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April 2, 2013

And the Hits Just Keep On Coming

Filed under: Basketball,Draft,NBA — Chas @ 8:09 pm

So, hey, Steven Adams says that NBA Draft Lottery looks good.

After insisting that he would return for his sophomore season at Pitt, Steven Adams is declaring for the NBA Draft and will sign with an agent, thereby forfeiting his final three seasons of eligibility.

The 7-foot center from New Zealand announced his intentions Tuesday night in a statement released by Pitt’s athletic department. A Pitt spokesman said that Adams is out of the country.

β€œIn discussing options with my family and Coach Dixon, I feel that it is in my best interest to declare for the NBA Draft,” Adams said. β€œI want to thank everyone at Pitt, including my teammates, coaching staff, the administration and the fans who have all supported me over the last year.”

I’ll never, ever begrudge a kid for turning pro. Especially when he is a potential lottery pick. Yes, he could have come back. Potentially improved and been a top-5 pick. Thus upping the potential earning potential. But he is already a top-20 pick. Likely top-14, lottery. This is a weak draft. Especially for centers.

And I will never hold it against a kid just because he said, “sure I’m coming back.” When asked during the season. He got back to New Zealand. Got feedback, pressure. etc. He decided to go pro.

Obviously it’s a big blow for Pitt. We are about to find out just how much Jamie Dixon is willing to adjust what he does to the personnel. Even if they land a JUCO Center he is going to have to play a smaller line-up. One that is much more dependent on the guards, and getting to the rim. And more than anything else, either gang rebounding or finding other ways to play.

These are now very, very interesting times.





DeVanzo, so Dixon should never recruit elite talent then. Half those guys leave after one year.

Next year’s team is still more talented than any Howlad Pitt team. And is certainly more talented than a couple Dixon Pitt teams that did well in Big East and made the tournament.

Comment by Wardapalooza 04.03.13 @ 8:13 am

So far I have not heard of or seen any reports of deaths attributed to the recent rash of Pitt transfers from the FB & BB teams. Therefore I must conclude that,

That, that does not kill you, only makes you stronger!

I’m in the court of public opinion that feels that this Pitt football team is learning a valuable lesson with the transfer of Rushel Shell. Life lessons often are painful and expensive but leave a lasting impression. This Pitt team will come out better for it in the long run. The King is dead, the King is dead, long live Sir Isaac Bennett. Opportunity knocks, NEXT!

Comment by Dr. Tom 04.03.13 @ 8:21 am

Pitt should block ACC transfers and ASU.

Comment by Frank MD 04.03.13 @ 8:24 am

Dr. Tom I’ve also done some soul searching over the last few days and my current assessment is…

we are f*cked

Comment by Coach Ditka 04.03.13 @ 8:25 am

OH MY GOD — DIXON RECRUITED THE VERY KIND OF ONE-AND-DONE GUY EVERYONE KEEPS INSISTING HE DOESN’T RECRUIT AND NOW HE IS GOING PRO AND SOMEHOW THAT PROVES THAT DIXON DOESN’T RECRUIT GOOD ENOUGH PLAYERS!!!!

Seriously, what in the world are you people thinking? Pitt Athletics is an embarrassment now somehow? Sheesh. I should’ve known better than to read the comments section.

Comment by PantherP 04.03.13 @ 8:26 am

Wait a second. Haven’t Pitt fans long clamored for Jamie to bring in more “one and done,” lottery-caliber players? I thought sending kids to the NBA was a good thing.

Comment by Swinging Gate 04.03.13 @ 8:33 am

I dont think anybody has a problem with one and done players. The difference here is that most programs with one year players typically win in the ncaa tourney. We on the other hand never win.

Yes Kentucky, Louisville, Cuse and these other schools lose guys all the time but they also go to Final Fours and win national titles… what have we won???

