John Hugley IV's progression in his first full season with Pitt basketball is one of the major storylines of the program's season. While the Panthers are 10-16, 5-10 in the ACC, and looking at missing the NCAA Tournament for a sixth consecutive season, Jeff Capel's primary mission is to develop players who can be core leaders for when Pitt is ready to be conference contenders.
At the center of that is Hugley, who leads Pitt with 14.2 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game. After serving a suspension for his freshman season that took away all but five games he played last year, Hugley has grown in his skills as a dominating paint presence. But that road hasn't been easy and is still being paved as Hugley grows with each challenge in the ACC.
The more plays Hugley made this season, the more attention opposing teams paid to him in their game plans. It didn't take long for it to be customary for every opponent Pitt played to double-team him and make it so he can't get clean looks against a single forward.
That opposing strategy forced Hugley to a low point hen he only scored two points in back-to-back games against Virginia Tech in the first week of February. It wasn't the first time he struggled this season either, as he posted only a single point against Vanderbilt back in November.
But through those bad games, Hugley's had plenty of good ones. The latest came in Pitt's Saturday win over N.C. State, when Hugley finished with 21 points and ten rebounds. After the game, Capel took time to discuss the ups and downs Hugley's shown in his play this season, and how he's approached helping Hugley as his coach.
"You teach," Capel said of helping Hugley through his slump. "All of this time of the year is new for John. He didn't get past December last year. Late January and February are difficult times for freshmen and that's basically what he is. You've normally hit a wall and never gone through the intensity of practices and games. With him it's even more with how physical teams come at him and how he has to figure out the different looks he gets. You talk with him, you watch tape with him, you watch a lot of tape with him and show him in practice what's open. Then you hope he figures it out, is receptive and doesn't get down on himself."
Capel took more time Monday during an ACC coach availability to express his opinion outlook on Hugley's growth within the program during his first full season playing for Pitt.
"He's a really good kid," Capel said of Hugley. "He has great people in his life who have helped him navigate difficult situations as he was growing up. We'd like to think our community here is part of that now. He wants to be a good player, but also a good man. He's a willing listener. Sometimes as young people you think you have all the answers, but he's trusting and wants to better."
Part of wanting to be better involves acknowledging that "wall" Capel mentioned that comes with playing a first full season. Hugley not only acknowledged it during a media availability Monday, but explained his approach to overcoming it.
"Punch through that wall," Hugley said. "I remember last year that it was taken away from me, so I'm thankful to be playing this late in the season. Fatigue isn't even a thought on my mind. I just want to do what I need to do for us to win."
Hugley's struggles have come mostly from being double-teamed, leading to him committing turnovers, not playing aggressive and giving up the paint presence Pitt needs to survive in ACC games. But against N.C. State, Hugley posted a career-high of six assists, demonstrating he's learning how to better handle double-teams. He followed that up with an explanation Monday that he understands the theory of how he has to beat double-teams, but just needs to execute it with more consistency.
"Just make the appropriate pass," Hugley said. "It's not about making the perfect pass. Just make the right pass by seeing the open cutter. I need to take my time and seal better to get better position to make those passes."
Beyond just being better at double-teams, Hugley wants to become a leader that's part of what Capel is trying to build at Pitt basketball.
"I just need to be more poised and get my body to where it needs to be," Hugley said. "I still think I have a ways to go there. But I just have to keep improving as a player, a passer and a leader."
Wednesday, Hugley will get a major test on the road against North Carolina's Armando Bacot. Bacot has been one of the best players in the ACC, and gave Pitt fits last season when Hugley was unavailable scoring 21 points with ten rebounds in a 75-65 loss to the Tar Heels.
"Armando's one of the best players in our league, not just one of the best big guys," Capel said of Bacot. "He's got great hands, great touch and he's an elite offensive rebounder with great physicality. Hubert (Davis) and the rest of the guys there have done a really good job of developing him. He seems to be in better shape and plays at a high level for longer periods of time. It presents a lot of challenges for us."
Hugley sees the opportunity as a chance to show what he can really do when he puts together his best game.
"I think of it as a regular game," Hugley said of Pitt's matchup with North Carolina's Bacot. "We've got to see each other, so when we do, I won't stress about it. He's a player just like I'm a player. I do embrace the opportunity," Hugley continued. "It's not too often you play the guy people is saying the best in the conference. He's a pretty good player, but I feel like I'm a pretty good player. We'll see on Wednesday."
