Spent the time before the game shoveling out. No liveblog. Just an open thread. Observations at the half.
HALFTIME: Pitt leads 41-36.
Do the Red Storm have your attention now? Let’s give those Johnnies credit. They came out fired up and ready to take down Pitt. They want to show that they can compete with anyone — and they are.
First things, first. Jermaine Dixon came out with a shaved head. I approve. Might have done it to try and get a jump or a change. It actually seemed to help. 8 points and 3 steals in the first half. Just getting to the basket and starting to finish some shots. Still can’t hit a 3.
Sam Young just was pressing — 2-11 shooting. After dropping that opening 3, it was nothing. The worst was a sequence where Pitt got the ball on a steal, and Young ran right into traffic in the paint and put it up short. Rather than passing to anyone on the wings waiting. He started to get back into the team game, when he made the alley-oop for Gilbert Brown to slam home. I was terrified he would try and take his man to get the score himself. He got the authoritative slam before the half which might be the spark
Early in the game, Pitt just was getting looks from everywhere, but nothing falling. You could see the frustration growing. The defense was solid. Lots of turnovers forced, but St. John’s when they did shoot was being patient. Not much forcing shots or desperation as the clock wound down.
Free throw shooting. Ugh. Pitt shooting way below average — 7-15. Meanwhile St. John’s was shooting 9-11 (82%) — significantly above their average.
Isiah Epps, a point guard from New Jersey, gave Pitt a verbal commitment today.
I’m excited for both of the commitments mentioned though!
Now let’s get our shit in gear and beat St. John’s.
Anyone have a link to the recruiting news?
Here are two links about Epps committing
link to post-gazette.com
link to pittsburgh.scout.com
Looks like a solid QB, but not a superstar that will compete for the starting position as a freshman.
Isiah Epps
Evidently very quick and can shoot. Maybe signaling a change in pace for the Panthers in the future.
Why does SJU allow Dixon to walk right under the hoop?
Is there any better coach at making halftime adjustments than Dixon?
What’s weaker. Wearing a Steelers jersey to a Penguins game or a Pitt game?
Halftime adjustments were key and I think the defense has really stepped it up in the second half.
Those of you not in Pittsburgh might want to check to see if you get it.
Here’s the list as per Scout.
As we mentioned, QB Kolby Gray and CB Jason Hendricks are the two confirmed commits.
I have Comcast as well. It’s channel 702 for me in Tallahassee.
O-coordinator, it looks like Bernardo Nunez is the latest dude to check the list on the dry erase board.
Great win by the boys!
The days where Rutgers thinks that they can be relevant are over.
I caught a glimpse of the dry erase board during the 2nd half, but couldn’t make out whose names were on it. Probably should’ve rewound it with DVR but I didn’t think about it.
I did say someone, who wasn’t dressed in Pitt gear, walking through the Zoo high fiving a bunch of people. My girlfriend (as usual haha) was talking over it so I couldn’t tell who the announcers said it was, but they seemed to key in on him with the camera. Anybody know who I’m talking about?
Well, talk to everyone later, and Go Steelers (if you’re into that kind of thing).
Back to BB — another example of why this team may be very special is that Young (5-15 fg) and Biggs (2 pts) had very subpar games yet others like Blair and Dixon picked it up. I can never remember a Pitt team when so many different players that can make real contributions — 7 players have the capability of scoring in double figures in a competitive game (maybe even 8 since Gibbs is their best oure shooter.)
