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December 20, 2006

Admittedly Outworked

Filed under: Basketball,Players,Practice — Chas @ 8:19 am

The Pitt players didn’t like it, but it was clear to them upon watching the video evidence that Wisconsin simply outworked and outhustled them throughout the game.

“I think we got outworked,” said Kendall, a senior power forward. “That’s really what it came down to. We were making shots. A couple of our guys played really well. But really, we just got outhustled. They had more energy. They were more ready to play.

“That’s disappointing. I don’t think we got out-skilled or anything. It was just the little things. They were hustling, getting loose balls, things like that. That’s what we’ve been addressing the last few days, having that work ethic and being ready to go.”

Two telling statistics demonstrate Pitt’s sluggish play against the Badgers. Wisconsin outrebounded Pitt, 41-31, and Pitt had 28 personal fouls, which sent the Badgers to the free-throw line 44 times.

“It usually goes that the team that hustles more gets most of the calls,” junior guard Ronald Ramon said. “That sums it up right there. We didn’t play with the same intensity that they did. That’s why every call went their way. We didn’t play as hard as we should have.

“I’m pretty sure I’m speaking for my entire team when I say we were disappointed in that. We’re the ones playing. We didn’t execute and we didn’t play hard. They were better than us that day. We have to make sure we get back to playing the way we play.”

Both Kendall and Ramon added that the team in general had gotten a little complacent. Coach Dixon, as is his style defended the players from charges of being outworked, but at the same time conceded that the team needed to do a lot more in light of the game.

Players getting physical in practices seemed to have resumed after the loss with Sam Young and Levance Fields ending up with bloody lips.





This seems to be the fatal flaw of Pitt sports teams. They tend to perform much better as the underdogs still fighting for respect. When they get the respect they ease up and dont go for the kill. Reminds me of the 2003 football team ranked in the top 10 only to run into Toledo and once again fail to turn the corner. The #2 panthers were winning but not playing all that great. Wisconsin exposed their lack of effort. What is the deal with Sam Young? I get the impression this injury is going to linger all year. We really need his explosiveness. Hopefully this good ass kicking will be a wake up call and serve to beneft them in the upcoming tough schedule ahead.

Comment by Rex 12.20.06 @ 8:39 am

Thursday will be telling as to whether they are really ready to step up their intensity. I’m hoping Kendall in particular practices what he is preaching.

Comment by Carmen 12.20.06 @ 10:36 am

if gray and cook turn up the intensity level, we’ll be fine. kendall is not the problem.

Comment by Scott 12.20.06 @ 11:25 am

Just a note……
i think that dixon should try to find a way to have Ramon and Fields on the court more. I understand that you lose size on the defensive end, but it adds so much on offense. This would give you the opportunity to run ramon off screens and let fields penetrate and pitch. Fields is your point guard….no questions asked and Ramon is a 2. Lets see it more.

Also…..While Aaron Gray is a good player, i hate to admit it but Oden from Ohio St. would make Gray look like fool.

Comment by J.Dizzy 12.20.06 @ 11:39 am

I have not understood the Jamie Dixon line ups since he has taken over this team. Ramon is clearly a starter and should be getting way more minutes than he is. We have all been complaining about offense and defense, but doesn’t it all come back to coaching. I see the same things every year.

Comment by beapanther 12.20.06 @ 1:17 pm

Oden is a freak of nature. He reminds me of Carmelo Anthony back when he played for Syracuse.

It’s not their play style, just the fact that they were both brought in with one thing in mind, help the team win a national championship in 1 year.

Regardless if they win or not, he will bolt for the NBA almost immediately after the season ends, just like Melo did.

Comment by Ryan M 12.20.06 @ 1:36 pm

Ramon should come off the bench. He is a role player. You saw that last week against Wisconsin. He made 1-5 threes in the second half. He shouldn’t be playing 30 minutes a game and he isn’t going to carry your offense.

Comment by Omar 12.20.06 @ 2:57 pm

i agree that Ramon should get more time at shooting guard. It’s not just an offensive improvement……he’s the best on-ball defender they’ve got and they miss his D when he’s not on the court. when you combine that with the fact that he’s the only credible 3-pt threat you have…… the other guy who’s not getting enough time is Benjamin. He’s the best athlete they have playing guard, he rebounds like a demon and plays better D than Graves and he has some scoring pop that Graves lacks, too. On D, he was the only guy who had any success with Tucker last weekend.

Comment by yuri demetris 12.20.06 @ 3:57 pm

Agreed about Ramon playing the two, he can shoot and does have the ability to create. Also in respect to Benjamin. He brings energy, can score and would score more if his minutes were increased.

Comment by Kenny 12.21.06 @ 2:47 pm

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