Pitt basketball has scorers, leaders, but Jeff Capel seeks rebounders as preseason continues
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Jeff Capel believes there are players on his team who can score.
Freshman guards Bub Carrington and Jaland Lowe and transfer Ismael Leggett are among that group. And, of course, 2022-2023 ACC second-team selection Blake Hinson, who has a newly slimmed-down body and his signature pumped-up confidence, still is making his considerable presence known.
Capel said Hinson, returning big men Jorge and Guillermo Diaz Graham, William Jeffress and Federiko Federiko can show the freshmen what’s expected of Pitt players now that the program has had a taste of the NCAA Tournament.
But what Capel is seeking as much as — maybe more than — anything else is a player who can go get rebounds at a double-digit per game rate. Right now — 31⁄2 weeks before the first nonconference game Nov. 6 against North Carolina A&T — he doesn’t believe that player exists on his roster.
“I would love to be wrong,” Capel said Friday evening after his team’s two-hour open practice at Petersen Events Center. “I say that to them, hoping one of them will say, ‘(the heck with) you coach, I’m going to show you.’
“We need to rebound better, everyone. That’s an area where we have to really improve. We’re going to have to gang rebound.”
Meanwhile, Capel is pleased that some of the minor injuries, which have prevented much five-on-five, up-and-down scrimmaging, are healed, and the process of building another ACC title contender can continue in earnest.
“The past two practices we’ve done that,” he said. “We need to do that more. We need to play more to get ourselves in better game shape.”
Capel said he liked the idea of throwing open the doors of the Pete and exposing his players to their fans, especially those from the Oakland Zoo.
“It gives us a chance to play with some people in the stands, to see how we are,” he said. “I’ve always felt like it’s different when there are people here.”
Jorge Diaz Graham is one of those players who thrives when “the lights come on,” Capel said.
“He’s different when people are here.”
Friday was the first time Diaz Graham, who has recovered from a foot injury, has played five-on-five since July. He collected two 3-pointers and two dunks, one off a steal.
Jorge and Guillermo stayed on campus this summer to work with the strength staff, and they added muscle — within limits, of course.
“They’re never going to be these physical specimens. Their bodies aren’t like that,” Capel said. “They have to be able to block out, to rebound, to play through contact. That’s what we’ve seen with the work they put in in the weight room.
“They’re more confident in their bodies and their ability. They’re able to play through physicality better than they were last year for longer periods.”
With much work to do and plenty of time to do it, Capel said he has not determined a starting lineup at this point in the preseason. But it’s safe to say Hinson will be 20% of it.
“I don’t have Blake set in stone. I just don’t see anybody beating him,” the coach said.
The intriguing part of the preseason is how Capel will weave Carrington and Lowe into the lineup.
“I’m pleased with them. Easy to coach,” he said. “They really want to get better, and they’ve gotten better. We have a lot of confidence in both of them.”
Carrington was with the first unit Friday in the team’s 12th practice, but Capel said it would be wrong to read too much into that. But he said he likes Carrington’s “feel for the game.”
“He can create, really good in ball screens, making reads. He’s done a good job, but so has Jaland. Earlier, we had Jaland out there. Both of those guys are going to play. They both could start. I don’t know.
“We’re looking at different lineups, what groups work the best.”
Lowe hit three baskets and handed out at least two assists. Carrington scored seven points from three areas — one 3-pointer, a two and two foul shots.
“They’ve been about the right stuff. They’re quick learners,” Capel said.
Capel said his veteran players, especially Hinson, are helping younger ones learn what it takes to succeed.
“If (the veterans) can impart wisdom to young guys, that’s when you have a chance to be at your best,” he said. “Those guys listen to me, definitely, unequivocally. But sometimes it means a little bit more when it comes from a really good player, and Blake’s a really good player.
“He’s a worker. He’s a believer. He’s a talker. He’s really confident. He leads in all of those ways, by his actions, by his words. He’s a guy — because of what he’s done, because of achievement and accomplishment — these guys look up to and respect. They know it’s something he earned. He’s a guy who commands a locker room, commands a huddle.“