So the theme in today’s stories for Pitt basketball is sharing the ball and assists.
One time it was Pitt power forward Talib Zanna zipping it to a cutting Lamar Patterson from the right corner; the next, center Steven Adams was slipping a bounce pass to Zanna from the high post.
Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin called it inexcusable that Pitt players dunked on the Bearcats’ zone defense.
Jamie Dixon finds it inconceivable that the Panthers’ passing isn’t discussed more, given their propensity for finding open players and for those passes leading to points.
“We’re not tops in the country in assists for nothing,” Dixon said. “We do it year after year. It’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough, except for (Pitt radio color analyst) Dick Groat. He’s the only guy that seems to talk about our passing.”
The Panthers rank among the nation’s leaders in both assists (sixth, 17.2 a game) and assists-to-turnover ratio (second, 1.57). They have averaged at least 15 assists a game every season since Dixon became coach in 2003-04, ranking as high as fourth (17.4) in 2010-11 and sixth (18.0) in 2008-09.
Good team numbers.
It’s what Coach Dixon wants. A team that doesn’t waste too many possessions and tries to get the best shot. Offensive efficiency is what the cool kids call it.
Pitt does not have a prolific scorer, but Dixon boasts one of the most efficient offenses in NCAA Division I. According to kenpom.com, which tracks adjusted offensive efficiency, the Panthers are ninth among all Division I teams.
Adjusted offensive efficiency is points scored per 100 possessions. Pitt plays in a lot of low possession games, so though the Panthers might not be scoring a lot of points (66.2 ppg in Big East play), they are making the most of their possessions.
“We had balance, nine guys scoring,” Dixon said of his team’s performance at Cincinnati. “We take what’s available. That’s what we do. That’s why our offensively efficiency is so high year after year. We’re at the top of the country. You can’t rely on one play, one set or one player.”
I kind of disagree. Pitt does not rely on one player, per se, but they rely so heavily on the backcourt to keep the offense in rhythm. Those beautiful A/TO numbers. That’s really just three players: James Robinson, Tray Woodall and Lamar Patterson. Here are the assists and turnovers by player:
If you look at that, Cam Wright is the only other Pitt player to have more assists than turnovers. The other six players are all below 1:1 A/TO. It is a measure, though, of Zeigler’s improvement from the start of the year that he is inching closer to 1:1. Moore is actually improved from last year when it comes to taking care of the ball (16:37)
We saw it last year when Tray Woodall went down. Not enough guys who were able to take care of the ball. It’s better this year on that front with Robinson instead of Gibbs.
This isn’t necessarily uncommon. The frontcourt generally has more turnovers than assists. It’s that Zanna and Adams aren’t even close to 1:1. Wing players like Zeigler, Johnson and I’ll lump Moore in there as well. They aren’t far off the pace, but should still be slightly above 1:1.
Next year, the overall numbers will be better. With Josh Newkirk coming and the increased experience and skill from the frontcourt players — to reduce their turnover numbers. Of course, when players finish their shots, it tends to help those assist numbers more. That is also something I expect to see improved next year. Pitt’s overall shooting percentage.
No team passes better on the interior than Pitt. And Patterson is such a good passer, he may be the best non-PG passer Pitt has had.
Now next year if Adams stays, this could change.
sportsillustrated .cnn. com/college-basketball/news/20130118/college-basketball-early-warnings/
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A go to guy is nice. But there have been plenty of teams lately without a go to guy that have gone far in March. I think if you don’t have a go to guy you need tons of depth, which the team clearly has. Plus, I think Adams might have enough go to in him this year.
By contrast, Jerry Palm also has us as a 5, playing the winner of Iowa State/St. Mary’s in Kansas City. He also has us in the Indy bracket but with Michigan (1), Arizona (2 – hello Sean), Butler (3 – ugh) and Kansas.
It’s still too early for any consensus to develop.
In the last 25 years there have really only been three champions that have had that one dominant player;
1988 Kansas – Danny Manning
2003 Syracuse – Carmelo Anthony
2011 Connecticut – Kemba Walker
All the rest had multiple go to guys and all had GREAT guard play.
Teams can stop one guy, best example 1984 #1 ranked UNC team got beat by Indiana, Dan Dakich took Michael Jordan out of the game, held him to 13 points.
I was looking forward to see what he’d do with more playing time, but he doesn’t play much … and looks like a shell of his former self when he does. Like maybe he’s sick or something.
Anybody know what’s wrong with him? Just a slump?
Trouble is that almost all the good ones have signed LOIs, but I would have to believe Jamie will go after a JUCO center since they sorely will need frontcourt depth next season.
2. Speaking of frontcourt depth, I don’t think JJ Moore is meant to play the 4 but is forced to play there. Even though he oftn plays on the perimeter, I would have to think it is affecting his play.
He has us 5th in the galaxy.
I’m livin’ in the moment.
MSU consistently exceeds others in that category and is why Izzo ain’t afraid of scheduling tough games in December.
IMO, it is Jamie’s only flaw.
I suspect and hope that as soon as he takes a team to the Final Four, he will have gained enough clout to internally convince himself, and others, that henceforth his teams will be given the measure of respect that ALL other teams with final four coaches get.
Therein is the significance of getting to a final four. A very important prop from the Wizards bag.
As for Michigan…toast? No, but the way to beat them is common knowledge and they have reached their peak.
Only Adams’ stats are poor and I would love to those stats over the last 10 games.
But you are only as good as your next game and the Warriors are next. They are going over the game film from the G’Town game ad naseum. We will not catch them by surprise and not giving anything but their best.
As far as I am concerned, this is the biggest game of the year.
Will our Panthers be ready? All hands on deck for this one! Let us win or let no man come back alive!
I did not see the first game, but I did see the game against G’Town. Marquette did not play poorly. The Hoyas are a different team too. Hope you are right.
Am watching WVUlgar play Baylor. Huggins looks like a giant blue pumpkin. Better get the cardio crew at Pgh international.
Man o man, the travel they have to contend with is brutal. Thank God we aren’t in the Dust Bowl conference.