Jeff Capel has his Pittsburgh squad in contention for an ACC title this season in what has been perceived as a “down year” for the league. Capel also has one culprit partially to blame for that perception of the ACC.

During Monday’s coach’s call, Capel was asked about the “down year” perception and pointed toward the ACC Network’s coverage of the league as a part of the problem. Capel specifically compared the ACC Network to what he sees from coverage on the Big Ten Network.

“When we were at Virginia Tech, the night before, I’m watching our own network and one of the first questions that comes up is: ‘Is it perception or reality that the ACC is down?’ 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,” Capel explained. “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 respect, pump our league and be positive, instead of looking at negative things.”

While Capel has some issues with the coverage of the league, it remains true that the ACC had just 2 teams featured on the latest AP Top 25. Meanwhile, traditional stalwarts in Duke, UNC and Syracuse have all struggled with the Tar Heels potentially on the wrong side of the bubble heading toward the ACC Tournament.

We’ll see if the network has anything to say in response to Capel’s criticism.