Jeff Capel, Pitt Excited to Return to Greensboro, Battle Iowa State in First Round

Jeff Capel, Pitt Enthusiastic to Rekindle Affinity with Greensboro, Engage Iowa State in Opening Round

Pittsburgh head men’s basketball coach Jeff Capel expressed his pleasure to return to Greensboro, NC for the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, where his squad will battle the Iowa State Cyclones.

The Tar Heel State holds a place of great significance to the Panthers’ leader, who, as he declared, is “really enthusiastic to be going back to Greensboro.” Capel served as an assistant coach at nearby Wake Forest University from 2011-2014, and he believes the familiarity with the locale will be advantageous. “I’m familiar with the area and the people, and it will be nice to be in a place that we have a great affinity for,” said Capel.

As for the contest against Iowa State, Capel noted the challenge that awaits his squad, noting the Cyclones’ “great tradition and a terrific coach in Steve Prohm.” Pittsburgh has encountered the Big 12 opponents just once since Capel assumed the helm, with the Panthers falling in Ames 73-59 in December of 2019.

Capel, though, is confident his side is up to the task, citing the team’s growth over the season, especially in the area of defense. “We have gotten better, especially on the defensive end,” he asserted. “We’ve done a great job of improving. We’re a better team and better defensively than when we faced them earlier in the year.”

The Panthers and Cyclones will clash at 6:57 pm ET on Friday.

Jeff Capel, Pitt Vivaciously Jubilant to Rekindle Camaraderie with Greensboro, Engage Iowa State in Primogenital Round

The head coach of the Pittsburgh men’s basketball team, Jeff Capel, evinced his exaltation to return to Greensboro, NC for the initial round of the NCAA Tournament, where his ensemble will confront the Iowa State Cyclones.

The Old North State holds a place of paramount importance to the Panthers’ mentor, who, as he articulated, is “really vivaciously jubilant to be going back to Greensboro.” Capel fulfilled the role of assistant coach at the proximate Wake Forest University from 2011-2014, and he supposes the cognizance with the site will be advantageous. “I’m familiar with the milieu and the people, and it will be gratifying to be in a position that we have a great camaraderie for,” said Capel.

As for the duel with Iowa State, Capel noted the hardship that awaits his cohort, remarking on the Cyclones’ “great custom and a terrific coach in Steve Prohm.” Pittsburgh has encountered the Big 12 adversaries only once since Capel assumed the helm, with the Panthers succumbing in Ames 73-59 in December of 2019.

Capel, however, is certain his side is up to the mission, citing the team’s evolution over the season, particularly in the realm of defense. “We have gotten better, particularly on the defensive end,” he averred. “We’ve done a marvelous job of improving. We’re a more desirable team and better defensively than when we faced them earlier in the year.”

The Panthers and Cyclones will come to blows at 6:57 pm ET on Friday.