Jeff Capel blasts ACC Network for contributing to negative perception of conference

Pittsburgh head coach Jeff Capel blasted the ACC Network for its contribution to the negative perception of the conference.

Those are at least Capel’s thoughts based on what he watched on the conference’s television network. He even compared the ACC’s coverage to the Big Ten based on how its network covers its 14 teams in a positive light.

Simply put, the Pitt coach was not happy about how the ACC was perceived to have a “down year” in 2022-23.

“When we were at Virginia Tech, the night before, I’m watching our network and one of the first questions that comes up is: ‘Is it perception or reality the ACC is down?’” Capel said Monday on the ACC coaches call. “I never see that on the Big Ten Network. I watch the Big Ten Network a lot because one of my best friends coaches in that league, so I’m watching them.

“They’re always, always pumping the Big Ten. Always. I think it’s a really good league, but I think ours is too. I wish the people that represent us would have the respect, pump our league and be positive, instead of looking at negative things.”

Capel and the Panthers are 19-8 on the season, the best under his watch since he took over prior to the 2018-19 season. He is 70-76 with Pitt and 245-186 overall with VCU, Oklahoma and Pittsburgh.

Pitt is third in the ACC behind Virginia and Miami, which both have a slightly better conference record than the Panthers. 

But as far as teams in the top 25, Virginia (No. 7) and Miami (No. 13) are the only two teams ranked in the latest AP Poll. NC State, Pitt and Duke all received votes.

Meanwhile, the Big Ten is deep this season and the Big 12 could make history with all 10 teams in the NCAA Tournament. Eight of the 10 were projected in Joe Lunardi’s latest bracketology over the weekend.

North Carolina, the preseason No. 1 team, is just 16-11 and 8-8 in the ACC. Fellow Blue Blood Duke fared a little better so far with a 19-8 record overall, but neither are ranked late in the season.

While it might be a down year for the conference on paper too, Capel did not hide his feelings about the ACC Network.

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Pitt returns to the hardwood Tuesday at home against Georgia Tech at 7:00 p.m. ET.