Maybe the quirk Jeff Capel noticed among his players during the Notre Dame game will disappear merely by everyone understanding what’s at stake Saturday night in Coral Gables, Fla.

At least, that’s the hope.

But in advance of Pitt visiting Miami with the ACC regular-season championship on the line, Capel said he noticed panic in his veteran team against the Irish, and he spoke openly about it Thursday during his radio show on 93.7 FM.

The 88-81 loss Wednesday night turned in Notre Dame’s favor largely because of poor defense and unsteady shooting by the Panthers.

“It became contagious,” Capel said. “We missed so many shots around the basket. I know our guys wanted (to win) so bad for a lot of different reasons. I think we were pressed early. When we missed some shots early, and then they were making everything, I think we panicked a little bit. Really, at timeouts, that’s all I was saying: just relax.

“We got tight and that panicked us like we’re losing it. We’re not losing anything. (The Miami game) is an unbelievable opportunity. Let’s just go have fun. Let’s go for it. Let’s be who we’ve been all year. Let’s not let the moment take us out of who we are and take us out the joy of what we do.”

Pitt (21-9, 14-5) generally reacts well to defeat, losing consecutive games only three times this season.

While you’re waiting for the ACC showdown to tip off, here are some thoughts to ponder at the climax of one of the most intriguing seasons in Pitt basketball history.

1. Winner take all

Pitt, Miami and Virginia are tied for first place, but Virginia lost to both of the others. That will allow the winner in Coral Gables to claim the ACC regular-season championship and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament next week.

How far can Pitt fall with a loss? Very far.

If Miami wins and Clemson (vs. Notre Dame), Duke (vs. North Carolina) and Virginia (vs. Louisville) also win, Pitt will be the No. 5 seed and lose double-bye privileges in the tournament.

Several teams appear capable of winning the tournament, but beware of Duke and North Carolina, who have won five and three games in a row, respectively.

“Duke is playing awfully well,” Capel said. “Carolina looks like they’re turning the corner. It’s going to make for a heck of a ACC Tournament.”

2. POY showdown?

The Pitt-Miami game also might serve as a referendum on the ACC Player of the Year candidacy of Pitt’s Jamarius Burton and Miami’s Isaiah Wong.

Wong is averaging 16.2 points, 4.3 rebounnds and 3.4 assists while shooting 45.1% from the field.

Burton’s numbers are 15.6, 5.0, 4.4 and 49.1%. He is one of only four players in the NCAA to surpass 15.5/4.5/4.0/49%.

“(Burton) had huge games, but they were early,” Capel said. He scored 24 vs. N.C. State, 31 vs. North Carolina and 28 vs. Clemson, but he’s reached 20 only once in the past 11 games.

“Hopefully, coaches remember that and look at the body of work (when voting),” Capel said.

“When I placed my vote, which I did (Thursday) morning, I take my time,” Capel said. “I write it down. I look at the information. I look at the numbers. I look at winning. To me, that’s the big thing. You can have unbelievable numbers, but if your team is losing, what are you really doing? Are you chasing numbers? I like to reward guys who win.”

Using that criteria, it’s difficult to choose between Burton and Wong. Saturday’s game could be the deciding factor.

3. At least, he can still laugh

Pitt came into the Notre Dame game shooting 80.9% from the free-throw line and ended up making only 20 of 36.

“At times, I was wondering if that little leprechaun put something on these baskets,” Capel said on his radio show. “It was like he’s this invisible leprechaun up there swatting our free throws away and our layups. It was just weird.”

4. A first for Capel this season

Capel also said it was a strange game for another reason: Pitt was called for two technical fouls.

“I don’t know if we’ve gottten a tech this year. I know I haven’t,” he said.

Blake Hinson was called for a technical after he hit a 3-pointer early in the game.

“He yelled something to his teammate in excitement,” Capel said, “and we didn’t understand that (call). A little bit later, I was called for one.

“I’m not saying I didn’t deserve it. It was a play (when) I thought one of our guys got fouled. He drove to the basket and the defender literally put him in a bear hug and they called a jump ball.

“I said to the official in front of me, ‘How did you not see that?’ He said, `I thought he was going to call it.’ We go to the other end and he called a touch foul on us.”

5. Capel and Brey

Capel had a thought-provoking, if vague, response to a question about his emotions during Notre Dame coach Mike Brey’s sendoff Wednesday night. He said he wasn’t emotional, but he did make clear his feelings about Brey, who was an assistant at Duke when Capel played there.

“I love coach Brey. He’s been a big part of my life since I was about 17 years old,” he said.

Then, he added, “I don’t necessarily like how it all happened here, but he seems happy.”

There has been some speculation that Brey was pushed out at Notre Dame, a notion fueled by Brey’s contention that he still wants to coach somewhere else. If that’s true, it seems to me Brey would be the No. 1 candidate for almost any school looking for a new coach this offseason.

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