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December 4, 2008

City Game Smacking

Filed under: Basketball,Opponent(s),Players — Chas @ 12:20 pm

A rough start gave way to a blow-out. Is it wrong that I was a little annoyed that Pitt let Duquesne get to 51 points in the final 20 seconds? So close. When Duquesne failed to score another basket for nearly 4 minutes it was like Pitt really was putting some effort into denying them.  This Dukes team came in averaging just over 80 points/game. Pitt completely shut them down 78-51.

Pitt held Duquesne to 36.4 percent (20 for 55) from the field — its fifth consecutive opponent under 37 percent. The two teams combined for 43 turnovers, including 25 by Duquesne.

Trailing, 20-19, nearly 14 minutes into the game, the Panthers went on a 26-10 run that spanned the first and second halves, turning a tight game into a runaway win.

Pitt ended the first half on a 17-8 run and then opened the second half with a 9-2 surge to go ahead, 45-30, on an alley-oop dunk from junior guard Jermaine Dixon to Young with 16:25 to play.

Pitt led by at least 12 points the rest of the way.

Coach Dixon wasn’t pleased with the slow start to the game for Pitt (neither were the players), but the overall performance was good.

“Our offense has been pretty good,” Dixon said. “I don’t think we’ve taken lot of bad shots. Offensive rebounding, as I’ve said all along, is a byproduct of good offense. By sharing the ball and taking open shots, by moving the defense, scrambling the defense, they have to recover late.

“Our guys know they’re shooting it. When they know it’s going up, they’re going to the glass. The bottom line is [Blair] goes and gets them. He has great hands. He’s got a knack. It’s something we really emphasize in practice and something we continue to work on.”

Right now, Pitt is one of the most offensively efficient teams in the country.

Pitt unlike, say Boston College (with Holy Cross), recognizes that playing the City Game and even going to Duquesne’s campus every other year is a good thing for the City of Pittsburgh. It is a low return, high risk game. If Pitt wins, they are supposed to; lose, and it is a big blow to the team’s national profile. It is a tradition, even if not much of a rivalry right now.

“We’re doing the right thing by playing the game,” Dixon said.

Why else would a match-up like this bring public officials and members of the Steelers to the game?

Finally, a puff piece on Blair.





Pitt looked good last night, but not a heckuva lot different than last year. Blair’s a beast, Young can take over games when he’s interested and Fields is a very solid PG.

They’re deeper this year (I especially like what Robinson brings and I hope he stays in the rotation), but that depth hasn’t supplied the key back-ups they needed. They needed a strong back-up PG if Fields ever goes out for any reason and they needed a strong rebounder to board when Blair gets in foul trouble. They still don’t have either of those players and I doubt McGhee or Woodall is ever going to turn into much.

They’re also missing the same thing they’ve been missing for years and years and years……..perimeter shooting. (Yes, Ramon could shoot but he couldn’t get a shot off against decent comp.) No, it doesn’t matter against Duquesne, but it will matter against the long arms of L-ville and UConn, when the buckets inside don’t come as easy.

I thought last year’s team was legitimate Top 15 and I think this year’s team might be legitimate Top 10, and I think that’s great for Dixon and the program. I love having what could be a Top 10 program here in our backyard.

I think they’re still a couple players away from Final 4 contention, though. It sounds like the’ll have a couple of those type players coming in next year, but that team won’t have a point guard……which will be a major problem.

Someday we’ll play with the big boys……….

Comment by jaime peterson 12.04.08 @ 1:01 pm

You can tell that about Woodall by early december of his first season? You are a better judge of talent than I.

Comment by Wally 12.04.08 @ 1:26 pm

considering how bad fields, and krauser looked at times early in thier carrer.. i think its waaay to early to judge woodall. From what i’ve seen is the kid is quick.. and boy can he get up for his size. he will learn alot from fields and BK.

Comment by Snala the Panther 12.04.08 @ 2:47 pm

I think this team can play with anybody, except perhaps UNC, which is just a sick team. They dismantled MSU last night, on their homecourt no less!

Comment by Carmen 12.04.08 @ 2:48 pm

I agree that UNC might be a notch(possibly two) ahead but I would still love to see this Pitt team play them. Blair vs Psycho T would be so much fun to watch.

As for Woodall, he’s only a freshman and is Fields’ backup. It’s not easy being the backup to one of the best PG’s in the country. He will learn from Fields and next season will be better because of it.

Comment by Panthoor 12.04.08 @ 3:13 pm

jamie petersen:

you failed to mention the biggest and most conspicuous upgrade from last year. Jermaine Dixon is just an outstanding pick-up by the staff. The way he plays defense reminds me of the best defender I have seen in my life, Julius Page. The difference is the team that surrounds Jermaine is infinitely more talented than Julius Page’s teams. Did you see the job he did on Aaron Jackson last night or against Thompson from Washington State? The commentators on Saturday said something like “…Thompson is going to dream that Jermaine Dixon is under his bed tonight with the way he has defended him.” The upgrade defensively with Dixon over Ramon is just a huge advantage for this team. Additionally, Dixon can create his own shot which Ramon was never very good at. The 2-guard spot has been upgraded substantially and with a mature and physical player with experience. That is the biggest improvement from last year to this year.

