Pitt basketball coach tests positive

Pittsburgh basketball coach Jeff Capel has tested positive for COVID-19. The school said Saturday he will be unavailable when the Panthers (5-1) play Louisville on Tuesday. The team will continue to practice and play. Subsequent testing following Capel’s diagnosis resulted in no additional positive results. There was no immediate word on who would fill in for Capel when Pitt hosts the Cardinals. Tim O’Toole is listed as associate head coach while Jason Kapel, Jeff’s brother, and Milan Brown are assistants. In early December, Capel expressed his concerns about playing during the pandemic.

“These kids are away [from their families] and they’re out and they’re laying it on the line to entertain people. Something just doesn’t feel right about it right now,” Capel said earlier this month. “The numbers were what they were back in March. I look at it every day, man. It seems like every day it’s getting worse. I don’t know why you cancel it in March, but you say it’s OKto do it right now. But what do I know?”