Pitt football recruiting target Damar Hamlin was there and even ventured into the Oakland Zoo to mingle in the second half. So that was good.
After that…
I’ll leave it to the players and coach to sum it up.
Panthers forward Jamel Artis said containing Barber was tough, but he explained that the larger issue was how the Wolfpack pushed them around and did whatever they wanted inside.
“They were tougher than us,” Artis said.
“They hit us first from the start of the first five or six minutes, and it is tough to come back from 25 points. We let ourselves down, we gave the game up. This was a lack of toughness. This is a sad loss.”
And,
“We got what we deserved,” Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. “Disappointing, bad loss for us.”
…
By the time the Panthers recovered and fought back, it was too late.“We didn’t do anything well,” Dixon said.
Nope.
I said before the game that NC State had talent. That they were as capable of winning by 20 as losing by 15. And I know that NC State was desperate for a win the ACC. But, this was a performance that should to embarrass the Pitt players.
Pitt shot horribly in the first half. It wasn’t like the Louisville game where the defense was all over them, and it was a slog. No, Pitt was missing. Flat out bad shooting. From the perimeter. Inside. Not finishing. Nothing. 7-28 shooting in the first half. At one point reeling off 14 straight shots and zero field goals.
Still, with all of those missed shots, only 2 offensive rebounds in the first half. How is that even possible? Artis and Young only came up with one each for the game. Sheldon Jeter was the only Pitt player to have more than one offensive rebound (3) for the game.
Pitt showed zero interest in trying to play hard. It’s like they were all just waiting for it to click for them.
Mike Young scored 16 points and was 6-of-13 from the floor which isn’t bad — but he only got to the free throw line twice which means he wasn’t nearly as aggressive as he usually is. Artis made 7-of-10 from the free throw line, but he was only 4-of-10 from the field and only 1-of-4 from the 3-point line. Other than that — there wasn’t much to really get excited about. Sterling Smith actually did play in this game but only for 13 minutes and he took a total of one shot. Sheldon Jeter had six points and seven rebounds but he only took eight shots, in game like this he needs to take more. And the center spot — three guys — combined for 25 minutes and this was their box score: 2 points, 5 rebounds, 2 turnovers. That’s obviously not going to get it done.
Artis also had 5 turnovers in the game. He looked completely off for most of the game.
The extra part that was frustrating, is that NC State spent a good portion of the second half reverting to type. Begging to give the game away.
At halftime, twitter comments on the game came from other ACC fans and even media. They were all saying similar things. Snark about how NC State is oh, so capable of blowing a 25 point lead in the second half. And they tried. They started turning the ball over. Taking stupid shots. Slow getting back on defense.
Pitt appeared to be clawing back into the game. Getting it closer to single digits. And then fell away. Going over 4:30 without scoring. Multiple turnovers. Refusing to take the gift. Settling for the loss they earned.
This team didn’t play well because they had a belly ache from all the cupcakes they had in November and December.
When does Spring Practice start again? We are a football school, you know!
Not that JR is the only issue … far from it. WE have more issues at the 5 than the 1 IMO.
LOL … but playing a harder non-con would have only showed our weaknesses much earlier. In the end, we do not have the personnel to match up against many good teams unless we shoot like crazy.
It pains me but: this is a bubble team. I believe we have to win the next three to even give us a chance at the tourney. February is too tough, we could easily go 2-5. I see only one easy win, the Wake game.
These forwards are fun to watch, but I don’t have any real expectations that this season will end any differently than the last 75 years since our only Final Four appearance. I hope you didn’t either (“exceptions” + “Pitt,” yeah about that). That’s crazy when I read that out loud (75 years!!). Have to view things for what they are. Enjoy Artis and Young when they are on. They are certainly worth the price of admission when things click, I’ll give us that.
We now need to grab an away game and defend our home just to end up with a winning ACC record. Not a guarantee.
I think because this team is capable of shooting well they have a tendency to rely on it too much and don’t think to attack the rim when jumpers aren’t falling.
Also, this team’s biggest issue is still at center. No physical presence.
What is it with Pitt teams and sleep-walking through first halves of games???
Can’t help noticing that the shelf life expiration date for JD has expired.
It’s not time to hit the panic button but we need to find a way to tread water when our shots are not falling. Feed Young in the post and let him go to work? Iso Artis and let him create? I don’t know.
I don’t think NC State played a great game last night. IMO, we didn’t just run into a team that was so hot that they were destined to win. I actually think they played a sloppy game. However, Pitt was extremely lazy last night, especially in the first half. NC State played with more effort and more aggressiveness and the ball tends to bounce your way when you do that.
FSU will be a very tough matchup for Pitt. They are very long and that will cause Pitt some fits. They also have a volume 3-point shooter who can get very hot. We will need to keep him in check and hold our own on the boards.
I’m holding back an article I wrote that addresses that exact issue and will probably post in later today.
First you guys talk BB for a while… after all the season is actually in full swing. I played organized BB for years but Pitt is showing exactly why I don’t follow our BB team. They are worse than the FB team when it comes to inconsistent play. I watched a bit last night and couldn’t believe how easy it was for NC State to defend us. 44-19 at the half does not make me stay up and watch the rest of the game.
If we don’t make the NCAA’s this year…..
it will be 3 out of 5 years.
@FSU
@Clemson
Va Tech
UVA
@Mia
@UNC
Is there a win in there in the next 6 games?
“Let’s play the West Virginias and the Penn States in everything, basketball specifically,” (Pitt Athletic Director Scott) Barnes said.
I like this Barnes guy.
That was a real beat down. I can’t remember anything like it.
The only loss I think I was ever madder at, was a few years against Notre Dame.
