You knew it couldn’t be sustained. You knew ND would throw counter-punches. That it wouldn’t stay a blowout. But man, the ride was something and ultimately satisfying way to spend some time.

Here’s the thing about this game. This was not an up and down the court game. This was actually one of Pitt’s slowest games with only 65 possessions and adjusted Tempo for this game was 63 ($ wall), Pitt, per KenPom is about 68.0 in adjusted tempo (possessions/pace per 40 minutes). Notre Dame is an even slower tempo team than Pitt. And like Pitt, they operate at high efficiency on offense. This game was almost an absurdist example of offensive efficiency.

Pitt finished the game with an eFG% of 58.9% (28-56 shooting with 10-19 on 3FGs), but ND was even better at 61.9% (32-59, 9-20). Both teams played like they were among the top-5 most efficient offensive teams nationally.

The key was what has been a big thing for Pitt all year. Getting to the free throw line. ND had no answer inside and a team that doesn’t foul a lot, did. Mike Young and Sheldon Jeter spend large chunks in the second half at the FT line — and converting. The two combined to shoot 17-20 at the line (the rest of the Pitt squad was 3-4).

Pitt did what it has been doing for the last month. Getting out in transition when it can to get easy buckets — and when it can’t, setting things up for good shots.

Mike Young was unstoppable in the first half. The only thing that kept him from continuing that in the second half, was foul trouble. Young picked up a second foul with 1:22 left in the half. Jamie Dixon is usually so rigid about the 2 fouls in the first half gets you on the bench, it was a mild surprise he stayed in.

Given that Young had been a force on offense, however; coupled with the short time left in the half and that Young is an upperclassman, Dixon decided to trust the junior. That blew-up in their face in 17 seconds. Young picked up a third foul. It was a questionable call, but Young had to know not to put himself in that spot. Most of the time the complaints have been about Dixon being too rigid

That sent him to the bench for the start of the second half. And he ended up staying there for a large chunk, because Sheldon Jeter came out and did  what Young was doing to ND. Just having his way with them. It really speaks to both how good they are offensively — and how bad the ND interior defense is.

Rafael Maia was a steady presence inside for much of the game. Chris Jones has been a willing defensive player on the perimeter (not always great, but much greater intensity and aggressive), and has increased his versatility when given offensive touches. Same can be said for Sterling Smith, as the two have solidified the 2-guard spot.

As for James Robinson, he didn’t have a good shooting game, but I wasn’t bothered for a few reasons. A few of the shots were end of shotclock shots that he had to take regardless. He was really solid defensively on the perimeter. Demetrious Jackson disappeared for much of the second half because Robinson was switched on him defensively. Unfortunately that opened things up for Steve Vasturia in the second half — who Robinson hounded in the first half. Then there were the clutch free throws converted in the final five seconds to ice the game — taking that 2 point lead to 4 points to end the ND threat.

Robinson has always been a great free throw shooter — except in the final minutes of tight games. Not yesterday. Add in the layup he converted — again, just as ND got to within 2 points — at 1:30 left, and Robinson came up big on the offense when needed.

A really good win at a place Pitt has not had a lot of success in recent years.