Colgate Game & Other Dribbles ...

[DT_PITT]

** I will start by keeping this simple. Congrats to our Panther players! They haven’t quit, and they are showing plenty of pride, especially in the wake of two demoralizing losses. They are working hard and playing hard. They deserved this one. I’m really happy for them.

** I’m happy for me too. I’m tired of walking out of the Pete with disgust.

** But I’ll try to be real about this game as well. It doesn’t bring me any real new promise for this season. Nothing we watched tells us the Panthers are ready to take any notable steps forward.

** But this much I will say. At the very least, during the last three games we have played the only kind of game we can to have any kind of success at all. Nothing is going to come easy, so we will have to defend every shot, scrap for offense, keep it close, and find a way to win at the end.

** I will also say this. Had we played the way we did tonight against the Citadel, that game might have come down to the final possession also.

** And there are two significant differences between the Panthers against the Citadel and the Panthers against Colgate – the return of Burton and the emergence of Eze. Both have made our perimeter defense noticeably better.

** We really can’t give Eze enough props for this play. He’s just so physical on defense, and I think it helps set a tone that the rest of team feeds off of, The offense that he provides is a special bonus.

** This isn’t to say that our perimeter defense was good tonight. Let’s go with “OK.” But more often than not, the Panthers were able to rotate enough to find shooters. The Panthers didn’t do that against the Citadel at all. In that game, the Bulldogs shot 36 threes, as opposed to the 23 Colgate shot tonight.

** We also had some really troubling moments guarding the pick and roll, and Noah has some real work to do to improve in this regard.

** On the offensive end, the team is now doing a better job purposefully running the offense through Big John. And for moments in the second half our offense actually looked … well … pretty good even.

** But there are still so many things that really trouble me about our offense, mostly that our dribble drive penetration almost never results in any looks on the perimeter, let alone any good looks at the basket.

** I also wish we looked to get more in transition. All but one of the fast break buckets we got tonight were from completely clear run outs from steals. We also exhibit no offense from the secondary break, although that usually means finding three point shooters and we really don’t have any of those anyway.

** Nonetheless, it’s fair to give props to Mo for his outstanding drive and draw to even the game when it looked like our Panthers had meant their endpoint.

** And props also to Nate, Will, and Jamarius who found some success with the midrange. All of this added up to what was the best overall offensive performance by the Panthers this year.

** For those who think this is offering far too much praise to a 3 point win over Colgate, that is not my intention. I also realize how ridiculous it sounds comparing our performance against Colgate to our performance against the Citadel.

** We are all well aware the both are performances from a team that is likely to end in the cellar of the ACC.

** But if one is going to follow the Panthers this year, I do see at least see some virtue in enjoying whatever there is to be enjoyed. There may not be all that many opportunities to do so.

** And tonight I enjoyed watching the Panthers. Congrats guys on the win.

 

[Bethlehemjohn]

** I will start by keeping this simple. Congrats to our Panther players! They haven’t quit, and they are showing plenty of pride, especially in the wake of two demoralizing losses. They are working hard and playing hard. They deserved this one. I’m really happy for them.

** I’m happy for me too. I’m tired of walking out of the Pete with disgust.

** But I’ll try to be real about this game as well. It doesn’t bring me any real new promise for this season. Nothing we watched tells us the Panthers are ready to take any notable steps forward.

** But this much I will say. At the very least, during the last three games we have played the only kind of game we can to have any kind of success at all. Nothing is going to come easy, so we will have to defend every shot, scrap for offense, keep it close, and find a way to win at the end.

** I will also say this. Had we played the way we did tonight against the Citadel, that game might have come down to the final possession also.

** And there are two significant differences between the Panthers against the Citadel and the Panthers against Colgate – the return of Burton and the emergence of Eze. Both have made our perimeter defense noticeably better.

** We really can’t give Eze enough props for this play. He’s just so physical on defense, and I think it helps set a tone that the rest of team feeds off of, The offense that he provides is a special bonus.

