Now the second half was entertaining. Not just because Pitt won. It sure helped, but the USC announcing crew seemed to pick up their own effort in the second half to make the difference.
In the first few minutes of the second half, they commented that to this point, this may have been the Gamecocks’ best defensive effort. They didn’t, however, sound sure that it would continue. Kept commenting about how they’ve played some good teams tight, but haven’t won yet. Then as Pitt was on a 10-0 run about halfway through the second half, they were just going off on the team. Talking and ranting about their mistakes. How they were giving away the game and the opportunities. It was a riot. Sure they were homers, but you expected that. They were just funny about it.
As for the second half of the game itself. Pitt turned up the intensity and really started getting the ball inside. Troutman, who only took one shot in the first half, went 8-10 from the field in the second and stayed on the boards. He finished with 20 points and 12 boards. His only negative was going only 2-5 from the Free Throw line, including 2 misses at the end of the game when Pitt needs to have them.
Krauser finished the game strong after a hideous first half. He definitely didn’t have his shot tonight. After going 1-6 in the first half, he only attempted 4 shots (making only 1) but was the guy making the clutch free throws at the end when USC was successfully fouling to try and snatch the win back. Krauser made all 6 FTs in the last minute to help Pitt hold onto the game. He ended up with 14 points and 10 coming from the charity stripe. He can annoy and frustrate at times in the game, but he is still the guy on the team I like seeing with the ball in the last couple minutes.
Taft had a so-so night. I expected a better game from him, and I’m starting to wonder if maybe his elbow that he hurt in preseason might still be bothering him. He was dreadful at the FT line at 2-7. He finished with 5-10 shooting and 12 points but only had 6 rebounds and 1 block. Plus he had at least 2 shots blocked by USC during the game. Just should not happen.
Ramon played a solid game. He was 50% shooting 3s, making open looks that were given. He will keep earning minutes with 11 points in only 21 minutes.
Yuri Demetrius gave his usual defensive effort, but also provided some actual offense tonight. He hit 2-3 3-pointers. Clearly Coach Dixon likes the defense Demetrius gives the team.
Antonio Graves, coming off the ankle sprain was not much of a scoring factor with only 3 points. He did however have 5 assists and a steal while playing a good defense.
Mark McCarroll is losing minutes rapidly. He has become this year’s Toree Morris. The big senior who just is getting lapped. McCarroll still looks lost playing defense, and is now afraid to shoot. If he can’t even provide the offense, he will not be getting off the bench much. It’s part of the reason, Pitt has gone to starting 3 guards, rather than using 2 guards and 2 forwards.
Aaron Gray has become the most reliable bench player to spell Troutman or Taft. He is showing a much better touch on his shots and is handling passes much better. He still needs to improve the defense, but he is staying at home more. I expect his minutes will keep increasing.
Looking at the boxscore, what is missing? Keith Benjamin and John DeGroat. Neither even got in the game. This was Pitt’s toughest game, and the first one they really had to fight and the outcome was in doubt until the end. Suddenly the Pitt bench got a lot shorter. The players out there this night will be the ones we will be seeing when Pitt starts playing the upper-half of Big East teams. The only guy I think could get on the court still, is DeGroat. McCarroll, if he continues to struggle will get less time. Perhaps Levon Kendall as well.
