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January 22, 2010

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.





Just wanted to point out a slight hypocrisy that has existed for some time now, and not just with Pitt sports. One of the main reasons we used to say that the Panthers played so well in the Garden was because of the NYC recruiting base…players like Keith Benjamin, Tyrell Biggs, Levance Fields, Brendin Knight, etc…they all came from the greater NYC area, and could feed off that energy. So, why would it be a distraction for the game in Newark to attract friends and family of Wanamaker, Gibbs, Woodall, etc? If they were true freshman I would see the cause for concern, but these are not true freshman, and you could very well say that Wanamaker and Gibbs are playing beyond their years. If anything, I would go to say that playing in Newark, though a true road game, will be a boost for our Philly and NJ players to be able to play in front of a larger friendly crowd than most teams will see up at the Rock.

Comment by merlin 01.22.10 @ 3:09 pm

The Prudential Center is a big, corporate feeling, hockey arena and even MSG feels more intimate than there.

Comment by SilverPanther in NYC 01.22.10 @ 3:38 pm

Merlin is a magician! In my opinion, he is on target with his comments about Panther friends and family in Newark. That being said, the game itself will be difficult. It isn’t only Hazell, the BE’s high scorer, but Herb Pope thinks he has a score to settle. Pitt is in for a burner, but has the talent and tenacity to prevail. Nobody said playing in the nation’s toughest league would be easy. A word to the wise should be sufficient. BE PREPARED! George

Comment by rev. george mehaffey 01.22.10 @ 4:13 pm

I stated it was “mild concern,” because that is what it is. Mild. The nagging worry that the player will try to do too much in the game to impress friends and family in the midst of the season. I think about all of the regular season games where Pitt lost to St. John’s and guys like Krauser and Ramon struggled mightily. There is not necessary any validity to the concern. Just that it is there.

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.

Comment by Chas 01.22.10 @ 4:40 pm

Seton Hall can be a dangerous team, but I don’t think we should oversell them either. While they have accumulated talent, they are not nearly as good as Georgetown. They are athletic, but they are not particularly big. If Pitt plays with focus and effort they should be able to control the tempo, and this is a game they should win. Doesn’t mean they will win, just that they should.

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…

Comment by Pantherman13 01.22.10 @ 5:19 pm

Why would Pope have a grudge against Pitt? My understanding was that Pitt was interested and he chose to go elsewhere. I understand staying in your hometown can be a burden and understand his reasons for going elsewhere, but I got every impression that Pitt wanted him but he didn’t sign (before some of his off court drama).

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

link to nytimes.com

Comment by Ghost of Horn Man 01.22.10 @ 5:33 pm

I’m still pissed about missing the G’town game. Many Pitt fans in greater DC are baffled about why G’town doesn’t have a remotely decent TV package that gets them regular coverage locally, even when playing a road game vs. a ranked team. Could you imagine needing a digital tier in Pittsburgh to watch Pitt road games?

Comment by Ghost of Horn Man 01.22.10 @ 5:36 pm

I expect the Seton Hall game to be very tough .. not only is it on the road, it is against a team that seemed to handle Louisville every bit as well as we did. The fact is that I see only 5 more guaranteed BE wins … home (SH, SJU, RU & Prov) and away at USF. Yea, we can possibly beat WVU at home and at ND, but this team cannot afford to take any nghts off.

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

Comment by wbb 01.22.10 @ 6:10 pm

Another enlightening gem from wbb. I don’t know Mr. Stright and really don’t care to. I do know Mr. Pope is a hoopster and Pitt should be wary. Does Pope have a bone to pick with Pitt? I really don’t know. My opinion, however, of some of Pitt’s so called “friends” is not positive. What was that old adage—“With friends like these——” Over the years the local university’s coaches, i.e. Carlson, Timmons, Riddle, Evans, Howland have been exemplary and the Pitt program is respected for its authenticity. May it always be so. George

Comment by rev. george mehaffey 01.22.10 @ 8:35 pm

Off topic…Speaking of WVU, I noticed on the ESPN crawl the other night that 4 of WVU’s verbals from this years class have backed out in favor of Marshall. The latest being a 4 star WR recruit…Hmmmm

Comment by HbgFrank 01.22.10 @ 10:24 pm

WVU offensive coordinator Doc Holliday was hired as head coach at Marshall, and many of the people he recruited are following him … proving that many commit to the coach and not the school

Comment by wbb 01.22.10 @ 10:40 pm

The moment Pitt takes any win for granted is trouble. I did not think Jermaine Dixon’s comment to the effect that they would take the Georgetown loss out on Seton Hall was well advised. I think the role of the underdog serves this team well. Certainly confidence and a little swagger is important, but overconfidence is never good. There are no automatic W’s in the Big East.

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.

Comment by gc 01.23.10 @ 7:03 am

Just getting back from a road trip that took me through L-ville (man, are they ticked about losing that game!)

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…

Comment by Pauly P 01.23.10 @ 9:41 am

gc, one thing that seems to be lost in the hiring of Rodriguez and Kiffin is that UM had to get permission from WVU and USC needed the same from Tennessee to talk with these guys. I’m sure that permission has been denied but apparently it doesn’t happen too often. If memory serves, Pitt AD Pedersen denied permission for Ohio St or Alabama to talk with Walt back in 01 … yet it didn’t stop him two years later from getting Arkansas’s permission to talk to Houston Nutt after he fired Solich at Nebraska.

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.

Comment by wbb 01.23.10 @ 12:03 pm

Does anyone have a link to watch the game?

Comment by Mark in DC 01.23.10 @ 1:14 pm

Bush League that UCONN flooded the floor after winning against Texas. The students do not realize that top programs do not rush the court, regardless of who they beat. A victory is supposed to be expected.

Comment by Todd Gack 01.23.10 @ 8:30 pm

^^^ Todd – so you would also disagree with all the PITT fans running onto the field down in Morgantown after 13-9?

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.

Comment by Reed 01.24.10 @ 5:43 am

Reed, note that the Zoo did not even rush the court after Ramon’s buzzer beater vs WVU two years ago. I undersatnd the exuberance but I expect it more from fans supporting underdog teams that rarely gets big wins .. not from schools like UConn.

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.)

Comment by wbb 01.24.10 @ 8:58 am

I think we would all agree that PITT football is not on the same level of PITT basketball. 13-9 over the Number 2 team in the country is different for sure.

Comment by Todd Gack 01.24.10 @ 9:57 am

Pitt fans have never rushed the court at the Peterson Events Center. It will, hopefully, never happen either. Pitt is 125-11 at home since the opening of the Pete. Fans should never rush the court. Pitt will rarely be more than a few point underdog at home.

Comment by omar 01.24.10 @ 11:42 am

Let’s not forget the Carrier Dome incident where one of the fans rushing the court threw a blind sucker punch at Donatas Zavackas. THAT’S bush league.

Comment by Ghost of Horn Man 01.25.10 @ 2:28 pm

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