8. Pittsburgh
The 2022-23 season was a must-win year for Jeff Capel, who brought in several quality transfers and led Pitt to multiple wins in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009.
He’ll need to hit big in the portal again this offseason, as they lose three of their top-four scorers in Jamarius Burton, Nelly Cummings, and Greg Elliott. On a positive note, Blake Hinson – the team’s leading scorer and rebounder – is back for his final season. That gives Capel an All-ACC guy to lean on.
Dior Johnson will also be back in the mix, giving Capel a playmaker and shot-creator in the backcourt. Johnson redshirted the 2022-23 season after being charged with simple assault and strangulation. In December 2022, he plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges and was sentenced to a year of probation.
Pitt has several quality pieces to build around, but Capel will need another good run in the portal to get the Panthers back in the mix at the top of the ACC.