Four college basketball coaches on the hot seat entering the season

Pope has since built a solid roster but now needs to translate that talent to more success. Marquee non-conference matchups against Kansas, Louisville and North Carolina give the Wildcats the chance to quickly rise in the rankings and return to the national spotlight. If they fail to do so, Pope will be out of excuses given the resources invested in Kentucky’s basketball program.

Jeff Capel (Pitt)

Inconsistency sums up Jeff Capel’s tenure at Pitt. After a few rough seasons, Capel put together back-to-back campaigns with 20 or more wins in 2022 and 2023, only to stumble again in recent years. The Panthers have heard their name called on Selection Sunday just once since Capel arrived, leading many to believe it’s a matter of when, not if, he will be fired.

Capel must find consistency, as Pitt hasn’t won three or more conference games in a row since the 2023 season. A favorable November schedule gives him the chance to quiet the noise temporarily, but the Panthers must become competitive in the ACC again or the university won’t hesitate to pay Capel’s buyout.

Porter Moser (Oklahoma)

Porter Moser is another SEC coach whose time is ticking. He likely would’ve been fired last season if not for Oklahoma winning six of its final seven conference games. Nonetheless, the Sooners have a new athletic director and Moser only has one year left on his contract.

Standout transfers Duke Brennan and B.J. Edwards, both of whom are still awaiting an eligibility verdict, would go a long way toward improving the team and helping Moser retain his job. An early test against Purdue will reveal where Oklahoma stands and whether it can reach the NCAA Tournament for just the second time under Moser.

Penny Hardaway (Memphis)

Penny Hardaway was a legendary player at Memphis and saw great success as a coach until last season. He led the Tigers to a 13-19 record, their worst since 1969, raising concerns regardless of his past contributions to the program.

Memphis brings in 13 newcomers, including a pair of key transfers in guard Jayden Reid and forward Tylik Weeks, additions that have generated excitement around this year’s squad. Showdowns with Iowa State, Vanderbilt and Louisville in the first two weeks will quickly show how much the Tigers have improved.

Hardaway recently asked Memphis athletic director Ed Scott for $9 million to fund a roster capable of making the Sweet 16, even offering $2.6 million of his own money. Ultimately, the school agreed to cover the $9 million, so if Hardaway fails to fulfill his predetermined goals, he’ll likely be hitting the road.