Now there is a national buzz.
Andy Katz at ESPN seems to be salivating over the idea of a physical, brutal game. The Philly Inquirer is merely perfunctory in noting the similar physicality.
The match-up between the two point guards is already looking to be a battle. Hopefully, Krauser will keep his ego and game in check.
Sweet 16 Stories for Pitt
Pitt is 0-2 in the last 2 years in the Sweet 16. They are not ready to go 0-3.
This could be the most important game in the Pitt basketball program’s history— at least in the modern era. (Considering how the football team blew it’s chance at such a gold ring this past year, that just fills me with dread.)
Both note that unlike the previous Sweet 16, this time Pitt is the underdog. The spread may not be much, but there are far more people who think OSU will win than Pitt will.
Coaching Stories
Greg Doyel at CBS SPortsline does a comparison on Dixon and Sutton — how the road to becoming a head coach has changed over the years, and how that effects the style of coaching. Worth reading.
This piece comparing the two coaches is more superficial.
And of course a piece on Coach Sutton. Since the story is from Boston, and they apparently are still not sick of the phrase, the title includes ‘Cowboy Up’ in it. Stop it.
Pieces on Pitt players
The NY Post gives its hometown love to the Panthers — specifically Krauser, Taft and McCarroll.
Long P-G feature on Krauser. My big worry, after the love in the NY papers for him earlier in the week, will have him come out trying to be the one-man team early and get Pitt in a deep hole. Krauser was also given honorable mention on the AP All-American team.
Pieces on OSU players.
John Lucas III stories can be found here, here, here and here.
Chicago has its hometown player and angle in Tony Allen.
Predictions and Evaluations
Pros and cons for all teams being able to win it all.
PITTSBURGH PANTHERS
Why they can win: The old saying is that defense wins championships, and the tough, physical Panthers hold opponents to 56.2 points a game. With Carl Krauser, Jaron Brown and Julius Page outside and Chevon Troutman and talented freshman center Chris Taft inside, Pitt has a balanced lineup that can match up well with most teams.
Why they can’t: Points also win championships, and Pitt has failed to reach 60 points in either tournament victory.
OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS
Why they can win: They’re a lot older than most of the other teams in this tournament, for one thing, with a lineup dotted with players who are 21, 22 and 24. They have a terrific point guard in Baylor transfer John Lucas, and they play good defense and score points.
Why they can’t: The Cowboys have matchup problems because of their lack of size. Ivan McFarlin, at 6-8, is the tallest starter.
The Dallas paper goes with OSU because of their balance. The accompanied breakdown (PDF) is partially useful, but mostly inaccurate in stats. Check out the points per game numbers for the OSU players (hint, they list 3 players as averaging more than 30 PPG and 2 more with 20+).
In Atlanta, the paper won’t say it, but hints at favoring OSU.
This could be the most physical game of the tournament. Pitt plays ferocious defense but, as its late collapse in the Big East final against UConn showed, can struggle to score. With transfer John Lucas at the point, Oklahoma State won the Big 12 regular-season title and then the conference tournament — its first Big 12 tourney title since 1995, when it won the East Regional and went to the Final Four.
From The Oklahoman, surprise, surprise, a columnist picks OSU. It’s worth reading, just to see how the OSU fans and people who have watched the team all year see them. Essentially — athletic, great balance and smart. Maybe they are, but it seems OSU hasn’t faced a team that has been able to dictate the pace of a game (even when Pitt loses) like Pitt.
Toughness of the two teams is this story. Comparing the stories both teams have up and down from the coaches to the players from the mean streets of Chicago to Brooklyn. Etcetera.
Actual Information
Dixon hasn’t revealed who he will assign to guard individual OSU players. He also indicated that they won’t be on the same guy the entire time. Not a big surprise. Dixon has had no problem shifting defensive assignments during the game. One of Dixon’s strengths has been showing flexibility during the game on how to handle the defense on the court.
Rebounding for OSU is a huge factor. They are 23-1 this year when they outrebound a team. OSU players have mentioned Texas as being their most physical games. They won all three games against Texas and outrebounded them. Pitt will have to show the same aggressiveness on the glass that they showed against Wisconsin.
A little capsule piece on key players for both sides and why.
Notebooks
OSU Notebook column. Going all out to provide all the Texas and Oklahoma links the Pitt program has.
The P-G notebook column is not that interesting. More just tidbits of factoids and quotes.
The Trib notebook notes that both Troutman and Brown have minor ankle injuries that have limited their practice this week. I don’t really think these will be much of a factor. Former Pitt coach Ben Howland is rooting for Pitt and thinks they’ll win.
My thoughts
I don’t know. I think my wife is thinking of taking our daughter and going to a hotel tonight. I wouldn’t say that is an outrageous idea. It may just be the coffee, but I am already amped for this.
Pitt keys.
1. Defense first.
2. Get the ball inside early, and get some shots to drop right away. Against Wisconsin and UCF, they got good looks, but everything rolled around the rim or bounced off. You could see frustration on their faces after the first 5-10 minutes.
3. Don’t look to run with OSU. Pitt has fallen behind early in games against ND and UConn when they let the emotion and importance of the game let their adrenaline take over. They started running down court looking for the quick score rather than set up the shot. Pitt has dictated the pace against any team that tries to speed things up.
4. Out rebound OSU. Fight like they did against Wisconsin for every ball. Not like they were against UCF, when they stood around more. Fighting for rebounds is the best way for Pitt to assert their physical presence. They won’t intimidate OSU by just bumping them inside or contesting shots and such. It comes from not being moved when you have position and being able to move them.
5. Krauser has to stay in check. (See #3) Krauser dictates the pace for Pitt as the point guard. He has to keep his emotions and drive in some check. We know he wants this game, and has a tendency to try to do it all. Especially if Page is not shooting. He forgets to get it inside.
6. Page, Troutman and Taft. Two of these three have to score at least 12 points each, or all three need to combine for at least 32. That means they are shooting well and making free throws.
