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November 2, 2006

Exhibition Domination

Filed under: Basketball,Opponent(s),Uncategorized — Chas @ 8:10 am

Pitt apparently wasn’t messing around last night. They didn’t even let CMU think there was going to be a chance, even in an exhibition game. It was 16-2 Pitt with barely 5 minutes off of the clock. It was such a lopsided affair, that the only thing that seemed worth discussing was who actually started.

Jamie Dixon unveiled a starting five for the first time last night in an exhibition game against Carnegie Mellon. And, while it is far from set in stone, the lineup he started was different from what many had expected.

Dixon started seniors Aaron Gray and Levon Kendall at center and power forward, junior Mike Cook at small forward, senior Antonio Graves at shooting guard and junior Ronald Ramon at point guard in an easy, 103-45 victory against the Tartans at the Petersen Events Center.

Coach Dixon downplayed the whole thing, saying he has no real decisions about the starting lineup for the regular season. He made it very clear that just because a player starts doesn’t mean he will have the most minutes (see, DeGroat, John, 2005-06). Still, the noted that Dixon’s history suggests he favors starting the upperclassmen even if they don’t play too much.

There were plenty of substitutions.

All told, 10 players saw action in the first 10 minutes of the game, and Dixon used seven different lineup combinations in the first 11 minutes. No one played more than 23 minutes. Eight players saw at least 17 minutes of action.

“We spread the minutes out,” Dixon said. “Everybody got to get comfortable out there, which was good. There were a lot of good things out of it, but we’ve got a long way to go.”

Three other players saw at least 10 minutes of action and walk-ons Geoff Rizk (1-1) and Maurice Polen (0-5) each got 5 minutes.

Only thing of any concern was poor 3-point shooting in the 1st half.  Still, it was a nice warm-up and no one was injured.





Some of the poor 3 point shooting can be attributed to players making 3 point attempts that shouldn’t. Its too early to be concerned, but this has been an issue for Jamie Dixon teams.

Comment by beapanther 11.02.06 @ 12:23 pm

It was only their first game but nice result.

The 3 point shooting does not concern me that much as it should improve with better shot selection.

They did shoot 70% from the foul line but hopefully they can bring that number up because if they can consistently shoot 70%+ during the regular season they will be tough to beat in close games.

I think the players overall have worked their tail off in the off-season. They have seemed to not only make their games better but their conditioning as well. Some have put on muscle and others have lost weight.

I liked how last year when the starters rested the subs came in with hardly any drop-off. With the players making positive strides mentally, skill-wise, and physically they will be tough this year.

Go Pitt!

Comment by Kenny 11.02.06 @ 12:35 pm

Wait, Pitt has a basketball team?!?!?

Comment by Chris 11.02.06 @ 8:36 pm

I am so freaking pumped for this season. Anything less than a final 4 will be an absolute disappointment. One thing I am hoping – begging to see – is Dixon enforce some discipline.

So, for example, in the scenario below, when Sam Young launches up an ill-advised 3 — which for him, is pretty much any 3 that is not a desperation shot at the end of the half/game — Dixon immediately sits him down for a few minutes.

The players need to know there are consequences for making dumb decisions. If he can enforce some discipline on what is a really freaking talented team, there is no limit to what they can do this year.

Comment by Whigsboy 11.02.06 @ 10:57 pm

oh yea boys… we’re back and this year it’s all about getting down to business. i am so excited about the prospects for this year and i only hope that everyone else is just as excited! i went to the carnegie mellon game and there were many positives: Biggs looked awesome.. very impressed with his athleticism, our bench look deeper than it ever has with mike cook really stepping up to fill in our “starting five” (although dixon does say it could change… maybe with doyle hudson replacing cook?? senority rules.) it is really hard to pick on the negatives because it wasn’t REALLY a contest and quite honestly the team was only going at about 65% at any given time. but it’s only exhibition. California will be another cupcake game… but what i hope for more than anything is clean execution of plays and clean technique i.e. making sure we’re getting the BEST shot possible EVERYTIME.

that’s all for now…

ps.)is there a way to post pictures in the comments?? i have a fun shot of me and with levon kendall in his pregame warmup sweats!! 🙂

Comment by caroline 11.03.06 @ 12:45 am

Young has been working on his 3 point shot in the off-season and it was an exhibition game. Same needs to hit the outside jumpers to make defenders come out on him. With his quickness and leaping ability he can then blow to the hole or pass off. Lets see how Sam does with the 3 and jumpers in general in the pre-conference.

Comment by Kenny 11.03.06 @ 10:50 am

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