** This isn’t to say that our perimeter defense was good tonight. Let’s go with “OK.” But more often than not, the Panthers were able to rotate enough to find shooters. The Panthers didn’t do that against the Citadel at all. In that game, the Bulldogs shot 36 threes, as opposed to the 23 Colgate shot tonight.

** We also had some really troubling moments guarding the pick and roll, and Noah has some real work to do to improve in this regard.

** On the offensive end, the team is now doing a better job purposefully running the offense through Big John. And for moments in the second half our offense actually looked … well … pretty good even.

** But there are still so many things that really trouble me about our offense, mostly that our dribble drive penetration almost never results in any looks on the perimeter, let alone any good looks at the basket.

** I also wish we looked to get more in transition. All but one of the fast break buckets we got tonight were from completely clear run outs from steals. We also exhibit no offense from the secondary break, although that usually means finding three point shooters and we really don’t have any of those anyway.

** Nonetheless, it’s fair to give props to Mo for his outstanding drive and draw to even the game when it looked like our Panthers had meant their endpoint.

** And props also to Nate, Will, and Jamarius who found some success with the midrange. All of this added up to what was the best overall offensive performance by the Panthers this year.

** For those who think this is offering far too much praise to a 3 point win over Colgate, that is not my intention. I also realize how ridiculous it sounds comparing our performance against Colgate to our performance against the Citadel.

** We are all well aware the both are performances from a team that is likely to end in the cellar of the ACC.

** But if one is going to follow the Panthers this year, I do see at least see some virtue in enjoying whatever there is to be enjoyed. There may not be all that many opportunities to do so.

** And tonight I enjoyed watching the Panthers. Congrats guys on the win.

It’s not ridiculous at all. What is ridiculous is the people who have already thrown in the towel and are too good to watch this team.

Before this season started, people on this board wanted to see a team that worked hard, played defense and got better as the season went on. That is exactly what this team is doing.

I definitely think we can win some more games because other than a handful of really good teams, the level of play in college basketball continues to go down. The ACC is really, really bad this year and we can win some and compete in more than I would have expected a few weeks ago.

 

[rockypanther]

Eze should be on scholarship. He is probably one of our top 5 players right now in terms of his defensive value and he is even hitting 3’a.

 

[Drew1208]

Eze should be on scholarship. He is probably one of our top 5 players right now in terms of his defensive value and he is even hitting 3’a.

Upmc should give him an NIL or sum shit. But yeah he deserves it.

 

[pittiswhereiamfrom2]

Upmc should give him an NIL or sum shit. But yeah he deserves it.

Why?

 

[rockypanther]

Upmc should give him an NIL or sum shit. But yeah he deserves it.

And isn’t he going to named school? That isn’t cheap. He is playing much better than Femi right now. We don’t win that game last night without him.

 

[New York Panther]

It’s not ridiculous at all. What is ridiculous is the people who have already thrown in the towel and are too good to watch this team.

Couldn't agree more. I think the team showed great character with this win. And props to Capel for his role in this, in spite of all the setbacks he has had to deal with both on and off the court.

 

[rockypanther]

Couldn't agree more. I think the team showed great character with this win. And props to Capel for his role in this, in spite of all the setbacks he has had to deal with both on and off the court.

I don’t like Capel or his staff and don’t think they have done well. I am impressed with Hugley. He has made all the difference. What a step forward from last season. So whoever or whatever happened to Hugley deserves credit.

 

[NCanton Panther]

Team has definitely played better the last 3 games. Record would look a lot better if they wouldn’t have let the prior 2 slip away.

Seems that most posters ‘I don’t care/really doesn’t matter’ attitude falls back to the thought that, regardless of the current improved play, prospects for the future are still pretty dark. That’s not incorrect and that outlook won’t change unless there is some positive developments in recruiting, which seems remote.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Team has definitely played better the last 3 games. Record would look a lot better if they wouldn’t have let the prior 2 slip away.

