Pitt Media Reacts To The Duke Game

Here are a couple of reactions from the Pitt camp to the Duke loss, the first three questions that are left open:

• Can Pitt handle adversity?
• Can Pitt shoot well enough?
• Is the ACC too difficult?

The second article points out that Pitt has struggled for two straight games with a zone.

All of this overlooks the stunning job that Jeff Capel has done with this team. Remember last year the Panthers didn’t win at all after December, the fans were in revolt and after Kevin Stallings was fired, everyone wanted to leave and several did.

The main thing here is that Pitt’s program is in great hands. The fact that people are asking these questions and have these concerns indicates how far and fast Capel has taken Pitt.

What’s happening now is that people are excited about Pitt basketball again and instead of focusing on failure they’re thinking about when Pitt could beat teams like Duke and Syracuse.

What’s important to remember is this: Pitt is only at the beginning. Capel has a backcourt that is talented but not refined. He has some players who are capable of defending but the offense is not accomplished and there isn’t a lot of size.

Even so, Pitt’s having an amazing year and Capel is a strong candidate for ACC Coach of the Year. He’ll have more talent next year and even more the year after that.

Pitt basketball is about to explode.