Stepping out of the ice rink to weigh in...been watching intently, following the program closely...
What is Next? I don't thank anyone really has an idea. This is going to be an off-season like no other. Rosters could be completely open...extra eligibility has things up in the air and odd recruiting calendar for a year now really has recruiting at a virtual stand still. It is going to be a wild ride starting next week into May with player movement and then hopefully recruiting will open up and you will see recruiting for next year maybe going into June and July with all of the events, visits, etc being pushed back.
I see a lot of talk about staff. That is always an unknown...you just never know how this all works out. I do think Capel is in a tough spot with his brother. Is Jason the problem from the staff make-up? Not sure if we really know...but, when Capel was hired my worry was can he coach in game? Definitely a good guy...a players coach (although, the trio of high profile transfers leads to some question) and he showed at OU he could recruit outside of Duke...but, even with the talent at OU his teams underperformed. No matter what...Pitt probably doesn't land elite talent...and, hopefully he is learning to recruit wiser, but coaching the talent up is how to win at Pitt. If he isn't the guy he does need a strong staff. Juwan Howard probably made the wisest move adding a Phil Martelli to his bench. Maybe O'Toole, who I have a lot of respect for, is that idea...but, Capel seems to be a let them play type of coach...and, you will need smart and good players for that...possibly in his quest to accumulate talent quickly after the Stallings debacle he didn't have the right mix. Will we see a staff change...probably, but not convinced it makes a huge dent either way unless it is a hire for a player package...
I REALLY hope the staff knows that they have some sort of core returning and the parting of ways with other players was to jumpstart focusing on the development of those that will be all in for next season. The NBA draft watch for Champagnie is on...I believe his stock will never be higher as it is now with the numbers and accolades he put up...IF we get an improved core around him, his numbers could come down, but he is a very good college basketball 4 man that is a tweener in the NBA...in my opinion. If he returns...I do think we will be better next year. If not...well, it will be a rebuild for sure.
I like Femi and Nike and will ask myself, like many others, why couldn't they get more time earlier??? Well, we were winning early and Nike had a delayed start...but, somehow they could have played more. I think Horton is what he is and if he can be a third guard and a designated shooter you are a better team than relying him to be a starting 2-guard. I think his shooting will improve as experience and confidence. The team desperately needs a back-up ballhandler to help run the point. That is a BIG need in recruiting. I would prefer to stay away from some of the one year gap fillers. Unless they think another guard is leaving...then I see a Daye or VMI transfer...but, otherwise go with this group adding a true PG that can handle and defend
I believe Jeffress is going to be a tremendous all around wing for the program and give us 3-4 more good years. The tools are impressive...again..strength, maturity and confidence is needed and a good spring and offseason and he could be a different player. We could use depth here...obviously Drumgoole never got comfortable or found a role. Recruiting a wing that can play both forward positions is a NEED
PF...well, hopefully it is Champ next year, but it probably is doubtful. Collier is a guy I do like and, again, like Jeffress I think he can be solid next 3-4 years with strength, maturity and confidence. If he can spell a starting PF next year and look to assume the role in 2 years...then we are a better team. So, if Champ moves on an immediate impact college 4 man is a MUST. Either one year or a multi year transfer will be needed.
C?? Well, Hugley would have been a solid college 5 man over 3-4 years. Not sure if there is any chance of a return...but, a rebounding and physical defensive presence is NEEDED. Hugley could be serviceable and AKC needs to be a back-up 5. Again...with no Hugley it they will need a ready to play inside 5 added to the team immediately. Again, it could be a transfer or JuCo...I am not too hopefully it would be Reid. Hugley and AKC could be OK...Admundson is a few years away from even adding depth...no worry if they want to develop him for that role over time
It is hard to say what this team needs in terms of personnel because we have no idea exactly what will be available and really who will be returning. Such is the case in this new normal in college hoops. A best case scenario we only lose T Brown and G Drumgoole from the current roster, this is what it looks like:
Odukale (so.)
Sibande (sr)
Horton (jr)
Jeffress (so)
Champagnie (Jr)
Collier (So)
Hugley (So)
AKC (Jr)
Admundson (So)
**Recruit reliable ball-handling, defensive Frosh or multi-year eligible PG
**Recruit grad transfer or one year shooting guard that specializes in threes
Frosh PF/C that can contribute early
Grad Transfer or older big man that brings immediately defense and rebounding presence
As for Capel...well, if Coach K hangs it up in the next 2-3 years we will not have to worry about Duke calling, which was a worry from many when he was hired...I do think he has as good of a chance as any to be successful here...but, he will have to alter some philosophies. The other way I think Pitt could be consistently successful is an old school, defensive team oriented game planning and prep coach...might be boring and we will argue on and on that they don't recruit well enough and wont be successful in March without the higher recruits....dont we all miss that a little now? LOL Otherwise, you hope a coach can hit a home run here and there and might be a 2 in 4 years to the NCAA Tournament with a deep run every 5 or 6 trips....I do think Capel can be that type
Stay tuned...hectic off season ahead
What is Next? I don't thank anyone really has an idea. This is going to be an off-season like no other. Rosters could be completely open...extra eligibility has things up in the air and odd recruiting calendar for a year now really has recruiting at a virtual stand still. It is going to be a wild ride starting next week into May with player movement and then hopefully recruiting will open up and you will see recruiting for next year maybe going into June and July with all of the events, visits, etc being pushed back.