Seems that most posters ‘I don’t care/really doesn’t matter’ attitude falls back to the thought that, regardless of the current improved play, prospects for the future are still pretty dark. That’s not incorrect and that outlook won’t change unless there is some positive developments in recruiting, which seems remote.

That’s definitely how I am right now. Happy for the kids. Just hard to get pumped up over a squeaked out win over Colgate. Definitely was more enjoyable than watching the Steelers and really happy for the kids. Especially Ezy

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Team has definitely played better the last 3 games. Record would look a lot better if they wouldn’t have let the prior 2 slip away.

Seems that most posters ‘I don’t care/really doesn’t matter’ attitude falls back to the thought that, regardless of the current improved play, prospects for the future are still pretty dark. That’s not incorrect and that outlook won’t change unless there is some positive developments in recruiting, which seems remote.

Well, at least for now, it appears that even though we will probably finish the season with fewer than 10 wins we will also probably not be losing ACC games by an average point margin as awful as Stallings' 2nd season when it was about 18 pts/game and will probably find a win or two in ACC play.

Of course, if the players quit giving the effort we have seen in the last 3 games that could change.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Pitt is getting better. Hugley looks "All-American-esque" at times. Just dont have enough around him. Colgate is a good team. I had a good feeling about the game though with us coming in as the underdog. I felt the team would be better prepared mentally to play.

We are going to win a few ACC games. We aren't going 0-20. Will it be enough for Capel, I dont know. He's got to do something in recruiting. Cant expect to hang onto the job with the worst class in the ACC if we go 3-17.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

** I will start by keeping this simple. Congrats to our Panther players! They haven’t quit, and they are showing plenty of pride, especially in the wake of two demoralizing losses. They are working hard and playing hard. They deserved this one. I’m really happy for them.

** I’m happy for me too. I’m tired of walking out of the Pete with disgust.

** But I’ll try to be real about this game as well. It doesn’t bring me any real new promise for this season. Nothing we watched tells us the Panthers are ready to take any notable steps forward.

** But this much I will say. At the very least, during the last three games we have played the only kind of game we can to have any kind of success at all. Nothing is going to come easy, so we will have to defend every shot, scrap for offense, keep it close, and find a way to win at the end.

** I will also say this. Had we played the way we did tonight against the Citadel, that game might have come down to the final possession also.

** And there are two significant differences between the Panthers against the Citadel and the Panthers against Colgate – the return of Burton and the emergence of Eze. Both have made our perimeter defense noticeably better.

** We really can’t give Eze enough props for this play. He’s just so physical on defense, and I think it helps set a tone that the rest of team feeds off of, The offense that he provides is a special bonus.

** This isn’t to say that our perimeter defense was good tonight. Let’s go with “OK.” But more often than not, the Panthers were able to rotate enough to find shooters. The Panthers didn’t do that against the Citadel at all. In that game, the Bulldogs shot 36 threes, as opposed to the 23 Colgate shot tonight.

** We also had some really troubling moments guarding the pick and roll, and Noah has some real work to do to improve in this regard.

** On the offensive end, the team is now doing a better job purposefully running the offense through Big John. And for moments in the second half our offense actually looked … well … pretty good even.

** But there are still so many things that really trouble me about our offense, mostly that our dribble drive penetration almost never results in any looks on the perimeter, let alone any good looks at the basket.

** I also wish we looked to get more in transition. All but one of the fast break buckets we got tonight were from completely clear run outs from steals. We also exhibit no offense from the secondary break, although that usually means finding three point shooters and we really don’t have any of those anyway.

** Nonetheless, it’s fair to give props to Mo for his outstanding drive and draw to even the game when it looked like our Panthers had meant their endpoint.

** And props also to Nate, Will, and Jamarius who found some success with the midrange. All of this added up to what was the best overall offensive performance by the Panthers this year.

** For those who think this is offering far too much praise to a 3 point win over Colgate, that is not my intention. I also realize how ridiculous it sounds comparing our performance against Colgate to our performance against the Citadel.

