How many of you thought we were going to win yesterday’s game before tipoff? (Not me; my prediction was G’town 78 Pitt 68 but obviously the defenses made my score look bad points-wise.) So let’s not get too upset that we lost the game. Instead, we should be a little more concerned about what this all means going forward.
We’ve had our share of problems in the last 5 games or so. What we need ASAP is a game where we play very solidly for all 40 minutes. We’re going to be playing teams that need to win as much as we do though so we’re not going to be walking down easy street.
We also need to be strong up in New York City. It’s not imperative that we win the Big East Tournament — we’ve done that before and it doesn’t automatically put us past the Sweet Sixteen — but it’s not something the Panthers can just blow off. We can’t play like clowns for the rest of the regular season and in NYC and then expect to flip a switch going into the NCAA Tournament. As commenter Stuart said, “We can’t play bad down the stretch and then ‘turn it on’ in the tournament.”
But once again, don’t get too worked up. This wasn’t a game we could have expected to win anyways. We’re still a Top 25 team and looking at past years, we can see that right now any Top 25 team has a legit shot at the Final Four.
Other things from yesterday:
—As much as I hate to complain about refs, yesterday’s game caused me to scream at the TV more than I usually do. It seems like every foul called on Levance Fields was complete crap. To sum up yesterday’s calls, look at this picture (courtesy of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).
Levon Kendall being held by Roy Hibbert. I don’t know if this was a shot by Kendall (the PG caption says it was a drive to the basket) but if it was, it wasn’t called — Kendall shot 0 foul shots.
—Round of applause to Aaron Gray. He showed some big time guts yesterday buy playing the kind of minutes he did. Forget it that he was slower than ever, he’s committed to the team and wants to leave Pitt knowing he did whatever he could.
—Lastly, a little update on a few teams we saw back in December. Auburn upset 25th ranked Alabama yesterday while Florida State has a very good chance of making the field with an at-large bid. Does that brighten up your day at all? Probably not.
* Pitt lost to a better team
* Dixon put in 2 new inbounds plays, 3 set plays (a doublescreen which Ramon hit a nice 3 on)and a new O set against the “man D”. Teams have scouted us to death and we need some new ammuntion…glad to see it.
* Speaking of scouting, it was obvious they had
Field’s moves down to a T, including his “dribbling exhibitions” (ala Krauser)where he puts his shoulder down and either goes toward or directly away from the basket. Refs will call the charge every time! Cost us 4 turnovers as they trapped him unmercifully!
* Fields was a “head case in the second half” dropping F bombs galore. Dixon had to pull him just to try to settle him down.
* Pitt got absolutely mugged! Ref’s no -calls were criminal…still, you have to keep your poise.
* GT guards traveled at least 6 X with no-calls.
You cannot carry the ball on your spin dribble!
* After coaching HS and AAu for 16 yrs., my heart
went out to Dixon. He had to make some very
unwanted substitutions just to try to control some
aspect of a game the officials just let go.
He did NOT just sit there. Tried all he had
in the last 10 minutes to turn the game around.
* Ramon at the point for almost 13 minutes (and Fields amazingly at the 2 for 4minutes) helped cost us the game. You can never make up for turnovers at the top of the key by your 1 or 2.
* Agree with Stuart….this is a team in trouble.
Tired of the Cook rants on or near the bench
and saw a lot of dissent on players faces with
the subs. This team has turned on Dixon.
* That said…I agree they were never more than a
top 15 team. Athletic backcourts will eat them
alive.
* One thing I cannot get over…foul shooting form by Pitt. I cannot believe our coaches cannot
take Gray, Kendell, Cook, et al aside and say,
this is the way you are going to shoot fouls…period. It is a miracle when they go in.
Form and balance are everything when legs are tired.
* Has anyone else noticed that Pitt stands around when Gray is in the game on O. They seem much more lively when Kendall is in at center.
* WVU win on senior night is a must. Anyone remember last year’s senior night…Seton Hall loss I think.
Great blog and thoughts…
Cons: Pitt has no idea what it’s like to play in a game where they actually call fouls. Thus, they are confused come tourney time.
If Gray can regain ANY mobility on defense we should do allright against WVU.
Look at games over the weekend-NC blows a 12 pt lead against an unranked opponent with 7 minutes left,Fla shoots 2 for 17 from 3pt range, and gets blown out by a team without their best player, Wisconsin gets hammered on the road by MSU–I guess Pitt is not the only team that is not hitting on all cylinders right now.Losing to a top ten team on the road in a game that went right down to the wire, when we had our best player at 50%–honestly can’t feel that bad about that.
never-the-less, it doesnt mean the calls overshadowed recurring deficiencies as of late: poor guard play, poor foul shooting, and a lack of concentration when it comes to valuing a possession.
this team has the ABILITY to make a deep run. what it needs is a little contageous confidence. and those that should be supplying it…the seniors…need to step up. THAT is the kind of step up player they need right now. its not that a prototypical NBA player is needed as a go-to option, but rather the players we have need to step up and make a difference.
i have faith that they will find it and make a run.