And lets stop giving Dixon kudos for landing Adams. He was a gift dropped in his lap because of some connection to his family. Adams wasn’t recruited by any other school so it’s not like we beat out the competition to get him. Now whne we start landing top recruits over places like Syracuse, Uconn, UNC, Duke, etc.. then JD can get some pats on his back.

Comment by Coach Ditka 04.03.13 @ 8:34 am

Dr. Tom I share you opinion the running back situation. Next man up, Issac Bennett has worked hard and deserves the opportunity. He and Malcom Crocket will get an lot of playing time and I think they will do just fine.

I am bummed out however, by Steve Adams leaving after one year. I really believe he needs, at the very least, one more year playing college ball, to develop his offensive game. I realize the money is inticing, but another year would make a difference for him. This is major setback for Pitt basketball.

Comment by Justinian 04.03.13 @ 8:35 am

be careful kenny you will be on the list with me,sadly u r right,my kids are getting afab education at pitt,and the sports keep our family together,people have aright to their opinion,unless its u

Comment by paul shannon 04.03.13 @ 8:36 am

Wichita uses JUCO players to the final four there must be some more out there.

Comment by Frank MD 04.03.13 @ 8:36 am

we’ll see what JUCO players are brought in for the necessary quick fix .. as well as any 5th year grad students who still has eligibility left

Comment by wbb 04.03.13 @ 8:41 am

Bennett breaks a tackle==stiff arm== and he’s in the end zone for a Panther touchdown. Robinson to Moore for the monster jam. Oh my Billy the Panthers are playing well. PITT up 5. Stay positive better days have to ahead. HTP!!

Comment by DC33 04.03.13 @ 8:45 am

This recent development sure changes the expectations for the next basketball season.

On the football side of things, I think we’ll be ok. With shell leaving, coming to Pitt may be a more attractive situation for Washington’s McKenzie. He stated that a factor of where he decides to go, will be the opportunity to play right away.

Comment by Justinian 04.03.13 @ 8:46 am

What are the odds Adams does what other guys have done and signs and “advisor”, not an “agent” and considers coming back?

I really thought next year was gonna be our year!

Damn.

Comment by PantherP 04.03.13 @ 8:47 am

If you’re a big man who wants to play right away, Pitt now appears to be a good option. I wonder if there are any decent uncommitted JUCOs out there?

Comment by Justinian 04.03.13 @ 8:49 am

Adams and gone to the NBA and he should be. No advisor as I am certain that he has been told by scout that they will take him. He is 7-0 and all of it. No baby fat. He has the body of a man and the NBA will make him better NOW.
Props to Jamie for finding a guy like Adams. We need more 1 and done kids as it is obvious that those who make deep runs into the tourney always have 2-3 NBAL level players. The year we made our deepest run we had two.

Pitt Athletics is doing fine.

ACC

Another NCAA tourney

20+ win season

Promising Football recruiting class

Promising 2014 WPIAL prospects

Dixon here for 10 more year (or so they say)

Chryst back for a second year πŸ™‚

Opening day on National TV against no other than FSU (the team that robbed us of our last legitimate NCAA title in the early 80’s)

I am feeling pretty good right now.

Change happens and Pitt is not immune to it. Opportunity knocking folks so might as well answer the door.

Comment by Pitt Fan In Atlanta 04.03.13 @ 9:01 am

Coach Ditka, Josh Newkirk had offers from the following schools: Arizona, Indiana, Memphis, Missouri, Georgia Tech, NC. St., Ok. St. and Tennessee. Mike young had offers from: UConn, Florida, Georgia Tech, Miami and NC. St. James Robinson had some pretty good offers too.

Comment by Wardapalooza 04.03.13 @ 9:04 am

The Cathedral of Learning just transferred to Carnegie Mellon!

The fact is the pro leagues fall in love with potential. It is always better for guys to leave early before the scouts start picking their games apart.

