I won’t bore anyone with the details, but it was one of those situations where what started out as a couple minor things to do around the house this weekend got out of hand. The actual problems turned out to be much more involved, time consuming (and expensive). Add in a sick wife — and now me — and I haven’t even had the energy or time to fire up the computer for a couple days. So obviously I am behind on a bunch of things.
There was a very interesting piece at the beginning of the month by Luke Winn over the impact of elite freshmen on their teams. This of note because of the expressed feelings of many that Dante Taylor is either overrated/a bust/not ready/not getting enough minutes/being misused. Or some combination of them. Taylor was not just a McD All-American, he was considered an overall top-15 player.
In the first 10 games — which is only 1/3 of the season — he is averaging 16.6 min (41.5% available), 5.9 pts and 5.6 rebounds. Comparing it to the charts and information from the story it looks like Taylor is playing slightly less than expected for a PF/C of his position. What is interesting, since these are tempo-free stats being used, is that Taylor is the highest offensively rated player on Pitt despite the low scoring. Part of it of course is Pitt is one of the slowest tempo teams this year, so scoring is limited. The other factor is getting the ball to him.
It has been an issue for the guards to get the ball inside. Not totally surprising with the loss of Levance Fields, but this has limited opportunities for Taylor and McGhee as well (though, McGee doesn’t help with turnovers).
Another factor for how Taylor is perceived is that he had to follow DeJuan Blair. We’ve all expressed admiration for how great Blair was, but just how much of a historic anomaly Blair was in all of college basketball, is probably not fully appreciated. So the McGhee/Taylor combo at the same spot just is not going to come close to being similar.
As for the idea of playing Taylor at the PF position to maximize size with him and McGhee and give Taylor more playing time, I’m torn. I really don’t think the two of them on the court together will be a particularly effective thing on defense. I see Taylor still trying to remember his footwork and position. Moving him would not necessarily help. Coach Dixon seems against it, even if Taylor likes the idea.
One thing is certain. Dixon said there are no plans to move Taylor to power forward, where undersized sophomore Nasir Robinson is struggling. Dixon said power forward is the most difficult position to learn in Pitt’s system and he doesn’t want to burden Taylor with learning two spots. Taylor, however, would welcome the switch.
“If he asked me, I would love to go play power forward,” Taylor said. “That’s where I’m comfortable at. But right now I’m focusing on being the center and rebounding.”
Taylor has shown a great attitude. Embracing the team concept and doing what the coach wants. So, he’s not going to complain. And Coach Dixon has shown a track record and long-term vision for preparing players for developing a serious inside game.
At the same time PF is his natural position and there is always a possibility that Coach Dixon is overthinking this one.
I am reminded of John Calipari and Derrick Rose. Calipari played Rose at shooting guard rather than point for the first third of the season because he didn’t want to put too much pressure on Rose. The Tigers won, but struggled and did not look cohesive. Calipari finally moved Rose to point and then Miemphis really took off. Calipari quipped that they should “fire that guy” who played Rose at SG.
I lean towards trusting Coach Dixon on this, but can’t help but feel he’s trying to protect Taylor a little too much.
Plus, there is Nasir Robinson at power forward. It isn’t that he is undersized. He is scrappy. His defense isn’t horrid. He’s got that grittiness and would be a fan favorite except for two things. His inability to score and the volume of turnovers. Of course, Robinson thinks he’s a small forward playing out of position.
“I had a good idea I would play small forward when I came here,” Robinson said. “That’s my real position. I’m playing power forward now but small forward is my position. I’m comfortable [at power forward]. I’ve just had two bad games. I’m trying to bounce back and help my team. The offense hasn’t been there. I’ve been trying to do other things to help us win. I’m just missing shots. Those are shots I have to make; I’m just missing them. I have to take my time to finish the play.”
Er, yeah. His size says small forward. His game doesn’t. He has a poor ball handling skills, a poor jump shot (I involuntarily shout, “No!” if he launches a 3) and while he can be an effective slasher to the rim, he rarely finishes. Generally, they are around the rim, but never in the basket. Which is only compounded by a sub-40% FT shooting when he draws the contact — meaning teams have no problem challenging him when he goes up.
This brings things to the speculation game of what player might be encouraged to look to transfer after this season. Right now Pitt is 1 over its scholarship limit — assuming J.J. Moore qualifies, and if he doesn’t then if Maurice Walker signs an NLI in the spring.
There’s a good case to be made that Robinson could be the guy that gets squeezed. He wants to play small forward but his game won’t let him for Pitt. Not with the way he turns it over and poor shooting. That would be a factor that could make him want to look around.
Plus he would arguably get squeezed by Gilbert Brown returning for next year and Lamar Patterson at the same spot at small forward. To say nothing of Cameron Wright (who is having a really good year), while a SG, is 6’5″ and could easily see time as a wing forward. At power forward next year, Taylor might be moved there. Plus there is Miller, Richardson and/or Zanna that will all be in the mix for the power forward and center positions — and yes maybe Moore.
