ACC Basketball: 10 biggest storylines to watch for 2022-23 season

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 27: Head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange reacts in the first half of their Sweet Sixteen game against the Houston Cougars in the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 27, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

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Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Jeff Capel Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

6. A top-50 prospect fell into Pittsburgh’s lap

Coach Capel basically admitted it in the team’s media availability concerning the circumstances with Dior Johnson. He was originally committed to Oregon (and to Syracuse in the year prior) but became a free agent this offseason and somehow, Pittsburgh landed him. Johnson is currently ranked in the top-50 of the freshmen class but at one point was a five-star prospect and ranked in the top 10 overall.

The Panthers don’t usually get recruits like Johnson and he instantly becomes one of the best non-Duke freshmen in the ACC. He immediately becomes a starter and a focal point in the offense. Johnson and Colgate transfer Nelly Cummings is a big upgrade in the backcourt and if he looks like the “five-star” player not too long ago, this team could make a leap up the standings.

Pittsburgh has an all-conference player on the roster in John Hugley to build around and a solid group of newcomers. Plus, the team gets back Nike Sibande, a career double-digit scorer at Miami (OH), back after missing all of last season with an injury. As I said before, there aren’t many excuses for Coach Capel, as there is finally depth all throughout the roster. The team has a chance to compete for a postseason bid but will need Johnson to play a starring role in it.