7pm and the game is on ESPN3 only. Intellectually, I know that this is sort of coverage is more about ESPN taking full advantage of its contract with the ACC (for which, Pitt is well compensated)to keep pushing the digital content side of things. I mean, when you scroll through the volume of games on ESPN3, you realize that this hits all conferences. Still. Frickin’ ESPN3?
Okay, about this game.
The Hokies are 8-8 in the ACC. They are riding 3-game winning streak, including the last two coming on the road. At home, VT is 5-2 in ACC play. Even in their losses, they have been competitive — 2-point loss at ND, 5-points to UNC, 8-points to Louisville, and it took OT for Cuse to beat the Hokies. Buzz Williams has always had his teams play well against Pitt (last game excepted). And the way Pitt decimated VT hasn’t been forgotten.
Flip side. The 3-game winning streak was FSU, at BC and at Wake. Aside from the insane rivalry-fueled upset of Virginia back in the beginning of January, the best win for the Hokies is either Clemson or a road win at GT.
VT does a good job of getting to the free throw line. Per KenPom.com, they get 25.4% of their points at the line, which is 5th in the country. That is amazing and can drag out any game into an uncomfortable place. Seth Allen and Zack LeDay are the primary offensive threats. If Justin Bibbs gets going from outside, the game could get really scary.
Pitt is 3-4 on the road. They are coming off the big win over Duke, and have to avoid the letdown that we are all fearing. Pitt has been fierce at rebounding — especially on the offensive glass. Rebounding is the one area that VT has been severely deficient, so as long as Pitt keeps that part of the game up, that will benefit Pitt.
But something like that has been the story in most of our losses.
Why did Jamie not put Luther in until 8 minutes into the start of the game?
Why did the coaching staff not make adjustments to VT’s D that they played the entire game – same look by VT everytime down the court? Draw up plays that work against that specific D…
Why did we have zero urgency until there were four minutes left in the game?
We are a football school and I am a football fan…
No Mas
The loss raises the ante for the Panthers’ next game against Georgia Tech, which Pitt defeated 89-84 on Jan. 6. Falling to the Yellow Jackets and in the first game of next week’s ACC Tournament in Washington could knock Pitt out of an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Michael Young (Post Gazette)
Draws into question Dixon’s ability to motivate Players to play… instead of relying on them to SELF-motivate.
I can understand if other players are shooting well but, as expected, the team’s emotional bank was empty … thus, pure talent has to take charge …. and once again, he doesn’t.
This is Gil Brown all over again … except even Gil was more consistent than Artis.
From UC website: “Joseph Uchebo scored 21 points and had 16 rebounds in a dominating performance on the same night he broke Kenyon Martin’s single season Conference USA record for rebounds in league play.”
This has all the makings of a letdown game
– Pitt coming off of their best game where they were completely focused
– Pitt beat VT handily last time
– VT much better at home
The plus is that they are at least playing more consistently the last few games; even played well vs Lville until the last 5 minutes
Comment by wbb 03.02.16 @ 7:21 am
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This happens in sports all the time .. in fact, anyone who thought we got Duke’s best game over the weekend is only fooling themselves
I’m a GA Tech alum and fan but will be cheering for the Panthers this Saturday. Tech has played like Pitt this season — hot & cold. My prediction for this Saturday’s game: Pitt goes home a victor. Hail to Pitt!
H2P!!!
However, I’ve seen some on here assume we’re in??
Are we, I don’t know, maybe you’re right. But, looking at the standings, it looks like tomorrow’s game is pretty important.
We win, we’re 10-8 in the ACC and there is a very clear defining line of us being in 6th or 7th place, and I believe all of those teams make it.
We lose and we’re 9-9, we could very well be in a quagmire of 3 or 4 teams sitting in the middle of the ACC with 9 and 9 records. Clemson, Syracuse, Va Tech.
Tourney taking them all?? I don’t think so.
