Time to take a little closer look at the numbers and what the players did. Here are the special stats.
Pitt
Poss 62.3 Pace Moderate
O-Rating 99.5 D-Rating 107.5 (Eff. Margin -8.0)
eFG% 52.8 PPWS 1.10
A/TO 0.8 TO Rate 27.3% A/B 50.0%
Floor Pct 52.9% FT Prod 11.3WVU
Poss 63.3 Pace Moderate
O-Rating 105.9 D-Rating 98.0 (Eff. Margin +7.9)
eFG% 50.0 PPWS 1.04
A/TO 2.8 TO Rate 9.5% A/B 70.8%
Floor Pct 47.0% FT Prod 11.7
All things being equal, and they were disturbingly close, the turnovers were the biggest difference in the game. WVU missed more, and took a boatload more 3s: 36 of their 60 shots were 3s. They only shot 12-36, but that is like shooting 50% from the field — which is what they did from inside the arc.
Pitt with -11 in turnovers (17-6) took 7 less shots than WVU. While there is plenty to point to Pitt failing at the end, everything was sewn in the first half. The 11 turnovers in the first half, 8 less shots than WVU, not playing the perimeter tight enough, put Pitt in the hole from which they just could not emerge.
Pitt came out in the game looking to do the same thing as last time on defense, but spent most of the first half getting away from it. Players were not going out far enough to defend WVU’s shots — somehow forgetting that the ‘Eers will shoot really deep without hesitation. It’s not enough to just guard at the 3-point line. You have to extend.
The Pitt players also spent a lot of the first half, failing to adhere to strict man-to-man. Too many times, Pitt was playing the right defense, only to break-down on the drive. Someone couldn’t resist trying to step over to help, and sure enough the ball would be kicked out to the open man who would shoot or even pass to another player with an even better look. Given the distribution of where WVU shoots, 40% shooting from the 3-point line is worse for Pitt than letting WVU go about 50% from inside. In the first half, WVU shot 40.9% (9-22) on 3s and 40% (4-10) everywhere else. The eFG% in the first half for WVU was 54.7%
The second half, saw Pitt defend the 3 much better, not giving them as many shots and open looks. Go figure, they shot less from outside and made fewer (3-14). Pittsnogle was responsible for 2 of the 3 made 3s — when he took advantage of Gray being slow to come out on him.
Individual Player Thoughts
Carl Krauser: Ugh. 3-16 shooting (0-3 on 3s), 4 turnovers, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 31 minutes. A little more than a shot every 2 minutes. He played an absolutely horrible game. All the focus was on his offensive problems, but he was also part of the problem in the first half on defense.
He is the team leader, and sets the tone. He was guilty several times of trying to help on defense inside rather than staying with his man — allowing open 3s. A couple times he didn’t fight through screens, trying to instead anticipate where the player was running and WVU adjusted accordingly. Players took their cue from him on defense in the first half.
Aaron Gray: 7 points on 3-5 shooting, 7 rebounds (and only one offensive), 1 assist and 4 turnovers.
Let himself be pushed out of position under the basket too much, and hesitated when he did get the ball. It was probably the softest game he played this season. Pitt had 6 turnovers in the second half, Gray had 3 of them. One play that stood out, was late in the game with about 4 minutes left, Pitt down 61-55. The ball came in to Gray with Pittsnogle a little late. Gray hesitated as he saw the double-team coming. It gave Pittsnogle time to get position and Gray barrelled into him for the charge.
On defense, he hesitated on following Pittsnogle all the way outside. Part of it was fatigue. Unlike the first meeting where Pittsnogle had a horrible game and fouled out early, Pittsnogle played 39 minutes and Gray was tired.
Levon Kendall: He received a lot of praise by the ESPN crew, but they really ignored his critical errors on perimeter defense in the first half. He guarded the line, not the shooter too often. It burned Pitt. He also had a hard time resisting the urge to cheat and drift to the basket to try and help on defense or be in position for a rebound.
That takes away from an otherwise fine game. Kendall was Pitt’s best offensive rebounder, and had 3 blocks in the game, not to mention 4 assists a steal and 0 turnovers.
Ronald Ramon: An excellent game. Played very good defense for the full 34 minutes (team high) he was on the court. He understood the defensive game plan and did not leave his man.
Not only hitting his perimeter shots, but showed aggressiveness going to the basket which caught WVU off-guard. He finished shots, when they were clearly expecting him to pass. 12 points (5-6 shooting), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers.
Levance Fields: In the first half, he provided an offensive spark to help Pitt get back in the game. 10 points in the game, but only 1-4 on 3s in the second half (2-6 in game). He handled WVU’s defense very well and stayed with his defensive assignment.
Sam Young: Such a high ceiling. Hard to imagine when he goes 6-6 for 12 points and 6 rebounds in 23 minutes, but he also had 4 turnovers. He is still so raw and relying on his athleticism. He cost himself and Pitt several rebounds because he doesn’t box out out. He is still too used to simply leaping above everyone else for the ball.
Antonio Graves: Played aggressive and fouled out after 20 minutes. He also came up with 6 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist and 2 turnovers. He didn’t force shots, and focused on defense.
Keith Benjamin: Only 6 minutes but he grabbed 3 rebounds and threw down one shot. He is not as strong defensively, and that was what Pitt needed last night more than offense.
Tyrell Biggs: Got to be honest, never even noticed him out on the court for his 3 minutes in the first half.
John DeGroat: He’s going to get the start in the final game against Seton Hall, but I don’t see how Coach Dixon can risk starting him in the Big East or NCAA Tournaments. He managed to turn the ball over twice in the first 1:17, and Pitt didn’t even start with the ball. He had potential, showed some flashes, has a fantastic story, but is just not that good.