Things will shake themselves out for next year. The concern right now is this season.
yeah he hustles.. but last time i checked basketball players could dribble and shoot the ball.
As Chas points out, the problem of having too many scholarship players will likely work itself out over the rest of the season. Robinson may eventually find himself on the outside looking in, but it’s no lock, and only if other players start to fill the rebounding void.
Dec. 15, 2009
The Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors (COP/C) discussed the future of the Big Ten Conference at its winter meetings on Dec. 6 in Park Ridge, Illinois. The following statement is issued by the Big Ten office on behalf of the COP/C.
Penn State joined the Big Ten Conference in June of 1990 and its addition has been an unqualified success. In 1993, 1998 and 2003 the COP/C, in coordination with the commissioner’s office, reviewed the issue of conference structure and expansion. The COP/C believes that the timing is right for the conference to once again conduct a thorough evaluation of options for conference structure and expansion. As a result, the commissioner was asked to provide recommendations for consideration by the COP/C over the next 12 to 18 months.
The COP/C understands that speculation about the conference is ongoing. The COP/C has asked the conference office to obtain, to the extent possible, information necessary to construct preliminary options and recommendations without engaging in formal discussions with leadership of other institutions. If and when such discussions become necessary the COP/C has instructed Commissioner James E. Delany to inform the Chair of the COP/C, Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon, and then to notify the commissioner of the affected conference(s). Only after these notices have occurred will the Big Ten engage in formal expansion discussions with other institutions. This process will allow the Big Ten to evaluate options, while respecting peer conferences and their member institutions. No action by the COP/C is expected in the near term. No interim statements will be made by the Big Ten or the COP/C until after the COP/C receives the commissioner’s recommendations and the COP/C determines next steps, if any, in this area.
i hope the BE stays how it is, or expand as well for FB
the inexperience at the 1, 4 and 5 is killing this team not to mention that the startng frontcourt is also low on the talent scale compared to BE teams
For long term stability and the cash that comes with it, it is a no brainer. The Big Ten has great olympic sports which with our recent investment would be a good match as well. A slam Dunk! As for basketball, it would allow us to compete with our substandard recruits all we want.
No Mc Donalds AA in the Big Ten.
At least the B10 is classy enough to pubicly declare its intentions.
I still think for the football side of things, we would sell 1-2 games a yr like kurt said, but we sold out 2 games this yr and had over 50,000 almost every game. I dont see people coming to see minn or NW. At least cuse has history with pitt.
The Big East was a nice try and the basketball aspect was nice, but it has been living on the edge for years and this will be the catalyst for a shake up no matter which team leaves and Pitt, or any other school for that matter, does not want to be the hero only to be left holding the bag. I totally agree that you make the move, keep West Virginia and Syracuse on your schedule if possible and move on. While the New York City connection is a give up, playing the likes of Michigan State, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State in basketball is not exactly chopped liver. And the prestige of the other sports plus the brand of the Big Ten are tough to turn down. Lastly, the geography fits nicely. Basically every away game becomes driveable for almost all of the schools, especially since Pitt would be in the division wih close schools. And this is critical inasmuch as “green” is in and if the schools can eliminate expenses for travel in the future, they will do it. Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Indiana and Purdue are all doable via bus. That also gives Pitt an edge over ‘cuse and Rutgers. It is nice this is finally a reality and may happen. If Pitt is not selected and another Big East team is, those of you who wished against Pitt going will not like what happens next imo. I just have a hard time envisioning how such a scenario could end up being good for either Pitt or the Big East. My feelings are Pitt blew it 20 years ago and now they get a second bite at the apple. Once learned, twice burned. I know the Big East has been good for basketball, but basketball does not pay the bills and, as with most things in life, follow the money.
The call for a Big Ten expansion has been led by Paterno for the last few years. He is also the one person standing in the way of a PITT/PSU match-up.
Do you think he would be a staunch supporter of bringing in PITT to the conference as his number #1 choice?
I am torn wether or not Pitt should jump if given the chance. I suppose the benefits would ultimately outweigh the negatives and given the chance I think they go.
I also do not think that Pitt was necessarily wrong back then in not forming an all-league eatern team. While it certainly would have helped the FB program, I doubt that the league would be deemed much better nationally than the BE even with the addition of PSU … which has benefitted greatly by joining the B10 with its lucrative TV contract and bowl tie-ins. But maybe more importantly, I’m pretty sure that that Pitt’s BB program would have not even come close to where it’s at now in the BE .. a league originaly composed of almost entirley non-football playing schools.
A little off topic, but I just saw the kid play last night and he’s huge. Any reason why pitt couldn’t recruit a 7 footer? I’m sure he doesn’t really want to go to psu