The game is on ESPN3.com (assuming your internet provider offers it) starting at 7:00.
If you get Comcast and live in the region, you can watch the game on tape delay on Panther TV (Channel 188 or 210) at 9:30.
It’s okay to root for Paul Carter to have a good game for UIC (but not too good).
The pace should be different than the URI game.
Still, there are some things worth watching.
One of the things to watch is the pace of the game. Last season Bo Ryan’s Wisconsin teams played at a ridiculously slow pace, with an adjusted tempo of 60.2 possessions per game. [UIC Coach Howard] Moore isn’t Ryan, he’s his own man, but the Flames are definitely going to slow things down. On the other hand, Pittsburgh ran with Rhode Island in its last game, which was 75 possessions.
So, we can see if Pitt speeds them up or is content to play slower.
I don’t think Pitt will look to speed UIC up tonight if they choose to make it a half court game. I think Jamie is going to let his opponents dicate tempo for a good number of these non-con games in an effort to get his team used to any speed their opponent tries to throw at them come Big East play.
Granted part of the reason Pitt played a 75 possession game was that URI over-committed to the press and was soft on the back end but if Jamie really wanted to slow that game down he could have, he chose not to.
I’m sure Pitt will still try to selectively push the ball, but I am curious to see how the half court offense looks. I’m also curious as to how Taylor will rebound (pun intended) from the last game. I thought he came out with nice energy on Monday, had a nice offensive rebound and put back, but he lost his concentration after the tough moving pick call, then immediately picked up a dumb third foul.
Hopefully I can make it up to the Pete (still 50-50 at this hour).
I don’t think the outcome is in doubt, but that was a poor half of basketball from our bigs.
This is a very deep Pitt squad. We had a McDonald’s All-American out there for garbage time (Taylor). Although I will note that he was playing the four at the end, and had a wicked follow dunk on his own miss 😉
Maryland, our next opponent is trailing College of Charleston currently. I am doing a little scouting for our next game.
UIC Coach postgame.
I think we should beat this Maryland team. No Vasquez. It might be close at first but eventually a 10 point win is possible.
Looking ahead and not trying to disrespect North Florida but we should blow Maryland out the Garden. Not only based on the results of their game tonight but no one in that backcourt can run defend Gibbs or Wanamaker. Texas should be fun though
I read something that they call him Brown’s twin…they literally have the same body. Moore appears to be a much better shooter and seems slightly more athletic. I’m looking forward to seeing him get more involved as the season goes on.
btw, Brown is not a bad shooter. Not sure why people think that — maybe his awkward looking form — but last year he shot better FG% and 3P% than Gibbs! He may have had low scoring games last year but they weren’t necessarily inefficient.
Also, Dante Taylor starting to emerge. Look out.
– Love the guard play. That wins tourney games.
– Really like what Zanna brings and I think he’ll get better and better.
– Gil looks to be getting into game shape. He just needs to stay there mentally.
– Love the way McGhee is running the floor.
– I like Patterson. Great court awareness. He’ll be a key contributor down the line.
– I like the way Moore looks. He has that big-time-player attitude about him. He just needs to learn Jamie’s offensive and defensive systems.
– Highlight of the night – Taylor. His dunk off the missed FT may have been goaltending, but he is really quick off the floor. The dunk off of his own miss was amazing. He’s coming, so as PantherP said, “Look out.”