The one where Pitt went out to like a
21-3 lead.
Only to lose by 16 or something??
The inability of him to put together a complete squad is not new .. we always seem to be overloaded in one area and not enough in another.
THis year at Forward … Young, Artis, Jeter and Johnson – great
Last 2 years at Center – not so great
Zanna did yeoman’s work at the 5 two years ago but even he had issues with taller/bigger men. JR has never fared well defenswively against a quick PG … (3rd time within a year that Cat has schooled him.)
and recruiting class best ever!
link to caneswatch.blog.palmbeachpost.com
While we have Brandon Knight, Puppet, Smoke, Waste of space, Lett and a White Kid who is more concerned with his suits than coaching or recruiting. And Crazy Chaps… His lip licking and screaming has me checking out. Need energy and excitement. All the things Archie would bring. Plus look at his tourney record last 2 years.
Pitt was not patient last night and kept forcing things. Young is great, but he can’t power through two large muscular athletic guys, he only had one assist vs 9 last game. Artis got stressed and out of control last night, just as he did in the other two losses. Robinson kept missing wide open shots. It was just a total collapse by your big three for the third time this year.
But give NCST some credit, they have been frustrated and were bound to go off on somebody. They played good defense and pounded the boards with a frenzy. They made their shots. Time after time when the clock wore down Barber made a last second shot. They really could do no wrong.
It is pretty obvious that the guys from Brown, Richmond and Coppin St add little when push comes to shove. That is why I suggest that Jamie starts Jeter and Jones and gives them the majority of minutes and substitute less frequently. Take advantage of a reserve with a hot hand and rest guys who need it. It is time for Jeter and Jones to play 30 minutes a game with the big three.
Problem is mostly the 1. You can hide the 5. Once the 1 breaks down it creates insurmountable problems for the other 4 players on both offense and defense.
This team plays like they are frustrated with something going on inside the team. Could be they are tired of covering for the 1’s mistakes
GC. I coached in the AAU up to 5 years ago. I had just started the hear the talk of players not wanting to play for Jamie.
Think maybe Rowan feels he made the right decision? Now he’s an example for other coaches to hold up when recruiting against Jamie.
This is why the coaching staff had to make 11 offers in the off season just to get Smith and Maia. Time for big changes!
1-5 record upcoming
He is going to be a really great player for them as he matures.
Dickhead Dixon.
I stayed to the last second because I don’t leave games early or turn them off. Definitely one of the worst games I’ve ever watched. Seems like they didn’t really care much.
I did leave early when Jamie called a time out with 43 seconds left, I mean c’mon that just pissed me off.
I was concerned about Pitt’s lack of defensive fouls. That shows no effort in getting to someone to stop a shot.
–On the other hand, I did wonder why we weren’t trying to isolate Rowan on defense and drive against him; or drive against him and dish when help came…
–I thought Pitt seemed somewhat surprised by the size and “reach” of the NCS bigs. A ton of Pitt’s missed shots in the first half were a result of driving to the hoop, but then having to take a very tough/awkward shot because of the defense of the NCS big guys.
–You could tell during warm-ups that the NCS big guys were really impressive physically – much more wide-shouldered than their Pitt counterparts.
Go Pitt.
The biggest disappointment is the lack of 4 -5 star young recruits; we are not getting them any longer.
Plus we need a few of the Physical type “BIGs” in the middle. Bring in a big time recruiter.
One last need is speed and more speed.
I think if this team gets pushed around to start a game and the refs don’t make calls the team goes into a funk. In other words if they get punched in mouth they pout. They are smaller and can be pushed around. If they get help from the refs and they do well. When the ref crew “lets them play” The team can’t handle it.
We have had and will have both type of crews this year so I don’t think this is the last time we will see them get embarrassed nor do I think it will be the last time they beat someone.
Not sure how you turn that around as a coach but it’s definitely a mental thing.
I agree with you, except for Jones. I’d rather see Wilson in there instead of Jones. I would have taken Jones two years ago, but he’s regressed imo. I also think Smith can be useful for us, but he’s not aggressive. He had 4 points last night on 1-1 shooting. The one shot he took was a deep 2 with a foot on the line. I can’t understand why we don’t space the floor and let players shoot the 3 more. We have 3 guys shooting above 40% from 3. Unfortunately, those guys don’t get a lot of shot attempts.
JR has the lowest FG% on our team, outside of the walk-ons.
I think my last comment at the end of last year was, how could we possibly be good this year? Because Jamie had a whole year to teach defense…and failed. And rebounding too. So to expect these fellas to all of a sudden come to Jesus and find defense and rebounding…not going to happen.
I miss tossing Thabeets!!! No, not the poster (though I enjoy his posts very much), I mean the ATTITUDE. Pitt DEFENSE!! It had an attitude. I thought Jamie made people tough but clearly the drinker has to drink the KoolAid…and these fellas aint drinking.
Or Levance as PG.
With both, we would be top 10 right now.
My lineup and backups would be:
1 Robinson, Wilson
2 Jones, Smith
3 Artis, Johnson
4 Young, Ododa, Luther
5 Jeter, Maia, Luther
I would only substitute one, at most two guys at a time, keeping most of the starters intact.
Their athletes are better than our mix of athletes and bball players. Quick query, were we in the final two schools for 3 or 4 of their players?
Our guys are soft defensively as well as mentally and have been for the past 4-5 years.
What will Jamie’s response be, business as usual, knowing we will be facing teams with big guys and excellent point guards?
How do you get your team to believe when they are getting pummeled?
But that’s a tiny thing. I can’t refute our roster problems. Still, I think we can have a respectable season if we don’t let the ship completely sink like we did last year.
Unless we shoot lights out, we are not going to win against good teams.