Pitt never trailed in their 69-58 win over the Billikens.
This was really my first clear look at Pitt. Unlike the internet video feed, I could actually see the players moving without being a blur. The lag of the promise versus the present technology.
In no particular order, some of the things I jotted down while watching.
*The Pete looked quite empty. Surprising to me at first then I realized that this was the consequence of the Browns-Steelers game from earlier in the day.
*It was interesting and good to face a team that slows down the offense and plays good defense. Hmm, that sounds familiar. Essentially Pitt got to face a team that plays a lot like Pitt has played in the last few years. A challenge for the team to respond when a team forces a change in tempo/pace.
*With Pitt’s accelerated tempo there’s going to be more ragged play in spells. Shots that shouldn’t be taken because they were rushed or a little out of control. It’s the nature of the style, but it takes a little getting used to.
*That said, it was good to see the guards penetrating and driving to the basket. It really opened things up. Seeing even Ramon going to the hoop was a pleasant surprise.
*Wanamaker didn’t see much action, but Gilbert Brown got about 15 minutes. I liked what I saw from him. He really played some solid defense and disrupted plays. Maybe it’s just the headband and playing at the small forward position, but he reminds me just a bit of another Brown of recent vintage.
*The more aggressive offense has been matched by a newly aggressive defense. A lot more gambling on steals, trying to disrupt the passes and really pester.
*Any time Blair or Young bring up the ball — whether by design or off of a turnover — it is not a good idea. Scary even.
*I actually liked what I saw from Biggs, especially in the second half. His mindset, as much as anything else. A little less on offense, but more on defense. Plus he was doing the little things in the context of the team. Really fighting for some rebounds. I might be on the minority on this one.
*If free throw shooting is contagious, Pitt needs some sort of vaccine. Sam Young was 3-7, Fields 1-3, Biggs 1-2 and Diggs 0-2. Ramon and Cook were both 2-2 late in the game. Hate to say it, but poor FT shooting will cost Pitt at least one game.
Overall, a good early challenge for Pitt. It shows that the team has plenty to work ahead of it.
