Sorry, had a lot of off-line things to do. Just got back. Fire away.
Halftime: Pitt leads 44-39. Pitt shooting really well, but Aurburn hanging tough.
I never got to post this link yesterday, but Auburn basketbal has been struggling mightily with getting anyone to show up for the games.
The average announced attendance at Auburn’s previous home games is 3,160. However, the realistic number is much closer to just 2,000 per game.
“It hasn’t been great,†Lebo notes. “We’re used to it. It’s been hard for our guys.â€
…
In an effort to help the needy during the holiday season as well as increase attendance for the game against the Panthers, there will be free admission with an unwrapped toy as part of a Toys for Tots drive. Tickets for the general public are just $10 and student tickets are free to the first 500 and only $2 after that.
“They said when I got here that you’ve got to bring in better non-conference people in here to play, and I don’t know if we can get any better than this one,†Lebo notes.
It’s not like the football team had a game yesterdy.
Final: Here’s the box score. Despite free tickets, they only got around 6500 for this game, officially. Fields had a horrible game — probably his worst as a Panther, Kendall didn’t do any scoring but led in assists with 5 and grabbed 9 rebounds, Gray with a workmanlike double-double (16 points, 12 rebounds) and 6-7 on free throws. Antonio Graves provided the 1st half spark with 12 of his 14 points for the game and 5-5 shooting in the half.
They were emphatic about Auburn’s successful use of the high pick and roll.
Speed does kill.
In the past, they’d take a small lead into halftime then pull away early or about the middle of the second half. They did that this game, but let Auburn crawl back into it due to turnovers and missed free throws. That scares me a little bit.
Also, didn’t see the box score, but did Sam Young get in? I don’t remember seeing him much (if at all).
I think Auburn is the best team we’ve played, and playing on the road helped us (even though the environment was less that hostile).
here in Philly couldn’t pick up the gm. and I’m a Comcast subscriber — looked through every channel listing and could’ve been certain it’d be broadcasted … just couldn’t find it … no dice. Anyone else in the region have the same difficulty, I’m wondering? (sh*t, we’re ranked #2 in AP, yes?) Disappointing, really; haven’t seen a bball game yet ….
I don’t care if they have won the last two games, Dixon can not look at these performances and be anything other but disappointed. Don’t say a win is a win. They should beat a team like Auburn by 20. They should beat a team like RMU by 30. These are the same problems they had last year.
If the final four is really their goal – which is what I keep hearing these guys say – they sure as hell have not demonstrated that the last two games.
Auburn is not a great team and most of their players are young/inexperienced. They played good today and in particualr inside. The inside play, their quickness, and the plethora of Pitt TOs kept them in the game and made it close at the end.
As for Pitt it was hairy there at the end but thank goodness Auburn started clankin on the foul shots as well.
Young came in the first half and was not in long before he stepped into a double team on the baseline and turned the ball over. Dixon took him out and I did not see him in again. Dixon also yanked Cook out after a TO and pulled Graves out after he took a bad shot early in the shot-clock.
This is the first all-Dixon team this year and he seems to want to let the guys know that it is his way or the bench.
Ramon looked great, Graves looks so much better than last year, and Young looks out of place a the 3 spot.
It was my first time watching them and they seemed to be little out of sinc but they won.
Still they won and like someone said they did not lose to Oral Roberts!!!
That said, they managed to win even with crappy performances. I just hope we see some superb performances these next few games.
Also from Philly area and never get the games on TV. Although I have seen many games through internet. I subscribe to a service thorugh the PITT web site and it works great. Only $8/mth and I’ve already seen NorthEastern, Oakland, UMass, Florida St & Auburn. 5 games for $8. Much better than any other TV/Cable offer. Also watched games where internet access is available. I don’t have to be at my house. Here is what I wrote on a previous post under “Finally There”…
Just an FYI. You can go to http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com and pull up the men’s hoop schedule. There you can click on the game and get options to watch or listen to it. The service is only $7.95 per month and I plan on cancelling after basketball season. So far I watched a few games through the internet and it works very well. Sometimes a little slow, but most of the time it is like watching on TV. I know the Auburn Game is covered to watch, but all games are not. Worst case, you can listen to it. Good luck with it!