Comment by Omar 12.04.08 @ 3:21 pm

I agree that Dixon looks like an upgrade, especially on defense and Pitt finally has one guard with the physical strength and size to body up with other guards in the BE. He was definitely a great grab by the coaching staff in the off-season, considering that Wanamaker isn’t turning into the player they wanted.

This team can absolutely play with anybody…..my point was they’re still a few pieces short of being a Final 4 contender. With capable back-ups for Fields and Blair I think they’d be a very strong contender to go far in March…….not having those backups leaves them exposed every night they hit the floor. This team doesn’t rebound without Blair and doesn’t handle the ball without Fields and that’s dangerous.

Comment by jaime peterson 12.04.08 @ 3:46 pm

Interesting that Skippy was courtside wearing a Pitt hoodie considering he went to UNC.

Comment by Will 12.04.08 @ 3:53 pm

Unless there is injury, I just don’t see why people are obsessed with this depth. In the biggest games, the starters are going to play 95%of the minutes. Also you have Brown coming off the bench to play multiple positions. Blair being in foul trouble would be the biggest issue and he needs to keep that in mind. But you put any team’s best player in foul trouble and they are going to struggle. It is that simple. UCONN without Thabeet is a completely different team. Louisville without Clark. UNC without Lawson. It makes a big difference. Pitt has decent depth for everybody except Blair.

UNC is excellent, but I think Pitt can play with them. Remember this same MSU team got blasted by Maryland last week as well. They are probably way overrated at this point. Pitt can play with UNC. Biggs would need to pick up his game. They wouldn’t get beat by more than 10 points against the Heels. Best part is, they probably wouldn’t have to play them until the Final 4 anyway.

Comment by Omar 12.04.08 @ 4:07 pm

Pitt has decent depth for everybody except Blair AND Fields……the guys who grab the rebounds and handle the ball. Blair has a history of foul trouble, so I agree that’s the biggest issue.

Different situations on the other teams you mentioned……….Adrien is still in the lane for UConn when/if Thabeet goes out and UNC would miss Lawson a ton but still probably be rated #1 without him. (They’d plug Drew in and just depend more on Ellington, Green and the inside guys.) I think you’re right about L-ville being a a much lesser team without one of their pieces, but I think they’d miss Williams or Samuels a lot more than Clark.

Comment by jaime peterson 12.04.08 @ 4:55 pm

Jaime
Lets not rush to judgment on these kids yet, the back ups to Fields are freshman. You are basing your judgement on a few games, the first ones of their career. The adjustment to college ball is a tough one, physically and more importantly mentally. I think for the first games in his career Woodall is doing a fine job. He will continue to grow as the season goes. Yes he needs to cut down on TO’s but that will come. This guy was still playing high school ball last year. He seems to be extremely quick and athletic and will be a fine backup. Also, I disagree with the Wannamaker comment, I think he looks much better this year than last. He is looking more comfortable each game. Yes, if you expected him to be an all american then I’d say he may never achieve that. But, the truth is he looks to be coming along. One thing I’m not worried about under Dixon, is player development, and backups coming along. In the past 9 years, the Most Improved player in the big east has been awarded to a Pitt player 5 of the years. So, don’t worry, Dixon will develop these kids as the season goes on. The more minutes they get, the better they will become.

Comment by Froot Luips 12.04.08 @ 5:20 pm

I want no parts of UNC.

And our biggest problem is that our shooting guard cannot shoot a 3. He is 4 for 22 or something awful like that…still can’t buy a bucket from 3. I think we just missed another…

Comment by Stuart 12.04.08 @ 5:27 pm

I don’t think the situation without Fields is nearly as dire as last year. Dixon can handle the rock and Woodall is going to get a lot better. You have Gibbs as well and Young and Brown are much better handling the ball versus last year. As an aside, did you see the sick crossover Gilbert put on one of the Dukes last night. He missed the layup but it was still sick. Blair not being in the game is an issue. I agree with that.

I definitely would love to play UNC. It would be in the final 4 or latter stages of the tournament and I think Blair, Young and Fields would rise to the occasion. They are as good as any trio in the country. Dixon isn’t going to back down from anyone and neither is Brown. We might get beat, but it won’t be a beat down like Michigan State took last night. I will guarantee that.

Comment by Omar 12.04.08 @ 6:31 pm

Stu-

Even without hitting threes we are the most efficient offensive team in the land. Luke Winn broke us down and compared our offensive efficiency to Memphis last year. They couldn’t buy a bucket from three either and their season went pretty well. Actually we shoot a little better than last year’s Memphis squad.

Dixon really adds value on the defensive end and breakind down defenders off the dribble and creating his own shot. If he starts knocking down threes, then that is gravy.

