Basketball Head Coach Kevin Stallings is a disciple of UNC Coach Roy Williams. So it is no surprise that Stallings wants his teams to be playing at a faster pace. That has long been a hallmark of Williams’ teams at Kansas and UNC.
Pitt will attempt to up the tempo this year, and the media got an early glimpse this week.
With Stallings shouting “Go! Go!” and other exhortations, the Panthers sprinted up and down the floor and scrambled on defense. When he first gathered his team after he was hired in March, Stallings told the players to do what they had been taught. They obeyed. With occasional exceptions, Dixon, the new coach at TCU, favored a more methodical pace.
“I had to yell, ‘run, run, run’ a lot,” Stallings said. “It wasn’t uncommon for the ball to bounce three or four times after it went through the net before somebody took it out. Now if it bounces once, I’ll say something. I like it to be gotten right as it’s coming through the net and out of bounds and off we go.”
Swingman Chris Jones said, “This year, it’s gonna be a lot different. We’re gonna try and really push the tempo and get easier baskets in transition and things like that. We’re gonna be able to keep up with teams, scoring-wise, in the ACC.”
As we are all very familiar, Jamie Dixon preferred to control tempo and execute an offense high on efficiency. That has generally been where the college game has gone in recent years.
Even last year with attempts to speed up the game and increase flow, tempo was secondary to offensive efficiency. Among the top-50 teams on KenPom.com last year (Vandy and Pitt were among them), only 8 teams had a tempo in the top-100 nationally: UNC, Xavier, WVU, ISU, Seton Hall, Creighton, St. Joe’s and FSU.
By contrast teams in the top-50 but among the bottom 100 in tempo (252-351) numbered 22: Nova, UVA, Mich. St., Wichita St., Ville, Miami, SMU, Cuse, UConn, Baylor, Wisc, Cinci, ND, Texas, Utah, Valpo, Yale, Pitt (311th), St. Mary’s, SDSU, GW and Clemson.
Vandy under Stallings was 191st in tempo last year. That was the highest ranking nationally for tempo he had since 2011 (138th). Vandy was actually one of the slower tempo teams the previous three years ranked 214th in 1015, 312th in 2014 , and 335th in 2013.
What I’m saying is don’t expect the tempo and pace to suddenly jump that much. Pitt will be faster. They will try to run and get out in transition more. But at best, Pitt will jump to middle of the pack nationally in tempo. With the possible exceptions of guards Justice Kithcart and Jonathan Milligan, none of the other players on this team are going to outrace defenses from opposing teams.
This should be a top-25 team in my view, but it is not a team built for speed. They can be swift, and they can get out in transition. But it is in no way a racing team.
Even though this has been talked about on-and-off most of the summer. And even though it was even reported early last week that Jamel Artis would play at point guard, it is coming off like a big deal. I guess because Jamel Artis made it a flat out statement of fact.
“[Stallings] didn’t want to leak it out, but I’m starting at point guard,” senior Jamel Artis said Tuesday, matter-of-factly.
For the past several months, beginning with the start of the Pittsburgh Basketball Club pro-am, the idea of starting the 6-foot-7 Artis at point guard has been openly discussed following the graduation of four-year starter James Robinson.
But with Pitt’s first practice of the season scheduled for Friday, and with its first game about six weeks away, Artis’ comments not only add legitimacy to that talk, but also seem to represent a firm decision. What was once seen as a possibility has, for now, hardened into a reality.
Though his height makes for an unconventional arrangement, Artis’ skill set makes him something of a fit at the position.
Not trying to be blase about it, but the only reason this surprises people is that Pitt has sophomore Damon Wilson and freshman Justice Kithcart who most presumed would get the spot.
