There’s no way the media can stay away from the Dixon-Howland storyline. It’s just too juicy and sits there waiting for them. Tempting them. We’ll be seeing this storyline all the way through Friday (yes, I know the game is on Thursday, but there is still post-game stuff).
UCLA Coach Ben Howland says he’s happy that Pitt and Dixon has advanced even if he never wants to coach against his friend.
“It’s business,” Howland said of the matchup against Dixon and Pitt. “And, really, in reality, I’m happy because that means that they won two and we won two. Obviously, I want to win the game. That’s first and foremost. (But) if I had to lose to anyone in the world it would be Jamie Dixon and the Pitt Panthers.
“But we’re not going in thinking like that. We expect to win.”
So the choice for most writers, get it out there now or wait until later in the week.
Howland and Dixon, who remain close friends and speak on a regular basis, said the only way they would play each other is in the NCAA tournament. Dixon downplayed the opportunity to play his mentor after Pitt beat Virginia Commonwealth, 84-79, in overtime Saturday night, but his players know he is looking forward to getting the chance to play Howland and the Bruins.
“I think coach Dixon is looking forward to it,” Pitt junior Mike Cook said. “He may seem like he’s cool about it, but he’s excited.”
…
In an interview a month ago with the Post-Gazette, Dixon revealed that one of the reasons Howland left Pitt was because he didn’t feel like he could sustain the success he had attained during his four seasons as coach. He felt like he had taken the program as far as it could go.
Dixon made it known that he thought there were greater heights for the program to achieve.
“To be honest, Ben didn’t think we could sustain it,” Dixon said during an interview in his office Feb. 21. “He took less money to go to another job, what most people would consider a better job. I’ve always seen more in [Pitt] than other people did. I have higher expectations than anybody for this job. I know no one thought we could do what we are doing.”
It was a candid moment for Dixon, who had just won his 100th game as Pitt’s coach a night earlier. It was a unique view into the world of Dixon. If that milestone victory did not get him out from under Howland’s shadow, the victory Saturday night surely did.
Gray said he and his teammates are aware that Howland did not believe Pitt could be a successful program in the long run, and said it will serve as some small motivation Thursday.
If you are looking for the original article where that appeared it was here. It isn’t highlighted or sensationalized in the original piece. I have to admit that was not a shock to me. By taking the job at UCLA, wasn’t that what Howland was saying? Simply compare the two programs in terms of natural recruiting areas, population and growth, and history and by comparison it is far easier to sustain a successful program at UCLA than Pitt. There’s also a lot more pressure and expectations — but give Pitt fans a little more time on the latter.
One of the reasons in the last year plus I’ve committed fully to the “Jamie Dixon is the best coach for Pitt” camp is the stuff he’s been doing beyond coaching and recruiting — both of which have improved each year. The stuff that is vital for the success now, but let’s be honest the infrastructure in the ‘Burgh is all football. Dixon has worked to help in the organization and formation of summer basketball leagues that have the local college players along with alumni participating — is one of the most tangible examples. It’s even close to Philly or NYC summer basketball leagues right now, but there was no excuse for Pittsburgh not to have one except the lack of support from Pitt coaches and organization. What he is doing outside of the coaching and recruiting is long-term planning and building that can help Pitt basketball more and more in the future.
Dixon, thankfully, has begun to develop some outward personality in public rather than simply speak in monotone and cliche when he first started. He has continually gone out in the community and done the things coaches today have to do. I am really optimistic for Pitt’s future and present with Dixon.
Mike DeCourcy puts Pitt 12th among the Sweet 16.
The one thing lacking in Pitt’s history and the more recent history is a 3d win in the NCAA Tournament. Like we weren’t all bitterly aware of that point.
Howland’s early plan is to not double Aaron Gray.
“We’re going to be left one-on-one with Aaron Gray a lot because he passes so well,” Howland said. “If you double him, he’s so big he passes out of it. That’s going to be the hardest part, trying to take Aaron Gary one-on-one. He’s an NBA player, first-round draft pick. He’s a big-time player.”
Aesthetics were nowhere to be found when the Bruins and Hoosiers played. Both are strong defensive teams, but participants from each team said they missed plenty of open shots.
The Bruins shot 36.2percent from the field, and Indiana checked in at 32.7 percent.