Comment by Omar 12.04.08 @ 6:34 pm

Let’s get real. Wanamaker has been in Dixon’s doghouse for 2 yrs now and it shows no sign of relenting. He’s just not the tough Philly playground-type slasher they thought they were getting. Watch Jamie……..he almost goes apoplectic when dealing with Wanamaker. His level of frustration with Bradley has to tell you something.

I’ll hold out more hope for Woodall (or Flavor Flav, as my section has named him)……..but realistically, how much hope can you have for a kid that’s 5’8″ 145 soaking wet? Unless he’s Tyus Edney (which he obviously isn’t), I’m just not sure what the staff saw in him. I watched some of his HS games on TV and wondered the same thing last year. When you play at St Anthony’s, you play against D1 competition in every practice and in a good number of games, so this shouldn’t be so much of a shock. He seems quick, so I’m waiting for him to use that quickness to do something, anything……..a steal, a penetration and dish……he’s getting a lot of minutes right now and showing no flash.

Sure, it’s early, but this is his team next year and they could sure use productive minutes from him this year.

Comment by jaime peterson 12.04.08 @ 6:35 pm

Isn’t this the first game you have seen this year? Woodall had an outstanding minutes against Texas Tech. Great drive and one. He will be a player. Needs to work on his left hand though.

Comment by omar 12.04.08 @ 8:00 pm

My guess is he’ll be mostly out of the rotation by the time the BE rolls around, which will tell you how much Dixon is ready to trust him.

Actually, hope I’m wrong about that and Dixon lets him play some this year so he’s more ready for next year.

And no, I think I’ve only missed one game this year so far, either at the pete or on TV. I wouldn’t bother offering the opinions if I didn’t watch the games.

Comment by jaime peterson 12.04.08 @ 8:36 pm

Rutgers is takin’ care of L’Ville for us right now. 21-0.

Comment by TJ 12.04.08 @ 8:36 pm

I’m watching Buffalo give UCONN a battle. They do not deserve to be ranked ahead of Pitt.

Comment by steve 12.04.08 @ 8:45 pm

I can’t wait to see the Thabeet Blair scrum. Thabeet doesn’t stand a chance fulcrum-wise.

Comment by steve 12.04.08 @ 9:05 pm

Losing to Rutgers in football sucked, but the more I see of Rutgers the more I’m impressed with them. I know they’re playing Louisville who has completely caved in at this point in the season, but their offensive is impressive. Maybe not as bad a loss as some of us originally thought…as I type this they take a 42-0 lead.

Comment by TJ 12.04.08 @ 9:11 pm

Remember that Buffalo took us to the final possession up there two years ago. I’d say its going to be a while before teams agree to go up there again after that performance and this one against UConn.

Comment by maz. 12.04.08 @ 9:41 pm

UCONN will win but their defense sucks.

Comment by steve 12.04.08 @ 9:44 pm

Isn’t the answer to a point guard making sure we get Cheek to commit? I guess he’s more of a small forward type but he is deadly with the 3. He would be an upgrade in that department no matter what. I have a feeling he’s going elsewhere, but if he thinks he will start as a freshman, we should be in the running.

Comment by BeanBoy 12.04.08 @ 9:56 pm

UCONN wins 68 to 64. Buffalo had a good chance to actually win it. Buffalo’s record to date is mediocre. Pitt is #2.

Comment by steve 12.04.08 @ 9:58 pm

One more point, if Blair stays another year, we’ll have Blair, Dixon, Taylor, Brown, and hopefully Cheek as a starting 5. Sounds great to me…..as long as we get Cheek. This year we make it over the hump and who knows where we go from there, next year might be down a bit, but we’ve got plenty of talent to keep it going.

Comment by BeanBoy 12.04.08 @ 10:00 pm

A post breaking down our motion offense….video from yesterdays game…

link to coachingbetterbball.blogspot.com

Comment by Stuart 12.04.08 @ 11:53 pm

BeanBoy, that would be a great lineup except it desperately needs a PG. But there would be some serious talent were that to all fall into place and surrounded by all that talent the PG wouldn’t have to be the best in the league.
I also don’t see Woodall’s minutes decreasing that much in BE play. Fields, is weighing more since the injury and will need spells unless he drops some weight. Also, Dixon seems to always make sure the backup PG gets time throughout the past several years.

Comment by Froot Luips 12.04.08 @ 11:54 pm

But we all know that Dixon shortens his rotation considerably once conference play starts, and one of his options is letting Dixon handle the ball more when Fields is out — the same way he had Ramon (painfully) handle it last year when Levance was sitting.

He doesn’t have to play Woodall much at all — though I hope he does, since I think he needs to find out how his freshman PG handles the BE comp. I don’t expect Woodall to set the world on fire his freshman year, or even have to play more than a few minutes each half…….but I think those would be important minutes and would help tell the coaching staff whether they’re OK at PG for next year or whether they have a problem.

Comment by jaime peterson 12.05.08 @ 8:42 am

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