** The big story on the PantherLair Hoops message board this week was the identity reveal from @Vader_Storm , formerly known as prolific poster Putt12 from back in the day.
** His disclosure came within an honest, if not a little awkward, post trying to ground the Panther Hoops faithful after notching after a 48 point win.
** I find myself carrying some of the same grounding thoughts this evening, even after another hype-worthy win at the Pete. After all, it was another fun and exciting performance. But looking a little deeper, there are some questions about this team that still need to be answered.
** There really weren’t too many questions about Blake though. Well … that’s not completely true. Several may have been questioning him after his 0-4 start from three. But he kept shooting, and the fifth one fell. This began an 18 minute stretch for Blake when he scored all 26 of his game high points.
** My William & Mary freshman watching on their computer texted me to say “Blake Hinson is amazing.” Seems like a pretty smart kid.
** Blake was pretty amazing. But beyond his super deep shooting, it was equally impressive to see him put the ball on the floor and take it to the rack. Blake is Blake. There is no question there.
** The only question about Bub Carrington is how good he really is. It’s hard to stay grounded watching him make play after play. Tonight this included two next-level fluid step back threes along with a pair of positively pretty penetration finds in the lane. He can look awfully special, can’t he?
** Something I’ve noticed about Bub is that he never looks like he’s going that fast out there, and then you notice he’s gone by people.
** Here’s what really impressed me though. Bub himself was pretty hyped up after a strong take to the rack, which was followed by being tagged with a well-deserved technical foul for taunting.
** But he rode that emotion for the next three minutes to score nine more points. It’s good to see that whatever got him going took him to another level instead of bringing him down, even if referee Bert Smith had to give him a little well done whisper in his ear to keep him cool.
** Nonetheless, even if it wasn’t a triple double, 18-3-4 is still another great night.
** In fact, the greatest stat line of the night could be found next to Ish Leggett. 18-11 and 5 (with 4 steals) is super stuff. And he could have had more if he finishes a few more at the rim in the first few minutes.
** But after these three, and 89 Panther points, there are a few reasons to wonder about just how good our Panthers can really be.
** Zach Austin looks splendid on defense, but he’s got to start hitting some shots.
** Fede was equally splendid, if not superior, on defense. But he’s got to be a little more effective inside on offense too.
** And allow me to give credit to both for not forcing many shots when Ish, Bub and Blake were carrying the load. But will they score when they need to?
** Then there’s the question of the second unit. Other than the pick and pop threes with GDiaz, this group really struggled to create any offense.
** Will has a knack getting boards, and he knows his role well. But he’s not going to being a guy whose going to go and get you a bucket.
** JDiaz can maybe get you a bucket, but it’s tough to know when that’s going to come.
** Mike Hueitt still fascinates me, and plays with a bit of flash and skill. But Capel and staff don’t seem to have loads of confidence in him yet.
** This leads us the Jaland Lowe. It may not be hyperbole to suggest that his development this year might be more important to this team than any other player.
** Plain and simply, Jaland looked like a freshman today. He rushed his shots and missed them badly, and was a little loose with the handle.
** Still, it’s hard not to see there’s a player there who needs some confidence. And Pitt is a team who needs Jaland.
** What this team lacks at the moment is a 6th man. GDiaz can score more than Fede, but I still see the two of them as a pair who will fill up 40 minutes at the five.
** Last year, Nike came in and often made a difference. Sometimes a really big difference. And that was even after knowing we could get points from at least two of Blake, Jamarius, Nelly or Greg.
** This assessment of our team might seem a little harsh after two wins by an average of 38.5 points while scoring almost 95 points per game. And I’ll also add that that this team continues to demonstrate togetherness, chemistry and a real commitment to playing defense.
** But the going is certainly going to get tougher, even a little bit tougher on Monday against Florida Gulf Coast.
** After another fun win tonight, I hope the Panther Lair story next week will be further growth of the talents of the whole group, beyond the special trio we watched tonight.
