I’m hurting a bit. I know I’m not alone on this.
I’m crediting Villanova on this. Yes, Jermaine Dixon screwed up royally on the turnover along with the foul. His offense was gone.
We can go through this game with a fine-tooth comb find plenty of things that “if” someone had done better (DeJuan Blair 2-6 on FTs, Ashton Gibbs 0-3 on threes, Wanamaker with one less dumb foul, Levance Fields 2-9 from the field, Biggs and Jermaine Dixon invisible, if anyone other than Pitt’s troika could have done more, if anyone aside from Young could have made a three, Coach Dixon saving one timeout to have set up the defense for the final play, etc.).
The fact is, Villanova won the game. They have some great talent inside with Cunningham and their guards. They shot 95.7% (22-23) on free throws. Scottie Reynolds (7-7), Corey Fisher (7-7) and Dwayne Anderson (5-5) going 19-19. All three average around 80%. One miss for each, to be around their averages, and it is a likely Pitt win. They did not, and there was nothing that could be done by Pitt about that.
Pitt shot 21-29 on FTs. That’s 72.4%. Most nights, we would take that from a Pitt team. Only 11 turnovers for Pitt. The Panthers shot 47.2% (25-53). ‘Nova only shot 44.6% and 30% on 3s — the “hottest” team in the NCAA Tournament was in check. Except at the FT line.
You want to blame. You want to vent. Fine.
I’m sad. I’m disappointed. Frustrated even. This team, though, took Pitt further than it had been. It accomplished more than any team had ever done at Pitt. It has won more. I love this team. I love the coach we have. I’m sad that the ride — no matter how stressful — is over.
Next year may be step back, but for every step back Pitt basketball has taken this millenium, it has been two steps forward for the program. The future just keeps looking better.
It’s the right now, that sucks.
As I said earlier, after the most devestating loss I have ever seen 7-6 to Penn State, we won the National Championship. Great point…you have to be good to get this far and often times face these kinds of very tough defeats. It’s a lot different than a 3-0 loss in the Sun Bowl
Another thing about those guys: they graduated with professional degrees. Some were in dental school while they were still playing. (I know, that was a bygone era that we will never see again.)
TigerPaul
What changed the game was Villanova’s free throws. It is just one of those stats where teams never seem to lose when they shoot free throws well.
This was a typical Pitt tournament game in the sense that the team crapped itself and couldnt do anything – except for Sam Young and DeJuan Blair who really stepped up.
Oh, and I still can’t stand Brad Wanamaker.
The two late travelling calls on Pitt vs the blown non-travelling call on Nova. Blair was shoved — at the very least it’s a non-call. Young was mugged on the drive, which was pretty much the case all game. I’m still amazed and in awe that he managed 28. Nova player allowed to elevate and return to the floor when he saw an opening. It was THAT obvious.
Why press the inbounds after the Fields make? Why not just pressure the inbound? They couldn’t drop to half court in case of a miss, but after the make they had no need to pressure. Make Nova earn it with an outside shot rather than allowing the drive to the basket, especially with double bonus and the need not to foul.
The funny thing is that both team squandered late leads. Nova just had the ball last. Sometimes that’s how it works out.
Hail Pitt!
I wouldn’t sell Nova short — you earned that win and you’re well positioned to win it all. Congrats. There are a lot of frustrated Pitt fans and a lot of baggage for our program. This year’s team seemed poised to overcome that.
You raise a good point — the staggered schedule sucks, and it’s even unfair to the teams that win with a lighter schedule because they have no say on in-conference scheduling. Depaul is an easy target, but there are other programs that just don’t belong in the BE, especially ND for not joining in football. Less teams = balanced schedule.
Right back at ya. It hurts to still talk about it, but at least our loss was to another Big East team. At least your guys held up their end of the bargain (unlike Louisville).
And I’m with you and Ghost on the suckitude of the staggered schedule.
Like I said, it’s all gravy.
Now, for some more mashed potatoes, please.