Another batch of preseason prognostications and commentaries.
Sports Illustrated just released it’s College Basketball Preview. They rank Pitt #13. Their piece focuses on Chris Taft.
Look for Taft and junior guard Carl Krauser to take expanded leadership roles this season, with one goal in mind: “It may be early, but I’m saying it now — we’re winning a national championship,” Taft says, “and don’t forget who told you that.”
This is straight from the actual magazine, it wasn’t on the preview:
Enemy Lines an opposing coach’s view:
Their mind-set is to try to break your spirit; they don’t care if they beat you 50-48. They play a half-court, slug-it-out style on offense, and they don’t give you an inch in half-court defense. … Chevon Troutman is as physical a low-post player as there is in the country; he knows how to engage in hand-to-hand combat. … The team’s success depends on the maturity of Carl Krauser and Chris Taft. Krauser doesn’t have to score 20 a game for them to be good. In fact, if he tries to score too much, it could hurt the team. Taft has great hands and is as good a low post scoring option as there is in the country.
And note, that they call them “Pitt” not Pittsburgh. After years of trying to change the moniker, it is time to give up the ghost on it.
The USA Today Preview of Pitt is not that different from most other evaluations. Great D, struggle to shoot, Taft and Krauser. The usual.
CollegeHoopsnet puts Pitt at #15, and has a very good breakdown of the team. They are one of the few to see that Ramon will likely get a lot of minutes because of his ability to shoot 3s. Also, their preview is the only one I’ve read to recognize the issue I’ve been harping on for a while:
It will be interesting to see who squeezes into the Pitt starting lineup. Coach Dixon could put sophomore Aaron Gray in at center and, along with Taft and Troutman, go with a big lineup. That might be the only option if two wing players canÂ’t step up and prove they should be starting. With so many options, something will be working for Pitt by the time they need it. The usual soft schedule will give plenty of time for Coach Dixon to sort everything out before the Big East schedule begins.
Then Dan Shanoff on ESPN.com, Page 2 gives his “Hot/Not for College Basketball” this year. Ashley Judd remains the hot fan. Until Jessica Alba or Adriana Lima starts showing up at games, this isn’t likely to change any time soon. Sorry, got distracted. The point was that under REAL top NBA Prospect, Chris Taft was Hot and Chris Paul was Not.