** We are all well aware the both are performances from a team that is likely to end in the cellar of the ACC.

** But if one is going to follow the Panthers this year, I do see at least see some virtue in enjoying whatever there is to be enjoyed. There may not be all that many opportunities to do so.

** And tonight I enjoyed watching the Panthers. Congrats guys on the win.

" ** This isn’t to say that our perimeter defense was good tonight. Let’s go with “OK.” But more often than not, the Panthers were able to rotate enough to find shooters. The Panthers didn’t do that against the Citadel at all. In that game, the Bulldogs shot 36 threes, as opposed to the 23 Colgate shot tonight."

The perimeter "D" was at least good enough to prevent Colgate from doing what they did earlier this season when they beat Syracuse 100-85---That is shoot 18 for 43 on threes.

 

[DT_PITT]

" ** This isn’t to say that our perimeter defense was good tonight. Let’s go with “OK.” But more often than not, the Panthers were able to rotate enough to find shooters. The Panthers didn’t do that against the Citadel at all. In that game, the Bulldogs shot 36 threes, as opposed to the 23 Colgate shot tonight."

The perimeter "D" was at least good enough to prevent Colgate from doing what they did earlier this season when they beat Syracuse 100-85---That is shoot 18 for 43 on threes.

Completely agree.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Interesting trivia. Colgate out rebounded Syracuse 44-34. Pitt out rebounded Colgate 35-28. Just one example of how part of the recent overall improvement involves rebounding.

 

[DT_PITT]

Eze should be on scholarship. He is probably one of our top 5 players right now in terms of his defensive value and he is even hitting 3’a.

Being that we have a scholarship to give for this current year, it would seem to be a non brainer that he should awarded one. At least for this year.

 

[KennyTheKangaroo]

Don't we need to save scholarships for next years recruiting class, which i'm projecting at this point to account for......0.

On a more positive note, I enjoyed how hard pitt was playing. They played hard on D all night, they certainly gave a good offensive effort, too, but it didn't always translate to points. They deserve credit for a good effort.

 

[DT_PITT]

Team has definitely played better the last 3 games. Record would look a lot better if they wouldn’t have let the prior 2 slip away.

Seems that most posters ‘I don’t care/really doesn’t matter’ attitude falls back to the thought that, regardless of the current improved play, prospects for the future are still pretty dark. That’s not incorrect and that outlook won’t change unless there is some positive developments in recruiting, which seems remote.

I would never have imagined recruiting would look this bad at this point.

 

[pittjas]

It’s not ridiculous at all. What is ridiculous is the people who have already thrown in the towel and are too good to watch this team.

Before this season started, people on this board wanted to see a team that worked hard, played defense and got better as the season went on. That is exactly what this team is doing.

I definitely think we can win some more games because other than a handful of really good teams, the level of play in college basketball continues to go down. The ACC is really, really bad this year and we can win some and compete in more than I would have expected a few weeks ago.

Pretty hard to get upset at anyone who chooses not to schedule their life around dogfights with UMBC, The Citadel, and Colgate.

Not to mention there’s ZERO hope for the future and this “core” we’re talking about won’t stay intact after the season.

A 3 point win is awesome for the kids but the only good outcome of this season for Pitt is Capel being fired.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Let’s not make this more complicated than it is .
1) Pitt won the game
2) Pitts play has improved
3) There appears to be a huge upside to Big John ( shame Pitt didn’t have him for the whole season last yr )
4) The haters will still hate , but I see improved play by Jeffress .
5) The haters will still hate 2 , but when it would’ve been easy to lose his team JC has them playing hard and improving
6) If Eze school expenses aren’t being covered by some other type of scholarship he should be placed on an athletic scholarship.

 

[rockypanther]

Being that we have a scholarship to give for this current year, it would seem to be a non brainer that he should awarded one. At least for this year.

Capel and staff can’t even do that right.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Pretty hard to get upset at anyone who chooses not to schedule their life around dogfights with UMBC, The Citadel, and Colgate.

Not to mention there’s ZERO hope for the future and this “core” we’re talking about won’t stay intact after the season.

