Pittsburgh Preview-Capsule

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Pittsburgh

Last season: 8-24, winless in Atlantic Coast Conference play (0-18).

Nickname: Panthers.

Coach: Jeff Capel.

Conference: ACC.

Who's gone: Head coach Kevin Stallings, forward Ryan Luther, guard Marcus Carr (transfer to Minnesota), guard Parker Stewart (transfer to Tennessee-Martin), guard Jonathan Milligan.

Who's back: Swingman Jared Wilson-Frame was the best player on a bad team last season, averaging 13.0 points and 3.5 rebounds. He dropped 25 pounds from his 6-foot-5 frame which should make it easier for him to get up the floor for Capel, who wants the Panthers to run. Guard Shamiel Stevenson averaged 8.5 points and 4.4 rebounds and has an intriguing all-around game. Forwards Kene Chukwuka and Terrell Brown are the best of the returning bigs.

Who's new: Guard Malik Ellison watched last season from the bench while sitting out a year due to NCAA transfer rules after coming over from St. John's. He averaged 7.4 points in two seasons for the Red Storm. Guard Sidy N'Dir comes over as a graduate transfer from New Mexico State, where he was a contributor on a team that reached the NCAA Tournament each of the last two years. The Panthers also welcome freshmen guards Xavier Johnson, Trey McGowens and Au'Diese Toney and Curtis Aiken Jr.

The Skinny: There is nowhere to go but up for the Panthers, who went into a tailspin following longtime coach Jamie Dixon's surprise departure in the spring of 2016. Capel's arrival brings a needed jolt of energy, though it will take time for that energy to translate into a return to serious contention in the nation's toughest confernce.

Expectations: None, at least according to Las Vegas. Oddsmakers have the Panthers at 5,000-1 to win the NCAA championship ... the same as cross-town rival Duquesne, which hasn't made the NCAA Tournament in 1977. More realistic, winning a handful of games in the ACC.