The strength of our teams as we climbed into national relevance has always been the collective will to win. I always felt that our basketball team would win – down to Duke at MSG, in any Big East game etc…(btw: exact opposite for our football team) that is why the tourny losses have always hurt so much. I always expected them to win. The last couple of years that feeling has diminished and now is gone. We need some stability and a crew of guys committed to each other and to winning.

Comment by PittDan 04.03.13 @ 9:08 am

So does JD run more with this team of guards next year or does he slow it down even more to limit possessions?

Comment by bdubb 04.03.13 @ 9:10 am

UPittbaseball — you extrapolated quite a bit from what I said. What does the AD have to do with Shell leaving? Or Adams going to the NBA? Or Trey Zeigler not being good enough to get playing time?

I think you people are blinded by your hate of Steve Pederson, and give him a lot more credit than he deserves when it comes to his “sabotaging” of our athletic department. I’ll bet if we had unlimited funds for our athletic teams, he would be a great AD. I think it boils down to that more than it does WHO the AD is.

I am perfectly happy with both Dixon and Chryst as our head coaches. You are not, and you are laying that at the feet of Pederson. What coaches are you going to get that are better? Chryst has only been on the job for a year, so noone can even say whether or not he is a success/failure. All Dixon has done is help resurrect and sustain a competetive basketball program for over a decade. That’s not kool-aid. That’s a fact.

Imagine Pitt’s basketball program was in shambles for these past 10 years. (Shouldn’t take much imagination. Just remember the 90’s.) But during that time Dixon was at USC doing exactly what he has been doing at Pitt. Then Pitt manages to hire him away as their head coach here. The fanbase would be ecstatic! Well, guess what. We already have him!

Comment by JCE 04.03.13 @ 9:11 am

@paul shannon. I beg to differ. Seems to me, there are always 2 or 3 posters that come on and chastise the whole board for giving their opinions.

Using phrases, like this oldie but goodie, “you people”, and “haters” etc. etc..

I especially get a kick out of “hater”.

What the hell does that mean?? It used to mean that someone actually hated something or someone.

People started using it a few years ago in politics I believe, and now it has been watered down to basically meaning, someone has a different opinion than their own.

Paul, I do keep a list, in my little red book, right in my breast pocket, but you, are not on it!!! LOL

Enjoy your day!!!

Comment by Dan 04.03.13 @ 9:20 am

@JCE, just a coincidence. Not referring to you. Didn’t even see your post. LOL

Comment by Dan 04.03.13 @ 9:26 am

Pitt Fan in Atlanta, I guess the sky isn’t really falling. But, after Steve Adams’ comment, “Why do you guys keep asking me that? I’m coming back next year.” I really believed him.

Comment by Justinian 04.03.13 @ 9:28 am

Justinian, Adams meant he was coming back when he said it. But then he went home and his mind changed aka his family pushed him to make the right choice and take the guaranteed money.

Comment by Wardapalooza 04.03.13 @ 9:36 am

JCE – My point is underachieving is the norm and that falls under the CEO of the Athletic Dept. That CEO is Steve Pederson. He is not a good AD. Just ask Nebraska. As far as Chryst it is definitely early you are correct. But I saw the program regress and I never saw passion, fire, heart on the field. I also saw him make bush league moves before halftime that lost us games. It was his rookie season and even though I think he is better served as a OC Lifer that is just my opinion. Dixon and Howland turned us into a solid program, one that competed and won Big East tourneys, etc. We even went pretty far in the tourney a few years. But again, I see us regressing. Look at the last 2-4 years and especially the post season. I don’t know where the answers are I’m just frustrated that Pederson has his position while constantly underachieving.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.03.13 @ 9:37 am

Big East going out with a bang with 5 of the 8 teams participating in next week’s Final 4s.

All have D1 FB programs (ND is independent)

Comment by wbb 04.03.13 @ 9:38 am

This wouldn’t be much of an issue – in fact we would be rejoicing… a Pitt player off to the NBA – if Dixon could recruit. But he can’t… so we’re left w/ the likes of Lamar Patterson. Too slow… can’t shoot… mediocre defender.