** His disclosure came within an honest, if not a little awkward, post trying to ground the Panther Hoops faithful after notching after a 48 point win.
** I find myself carrying some of the same grounding thoughts this evening, even after another hype-worthy win at the Pete. After all, it was another fun and exciting performance. But looking a little deeper, there are some questions about this team that still need to be answered.
** There really weren’t too many questions about Blake though. Well … that’s not completely true. Several may have been questioning him after his 0-4 start from three. But he kept shooting, and the fifth one fell. This began an 18 minute stretch for Blake when he scored all 26 of his game high points.
** My William & Mary freshman watching on their computer texted me to say “Blake Hinson is amazing.” Seems like a pretty smart kid.
** Blake was pretty amazing. But beyond his super deep shooting, it was equally impressive to see him put the ball on the floor and take it to the rack. Blake is Blake. There is no question there.
** The only question about Bub Carrington is how good he really is. It’s hard to stay grounded watching him make play after play. Tonight this included two next-level fluid step back threes along with a pair of positively pretty penetration finds in the lane. He can look awfully special, can’t he?
** Something I’ve noticed about Bub is that he never looks like he’s going that fast out there, and then you notice he’s gone by people.
** Here’s what really impressed me though. Bub himself was pretty hyped up after a strong take to the rack, which was followed by being tagged with a well-deserved technical foul for taunting.
** But he rode that emotion for the next three minutes to score nine more points. It’s good to see that whatever got him going took him to another level instead of bringing him down, even if referee Bert Smith had to give him a little well done whisper in his ear to keep him cool.
** Nonetheless, even if it wasn’t a triple double, 18-3-4 is still another great night.
** In fact, the greatest stat line of the night could be found next to Ish Leggett. 18-11 and 5 (with 4 steals) is super stuff. And he could have had more if he finishes a few more at the rim in the first few minutes.
** But after these three, and 89 Panther points, there are a few reasons to wonder about just how good our Panthers can really be.
** Zach Austin looks splendid on defense, but he’s got to start hitting some shots.
** Fede was equally splendid, if not superior, on defense. But he’s got to be a little more effective inside on offense too.
** And allow me to give credit to both for not forcing many shots when Ish, Bub and Blake were carrying the load. But will they score when they need to?
** Then there’s the question of the second unit. Other than the pick and pop threes with GDiaz, this group really struggled to create any offense.
** Will has a knack getting boards, and he knows his role well. But he’s not going to being a guy whose going to go and get you a bucket.
** JDiaz can maybe get you a bucket, but it’s tough to know when that’s going to come.
** Mike Hueitt still fascinates me, and plays with a bit of flash and skill. But Capel and staff don’t seem to have loads of confidence in him yet.
** This leads us the Jaland Lowe. It may not be hyperbole to suggest that his development this year might be more important to this team than any other player.
** Plain and simply, Jaland looked like a freshman today. He rushed his shots and missed them badly, and was a little loose with the handle.
** Still, it’s hard not to see there’s a player there who needs some confidence. And Pitt is a team who needs Jaland.
** What this team lacks at the moment is a 6th man. GDiaz can score more than Fede, but I still see the two of them as a pair who will fill up 40 minutes at the five.
** Last year, Nike came in and often made a difference. Sometimes a really big difference. And that was even after knowing we could get points from at least two of Blake, Jamarius, Nelly or Greg.
** This assessment of our team might seem a little harsh after two wins by an average of 38.5 points while scoring almost 95 points per game. And I’ll also add that that this team continues to demonstrate togetherness, chemistry and a real commitment to playing defense.
** But the going is certainly going to get tougher, even a little bit tougher on Monday against Florida Gulf Coast.
** After another fun win tonight, I hope the Panther Lair story next week will be further growth of the talents of the whole group, beyond the special trio we watched tonight.
