Ithiel Horton's Father Blasts Jeff Capel as Decision to Transfer
The Pitt Panthers men's basketball program lost wing Ithiel Horton after his decision to enter the transfer portal. After the move became a topic of conversation, Horton's father, Kevin Horton, spoke with Pittsburgh Sports Now to discuss why his son is leaving.
Horton said the move was a "clean break" for his son and the team. Ithiel Horton has one year of eligibility remaining and will likely land someone with an opportunity to contribute in somewhat of a significant way.
Horton also mentioned head coach Jeff Capel as a factor in his son's decision.
"He’s been there three years and played there for two. Jeff Capel has been there for four and I’ll give him a pass for the first year but since then, what do you see? It’s the same each year," Horton told PSN. After a while, it becomes who you are."
Horton highlighted a number of areas of concern. First, was on the court.
"Defensively, they try and play the Syracuse zone and it’s a disaster," Horton said. "The other teams slice through it because it’s not proper. Their offense is such a stagnated offense. The other team knows it so well, they overplay all the guys and clog up the offense so you can’t score. The in-game coaching is the issue. Pitt has all the makings of a good program: the gym, the environment, I love it, the problem is between the lines."
Second was Capel himself, and the lack of "self responsibility" he has on the team's lack of success.
"When he said I need to recruit better players, that tells my son you’re not good enough," Horton said. "Instead, he should say this is all my fault and I’m going to do better. Whether the issue is good enough players or running a proper offense, they don’t do what I tell them to do in practice, you need to own it and have some self responsibility."
Horton also addressed the lack of relationships within the team and his son's legal troubles at the beginning of last season. But overall, the message was pretty straight forward.
"When kids like you and love you, they will be loyal, they will stay, they don’t want to leave," Horton said.
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