Dixon needs to fire someone from his staff and get a recruiter. Then again… he has a 10 year contract – he probably knows Pitt will never be able to buy him out – so he’s basically set for life.

It’s us fans who will suffer. Oh well…

Comment by John Ramella 04.03.13 @ 9:40 am

My only regret about Adams is that we got to see very little of his great potential realized. His game will be unrecognizable in a few years, and it won’t look anything like this past lone year at Pitt.

Excited about Young and Newkirk by all accounts polished freshmen who should work into rotation early. Concerned about front court and lack of depth. Dixon needs to find a 6 yr sr or JUCO to fill out the front court. Any good candidates come to mind?

Comment by Ghost of Hornman 04.03.13 @ 9:43 am

In 2009, Pitt was a total of 3 points shy of going to a Final 4 and a BCS bowl.

Oh yea, the women’s BB team also made it to the Sweet 16.

Comment by wbb 04.03.13 @ 9:44 am

Dan — no offense taken. But I think you would have to agree that there is definitely a “you people” who “hate” Steve Pederson!

Comment by JCE 04.03.13 @ 9:45 am

A little transfer/JUCO success story from the very distant past. While at UPJ for my first two years there was a great shooting guard at UPJ. He transferred to main campus the same year as I. He became Pitt’s leading shooter his last two years at main campus. JUCO surprises do happen sometimes where you least expect it.

Comment by Frank MD 04.03.13 @ 9:52 am

Lets not be hard on SA. He is doing what he has to. And while timing is everything, he doesnt have the luxury of over analyzing the when, where & how. TZ reminded me of how lay people can’t judge talent with only Greentree as a point of reference! So it is what it is. We are told there is a waiting list of 11k, I will still renew. what about a lineup of (1) JR (2) DJ (3) LP (4) JJ (5) Zanna). I wonder what would happen if you slide JJ to the 3 start Young at the 4 and have Lamar, Cam, Newkirk & Aaron (JUCO transfer?) off the bench? Yes we are (very) thin in the front court and largely inexperienced in the backcourt. But these are the pieces we are working with. JR, DJ & JJ picked up enough experience that they should be able to bring ppg’s. Let 44 face the basket have some FGA’s & get after it! Same with DJ (trusting he is working on his handle). Be honest, you cant wait to see what happens to SA in the NBA. Will he have the touch of Dirk and continue to redefine the stretch 4 or will he never become fluent with the intricate language of the sport? Heck, I figured if Duke & UCLA wanted TZ we had ourselves a wing (when I saw him in Greentree…). Either way, glad I went to the games I did this year! h2p

Comment by ptbreezeb 04.03.13 @ 9:57 am

But this is what college basketball has become. Unless the NBA changes its entry rules (fat chance), any potential 4-star recruit will be considered “one and done.” This is at least true for the 5 position.

Comment by Lou 04.03.13 @ 9:57 am

Ghost of Hornmam, Dokish who is pretty up on all things recruiting said there aren’t really any studs out there but they will grab a couple. I don’t think Ontario Lett was a big JuCo prospect but he did pretty well.

Comment by Wardapalooza 04.03.13 @ 9:58 am

WBB, Coulda Shoulda but it didn’t happen. BCS Bowl is far off the radar and should we talk about Agnes? 25+ Straight losses in the Big East. Did you seriously go there? Regress.

Comment by Upittbaseball 04.03.13 @ 9:58 am

Wardapalooza, I realize Adams meant it at the time. None the less, I’m still very dissapointed. I liked him and I wanted to see him develop his game at Pitt. Too bad they let go back to New Zealand before the NBA draft.

I just saw that Rutgers fired Mike Rice. We all knew that was coming.