A 3 point win is awesome for the kids but the only good outcome of this season for Pitt is Capel being fired.

Not everyone runs away from a tough situation. If JC is here the players who believe in him will stay . If he’s gone then I can see Hugley moving on . Not sure at this point in time others would be in high demand at any better schools .

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Capel and staff can’t even do that right.

How do you know he’s not on another type of scholarship and doesn’t need an athletic one ?

 

[DT_PITT]

How do you know he’s not on another type of scholarship and doesn’t need an athletic one ?

Or that he’s not actually on athletic scholarship. Sometimes schools award an available one to a walk on without much fanfare.

 

[pittjas]

Not everyone runs away from a tough situation. If JC is here the players who believe in him will stay . If he’s gone then I can see Hugley moving on . Not sure at this point in time others would be in high demand at any better schools .

Well we’ve had players leave annually from situations that were much better than what we have now… so…

If JC is our coach next year, we are screwed. And I’m done supporting Pitt basketball for a long time, because we’re waiving the white flag at that point.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Or that he’s not actually on athletic scholarship. Sometimes schools award an available one to a walk on without much fanfare.

People just always like to see the worst !

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Well we’ve had players leave annually from situations that were much better than what we have now… so…

If JC is our coach next year, we are screwed. And I’m done supporting Pitt basketball for a long time, because we’re waiving the white flag at that point.

Players leave for many reasons , but other than Hugley no one’s going to be in demand by any decent program was my point .

 

[pittjas]

Players leave for many reasons , but other than Hugley no one’s going to be in demand by any decent program was my point .

I’m with you. So we have 1 player any P6 school would want and 0 commits… not good.

 

[rockypanther]

Or that he’s not actually on athletic scholarship. Sometimes schools award an available one to a walk on without much fanfare.

In every game they refer to him as a walk on. So I just figured. If he was on other scholarships would it cover all expenses like a basketball ship would? I seriously don’t know. What I do know is he isn’t a walk on player on this crap team.

 

[PittMan 72]

I would never have imagined recruiting would look this bad at this point.

Me either, DT. Me, either.

A couple of comments to your Dribbles based on my observations:

• Unless/until IH comes back (if Pitt would even let him, IDK?) there is very little chance for any significant boost to the average PPG this team can be expected to generate.
• So limiting the opposition’s PPG is paramount and mandatory.
• Team D will be critical, of course. Extreme effort and toughness on every possession. But one of the most necessary components to achieve that will be defensive rebounding. One of the most devastating things for this team will be yielding 2nd chance points. Last night, Pitt scored 12 SCP’s. They limited Colgate to 8 SCP’s. Pitt won by 3. When a team struggles to score like Pitt, they MUST rebound the misses they force from their opponent. Pitt will of course face MANY bigger, stronger, more athletic teams that Colgate. It will be a challenge the Panthers will have to meet to have a chance.
• As far as looks on the perimeter after dribble drive penetration, I hear you. But honestly, who does Pitt really have that is a consistent, reliable deep shooter?4-15 again last night. In a WIN. Not going to cut it V’s ACC opposition. So maybe their better of driving it again, or re-entering it to the post, if they have to kick it out to the perimeter?
• Eze has done a really nice job. Where would Pitt be without him? 😳 But him, and everyone else responsible to guard on the outside, really has to focus on not losing shooters. That 11 point lead that Pitt worked so hard for last night vanished in an instant on the back of a few Raider 3’s. And Pitt had defenders either positioned too inside far trying to help in there, or not able to get over the top of screens, to close out quickly enough.

 

[rockypanther]

Me either, DT. Me, either.

