Once more. 6:50 PM on TNT.
I’m actually watching this game in a public place. I’ll either be completely reserved or a bit of a lunatic. There is no middle ground.
This should be a close game played. Tempo will be slow, but I expect the score to be in the 60s. Not a defensive struggle so much as efficient offenses willing to let the clock go to get their shots. Whether it is Wisconsin with a swing style offense or Pitt with motion. Both teams depend on ball and player movement to find the best look.
I expect both teams to have a short bench tonight.
As much as the offense is going to be determined by the kind of game Jamel Artis and Mike Young have, Pitt needs a strong defensive effort from Rafael Maia, Sheldon Jeter and Ryan Luther inside and out. They are going to be expected to defend in the post and the regular expectations of Wisconsin’s frontcourt ranging outside the paint.
Pitt has surprisingly struggled to get offensive rebounds in their last four games. That really can’t happen tonight. Wisconsin is a strong defensive team, and Pitt is going to need second-chance points to win this.
Oh, and this thought after #15 Middle Tennessee State upset #2 Michigan State. No school has ever lost twice to #15 seeds. Syracuse has a chance to make history this Sunday.
The experiment with the transfers, an act of desperation was a terrible failure. When Johnson and Luther started to show some results, he didn’t take advantage of it.
Then he reverts back to slogball for Wisconsin, rather than play the two kids who got him to the Dance.
Add to that the complete mismanagement of Wilson and he’s lost me.
He also mismanaged Artis, Jeter and Robinson all year allowing Artis and JR way too many minutes on their off nights and only playing Jeter 20 minutes per game.
It’s pics like that that make u an integral gog in this pathetic lot
what a wasted opportunity for Pitt.
and wondering why we cant get these players
to come to Pitt
BREAKING NEWS: SOURCE CONFIRM: JAMIE DIXON INKS 10 YEAR DEAL WITH TCU
First tweet, is it true?
H2P!!!!
Toooo funny UPitt…
Chris Dokish ?@ChrisDokish 13 minutes ago
If Pitt could get Chris Mack we’d get Bill Murray, too. That’s enough reason to pay him a fortune.
Report: TCU close to hiring Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon
Congrats to the gymnastic team
1. Had his talk with Barnes
2. Is hitting the wall with recruits
3. realizes the ACC is too tough for him
4. wants to get out of Dodge before the chickens come home to roost
5. All of the Above
Dixon please go to TCU.
Watch ND dismantle these clowns in the round of 16.
Artis and Young will be seniors. Jeter and Luther will be even that much better. Nix looks good in pictures. I hope he can play. Center- is a need.
Point guard- we should be okay with Wilson and some new additions. We need some heavy recruiting on the graduate and JC level.
We will be able to make the tournament again.
Beyond that we need heavy heavy recruiting!!
If “HE” thinks he can do it, Dixon will stay.
King Rice – Monmouth coach and former UNC point guard that grew up in New York. ACC ties, NY ties, and coaches fun basketball.
Archie Miller – Has taken Dayton as far as he can, and has ACC ties given his time at NC State.
Larry Krystowiak – Wild card. Current coach at Utah with an interesting personal story. Has been successful at Montana (alma mater) and then at Utah. Spent some time playing under Phil Jackson, but I doubt a native of Montana would want to trade the great vistas of the West and uproot his 5 kids for Pittsburgh, PA.
I am sure there are many others capable, just hoping Brandin Knight is never considered given his work with the guards in his tenure as assistant coach.
Poor Paul Zeise, man who has covered infinite coaching searches on the Pitt football beat. Probably was ready for some R &R. Not so fast my friend…
Everybody is talking about the $5mm to $10mm buy out. We’re all forgetting Pitt may reduce this fee at it’s pleasure.
A low or no buy out and we will know what the administration really thinks of Dixon.
There is a plan in place should one be needed.
I wish Jamie the best, whether he is leading the Horned Frogs or Pitt Panthers.
gc – you are correct regarding the Wisconsin game – no one thinks the Badgers stink, it’s the game plan Jamie chose that stunk.
Enjoy your Sping season fellas. Golf as much as you can…
HTP!
Thanks to Northern Iowa’s late collapse against TX A&M (last night) in the last 44 seconds, up 12 points, Pitt has been unseated as the “goat” of this tournament.
Let’s hope the Northern Iowa coach is not on AD Barnes’ short list of candidates.
Oy vey!
Yes, Friday’s loss was ugly and I, like all of you, are tired of these March losses …. but for Wisconsin to stay neck and neck with a 2 seed shows that Pitt lost to a very worthy opponent.
Wisconsin shot their average vs Xavier 42%, yet shot only 32% vs Pitt.
Don’t be surprised if his teammate, DT Kurt Hinish, does the same on KDKA this evening.
