Speaking of Adams, on the flip side of the fouling issue, did I hear the announcers correctly state that Adams free throw % was only in the 30s???? Do they not shoot from the foul line down in New Zealand?

This is a real weak spot in his game and he will be a target for quick fouling at the end of close games going forward when he is in there to close out games.

I just don’t get it, how can any college player accept being such a poor free thrower?

13 for 38 so .342 FT for Adams….I agree Dr. Tom that could be a problem if a smart coach uses that at end of game.

Adams doesn’t play at the end of games. Jamie has been going with Zanna at center and Moore at power forward. Better offense and foul shooting.

On a side note, Jamie needed to get Wright some playing time last night. They really struggled to stop their guards penetration. Wright could have helped. Patterson was rolling on offense, so Pitt could have afforded to give up a little offense for some D.

And Patterson, dude almost blows his career game by missing the front end of a 1:1 then committing a brain dead foul in the back court after providence got his miss. Inexplicable.

What’s amazing about Adams and his fouls shooting is that he is doesn’t miss anything in pregame. Twice this year we were at games very early and he was out shooting around, and he hits threes from everywhere. I kid you not, he made 15 jumpers in a row from all over the place a few weeks back. After he made about 12 them, he went over and stood in front of the bench and drained three in a row from out-of-bounds. My son looks at me and says…”he can’t make a layup in a game.” His shot was fluid and he looked great, and then from the line in the game he looks tense and uncomfortable. I guess the question is why is he shooting threes in practice, but the point I’m making is that I think the touch is in there somewhere, and maybe he will learn to hit FTs under pressure as time goes on.

Based on last year’s results, if you don’t think there’s going to be a “revenge” factor in ALL of our games — Saturday’s Depaul game is a perfect example — you’re loopy!! We will be “up” for everything!

@ RoosterJones, if that is the case, then it is time for a visit to Bob Rotella. That’s a mental issue that needs to be corrected ASAP with Adams. He is too big a resource NOT to exploit to his maximum potential.

@ TX Panther, do you really want JC as a DC. What an announcing nightmare. Coach Chryst is calling the defensive plays today, oops, excuse me I mean Coach Christ, pardon me, it is Paul Chryst calling the plays or the Defensive Coordinator? It is the head coach calling the plays today??? Jesus Christ, whos calling the defensive plays? No, it’s Paul Chryst calling the plays, Whos on first! You get my point! LOL

At least Pitt won the battle of the coaches with the worst hairdos in the Big East. Jamie was working the skunk look and Cooley was bringing the clumps-missing, patch here, patch there.

*Patterson was tough, even with the late mistakes.
*You guys know I hate Woodall, but he wasn’t forcing shots last night, which I appreciated
*Man, did Adams come out like gangbusters. It will take 2 years in college hoops for that to become normal, but nice to see the potential
*Jamie’s becoming a zone coach. 🙂
*Zanna can run, but he can’t jump. That said, his ability to beat other bigs downcourt is huge.
*Yes, Moore hit a huge three, but he is as clueless as ever. Just has no idea what’s going on — when to drive, when to dish, when to fire.
*Is it my imagination or is Robinson getting slower? Such a nice floor game and presence for a frosh, but wow, is he slow.

Tough stretch coming up, but they look like they’re coming together.

The Big Kiwi had better get his free-throw issues fixed, or coaches will play Hack-a-Shaq on him late in games, for defacto turnovers with the clock stopped.

Either that, or else Jamie Dixon will be forced to play Dante Taylor at 5. DT is a decent FT shooter.

Team playing much better. I think they are getting to know each other better in terms of who can do what.

I’m told that Adams hits his free throws in practice. If that’s the case, he just needs to get more comfortable in game situations. I also thought he was going to have a big game, before he got called for his 2nd foul early in the game. I think he will come around. I am a little concerned about Zanna. He struggling right now and seems to be having issues finishing. I still would like to see Zeigler get more playing time.

Once, when she was in junior high school (shows how old I am), my sister made 50 free throws in a row on our backyard hoop shooting underhand (a la Rick Barry). Maybe Adams should try it that way and see if he gets better results.

Impressed w/the last 3 games. 2 road wins are nice. Hey Justinian == What part of Zeiglers’ game makes you want to see him receive more playing time ??

No one on this planet gives a rats ass what any coach at Providence thinks or says about anything.
Say hello to Duquesne’s Rhode Island branch basketball squad.
The guy who should be really pissed is the clown in line for the Ad position. He probably thought BE commish was is in his future. Oopsie.
Pitt won on the road. I hate syle points anyway. They are meaningless. Just keep winning and having someone else carry the load that day at the office.
As for Adams and free throws, practice, practice, practice and with guys standing on the line too.

Good one Dr. Tom.

Pitt needed this win. It was ugly but so was that Michigan St and Wisky game last night. In fact, that was uglier.

A lot of turnovers, but still a WIN on the road.
Adams is slowly coming along, which is good news.

The main issue I see with this team is stopping penetration. Good guard play really hurts this team. Adams really helps here with his ability to clog the lane.

Cotton is a beast. He shoots lights out and can also create his shot and drive. He is averaging like 31ppg. He was going to be tough for us to stop. Providence is finally fully healthy, and they have some serious talent at guard. They always play Pitt tough.

Patterson needs to continue to drive to the hoop. BUT make the FTS!!! Woodall sucks on D, can be turn over prone, but one of the best options we have on critical possessions. (even though that turnover late was bad)

Robinson – Ice cold. He is a pleasant surprise. Obviously is and will have growing pains in the big east, but you can tell he will continue to grow.

Last item, is why JJ moore never elects to drive..ever ? He is not spot up shooter. Granted he hit a big three, but he always looks to that.

ESPN RPI rankings have Pitt at 17.

pitt dad, Glad your sister is such a good shot.I get frustrated with foul shooting too however I think Adams is injured and has a good excuse.You might have noticed his right hand is heavily taped through the the thumb slot for at least the last 2 weeks.There have been pictures in the trib 2 days in a row that show how big the bandage is.My guess is even your sister would miss occasionally with what appears to be a painful and strategic point injury.I noticed in the game he doesn’t even slap 5 with his teamates with his right hand.I am amazed no one in the media seems to have noticed it.I think Adams is coming along great and will be ready to make some serious noise by tourney time.

That was a nice win over a quickly improving Providence team last night.The win over Nova is also looking better after the Louisville loss there last night.In fact the Woodall excuse in the Marquette game and young teams first road game excuse for the first half at Rutgers I think one could make a case that this team is on a roll.

Good win! Keep it up. Just keep collecting W’s.

Man, Patterson pulls me in many directions!!

Soon the word will be out that to beat Pitt foul them in the closing moments. Shooting 57% from the line last night almost cost them the win. Fortunately Jamie sat Adam’s and went with his best shooters. But against better competition Pitt will lose closely contested games unless they improve at the free throw line. I am baffled as to why Pitt can’t improve in this important part of their game.

MMike Last night was certainly closely contested and so were the previous two victories and Pitt hit the freethrows when they had to.You are right about needing to improve but the strategy you suggest hasn’t worked in the last three games.I think the rebounding inconsistancy is a larger weakness that needs to get fixed if we are to make a serious run this year.