A couple of comments to your Dribbles based on my observations:

• Unless/until IH comes back (if Pitt would even let him, IDK?) there is very little chance for any significant boost to the average PPG this team can be expected to generate.
• So limiting the opposition’s PPG is paramount and mandatory.
• Team D will be critical, of course. Extreme effort and toughness on every possession. But one of the most necessary components to achieve that will be defensive rebounding. One of the most devastating things for this team will be yielding 2nd chance points. Last night, Pitt scored 12 SCP’s. They limited Colgate to 8 SCP’s. Pitt won by 3. When a team struggles to score like Pitt, they MUST rebound the misses they force from their opponent. Pitt will of course face MANY bigger, stronger, more athletic teams that Colgate. It will be a challenge the Panthers will have to meet to have a chance.
• As far as looks on the perimeter after dribble drive penetration, I hear you. But honestly, who does Pitt really have that is a consistent, reliable deep shooter?4-15 again last night. In a WIN. Not going to cut it V’s ACC opposition. So maybe their better of driving it again, or re-entering it to the post, if they have to kick it out to the perimeter?
• Eze has done a really nice job. Where would Pitt be without him? 😳 But him, and everyone else responsible to guard on the outside, really has to focus on not losing shooters. That 11 point lead that Pitt worked so hard for last night vanished in an instant on the back of a few Raider 3’s. And Pitt had defenders either positioned too inside far trying to help in there, or not able to get over the top of screens, to close out quickly enough.

Prospects all know Capel is gone. They all talk on the circuits through AAU. And they are talking. That’s one reason Judah decommitted. Nobody is coming to our mess especially without a coach. We will fill our roster with transfers again next year most likely unless we get a splash hire with great connections who is a great salesman. Recruiting is going to take a few years before we actually start to bring in respectable classes.

 

[PittMan 72]

Prospects all know Capel is gone. They all talk on the circuits through AAU. And they are talking. That’s one reason Judah decommitted. Nobody is coming to our mess especially without a coach. We will fill our roster with transfers again next year most likely unless we get a splash hire with great connections who is a great salesman. Recruiting is going to take a few years before we actually start to bring in respectable classes.

Talking about up to now, as well. Sure, right now to give him a chance he’d need an extension.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

Interesting trivia. Colgate out rebounded Syracuse 44-34. Pitt out rebounded Colgate 35-28. Just one example of how part of the recent overall improvement involves rebounding.

And defense. If we can keep rebounding and play defense, we'll at least have a shot at winning some games in the ACC. It all depends on if the guys can keep the defensive pressure and rebounding going.

 

[Chescat]

What I do know is he isn’t a walk on player on this crap team.

Unfortunately that is a sad
but true fact. The way he's
played recently actually
says he's one of our better
players.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

The walk-on PG and Hugley are fun to watch. Happy for the kids who are busting their tail.

 

[FireballZ]

I asked this last year about Hughley and I don't think anyone had an answer (or if it's something anyone outside of the program COULD even know), but Horton allowed to continue to practice with the team while the legal process unfolds or is he suspended from all team related basketball activities?

 

[4Mark_Marty]

I asked this last year about Hughley and I don't think anyone had an answer (or if it's something anyone outside of the program COULD even know), but Horton allowed to continue to practice with the team while the legal process unfolds or is he suspended from all team related basketball activities?

He’s playing pick up at Trees

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

* appreciate the effort they are putting in. Even the close losses, at least it is watchable. That being said, they need the win.

* I guess to tie this in with the other thread, the issue with recruiting now is HS players know that Capel and staff is essentially "dead men walking". That is the reason for zero recruits moreso than our start.

*Hugley is really, really good. One of the better players I have seen for Pitt. Think about it, he is the entire focus of a defense. And he still gets his points. Imagine Big John on any of those Pitt teams from 2001-2015. He would have been a major factor.

* We will win a few ACC games. ACC is bad, and we can put forth the effort.

* It really is a shame what has happened here. So you got to take the good when you can.

 

[FireballZ]

He’s playing pick up at Trees

Not sure if this is a joke or not because there was a prominent member of the 2005-06 team that used to do that. I don't believe you are (or maybe ever were) allowed to do that if you're on the 'active roster'.

 

[4Mark_Marty]

Not sure if this is a joke or not because there was a prominent member of the 2005-06 team that used to do that. I don't believe you are (or maybe ever were) allowed to do that if you're on the 'active roster'.

Seriously