New season, almost a new team: Pitt's Jeff Capel attempts to recover from 'interesting week'

You don’t often see a basketball season get started in late February, but it appears that way at Pitt after what Jeff Capel called “an interesting week, to say the least.”

With Xavier Johnson and Au’Diese Toney leaving on consecutive days to enter the NCAA transfer portal, Pitt’s program was shoved back almost to where it was when Capel was hired in March, 2018.

Key word: almost. Unlike three years ago, there are some important players Capel will rely on over the final week of the season and into the future as Pitt embarks on another rebuild.

It starts Sunday at N.C. State. Here are five thoughts to keep in mind before the 4 p.m. tipoff in Raleigh, N.C.

1. The departures hurt, badly

It’s important to note that the Panthers are losing two of their three top scorers and their most experienced starters.

Toney (14.4 points) and Johnson (14.2) also tried to provide leadership for the younger players, but their attempts — while apparently well intentioned — were hardly effective, considering they were the ones who left.

Pitt (9-9, 5-8) needs two elements now more than ever — leadership in the locker room and offense on the court.

2. More responsibility for Champagnie

How much more can Justin Champagnie, a sophomore, do than lead the ACC in scoring (18.8) and rebounding (11.4)?

He also can be an effective leader, something he displayed at Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn, according to his coach there, Ed Gonzalez.

“In the hallways, in the building,” Gonzalez said, “just making kids feel good. If someone was going through something, Justin takes the time to talk to people.”

Over the final week of the season, Champagnie also can further his case for ACC Player of the Year by helping Pitt finish strong. Pitt’s roster is severely compromised, but the next two opponents — N.C. State (11-9, 7-8) and Wake Forest (6-12, 2-12) on Tuesday at the Pete — are bottom-of-the-ladder ACC teams.

Just to be clear, though:

N.C. State is on a three-game winning streak, including a 68-61 victory against No. 15 Virginia on Wednesday.

3. Odukale gets to run the show

With Johnson gone, freshman Femi Odukale will take charge of the offense at point guard.

Odukale (6-foot-5, 185) is 2 inches taller than Johnson and has enough ball skills to become an effective player. He now leads the team in assists (36).

Capel is just happy to see Odukale on the court — doing anything.

He broke his arm in a scooter accident in August, and at the time his freshman season appeared to be in jeopardy.

“It still amazes me at times when I see him out there,” Capel said Thursday on “The Jeff Capel Show” on 93.7 FM. “When I went to the emergency room that night, I saw him. I thought there was no way he’d be able to play this year.”

But Odukale hasn’t missed a game and is averaging 4.8 points.

“Not only playing, but he’s played very, very well,” Capel said, “and I think he has a big upside.

“He has a good feel for the game, offensively and defensively. He has length. He’s a good athlete, and he has a toughness about him and I think he wants to be good. That’s something we’re going to continue to work with him on, challenge him on.”

4. It’s Nike’s turn

Nike Sibande started the Florida State game when Toney was out with a concussion.

Lacking Toney’s size — he’s 2 inches shorter and 25 pounds lighter — Sibande does have plenty of experience in the Mid-American Conference (97 games, 95 starts and 15.1 points per game for Miami, Ohio).

He got a late start because the NCAA didn’t declare him eligible until Dec. 16, and contact tracing set him back another 10 days.

“Knowing that he’s going to play, that will help him to be a little bit more comfortable out there on the court,” Capel said. “It’s been difficult to find minutes for him consistently. But I think he’s ready for this opportunity.”

5. Big man at 17

A year ago this month, William Jeffress was a 16-year-old high school kid. But six months later, he played 33 minutes against Northwestern, scoring seven points in Pitt’s 71-70 victory.

His playing time has diminished, but Capel still believes in him.

“You’re talking about a kid who probably should be a junior in high school,” he said. “His attitude has been terrific. We believe in Will. We really, really believe that he’s going to be an outstanding player here and a guy who’s going to help us change this program.”

With Toney gone and freshman John Hugley still under suspension, Jeffress will need to help on the boards.

Capel said Jeffress, who is listed at 6-7, 205, has grown physically in his time at Pitt and may grow even more.

“At 17, he has a maturity and desire. You have these conversations with him, and it’s amazing how he sees everything.

“He’s a kid who really wants to be good and wants to learn how to be good. He knows he doesn’t have all the answers, so he wants to observe. We have to continue to pour into him, to help him continue to grow.”

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