Comment by Justinian 04.03.13 @ 10:00 am

dan ,thanks ,i really like toread this,but sometimes the tone gets scary? we are in way better shape than most think.i do not post half the info that i acess to because people want to name sources,do think shell really wanted to trans?steve adams got agnes b. pregnant so both had to leave,they wanted an 8 ft child

Comment by paul shannon 04.03.13 @ 10:05 am

Lou, It won’t happen becuase the NBA isn’t the NFL. The NFL respects and appreciates what they have in Division I college football, a free minor league system. They realize that it is in their best interest to take abvantage of the player development that NCAA football provedes them.

Comment by Justinian 04.03.13 @ 10:08 am

The hysteria is too funny and predictable. The kid has a chance for a pay day. Good for him. And while it may be a tough season next year, Pitt will survive.

Comment by Velvil 04.03.13 @ 10:14 am

@JCE, yes, that’s why I quickly came on. Your post is a time where that actually works. Your use was defining the group that hates Pederson, a group that I would be in, and I doubt anyone would have any qualms about being labled in that group.

Also, I never see you bashing people in general, that’s why I wanted to say that to you immediately.

I was referring to a few who come on and defend Pitt no matter what. You can’t even give an opinion on anything without them challenging you and your allegiance to Pitt for your opinion on different subjects. “If you question Pitt, you hate Pitt”.

No problems!!

Comment by Dan 04.03.13 @ 10:14 am

@JCE, funny, I like Chryst and Dixon (allthough I hope he does think about tinkering with his offense and his assistant coaches).

My beef with Pederson is with Pitt script, and a lack of a plan for a 40K or so on campus stadium.

The Pete is great, no problem there. Permanently being in a Pro stadium??? Hasn’t worked anywhere.
Should have had something else up his sleeve for the long run.

Also, I cringe when I see him getting credit for moving us to the ACC.

My 4 year old niece would have known to say yes to that offer when it came.

Comment by Dan 04.03.13 @ 10:19 am

The problem isn’t one and done players. Pitt doesn’t typically get those types of players. Adams was an exception. The problem is recruiting the four star types which Pitt doesn’t get either. The team has been littered with three star players for several years now. Nothing against three star players but you need to sprinkle in some really good players into the mix to have teams that can go deep in the tournament. Pitt doesn’t have one player on the roster who would start for one of the major programs. We have a team full of solid role players.

Comment by Floyd 04.03.13 @ 10:21 am

Adams was totally misused by Dixon. Averaging only 23 minutes per game and every point he scored in his brief time on the court he had to manufacture being the 5th option. Every rebound was him fighting off 2 players since the other team ignored boxing off Zanna.
Woodall, arguably the worst player on the team played by 32 per minutes per took the most shots but only average 11.8 pts only 4 points more than Adams playing 10 minutes more and toaking 100 more shots. (consider if Dixon was a good coach he would of sat Woodall out the entire 2nd half in the W.S. game/10 less points just on turnovers and who knows how many points given to W.S. on his numerous shots that led to ast breaks/6’9″ center playing Adams could not guard him but Pitt kept shooting from the pro 3 point line further Adams would of fouled out his man who ended up leading the team in scoring. Another coach would have beat W.S. and another coach would have used his best player.)
Money yes but Adams and his handlers are no fools under Dixon Adams would not be the focal point of the offense. Further any who still think Adams offensive skills are raw compared to other big men check out video’s of Addidas summer camap and Prep game against Noels that were played unDixon style more NBA style.
If I was Young I would attempt to get a release. Like Taylor Dixon will make him play center, Zanna cannot do it, and all the work he has put into imrpving his ball handling and outside shooting will be wasted by Dixon. He will not play 2 forwards or adapt system to personnel that is why we may have seen our last NCAA.
Without a long basketball tradition like Syracuse, Conneticut, etc., we cannot afford 2 non tournament years out of 3 the program will collapse. Dixon has proven he cannot recruit and part of it is because skilled players do not want to play for him.
Regardless of the coast after next years 12 and 19 season he needs to be released.

