In 2 of Pitt’s 4 losses and the 3-drink minimum to watch game with ND, the issue was the other team dropping 3s. That is what Pitt will be facing with Villanova.
Villanova is a lot like West Virginia and Notre Dame in that the Wildcats use the 3-point shot as a major part of their offense. They shoot 36.7 percent from behind the arc, behind only Pitt (41.0) and Notre Dame (39.5) in the Big East. They average almost 20 3-point shots a game.
“They’re kind of similar to Notre Dame as far as perimeter scoring goes,” Dixon said. “But they do it off the dribble and use penetration to find guys. They let them create.”
Villanova is the highest-scoring team in the Big East, averaging almost 76 points per game in conference play. The Wildcats are led by the high-scoring guard trio of Allan Ray, Randy Foye and Mike Nardi. All three average in double figures for the season. Ray (17.2 points per game) is the top scorer and 3-point shooter (43.1 percent).
That means Pitt’s guards will need to stay on them. Graves and Ramon will get the bulk of the time. Benjamin may only get extended minutes if one of them gets into foul trouble.
Shooting a lot of 3s, especially deep ones, means Pitt will have to contend with long rebounds. Something they are a little inconsistent about doing. Taft and Gray are not particularly adept at moving out quickly to grab rebounds. If Troutman drifts too far out, it can be a risk because then Pitt’s best inside defender is out of position and risks giving up an easy lay-up or inside basket. A lot of pressure on the perimeter defense.
Villanova is tough at home. They are 10-1 — the loss last weekend to Syracuse. This team has been big on potential for a couple years, but now appears to be putting it together. They survived near death earlier in the season when their charter plane suffered instrument failure. Naturally, they all say that only brought them closer together.
Villanova needs this game to help solidify its resume for the NCAA Tournament. They have a big win against Kansas, but need to show a little more. In a rarity for ‘Nova they have some control over whether they make it.
Either way, the ball is in VillanovaÂ’s court. The Wildcats donÂ’t need to make a run in the Big East Tournament or have the rest of the conference tournaments go according to plan to earn an engraved invitation to the “Big Dance.”
“We control our own destiny,” point guard Mike Nardi said. “ItÂ’s a good feeling.”
It sure is, because the Wildcats have not been in this position in this millennium. And that makes it exciting, especially this week with Pittsburgh and Boston College coming to town.
Controlling your destiny is overrated. Generally that’s just code for, “we are still trying to make up ground for blowing some games earlier in the season.”
The Wildcats do not get much love from their local papers. There is no previewing the game. No hype. Nothing. I realize there are a bunch of colleges in Philly playing Div. 1 basketball, but only one is in the top-25; and only one has a big game today.
As far as the NCAA Tournament goes, Joe Bendel speculates that Pitt may be the best hope of the Big East to make a deep run.
Somewhat of a reversing of the field from P-G columnist Ron Cook. A couple weeks ago, ostensibly in the context of questioning the teams effort against WVU, Cook spent most of his column criticizing Krauser. Actually complaining that Krauser wasn’t able to hoist a wild shot as the half came to an end. This piece lauds Krauser for his toughness and willingness to take the last shot. Whatever.
There’s a piece relating to Pitt’s swimming teams’ successes and the hope to improve the facilities via the “Quest for Excellence” fundraising drive.
Another story regards former Pitt head coach (1975-1980), and present Portland Trailblazer assistant, Tim Grgurich. Grgurich was also the top assistant for Jerry Tarkanian at UNLV in the 80s. Turns out he turned down an opportunity to become head coach at Providence after Pitino left.
Grgurich went 69-70 at Pitt, but his team was improving each year. Despite him being from Pittsburgh and having gone to school at Pitt, the story gives a pretty good indication why he was fired.
So listen to Pete Newell, Hall of Fame coach, talk about Grgurich.
…
“I remember Tark telling me one time, ‘You hire Timmy and there’s certain things you’re going to have to accept. He won’t meet with press and he’s not going to meet with the alumni. And when he’s scouting, he wants to go out and scout by himself.’“That’s Tim.”
That is a career assistant. He now lives in Las Vegas in the offseason. Seems a shame if Pitt couldn’t find a way to tap his knowledge.
