masthead.jpg

switchconcepts.com, U3dpdGNo-a25, DIRECT rubiconproject.com, 14766, RESELLER pubmatic.com, 30666, RESELLER, 5d62403b186f2ace appnexus.com, 1117, RESELLER thetradedesk.com, switchconcepts, RESELLER taboola.com, switchconceptopenrtb, RESELLER bidswitch.com, switchconcepts, RESELLER contextweb.com, 560031, RESELLER amazon-adsystem.com, 3160, RESELLER crimtan.com, switch, RESELLER quantcast.com, switchconcepts , RESELLER rhythmone.com, 1934627955, RESELLER ssphwy.com, switchconcepts, RESELLER emxdgt.com, 59, RESELLER appnexus.com, 1356, RESELLER sovrn.com, 96786, RESELLER, fafdf38b16bf6b2b indexexchange.com, 180008, RESELLER nativeads.com, 52853, RESELLER theagency.com, 1058, RESELLER google.com, pub-3515913239267445, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
November 27, 2018

9:00 pm

ESPNU

After being left out of the ACC-B1G Challenge last year (wisely, it seems safe to say), Pitt returns to the cross-conference melee. They face a surprisingly good Iowa team.

At the time of the dividing of opponents, the expectation was that Iowa was going to be in the lower-half of the Big Ten. Not in the basement, but somewhere in that 6th to 11th range. They still might end up there by the end of the year, but at the moment they are the third highest ranked Big Ten team (behind Michigan and Michigan State).

Iowa is ranked 14th in the AP and 15th in the Coaches. 32d per KenPom — but that comes with the caveat that stats driven rankings are not very good in the first month or so of the college basketball season. The Hawkeyes have a strong national ranking thanks to upsetting Oregon in the 2K Classic and then taking out UConn (who upset Syracuse) to win the non-con tournament.

This seems strange when discussing anything related to Iowa sports, but this team is very up-tempo and runs a very efficient offense. They do this, despite being led by a strong frontcourt in Luka Garza and Tyler Cook. The two average over 32 points a game along with 11 rebounds. I would have expected more rebounds, but when you are shooting and making a lot more high percentage shots the number of opportunities for offensive rebounds really drops.

As we very well know, the frontcourt is Pitt’s big, glaring weakness. Pitt is going to have to be very efficient. And frankly, will likely have to have a big shooting game from beyond the arc.

There’s a certain awareness in the Pitt game notes about unlikelihood of getting a win tonight.

By the Numbers
• Pitt has dropped 13 consecutive road contests dating back to an 83-72 win at Boston College Feb. 8, 2017.
• The Panthers have lost 14 consecutive road games against ranked opponents. Pitt’s last road win against a ranked opponent was a 62-52 decision at No. 17 Cincinnati Feb. 9, 2013.
• Pitt is 2-15 all-time against teams ranked 14th in the AP Poll. The Panthers have dropped 10 straight games against the No. 14 team in the poll.
• The Panthers have dropped 10 consecutive games against ranked opponents dating back to an 80-66 win over No. 17 Florida State Feb. 18, 2017.

It kind of makes me laugh. The notes start turning much more positive, but it’s almost like they want to temper expectations (or at least let anyone reading it know they aren’t going to be delusional).

 





Until Pitt can get some front-court talent (hopefully next season), expectations against this type of opponent must be a “L”.

I wonder when Capel will close on a “big”.
Lost one to Kevin Willard at Seton Hall, earlier today.

Comment by xfmrman 11.27.18 @ 7:02 pm

This team has quickness and heart. Quickness is (so far) making up for size, although foul trouble may become an issue. This is the most exciting team I can think of since Levance Fields was the point guard.

Comment by KeyboardKev 11.27.18 @ 9:45 pm

I said it during the UPJ exhibition game, and I think it’s been true since….
Xavier Johnson is the best player on the court.

But, when conference play starts, he may not be.

Comment by xfmrman 11.27.18 @ 9:58 pm

Iowa has too many point from the free throw line.
But, only 6 in the paint.
It’s amazing what good ball pressure can do to off-set size.

Comment by xfmrman 11.27.18 @ 10:03 pm

WOW – what a difference tonight’s game is from last year’s performances!! SO GLAD old horseface is no longer with the program.

Comment by Giffer in Denver 11.27.18 @ 10:04 pm

Come out in the 2nd half, and two Ellison turn-overs on first two possessions.
Great.

Comment by xfmrman 11.27.18 @ 10:13 pm

I don’t care who wins this game – this is the most fun I’ve had watching Pitt in two years. What a difference some talent and some desire makes. Ok….I do care who wins but you can see this team will be competitive and the future looks good when we pick up one or two bigs -and we will.

Comment by anotherclancyrebound 11.27.18 @ 10:32 pm

Win or lose this game, Pitt is a much different team than we have seen the last 5-6 years.
This one will not underachieve.

Comment by xfmrman 11.27.18 @ 10:55 pm

Great game. Guys are fading – fatigue? crowd? inexperience?

Some of the calls are positively puzzling.

Proud of our guys hanging in

H2P!!!

Comment by Pitt Dad 11.27.18 @ 10:58 pm

I need another beer.

Comment by xfmrman 11.27.18 @ 11:04 pm

McGowens should not have been the guy with the ball at the end of the game.

Comment by xfmrman 11.27.18 @ 11:13 pm

In a related story…Pitt has a basketball team!

Comment by HbgFrank 11.27.18 @ 11:16 pm

I think Pitt is going to be taking out its frustrations on Duquesne.
See you all at the “Civic Arena”, Friday night.

Comment by xfmrman 11.27.18 @ 11:18 pm

Pitt did much better in a road game, with a hostile crowd, than I expected. Much, much better.

The 3 freshmen (especially Johnson), N’Dir, and the coaching change, are the difference.

The talent that Dixon was getting in his last few years and the mistake (Stallings) would not have been able to compete in that environment.

This team fights. The last few years we were subjected to watching teams fold.

Heather Lyke needs to be praised for her decision to go after Capel, and get him!

Now, Jeff, go get post players who can catch passes and finish!

Comment by xfmrman 11.27.18 @ 11:34 pm

I saw something this morning that Akok Akok (I’m not sure of his name – I may have it backwards!)was leaving the prep school he attends now so he can enroll in January at the school of his choice. Pitt is in his Fave Five. We can only hope!

Comment by Savannah Panther 11.28.18 @ 6:22 pm

Apparently the Iowa broadcast team likes our freshmen.

link to msn.com

Comment by KeyboardKev 11.29.18 @ 11:27 am

Powered by WordPress © PittBlather.com

Site Meter