Comment by pittisit 04.03.13 @ 10:23 am

Rutgers fires Mike Rice

Comment by alcofan 04.03.13 @ 10:26 am

saw this last night cant find it today.
it was late when i found it did not write it down

shai mckenzie said this not the exact words
but you will get the point at first he thought it
would be good with shell leaveing he would be the main back if he came here.

but then he thought abought it and he said if shellis leaveing then something is wrong at pitt
it makes him worry he does not like what is going on he said something like that like i said i did not write it down.

Comment by FRANKCAN 04.03.13 @ 10:34 am

pittisit, you don’t like Dixon and you will find any way to critize him. Including my personal favorite, when you complained about the minutes Adams got in a game that you didn’t watch so you didn’t even know that Adams was in foul trouble. You also want the top recruit to decommit from Pitt. You say he should decommit because he’s a skilled guy, but then you say Dixon can’t recruit skilled guys? So which one is it. I also like how Pitt has already missed the tournament in your mind before you have any idea how the team will look. It’s also funny that you mention that any other coach would have beat Wichita St., because Wichita St. still hasn’t lost in the tournament and is in the Final 4. You really should save yourself the trouble and give up on being a “fan” of Pitt basketball.

Comment by Wardapalooza 04.03.13 @ 10:43 am

Pittisit is insane! Dixon is the only thing. Again, I repeat DIXON IS ONLY THING GOOD ABOUT PITT athletics right now.

Chryst couldn’t even hold on to a 5 star local legacy with family ties to Pittsburgh. He must be developing real close relationships with all the local coaches and talent now? What a joke.

It all started with getting rid of Wannstadt without a real planned replacement.

Keep talking Pittisit. Maybe we can get Dixon to take the job at Rutgers, and we get Rice.

Give me a name of a coach we can get better than Dixon?

Comment by Old Pitt Grad 04.03.13 @ 10:57 am

dixon is here and will be for 10 years so stop with dixon is bad becuse of this or that.

what we need to is change what we can we need
new asst coachs we need some who can recruit

we need more and better players.

but dixon is here we need to live with that.

Comment by FRANKCAN 04.03.13 @ 11:08 am

Frankcan
100% correct. Pitt and Dixon will be married for a long time. Dixon needs to hire some talented assistant coaches who can recruit better talent. With better talent, his system can be successful.

Comment by Floyd 04.03.13 @ 11:13 am

The Mike Rice video is disturbing. Clearly the guy has “issues”. Hard to believe that there were never any warning signs, those actions reveal deep character flaws. Would love to hear Dixon’s true thoughts on him. Also, wonder if any of that nonsense was going on at Bobby Mo?

If I am Craig Coleman, AD at Robert Morris, I am praying that there aren’t any videos lying around of Rice’s practices at Bobby Mo….Maybe he should call G. Gordon Liddy to help get rid of them, that’s a reference for all you “old guys”.

Comment by boubacar aw 04.03.13 @ 11:13 am

@FRANKCAN

Agreed.

Comment by Swinging Gate 04.03.13 @ 11:13 am

But how do we do that .
how do we get dixon to bring back slice barry
rohrssen and his NY pipe line to players
or some outher good recruiter.
you cant just walk up to him and say hire better
asst.
and while that is what could be changed there is
no way to make it happen and that is the problem

Comment by FRANKCAN 04.03.13 @ 11:36 am

info for you brothers.
larod stephens howling is talking with the
steelers today.
maybe we will have a ex panther on the steelers

Comment by FRANKCAN 04.03.13 @ 11:47 am

Guess we only want our players to become lottery picks after they finished their 5th year.

Comment by longsufferingpittfan 04.03.13 @ 11:52 am

Agree with you, Justinian, I was just lamenting the situation. It’s a real catch-22 for Pitt: we all say they need some better-caliber players; we get a better caliber player in Adams, and he leaves for the NBA after one season.

Hard to recruit and develop a team around those parameters.