Given UCLA holds its opponents to 42.8 percent from the field, and Pittsburgh limits its opponents to 40.7percent…
According to Pomeroy, Pitt’s Adjusted Offense and Defense are ranked 13th and 26th. UCLA is 24th and 3d.
Also, we should have a big edge in rebounding, IF we don’t get outhustled. We need to fight for every loose ball like it is the last one we’ll ever get. The way this looks is the team with the most possessions wins.
He left for the most storied program in college basketball, which was lying in ruins. UCLA has the MOST demanding fans in the country. People were angry at John Wooden for losing in the Final Four. They demanded Lavin’s departure after a long run of Sweet Sixteens and great recruiting. We have one of the most lackluster fan bases at games in our conference. It is, by no means, a cushy situation. At least respect the guy. I’ve always liked Pitt fans, but what I’ve seen from some people makes me think a bit. Your basketball program lives on at the same level that he put it at. Why hate him? There’s been no drop-off, and he MADE you in the first place.
If Pitt wins Thursday, it will be with HIS player (Gray), HIS protest, and HIS former program. I wouldn’t be knocking the man. It’s called thankfulness.
Howland is a great coach and I am thankful for what he did for the program. Chas made some very good points about Dixon’s work off of the court that I hadn’t thought about that make me appreciate him some more, despite what are still some shortcomings in his game-time coaching (which has definitely improved over the past 5-6 games).
Now hopefully we can beat UCLA and use highlights from the tape with top recruits to build the program up even further.
I’m sure most Pitt fans acknowledge the guy did a fine job here, but he got an opportunity on a national stage here and was well compensated so I think being obligated to be “thankful” is a bit much.
I personally think the stage was set with the planning and emergence of the Pete that Pitt would probably have risen from the depths regardless of the coach. The administration clearly decided to de-emphasize football and throw its weight behind basketball. Although they have made bonehead moves in the past, there are a lot of good coaches out there and we likely would have gotten someone.
Go back to Lynnwood! We don’t need or want your UCLA biased opinion.
But since you asked.
Ben Howland can smoke my pole. I’m not going to thank an ex-employee who really didn’t want to be here in the first place for leaving when as soon as he had the chance. He used our school as a way to showcase his talents (he is a good coach) and knew he was leaving when he was coaching Pitt vs. D Wade and the Golden Showers or whatever they called themselves in 2003. He had to have that in the back of his mind during that run that year.
Furthermore Gray who can dominate is far from our WHOLE team. Pitt has nine guys that get a lot of minutes every game. We have won with Gray on the bench and with him in the can for a large part of the game on Saturday. The only guys that were here when Howland was here were Gray and Kendall and Dixon brought in Kendall. This is Dixons Team and we are still in this thing we see if you can say the same on Friday morning.
Now go away or I shall taught you a second time!
No fan base wants their school to be viewed as a “stepping stone” for good coaches, and rightly so.
Hell, just look at the Idaho football program. That school changes coaches every few years now. Each new coach comes in with the same BS speech about “dedication” and “loyalty”, and then high tails it to a larger school and paycheck when the timing is right.
I don’t harbor any hatred towards Ben Howland for his decision. Our program was left in great hands with Jamie Dixon. However…the circumstances surrounding Howlands departure are disconcerting, and I wish someone who did so much for our program could of left on more honest terms.
Regardless, we will get to see on thursday night whether Pitt Basketball can finally get over the hump or not. I personally cannot wait for this game.
Lets go Pitt!!!
I sure as hell hope we don’t have fans going over to their weird blog and leaving comments. I’d prefer the UCLA bitches to continue to make asses of themselves over here.
BTW – using an animated picture of Austin Powers to get your “mojo on” is fucking weird – I’d call that…well…I don’t want to insult homosexuals, so I’ll let it go… I’d sure as hell never read, much less post, at any site that did shit like that.
In the long run, sometimes a bold faced lie is actually in the best interest of the person you’re lying to. I GUARANTEE you’d all hate Howland if he came out with it in the middle of a season. As it is, he handled it well enough to leave you guys in the position to beat him on the court.
And what is the sense of these morons coming over here and “defending” the “nothing” that Howland did? Tell it to each other, we’re tired of hearing your bullshit.