I see a lot of talk about staff. That is always an unknown...you just never know how this all works out. I do think Capel is in a tough spot with his brother. Is Jason the problem from the staff make-up? Not sure if we really know...but, when Capel was hired my worry was can he coach in game? Definitely a good guy...a players coach (although, the trio of high profile transfers leads to some question) and he showed at OU he could recruit outside of Duke...but, even with the talent at OU his teams underperformed. No matter what...Pitt probably doesn't land elite talent...and, hopefully he is learning to recruit wiser, but coaching the talent up is how to win at Pitt. If he isn't the guy he does need a strong staff. Juwan Howard probably made the wisest move adding a Phil Martelli to his bench. Maybe O'Toole, who I have a lot of respect for, is that idea...but, Capel seems to be a let them play type of coach...and, you will need smart and good players for that...possibly in his quest to accumulate talent quickly after the Stallings debacle he didn't have the right mix. Will we see a staff change...probably, but not convinced it makes a huge dent either way unless it is a hire for a player package...
I REALLY hope the staff knows that they have some sort of core returning and the parting of ways with other players was to jumpstart focusing on the development of those that will be all in for next season. The NBA draft watch for Champagnie is on...I believe his stock will never be higher as it is now with the numbers and accolades he put up...IF we get an improved core around him, his numbers could come down, but he is a very good college basketball 4 man that is a tweener in the NBA...in my opinion. If he returns...I do think we will be better next year. If not...well, it will be a rebuild for sure.
I like Femi and Nike and will ask myself, like many others, why couldn't they get more time earlier??? Well, we were winning early and Nike had a delayed start...but, somehow they could have played more. I think Horton is what he is and if he can be a third guard and a designated shooter you are a better team than relying him to be a starting 2-guard. I think his shooting will improve as experience and confidence. The team desperately needs a back-up ballhandler to help run the point. That is a BIG need in recruiting. I would prefer to stay away from some of the one year gap fillers. Unless they think another guard is leaving...then I see a Daye or VMI transfer...but, otherwise go with this group adding a true PG that can handle and defend
I believe Jeffress is going to be a tremendous all around wing for the program and give us 3-4 more good years. The tools are impressive...again..strength, maturity and confidence is needed and a good spring and offseason and he could be a different player. We could use depth here...obviously Drumgoole never got comfortable or found a role. Recruiting a wing that can play both forward positions is a NEED
PF...well, hopefully it is Champ next year, but it probably is doubtful. Collier is a guy I do like and, again, like Jeffress I think he can be solid next 3-4 years with strength, maturity and confidence. If he can spell a starting PF next year and look to assume the role in 2 years...then we are a better team. So, if Champ moves on an immediate impact college 4 man is a MUST. Either one year or a multi year transfer will be needed.
C?? Well, Hugley would have been a solid college 5 man over 3-4 years. Not sure if there is any chance of a return...but, a rebounding and physical defensive presence is NEEDED. Hugley could be serviceable and AKC needs to be a back-up 5. Again...with no Hugley it they will need a ready to play inside 5 added to the team immediately. Again, it could be a transfer or JuCo...I am not too hopefully it would be Reid. Hugley and AKC could be OK...Admundson is a few years away from even adding depth...no worry if they want to develop him for that role over time
It is hard to say what this team needs in terms of personnel because we have no idea exactly what will be available and really who will be returning. Such is the case in this new normal in college hoops. A best case scenario we only lose T Brown and G Drumgoole from the current roster, this is what it looks like:
Odukale (so.)
Sibande (sr)
Horton (jr)
Jeffress (so)
Champagnie (Jr)
Collier (So)
Hugley (So)
AKC (Jr)
Admundson (So)
**Recruit reliable ball-handling, defensive Frosh or multi-year eligible PG
**Recruit grad transfer or one year shooting guard that specializes in threes
Frosh PF/C that can contribute early
Grad Transfer or older big man that brings immediately defense and rebounding presence
As for Capel...well, if Coach K hangs it up in the next 2-3 years we will not have to worry about Duke calling, which was a worry from many when he was hired...I do think he has as good of a chance as any to be successful here...but, he will have to alter some philosophies. The other way I think Pitt could be consistently successful is an old school, defensive team oriented game planning and prep coach...might be boring and we will argue on and on that they don't recruit well enough and wont be successful in March without the higher recruits....dont we all miss that a little now? LOL Otherwise, you hope a coach can hit a home run here and there and might be a 2 in 4 years to the NCAA Tournament with a deep run every 5 or 6 trips....I do think Capel can be that type
Stay tuned...hectic off season ahead