Comment by Lou 04.03.13 @ 12:00 pm

Everything I read about Adams before he got to Pitt was that he was a high propability one and done player. I am not the least bit surprised by this move. Good for him. He has a chance to help himself and his family now, and he is taking it. He is one freak injury away from losing a big pay day. Maybe that Lville players injury spooked him a bit. I wish him well. Defensively he will be very difficult to replace, offensively, not so much.

Comment by HbgFrank 04.03.13 @ 12:40 pm

So, we all are frustrated and concerned about the past 2 days (and 3-4 years really).

Some of you guys have short/selective memories and little to no patience:

This is Syracuse’s first Final Four since 2003.

This is Syracuse’s second Elite Eight since 2003.

Before these two in a row, Louisville hadn’t been to a Final Four since 2005.

Louisville has been bounced from the tourney in the first round 3 times since Dixon took over.

Duke’s had 1 Final Four since 2004 (granted they won it all).

Duke has 3 Elite Eights since 2001 (Translated, Duke failed to make the Elite Eight 10 times in the past 13 years)

Duke got bounced in the first round last year.

THIS IS MICHIGAN’S FIRST SWEET 16 – FINAL FOUR SINCE 1994.

THIS IS MICHIGAN’S 4th TOURNEY APPEARANCE IN THE LAST 15 YEARS.

Wichita State has 6 tourney appearances since 1980. 4 first round bounces, 1 Final Four.

Do we want more? Surely. Who doesn’t? Are we all frustrated? Good reason to be. With Dixon’s crappy recruiting, awful system, I’m not sure I’d trade our past 10 years for any of those other past 10 years (Duke’s NC notwithstanding). How about a little perspective/reality mixed in once in a while?

Comment by CNorwoodAZ 04.03.13 @ 12:57 pm

Unless Dixon pulls a 6’10” rabbit out of a hat, the program is in trouble.

This means not making the tournament 2 out of 3 years and a very rough start in a new league, which will hurt recruiting.

None of us with any brains ever thought Pitt should go after one-and-dones, and I actually didn’t realize Adams was one. One-and-dones, besides the Kentucky versions (Davis, Kidd-Gilchrist) are generally just not worth the trouble. (The only time it could be is if the kid is so good that he can jump into a starring role right away…)

Dixon must have had a very good idea that Adams was short term. Being familiar with the family situation must have had this predictable.

Which shows bad judgement, because this just prevented him from recruiting and developing other big men.

It only takes a few bad choices to torpedo a program. I thought Dixon has already used up his allotment on guards, but now we’ve added Birch and Adams to the list.

And I was already checking into where Greensboro was in preparation for the ACC tournament next year. Scrap those plans……

Comment by hugh green 04.03.13 @ 1:24 pm

@CNorwoodAZ

I agree with you 1000%.

I think many Pitt fans take the basketball program’s success for granted. I’d be lying if I were to say that I wasn’t slightly disappointed in Pitt’s lack of postseason success. But I think it’s important to remember how far this program has come in the last decade. I grew up during the Jason Maile/Jaime Peterson era when I would never have even dreamed of Pitt making the Tourney, let alone the Sweet 16/Elite 8.

I still think this program’s best days are still ahead of it.

Comment by Swinging Gate 04.03.13 @ 1:32 pm

All of you that are saying “the sky is falling” & we are doomed couldn’t be more wrong.

Adams is a loss but the kid had a chance to help his family and decided to take the big payday and that will hurt the team. agreed

Trey Ziegler … this isn’t a loss at all. I’m sure many of our current players can drive into the lane out of control and turn the ball over anytime that type of play is needed.

Shell, we had him last year and how did that turn out? Reports are that he’s a cancer and ridding yourself of cancer never hurt anyone.

Things happen and we have good people in the coaching positions. They will right the ship and this time next year all of this will be forgotten.