Otherwise, there is nothing too absurd or surprising. Artis has excellent vision on the court, is a good passer, and was second on the team last year in assists. His ball-handling skills are nothing special, but being the point guard does not necessarily mean he’s going to be the one bringing the ball up-court (which would be a terrifying notion against, say, Louisville’s press). Nor does it mean he will be the one guarding an opposing team’s guards (even more terrifying notion against some of the quicker guards in the ACC).
It isn’t even something too bizarre for Pitt in recent times. Lamar Patterson was essentially a point-forward. The 2011 squad led by Brad Wanamaker was essentially without a true point guard. Which, is why I am so surprised that people are treating this like some wild innovation or mad scientist experiment.
I suppose it is the way Artis is openly stating it while Coach Stallings is trying to hedge a little.
Unequivocal as Artis was, Stallings wasn’t ready to proclaim him as the starter at this juncture, noting he is one of three players, along with sophomore Damon Wilson and freshman Justice Kithcart, getting extensive practice time at point guard. Nonetheless, he sees immense potential and a logical fit for Artis at the position.
“I see a lot of upside for our team with Jamel as the point guard,” Stallings said. “Initially, there may be a little greater risk and eventually I think there will be greater reward if it’s something that pans out the way my mind’s eye sees it. Jamel can handle the ball well, he’s our best passer and he’s the guy on our team most capable of making other guys better the most, if that makes sense.”
Artis and Stallings, of course, will add there’s work to be done before there’s a level of complete comfort with the move. Stallings said Artis too often tries to force a pass where there isn’t one to be had — wanting to “thread the needle when the needle is already full” — something that Artis acknowledges to be true. Last season, he averaged 2.4 turnovers per game, a number that will need to drop if he hopes to effectively replace Robinson, who posted the best career assist-to-turnover ratio in NCAA history in his time in Oakland.
The bravado and talking is the way Jamel Artis is. Whether it is him playing point guard. Or all the talk the last two years about playing defense. Or embracing the style Kevin Stallings is implementing while taking some shots at Jamie Dixon.
Playing Artis at point guard and experimenting with the lineup is a different look than anything seen during former Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon’s 13-year tenure. For the senior, he thinks it’s indicative of the burgeoning freedom that Stallings has allotted his players in just a short time at Pitt.
“With Jamie Dixon, I think guys were a little scared to make a play,” Artis said. “Coach Stallings put the trust in these guys that you can go out there and make a play, and we can have more freedom.”
It’s a fair criticism that has been made over the years. As a senior and (hopefully) a team leader, Artis is presumably speaking for the younger players. Artis, himself, had no such concerns last year.
The rotation is going to be interesting. We have no idea where or even whether Rozelle Nix fits into this Pitt team. Will Pitt use a traditional set-up with an actual center like Nix? Or will Pitt look to be primairly more of 2-3 forwards and stretch teams a lot more?
How deep will the rotation go? Presumed starters are Artis, Mike Young, Chris Jones, Sheldon Jeter and …? Do you start Jonathan Milligan? Does Justice Kithcart overwhelm and force playing time early? Is Damon Wilson going to get a chance to start at shooting guard? Or Cam Johnson? What about JUCO transfer Crisshawn Clark who is supposed to be a very good perimeter shooter? I’m assuming Corey Manigault is redshirting with Ryan Luther ahead of him.
It’s still going to be a deep rotation of at least nine players to start the season.
I’m guessing Cam Johnson and Chris Jones (who got a shout out from Stallings for improvement) start at the guard spots. Artis is saying PG but it will be point forward.
BTW – Artis has been used as a press buster vs. Louisville. That’s not the negative Chas made it sound like. He’s already been successful.
The only other option is to sit one of our top five returning, experienced players and run Milligan or a true freshman out there to lead the team.
Crazy, genius? Or no brainer?
We better shoot well because I don’t envision a good rebounding or good defensive team.
Artis had 66 assists versus 50 turnovers in ACC play last year. He had three 5 turnover games resulting in 2 losses and a win (WF in a double overtime home game). If the offense is running more through him he’ll have to do better.
