That was needed. It doesn’t change the frustration and disappointment of the season. It doesn’t erase the problems this team still has — especially handling the press and turnovers. It was however a welcome game. A game that — especially in the second half — actually put smiles on the faces of the players and fans.
Hearing the chants for senior walk-on Nick Rivers at the end of the game, and then getting to the free throw line was just icing. As much disruption to the season. As many questions there were about the chemistry and cohesiveness of the team from this season, you could still see the affection they have for one another, Pitt and the fans.
The victory was career No. 100 for Gibbs and Robinson. Even though the Panthers finished the season a pedestrian 11-7 in their home building, they had the thrill of leaving the Petersen Events Center court winners one final time.
“Definitely a lot of memories,” Gibbs said. “We had a lot of great teams. Even though this was a tough year, there are some good memories. It starts with the fans. That’s one of the reasons I came to the University of Pittsburgh — the city atmosphere. This is a big sports city. The fans support the Pitt Panthers. I give credit to the Oakland Zoo and all the fans out there. It’s one of the reasons we’ve been so good for so long.”
Gibbs had reason to smile — as much out of relief as anything.
It’s been a miserable season for Gibbs. Probably culminating after the Louisville game with Coach Jamie Dixon doing something he almost never does — calling out a player and showing exasperation with him. I know some will never forgive him for the play and his attitude at points this year.
Yes, a lot of it was self-inflicted. Being too concerned with trying to show he can do more for the NBA. The petulant actions. At the same time, he had to bear the brunt of trying to be the point guard with not enough guard help when Woodall was hurt. Hopefully in time, some of the bad will fade to be more in balance with his contributions from the first three years.
The more we learn about what Nas has been fighting through with his knee all season, the more respect there should be for him. Especially, when you watch the last couple of games and see how little help he gets from officials. I counted at least five instances where Nas got the ball in the middle of the St. John’s zone, where the Johnnies would just push or chuck him — to the point where he would stumble — and the Higgins led crew ignored it.
J.J. Moore continues to show that he is finally getting it with attacking the basket. He took as many free throws as he did shot attempts. His threes are falling again, but they are also much better shots as teams are giving him the space because they fear him attacking the basket. It is a welcome development.
There was just better flow in the game. Malcolm Gilbert apparently played only 4 minutes (seemed like a little more) and his only contribution on the stat sheet, was one block. Yet he was a presence out there. Not just making St. John’s players hesitate in driving, but Gilbert set a couple of the best screens I’ve seen Pitt big men set since the non-con. He got out there at the right time. Got set and completely walled off the defender for Gibbs. Yes, it’s sad when seeing a well set screen gets me excited, but it really has been a rough season.
Tray Woodall had early foul trouble — which limited his first half minutes. That helped him a bit, though, look much fresher to start the second half and let Pitt push the lead out to the 23 point margin it reached at just under 11 minutes remaining.
Then there was Dante Taylor. Getting slams and converting on shots close to the basket he has flat missed during the 5-game slide. Last night they went. Everything went for him. A perfect 8-8, 17 points and 8 rebounds. I wouldn’t mind some of his chest thumping and shouting after a basket — since it is relatively common, especially after a slam — if it wasn’t for the fact that all too often it seems the opposing team just goes right down the court and gets an easy basket right in his face. I’m not even sure it is even so much that he is late getting back on defense. It’s just that his defense isn’t that good, and he pisses the other side off with the amount of woofing.
Now, finish off the Huskies on Saturday.
I will let others discuss why it happened; I suspect there are many reasons, but into each life some rain must fall.
Had they not found an identity, they would have started next year searching for it…Thank God they found it. I am old enough to remember Steve Blass losing it and that was as sad as one can witness.
I will give myself an atta boy for predicting Moore and Taylor would do much last night, but I missed Gibbs. Good for him. Hey, maybe they can do some damage, sneak out of Calhoun land with a “w” and be the team that no one ,but no one wants to play in the BE tourney.
Give the guy extra credit for having grit, guts and heart. But as a power forward, he’d make a good pastry chef. A 6?-3 PF (not to mention, one playing on a bad wheel) in the Big East is like a pork-chop to hungry wolves.
Did anyone else notice: last night for the first time I can recall this year, Jamie Dixon played major minutes with Taylor at C and Zanna at PF. And that’s when Pitt zoomed out from a tie to the big lead we wouldn’t give up.
See? It’s not that complicated. Playing CBB with a college-sized line-up is a good idea (as opposed to the high-school sized line-up we normally deploy whenever Nasir is on the floor). Dunno why it never occurred to Jamie Dixon before now.
Guess he doesn’t read my posts on the various Pitt blogs, I’ve been begging for this all year.
After a basket they do not hurray to get the ball in the rebounder waits to give it to a guard. If they get an entry pass every one heads down court as the guard slowly dribbles up court being manuveared to the sideline for the trap.
I sincerely think it is time to replace Knight and get a true backcourt coach. Knight has not recruited any top talent and Pitt’s perennial weakness each year is there guard play. Even with the best front court in the country Blair and Young, Pitt could not get beyond the elite 8 because they had 2 guards who shot in less than 35% from the field.
Knight can not help nayone with their shooting mechanics. Pitt has had a succession of “tough guy” guards who basketball skills were medicore(Krauser,Fields, Anderson, Gibbs, Woodall, and even Knight).
They finally got a quality guard and they need someone who can help him raise his alraedy quality game not diminish it.
