Nothing earth-shattering in the coverage. Actually, rather muted. The general feeling is that OSU is favored, because their offense has been functioning. I can’t predict this, I can only hope and root. In an article about how Brandin Knight almost got OSU point guard, John Lucas III to come to Pitt, Knight offers a small analysis
“First of all, this was a game I was hoping that was going to be played in the Final Four, not the Sweet 16,” said Knight. “I think the teams are real similar. But right now, they’re putting the ball in the hole more than we are. Some of our guys are going to have to pick it up. Julius has been more aggressive, and when his shots are falling, that’s a good thing. He can’t go into a shell, because they have guys who are going to score.
“I really think this game could come down to the big guys, I think if we match up inside with Chevy (Troutman) and Chris Taft, we’ll win the game.”
There’s another piece in the Trib about Lucas. Lucas was the Big 12 player of the year and was named to the 3rd team AP All-American team. I just can’t believe he’s 5’11” but only 152 pounds. I have to think that with Page and/or Brown on him, he is going to get banged about a whole lot, but maybe he can take it more than I think.
The P-G also focuses on OSU, but on their coach. Eddie Sutton’s quest for his first championship. How he built up programs, his battles with the bottle and corruption at Kentucky.
Of course, OSU and Sutton have a geographic history in this bracket to go with success in big games this year.
“When we went to the Final Four in 1995, we had to earn our way,” associate head coach Sean Sutton said. “We were a 4 (seed) and had to beat No. 1 (seed) Wake and then two days later turn around and beat No. 2 UMass.”
Oddly enough, that trip to the Final Four also went through East Rutherford. OSU must win twice against highly regarded opponents to duplicate that feat. But Sutton actually sees some benefits to playing a top-25 power.
“This team really gets excited to play other really good teams,” Sutton said. “They have played really well in big games this year. Our biggest games every year are the two against Oklahoma, the two against Texas and the game with Kansas.”
OSU went 6-0 against those three teams.
The Trib focuses on Dixon’s calm demeanor as keeping Pitt on an even keel. Not to be too cynical, but that only sounds good when they win. If Pitt loses, there will be more talk about how he needed to show more emotional. Get his players fired up. And the such.
The Pitt players have stopped talking about getting to the Final Four for now. They are focusing on the “one game at a time” aspect — getting to the Elite Eight — getting further than ever before.
“We’ve been to the Sweet 16 twice,” senior swingman Jaron Brown said. “We want to go farther this year. We know we’ve got four games left to the championship game, but we’re just taking it one at a time.”
…
“The last two years, we came up short in this game,” Page said. “I don’t think we’re ready for our run to be over. When you lose, you go home and we’re not ready to go home yet. As long as we keep winning, we’re going to keep playing basketball. I love to play basketball, so I’m going to do whatever I can in my power for us to win the game.”
Pitt’s quick turnaround time was the subject of a notebook piece. They got back from Milwaukee on Sunday and left for Jersey last night. Students were able to get tickets for the game, and some even slept outside the Pete for them.
The NY Times is going to have the people in Stillwater pissed at them at this rate. Another story on Krauser— focusing on his family — the hometown boy.
A couple more pieces on OSU players. One on Joey and Stevie Graham, fraternal twins on the OSU team. The other, and more interesting article (especially for Pitt fans) is on OSU’s top defender Tony Allen. Allen is a 6’4″, 213 senior guard. Allen will likely be covering Krauser — which means he has about 2 inches and 13 pounds on Krauser.
This suggests just how vital it may be for Troutman and Taft to get the ball, and for Page to actually take it to the basket. OSU’s defense is based more on the perimeter. While they are a strong, physical team, Pitt has size and weight advantage inside. They need to press that. This also means that Morris should get some time, just to push them around a little more.