I agree that Artis running the offense should not come as a huge surprise. JD showed glimpses of it last year particularly against Syracuse. Artis is 2-3 inches taller than Patterson or Wanamaker. Artis does not have Wanamaker’s ability to handle the ball. Not surprising since Wanamaker was recruited as a guard and listed as a guard.
I suspect Pitt will be defensively challenged this year in ACC play. Pitt’s biggest problem over the last few years has been keeping guys in front of them. Perhaps more zone this year would help.
Not sure why anybody believes Pitt should be ranked this year. The last time Pitt finished above .500 in ACC play was three years ago. The only real thing they’ve got on paper is a senior laden team. Only two of those seniors have played with any consistency over the years. IMO the strength of the team is Young, Artis, Jeter and Luther. Beyond that there are lots of questions.
Perhaps I am misunderstanding or my sense of relative speed is off, but I don’t see Cam Johnson or Chris Jones as being much quicker than Young, Artis, Jeter or Luther. Thus far they haven’t shown an ability to beat people off the dribble or stay in front of their man.
I have a feeling based upon his record over the past few years that Stallings will not make the tournament this year and will be fired within three years.
This morning, it was announced that starting next year Pitt and West Virginia will play each other on the basketball court.
The two schools signed a 4-year deal which has Pitt hosting games in 2017 and 2019 while the Panthers will travel to Morgantown in 2018 and 2020.
That said, I don’t see us playing the strong D we’ve seen from the Dixon teams so we better be able to score. If Stallings can’t win with these guys then Barvo is probably right. He’s not the coach that I think he is.
TT is right…we have a BEAR of a schedule this year.
It didn’t take long for Stallings to get the hoopie deal done too. Don’t expect Stallings to try to pad his win total by playing garbage teams like Dixon did (he learned this trick from Paterno, the king of this ploy).
20 wins a year under Stallings will be (hopefully) done honestly. Barnes wants to up the schedule too. Last season at the Pete was enough for him. He knew Dixon had to go in order to achieve this goal too.
As most here have already stated, next year he’ll have a lot less to work with so he’s going to need 2-3 straight good to very good years recruiting or we may fall into trouble.
jrnpitt, actually we do have Kithcart. This isn’t football. A good frosh can come in and give quality minutes after a few months here. Maybe January >
4 star Aaron Thompson is coming in next year too. Damon Wilson may work out too. The cupboard isn’t bare.
And that would be an advantage it would seem for Pitt if they push the ball in transition.
But that calls for a good distributor and we don’t have that atm. Maybe one will develop.
Sheldon Jeter also has a fast motor besides Young.
A smaller Pitt team could provide several matchup problems for other teams. Dixon never seemed to be able to exploit that the last 4-5 years.
With so many seniors on the team, we better start landing more good players.
“Bottom line: Pitt needs a couple of the above players to commit in order to help its chances at sustaining mild success in the ACC. Stallings will need at least four commitments by next fall. He’s swung and missed at several key targets, but the bleeding could stop early this weekend when Marcus Carr is on campus.”
Maybe he should go with the chrome dome look !
This season should be fine. Pitt is only losing one player from a tourney team and it was our most divisive player.
Howland at MissSt has a 4 star and two 3 star verbals and Auburn has one 5 star C and two 4 star G’s.
Pitt meanwhile has two 3 star verbals.
Proof above that you can step right into a program and recruit.
– I never once thought that this year’s FB team can win the Coastal … but fully expect the teams next year and following to be right in the running (unless we have another freakin coaching change)
– we are in a transition of style with a new coach. This year will certainly be interesting but, just like FB, not expecting a whole lot. An NCAA bid would be a major get. But what I am most interested in is how the new staff closes out in recruiting. WE will be losing 4 starters and have another 2 opening; It essential that we end up with a quality staff if we are to be competitive in the near future.
Hmmm…
I hate excuses – I expect to win now!