Comment by Tony In Harrisburg 04.03.13 @ 2:25 pm

Based on what I have heard, Adams is a late 1st round at best, probable second round.
That means his money drops big time. It also means the CBA doesn’t protect him long.
I have also heard and read that NBA GM’s think he is making a mistake. I obviously am not an NBA GM, but I have to wonder how much better he will get by not playing and not practicing?
He is going to make money this is true, but nowhere near as much as to make this decision a no brainer.
He is far behind where Chris Taft was and nowhere near as basketball experienced.
Who knows? Not this humble author.

Comment by SFPitt 04.03.13 @ 2:59 pm

We can return to the Ralph Willard Paul Evans years and everyone will be happy!!!!

Seriously though, Adams was projected to be a 1st round pick BEFORE he came to Pitt. Now he’s still projected to be a late 1st round pick. What did folks want Jamie to do? Stand in front of the door and hold Adams hostage? He is a grown man and has to do what is best for himself and his family.

Comment by Native Washingtonian 04.03.13 @ 5:45 pm

The Paul Evans years weren’t all bad. In fact those two teams in the late 80’s were better than any of the Howland/Dixon teams.

I love how ppl use Ralph Willard constantly to boost Dixon. As I posted on here before, Willard wasn’t scheduling 12 rent-a-wins to make his record appear great. If those rent-a-wins excite ppl and float your boat. So be it.

From what I see, lots of season ticket holders are no shows for the non-con. Like at least 20-25% of them.

People are starting to see thru the Illusion.

24-9 sounds impressive, but it was really 12-9 and 4-8 against the Top 50.

Also this notion of comparing us to L-Ville, Kentucky, UNC and others who lose one & dones is pretty much nonsensical. Those schools routinely recruit 3 to 4 highly rated (4 &5 star) players EVERY Year. Pitt meanwhile has almost entire recruiting classes that are wiped out by transfers/leavings/whatever and players who just aren’t very good. Whereas those elite programs just reload because they can recruit great, Pitt must scramble just to find some recruits to fill out the class. Comparing Pitt to those programs and their one & dones is ludicrous.

And while the apologists will say, losing Zeigler is no big deal, it is. He was in the system for a year and surely would have been better next year and showed to some extent when he got 20 minutes of playing time he could score as he scored 18 points and led the team in scoring one game in mid Jan and then had 13 points in a game the next week.

At the least he would have provided some depth and experience off the bench and gave you some length at 6’5″ at the 2 Guard.

At the most he could have developed into the starter at 2 guard and perhaps avg’d 10-15 ppg.

And I have a feeling next year’s bball team is really going to struggle to score points. Especially in Dixon halfcourt snailball.

Heck Zeigler might have been next year’s leading scorer.

Comment by EMel 04.04.13 @ 12:49 am

Wardapalooza you are totally wrong on the minutes reason for Adams. He never foulded out of a game and rarely had more than 2 fouls a game after December.
Yes I do not think Dixon is a good floor coach.
Villanova, why guard the ball on the take out rather than using 5 players to defend 4 (double team Reyonlds.
Butler tie with one secons. At least call time out and tell players not to reach in on any missed shot if you are not going to take them off foul line.

Read NBA scouts reports on Adams they agree with me “he only plaayed 23 minutes per game that hurt his development of offensivive game>”
Of course I would rather have the ball in Woodall’s hands.
Like Dotisch replies to blog’s saying Adams did not live up to expectations, “you do not know anything about basketball.”

Comment by pittisit 04.04.13 @ 6:54 pm

Worst move was not calling TO when no right hand Jer Dixon is trapped on his right sideline by 2 Nova defenders with Pitt up by 2 and possession with 3-4 mins to the final four. There was no doubt in my mind Pitt is about to put Nova away. Instead Nova steals the ball and Dixon fouls, 3 point play. That game never should have come down to the Reynolds play. Absolute shit coaching non move. Cost us final four.

Comment by Old School Panther 04.04.13 @ 8:10 pm

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