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.
big night at mcdonald’s after the game for the clit session
Of course, we can’t look past Mississippi Valley State, Buffalo, Boston and Toledo.
Kevin Jones has a news conference scheduled for Wednesday to announce his decision.