Entertain me as a fan, and play the best players now.
The staff is not without criticism. I expect 10 wins too. The reality is Pitt lost to two very good P5 teams … on the road … in the last minute against two teams that matched up well with Pitt’s weaknesses.
Pitt will most likely be favored in 5/8 of the next games with a shot at 6 over VT at home. Hopefully, the coaches learn from their mistakes.
I like the coaches. I like the type of players they are recruiting. I’m not satisfied but I’m happy with what I’m seeing. I can see what he’s trying to build and when it clicks it’s going to be a fun ride.
I haven’t been able to say that since Walt Harris in 1997. Not Wanny, not Graham and certainly not Chryst.
PN has done very well beating the teams he’s supposed to thus far. Win those 6 games and Pitt is at 8 wins. Pull off an upset vs. Miami and it’s 9.
All the predictions pre-season had Pitt between 6-8 wins. Pitt’s right on track for those targets.
I’m not sure why Pitt fans feel entitled for instant gratification. There’s not a tree that magically grows 10 win seasons. You have to build to it and Pitt was not built for it.
Every time a coach leaves, a program starts over … unless they hire form within. Pitt went a new direction but even if they hired from within it would have been a coach off of a 6-6 team times 3. Not really the continuity you want in a program trying to move up in status.
Football is a different story. Pitt has access to athletes. It’s just going to take a few years to be what you want. If you don’t have patience that’s on you but the program is moving forward.
I was all for Dixon leaving several seasons ago, when it was clear to see, the program was on a downward trend.
And his recruiting got worse and his desperation of signing big man stiff after big man stiff.
I was hoping they were going to bring in a stud coach that could recruit.
Not Friar Tuck from Nashville.
But I forgot this is Pitt !
It’s seems to be inbred into the program.
And it’s still being run on the cheap.
BBall program could very easily digress into what happened to BC in the ACC.
Hope not but it could very easily happen.
What excuses on football this year? Name coaches that have hit the ground running with mediocre or bad teams? Very rare.
The team … and coaches … are going thru growing pains. Both are learning.
@rkb Bold statement regarding Artis quitting on the team. Unfortunately I have wondered the same thing.
Aaron Thompson is classified as a 3 star on most sites. His rep is as a playmaker without shooting ability. Sounds a bit like a divisive player who just left.;-)
That said, he IS the right hire for the short term, this year. He’ll be able to get more out of the talent that Jamie brought in than Jamie could. This is a skilled offensive bunch that is dying to play a little faster and a little more free wheeling. I get the feeling that these guys had gotten sick of hearing Jamie and need a new voice. By most accounts, Stallings is a good coach. He thinks offensively and he has some good material to work with. I would not be surprised at all to see this team in the sweet 16.
Kithcart is lightning quick. From what I saw in the summer league, he’s the fastest Pitt player I’ve seen in the last 10 years. Now, he’s raw and may not be ready for significant ACC minutes. His shot isn’t anything to write home about yet either. He could be a “change of pace” guy who could give us 8-10 minutes off the bench and maybe provide a spark. Speed is what this team really lacks.
It is going to be really, really hard to keep Cam Johnson out of the starting lineup. He does too many things that this team really needs. He’s a 6’7″ swing man who can handle the ball, moves well and can fill it up from beyond the arc. I can see him spotting up for three’s in transition and in the secondary break. He was tremendous in Montour this summer.
Nix also showed me more than I expected this summer. He moves pretty well for a big man. He has a couple post moves, a drop step and baby hook. Again, he could be an 8-10 minute guys off the bench. Grab some boards and play some defense when needed.
I’m cautiously optimistic for this year. After that??????? Let’s see if Stallings can recruit.
The best thing may be that this style will entice some attractive, skilled recruits who will fit in nicely in the next few years. There may be up to 6 open schollies for next season, thus the upcoming recruiting class will be critical.