luck
2) he had 8 years after Ben

Pitt is never doing better than those 8 years again unless we get 5 Bickells and they want to go all in on hoops.

There is definitely some luck involved, but the tournament isn't "largely" luck. Elite coaches recruit elite talent and make multiple trips to the Final Four.

I don't know if Pitt will ever do better than those 8;years or not. They can certainly do a helluva lot better than they have from 2012-2024

 

[HailToPitt1985]

Perhaps riding Ben's coattails is a bit unfair. But it was Howland that built the program and made Pitt basketball a happening thing & a marketable brand.

If they can't do better than Dixon, they are hurting. His overall body of work just isn't all that. Post-2011, it's somewhere between mediocre and bad.

I don't know where you think we have to do better than Dixon. Those Dixon years, even the last few, were much more enjoyable than what we've had the past 7 years under Stallings and Capel. I'd take Dixon back in a heartbeat if Capel was gone for any reason and Dixon would be willing to come back to Pitt. He's smarter than that, though.

This program is running on fumes right now and the portal and NIL are making times tougher for Pitt than many other schools. We maybe get one marginal player in the portal and lose 2 or 3. I'm sure we'll lose key players after this year that we think are part of our future. Think about that. Our team that we think we will have going into next year is not the same team we will really have to start the season. It's very frustrating.

 

[PatMac59]

Perhaps riding Ben's coattails is a bit unfair. But it was Howland that built the program and made Pitt basketball a happening thing & a marketable brand.

If they can't do better than Dixon, they are hurting. His overall body of work just isn't all that. Post-2011, it's somewhere between mediocre and bad.

I don't agree with this. He's taken a team to the tournament six times since 2011, including three appearances with TCU, a program with zero history that hadnt made the tournament in 20 years before he took them to it in 2018. People overuse the word "mediocre" on the Internet. Dixon is a very good coach.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

I don't agree with this. He's taken a team to the tournament six times since 2011, including three appearances with TCU, a program with zero history that hadnt made the tournament in 20 years before he took them to it in 2018. People overuse the word "mediocre" on the Internet. Dixon is a very good coach.

Dixon is indeed a very good coach. Far from mediocre. He's not an elite coach on the level of a Coach K, Self or Izzo. But he's a pretty damned good coach and getting closer to that level. Wouldn't that be nice to have at Pitt someday. Oh wait, we did!!

 

[TD_6082]

I don't agree with this. He's taken a team to the tournament six times since 2011, including three appearances with TCU, a program with zero history that hadnt made the tournament in 20 years before he took them to it in 2018. People overuse the word "mediocre" on the Internet. Dixon is a very good coach.

I think a "very good coach" could manage at least one conference record above .500 in NINE YEARS.

I think a "very good coach" should make at least ONE Sweet 16 in a FOURTEEN
year period.

Just my opinion.

I understand what you're saying about the history of TCU basketball. I use the same historical standards to prop up Stallings record at Vanderbilt. But let's be real here. Scott Drew is flat out doing things at Baylor that far surpass anything Dixon has done at TCU. That's the difference between very good (Drew) and mediocre (Dixon). At least that's my perspective.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

No. The results through 2011 were fine. The problem is that Dixon isn't the caliber of coach that could sustain anything remotely close to that level long term.

Dixon hasn't had a team finish with a winning conference record in 9 years He hasn't made past the round of 32 since 2009.

This team is STILL Dixon 2 level. We are NIT just like one of the D2 years. This is pretty much Pitt's ceiling.

 

[TD_6082]

Dixon is indeed a very good coach. Far from mediocre. He's not an elite coach on the level of a Coach K, Self or Izzo. But he's a pretty damned good coach and getting closer to that level. Wouldn't that be nice to have at Pitt someday. Oh wait, we did!!

???

How is Dixon getting closer to the level of Coach K, Self, or Izzo? 🤯

Dixon has been left in the dust by coaches like Tony Bennett, Nate Oats,
Scott Drew, Dan Hurley, Bruce Pearl, and Chris Beard.

Dixon & TCU are pretty much the exact definition of mediocrity.

 

[TD_6082]

This team is STILL Dixon 2 level. We are NIT just like one of the D2 years. This is pretty much Pitt's ceiling.

This is Pitt's ceiling?

That's ridiculous.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

This is Pitt's ceiling?

