Pitt off until Sunday’s trip to New Jersey.
Technically the schedule gets lighter, but I don’t really feel that way. You could make a case that Pitt has been playing to the level of its competition this year — a common issue especially for young teams. Pitt was playing its best against the teams believed to be among the best in the conference. What happens when they face the perceived middle- and light-weights?
If you want to look for the bright side of Pitt’s loss to Georgetown, it is that the team had a very tangible bit of evidence that they need to get back to the defensive intensity.
It was the fourth consecutive game that a Pitt opponent shot 46 percent or more from the field. The Panthers were able to beat Connecticut and Cincinnati because they shot well against both and decisively outrebounded the Huskies. Pitt was able to beat Louisville, in part, because the Cardinals collapsed late by missing free throws.
Coach Jamie Dixon’s goal is to hold every opponent to 40 percent or less from the field. The Panthers have not done that since the conference opener against DePaul.
“I think we feel good about the wins, but [the Georgetown game] really took a toll,” junior forward Gilbert Brown said. “And it can take a toll on us. But I think we’ll bounce back well in practice. The biggest thing about this stretch, the good things, was that our team has been able to come together with me and Jermaine being back on the court and being able to play as a unit.
“But [the Georgetown game] still shows that we need to improve in other areas. We had a lot of letdowns the past couple games on defense in just getting the hustle plays, the loose balls and boxing out. So, we really have to get back to what we do. Right now, we’re struggling in those things, but I feel as though we’re going to be picking it up later on this season.”
Happily most Pitt fans were rather sanguine after the loss. Even the expected freak-out to the beat writer after a loss was hardly that.
I do worry about the games with Seton Hall and St. John’s. Both teams have some talent and have been unexpected thorns in recent years. Seton Hall, both for being the next game and the style they play, has me very concerned. If a guy like Hazell has a good night, then insanity reigns.
Ashton Gibbs’ rough night gets a little dissection. Concern, again, seems limited.
Gibbs isn’t getting open as often thanks to increased pressure, but even when he did Wednesday he wasn’t very accurate. He missed a pair of open threes in the same possession late in the game as Pitt tried again to rally.
“He normally knocks down those shots,” said Jermaine Dixon. “He just didn’t make them.”
Gibbs shouldn’t be criticized roundly — he still averages 16.9 points — but his quick and questionable shot selection at times Wednesday showed a frustration not seen this season. Coach Dixon said he believed Gibbs played well, but did point out the open misses, a rare point of public criticism from Dixon.
Still, losing faith in their top scorer will take Gibbs’ teammates more than one or two less-than-spectacular performances.
“Ashton will bounce back on Sunday (at Seton Hall),” Jermaine Dixon said. “He’s our scorer, and he will try to find ways to get open.”
I don’t think anyone is too worried. The only concern I have for Sunday is that it is a “homecoming” game for Gibbs and Travon Woodall to play in New Jersey. For the Philly boys of Brad Wanamaker and Nasir Robinson, Philadelphia is only 90 minutes or so away from Newark. Could be a lot of friends and family show up, so that is always a mild concern for distractions.
I will say that I think of the BET as a different animal because it isn’t just a single game. The players arrive in at least a day if not two days earlier for all the season ending festivities. There’s more time to prepare and deal with those distractions.
Hazell is a different type of player than what has burned Pitt in the past. He scores a lot, but he takes a ton of shots to get those points, and frankly, does not always make the players around him better. He also is primarily an outside shooter – he doesn’t drive to the hoop consistently. Pitt has handled these types of players pretty well.
I think Pitt is the better team, both in terms of players and coaching. However, if they do not play with the proper focus, Seton Hall can pull the upset.
I have a feeling Taylor may get a chance to make some plays in this game…we’ll see…
Pope is actually a nice story. I’m glad to see him sort things out and start to realize his enormous potential. He’s also received guidance from Charles Smith (greatest Pitt player of my lifetime no offense Sam Young) and Darrelle Revis
Ghost, I believe we needed a digital tier here in Pgh to watch the Gtown game on ESPNU (bit not sure.)
After Pope verbaled to Pitt in his soph year, he was advised by his AAU coach to look elsewhere. I spoke to JO Stright, who is Bob Huggins’ best friend, about this back in 06, and he said that Pope was not mature enough to make a decision, and indeed, he made many missteps along the way. Here is a P-G story about him from a few years ago .. you can decide
link to post-gazette.com
Regarding Holliday and Kiffen and Rodriquez before them. The lack of ethics in collegiate sports is appalling. These coaches recruited these kids while on the payroll of their former employer. However, it is a free country and they are verbal committments.
I fully expect teams to use the G-town blueprint to defend us…tight defense on Ashton, switch to 2/3 zone at key moments to disturb flow, and force our wings to beat us 1×1.
This puts more emphasis on GB being more aggressive on the offensive end, a guard stepping up to relieve Ashton for minutes and points from beyond the arc (Woodall, Adams, JD), and Wannamaker slashing/finishing.
This Seton Hall game will be very interesting to see how we come back and adjust to a very good team on their home court.
Still enjoying the journey…
I agree that Kiffin is a Dbag but at least he left UT with a little class … unlike RichRod who made the most classless exit of anyone that I can ever recall.
There is nothing at all wrong with true exuberance after a big win. To act like ‘it’s no big thing’ when it actually is – like in beating the number one team in the country – is the height of arrogance.
You all may remember back in 02 or 03, when the Syracuse fans rushed the court 3 times in 5 minutes …. the first when they thought the game was over but Pitt called a timeout, the 2nd when they thought they won it but then Brandin Knight made the basket from hald-court, and then had to retreat until a couple minutes later until the refs ruled that the shot was after the buzzer … heck of a lot of exuberance there (I thought it was kind of bush league.)