The fact that we are discussing and analyzing the results of exhibition games against a D-2 opponent is indicative of two things. The first is just how much interest there is in Pitt basketball, but more importantly it shows just how much we don’t know and want to know about this newest incarnation.
So, Pitt had an easy time with Coker. Shutting them down on defense.
The score was 41-6 at halftime. At one point in the second half, Coker was shooting 24 percent from the field, which wasn’t good, but was still better than its 21-percent performance from the free-throw line at the same moment.
It’s nearly impossible to determine what any of the events that transpired yesterday will mean when the regular season opens in five days against Wofford at the Petersen Events Center, but Dixon was happy with the improvement his team showed after a lackluster victory against Slippery Rock in the first exhibition game last week.
“We talked about Sunday to Sunday, and our guys responded in a big way,” Dixon said. “That was a challenge we gave to our players. We improved throughout the week. You could see it in practice. We really set a goal, set a time frame and our guys responded. It was a good week for us.”
Really, hard to judge the team defense at this point. Hard to judge the team at this point. It’s more about seeing how comfortable individual players are looking in the system.
Travon Woodall looked very comfortable in this game.
Woodall shot 8 for 10 from the field, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range. He had three assists and one turnover.
Woodall almost certainly will be the starting point guard when the new-look Panthers, tabbed to finish ninth in the Big East, open their schedule against visiting Wofford at 8:15 p.m. Friday.
“I’m just feeling real confident about the season,” Woodall said. “I’ve been working hard all summer, and, hopefully, it’s going to pay off.”
Nasir Robinson disclocted a finger on his left hand, but it was nothing major. Since it was an exhibition that was enough to shut down his night.
Real thing starts on Friday the 13th.