That's ridiculous.

Unfortunately, yes. 4-5 NCAATs in a 10 year period, most of which are bubblish.

 

[PittPoker]

This team is STILL Dixon 2 level. We are NIT just like one of the D2 years. This is pretty much Pitt's ceiling.

THEY AREN'T MAKING ANY NIT THE TEAM STINKS!

 

[TD_6082]

Unfortunately, yes. 4-5 NCAATs in a 10 year period, most of which are bubblish.

Disagree.

 

[NCPitt]

Kante was going to redshirt and Dior had been kicked out since spring on the hopes an appeal process that they do once a term would exonerate him.

The op was excusing Capel because he thinks he was down 2 players. It was excuse for this teams poor play and was not just a roster construct situation. When you understand that you will stop making excuses for this stiff

Opinions differ on Kante and he is still part of the roster construction. Dior traveled with the team to Europe so Capel was apparently counting on his presence as well.

I have never made an excuse for Capel or his staff. I have no opinion on him at all either way except that he is good for the kids, which I respect.

I just recognize facts about the roster as they exist.

 

[PittPharm2002]

Who is my crush?

Kevin Stallings did a really good job at Vandy and I enjoyed watching the Dores when I lived in Nashville.

I've been in Virginia since 2014 & my kids are big into UVA, so now it cheers my heart & warms my blood to sing the good old song of Wah-Hoo-Wah.

I'm not disillusioned about what Stallings is and what he isn't. He was good for Vandy, but he's not a coach that can win at a high level. Dixon had a nice 6 or 7 years riding on Ben's coattails before he flamed out.

If Pitt wants to get serious about basketball, they have to do better than Dixon, Stallings, and Capel.

Dude - you’re a very strange and frankly ill informed guy

 

[PittPharm2002]

???

How is Dixon getting closer to the level of Coach K, Self, or Izzo? 🤯

Dixon has been left in the dust by coaches like Tony Bennett, Nate Oats,
Scott Drew, Dan Hurley, Bruce Pearl, and Chris Beard.

Dixon & TCU are pretty much the exact definition of mediocrity.

Dude
Stop while you’re way behind

 

[PatMac59]

I think a "very good coach" could manage at least one conference record above .500 in NINE YEARS.

I think a "very good coach" should make at least ONE Sweet 16 in a FOURTEEN
year period.

Just my opinion.

I understand what you're saying about the history of TCU basketball. I use the same historical standards to prop up Stallings record at Vanderbilt. But let's be real here. Scott Drew is flat out doing things at Baylor that far surpass anything Dixon has done at TCU. That's the difference between very good (Drew) and mediocre (Dixon). At least that's my perspective.

There's a difference between not being on the level of Scott Drew, who is one of the best coaches in college basketball, and being mediocre. Mediocre means average at best. No one who has followed Dixon's career—even the last 13 years of it—would ever say the guy is barely average.

 

[caleco's]

Opinions differ on Kante and he is still part of the roster construction. Dior traveled with the team to Europe so Capel was apparently counting on his presence as well.

I have never made an excuse for Capel or his staff. I have no opinion on him at all either way except that he is good for the kids, which I respect.

I just recognize facts about the roster as they exist.

And as I said before the dior situation shows Capel's stupidity. Taking a kid to Europe when he was booted was dumb. He should have planned without him and if he got him it was gravy. That is what an intelligent coach does. He knew for 9 months and the entire recruiting period that Dior was booted pending appeal . He could have easily planned without him.

 

[NCPitt]

And as I said before the dior situation shows Capel's stupidity. Taking a kid to Europe when he was booted was dumb. He should have planned without him and if he got him it was gravy. That is what an intelligent coach does. He knew for 9 months and the entire recruiting period that Dior was booted pending appeal . He could have easily planned without him.

Planning without him meant eliminating him. They had 13 scholarships with him and room for no one else. He obviously wanted to keep him on the roster. Your view is 100% hindsight. You would be singing a different song had it worked out.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

And as I said before the dior situation shows Capel's stupidity. Taking a kid to Europe when he was booted was dumb. He should have planned without him and if he got him it was gravy. That is what an intelligent coach does. He knew for 9 months and the entire recruiting period that Dior was booted pending appeal . He could have easily planned without him.

Except maybe it wasnt?