9:30 pm, ESPN3– It’s WatchESPN.
I’m not sure I’m emotionally ready for this.
This past Saturday was rough enough. And for all the the supposed acceptance of Pitt not being anything close to a good basketball team this year. For already seeing them lose to a team coached by Ed DeChellis. For losing to Montana, while this other team won by 13. And now to be a 10 point underdog to Penn State?
You’re asking a lot of me.
(Un)Luckily I can’t watch tonight. Work thing that goes very late will keep from seeing this one. Barely had time to push this out.
The good news for the rest of my family is it means no being awoken around 11pm when I scream incoherently at the TV.
I thought by turning over the roster, KS would show us a different kind of BB.
Same coach, same bad results.
Thanks Barney, Sir Patrick G and the BoT.
Pitt is now a soccer school – lol.
On to FB with the miami game.
I have a feeling miami is in for a tough game. Why not 13-9?
A lot of similarities…
Pitt fans should not have to wait 2 or 3 years.
Pitt’s rebounding margin rankings 2011-2012 -> 2017-2018
Year Ranking
09-10 29
10-11 2
11-12 18
12-13 14
13-14 17
14-15 110
15-16 24
16-17 192
17-18 310
For those prepared to blame Young or Artis for last season’s fall, Young started in the 2013-2014 season and Artis was a top reserve. Artis became a starter in 2014-2015. Adams left after the 2013 season.
2011-2012 was the CBI season. 2014-2015 was the NIT season. All others under Dixon were NCAA appearances.
“Houston”, we got a problem. HCKS does not teach rebounding, nor does he have any intention of making it a priority to win ball games.
“Pay check please, thank you I’ll have another.” Kevin “Otis” Stallings
We got a chance…
This roster turnover has only happened 3 times this century.
IU won 6 games
Colorado won 7 games
St. Johns won 13 games
IU eventually made a Sweet 16. St. Johns did as well plus they also had the #3 overall recruiting class. Colorado never won more than 15 games with that coach.
IU followed up that 6 win season with top 10 recruiting classes leading the way to a Sweet 16 and future top 10 ranking. St. Johns was able to ride the initial wave of that #3 recruiting class but it still cost Lavin his job for under-performing.
If we look at the situation honestly, Pitt is in a position much more similar to Colorado. I don’t see top 10 recruiting classes on the horizon with Stallings and our attendance problems. Waiting Stallings out just doesn’t seem like the smart thing to do. It just kicks the can down the street and slows down Pitt’s ability to recover.
Regardless, all three programs ended up cutting ties with that coach that inherited the turned-over roster. Some quicker than others but not one coach was able to fulfill fan expectations.
The issue is that Pitt will not spend money on the type of coach Pitt needs to turn this around and, with under 3K fans showing up to games, will not be a draw for the hottest coaches on the market.
It’s amazing how badly Barnes F’d this up. People can blame Dixon for leaving the cupboard bare, and leaving on his own accord, but part of the reason Dixon wanted out was that he was not getting along with Barnes and disagreed with his vision of the program.
It was a mutual decision to part ways. Barnes got Dixon to leave then gave his buddy’s recruiting company a nice paycheck … and the rest is history … and will have longterm consequences on the state of Pitt basketball.
I think Simons had academic issues.
And, in Boykins limited minutes, yesterday, he looked better on defense (as did the entire team).
RE: Rebounding
Pitt’s “post” players are are all “stretch 4s”. On offense they are hanging around the perimeter.
And, Pitt’s front line is tiny (both short and skinny). Seeing them next to their opponents is stark. But I do agree, when they are under the basket, they are ball-watching when they should be seeking out the opposing player and establishing position.
They may not have wanted to play for Otis.
FWIW
And know that… yes… while we do DESERVE better… we are THANKFUL for all the GOOD!
