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December 11, 2006

Clearing the Cache

Filed under: Basketball,History,Recruiting — Chas @ 12:33 pm

A couple of stories I haven’t had a chance to link that are still interesting or worth noting.

Going back to Buffalo, a little bit of history regarding how Curtis Aiken got from Buffalo to the ‘Burgh.

Aiken was so sure he was attending Kansas that he called a news conference to announce a verbal commitment. But after longtime Kansas coach Tom Owens was replaced by Larry Brown, Aiken was advised to re-open his recruitment. Aiken’s grandmother raised him and was getting up in age so he wanted to stay close to home.

Aiken considered Syracuse but the Orangemen had already signed point guard Dwayne “Pearl” Washington. The best option was Pitt.

“[Washington] and I had a strong rivalry and I wanted it to continue,” said Aiken, who scored 1,200 points and handed out 378 assists. “Pitt was the best fit for me because I thought I could have the biggest impact and it turned out to be a good situation for me.”

Aiken, who is a friend and neighbor of Dixon’s, said Dixon likes local players because of their toughness and their head-in-your-chest defense.

“He respects the players that come out of Buffalo because they’re not only talented, but they’re never going to back down,” Aiken said. “They’ll get up in your face, play “D’ 94 feet. That’s the kind of kids he tries to recruit and Buffalo produces those kinds of kids. That’s why he wanted Paul Harris in the worst way.”

Since there are plenty of comments about the physical development of Antonio Graves and other Pitt players, the article from yesterday about Pitt basketball’s strength and conditioning program is worth reading.

One reason for the staying power of the undefeated, No. 2-ranked Pitt men’s basketball team is the behind-the-scenes work of members of the team’s conditioning and nutritional programs.

Pitt strength coach Tim Beltz and UPMC nutritionist Leslie Bonci provide the players with a game plan to either gain or lose weight — depending on which will enhance their play — while adding muscle mass.

“It is unique that we take weight off and change their bodies,” coach Jamie Dixon said. “We’ve had a lot of success in that area.”

The conditioning plan has helped a program that doesn’t often land high school All-Americans and top-20 recruits to become one of the nation’s most consistent teams.

While on the subject of Graves, it is interesting to recall the circumstances of how he got to Pitt (since that has been a question recently). Pitt had a commit from Walter Walters out of Detroit. He was struggling to qualify academically, and with the change in coaches, bailed in August 2003. This opened the door for Pitt to recruit a back-up point guard for Pitt. Especially with a recruiting class that had two big men in Taft and Gray and a forward in Dante Milligan.

Milligan of course eventually transferred to UMass because of lack of playing time. Where he is now playing under 15 minutes a night off the bench. Walters failed out at Cleveland State. Chris Taft left early, and after an unfortunate back injury is now out of the NBA. Quite the “where are they now?” for the class of ’03.
This late opening for a recruit timed out just right as Antonio Graves had finally qualified academically. Graves was an all-Ohio first teamer, but had his offers limited by academic issues. Teams like Rutgers and Charlotte were the only offers until he qualified. At which time, Pitt beat out Cinci and Ohio State for his services.

Since Graves signing with Pitt happened the same month PittSportsBlather began, there’s always been a bit of fondness for Graves at the Blather.





Chas,

I’ve always been a tough critic of Graves on this site in the past for reasons I won’t get into now. I must say that this year I have really enjoyed his game, and must give credit where credit is due. He is on pace to have a great senior season, and hopefully a special season for Pitt as well.

Comment by beapanther 12.11.06 @ 1:22 pm

I agree with you. His shot, quickness, and most important decision making are the best since he has been at Pitt.

Comment by Kenny 12.11.06 @ 2:50 pm

Graves — still no left hand, they might as well cut it off. But at least he seems to be making better decisions this year..so that’s a small consolation. Can’t believe how excited everbody is after beating an average MAC team that’s been to the NIT once. So far this year the defensive intensity has not been there and the rebounding (without a healthy Sam Young) has been suspect. We’re all happy to be undefeated, but nothing Pitt has done so far should convince anybody that Pitt is a Top 5 team. It’s not about wins and losses at this point; it’s about the potential you see at this point and the strengths and weaknesses of the team. Pitt has some unusual strengths (depth, Gray, team discipline) and I think those will translate into a very good season (Top 15 for sure), but they also have some weaknesses (no go-to perimeter scorer((Cook helps, but his D and rebounding really hurt them))and I’m tired of the out-sized expectations. People are setting themselves up for a major disappointment.

Comment by Rod Brookins 12.11.06 @ 4:01 pm

What should we expect?

Comment by Omar 12.11.06 @ 4:57 pm

About Graves, he is averaging 10 points, 2.6 assists, a 2.36 assist/turnover ratio, has a 49% overall FG percentage, and is shooting 48% from three. All of these numbers are career highs. Some of them are so much better it is ridiculous (assist/turnover and overall FG percentage). I think the facts show that Graves is playing the best basketball of his career.

Comment by Omar 12.11.06 @ 5:07 pm

Looking at wins and losses is ridiculous. Why should anyone do that? Let’s award Kansas the national championship because they have so many McDonalds All-Americans on their roster. The loss to Oral Roberts was a fluke. The Depaul loss was a let down after Florida. Give me a break! Wins and losses count. I agree that Pitt hasn’t played great since Florida State, but they still managed to win two road games nonetheless. Cook is not a liability, he is only going to get better defensively. Pitt doesn’t need to play its best in December. March is what counts and we have three months to work on our weaknesses.

Fans were excited about the comeback on Saturday, not the win. We showed some character and made big plays down the stretch. It will give the team confidence later in the year. Obviously we can’t play like that and expect to beat Wisconsin. Pitt deserves to be top-5 team just as much as the rest of the teams ranked there.

Comment by Omar 12.11.06 @ 5:49 pm

The comeback was the best part of the game, I agree. Buffalo is probably not a tournament team at this point but who knows what will happen in the MAC. We could have struggled and won against anyone on Saturday, so I will take the win.
As for Graves, we are better with him right now.

Comment by Panthoor 12.11.06 @ 6:38 pm

About Graves – “still no left hand” comment: dude, you seriously need either a new TV or a new eye prescription, because AG has a left hand finish in all the games I’ve seen so far (and I’ve seen them all).

Comment by baudolino 12.11.06 @ 10:01 pm

We should expect a Top 15 finish and maybe the Sweet 16, if we get good matchups in the tournament. Without any NBA perimeter players on the roster, that’s what you’re going to get and I think that would be great for the program. And citing Graves’ statistics this early in the season is funny. I’m glad he’s playing better, too, but history is the best teacher and his is suspect. I just want everybody to realize that polls are MEANINGLESS at this point in the season. In fact, they’re MEANINGLESS later, too. What counts are meaningful wins and losses and I’m happy they came back to win against Buffalo, but it’s nothing to get fired up about.

Comment by Rod Brookin 12.12.06 @ 9:13 am

I, too, have been impressed by Graves. Somebody who has let me down a little bit, at least offensively, is Kendall. Without Young in there, Kendall needs to assert himself more on offense. He still makes the great hustle plays, takes charges, makes some big blocks. But it would be nice if he would look more to take it to the hoop. He settles for 15-foot jumpers too often, and too often he looks unsure when taking them.

If Young’s minutes are going to continue to be limited, hopefully Kendall will step up a little more and Biggs and Graves will continue their strong play.

Comment by Carmen 12.12.06 @ 9:14 am

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