** One of the nice things about Capel’s Coaching as compared to the Days of Dixon is how he lets players stay in games to pursue personal game milestones.
** So tonight when Beebah’s 3’s kept falling and his total reached 26, we all started searching the record books to recall the Pitt record for points in a game by a freshman.
** A few minutes and two Cummings layups later, his tally reached 30 and the matching the record with a three pointer was within reach.
** This time however, with under 2 minutes to go, Capel rightfully inserted Marlon Barnes in Beebah’s place. Even without the record, his day was done, and he was offered his well deserved exit.
** But more than that, at that moment, Jeff was able to pull Cummings to him and whisper private words of wisdom to his talented freshman.
** Everyone in Pitt Hoops land knows that #3 is a true talent. But often this year, he’s also looked like a true freshman. With that, it’s safe to assume Jeff mentioned to Beebah that he grew up a little this night, and hopefully he’ll use this as a springboard to much needed greater contributions as this season progresses.
** Or maybe Jeff explained to Cummings that his 30 points aside, his greatest moment was on the other end as a defender when he knocked the ball loose at halfcourt and then made a headlong dive to corral the rock resulting in a Colonels foul.
** On most nights, we won’t need Beebah to score 30. But on every night going forward, we’ll need plays like this.
** Interestingly enough however, we actually did need Beebah’s 17 first half points to be leading our foe at the break, largely because of Jaland’s foul trouble goose egg.
** I don’t think it’s accurate to portray the Panthers’ play in the first half as poor. But it was lackluster, and combined with some hot Colonels three point shooting (including one that banked in), the difference at the break was indeed too close for comfort. In fact, I even needed to reminded some that our opponent was actually leading Clemson at Littlejohn by four midway through the second half.
** But in the second half, the Panther’s tightened up their defensive switches and Eastern Kentucky went cold. They scored their 44th point at 13:57. Their 46th point didn’t fall until well past the under 8 timeout.
** By that time, this once close contest was a 29 point difference and the Beebah record watch was on,
** This was truly a “needed” kind of second half, both for the team’s fans and the player’s confidence. This was the first time in a few weeks when both could just relax and enjoy the play.
** It was also most likely our best half of the season on both ends of the court, and resulted in a difference that will most notably improve our standings with the laptops.
** I’ll offer something of a lament that this is what a College Basketball OOC season has come to, but so it is.
** But the big second half also gave Papa Kante a few more solid minutes which should help his progression.
** I was also hopeful the big second half would give Amsal a few more opportunities to put his game on full display. I believe we are seeing a bit of improvement and added confidence. But I can’t say I’m particularly pleased with what looks like a little looser than we’d like handle on the basketball. But there’s still time for his time to come. And this night was Beebah’s anyway.
** The only downside of the evening is the continued slump of GDiaz. Whether one believes that he’s a ACC starter level player, he already demonstrated that he’s a much better player than he’s been as of late, regardless of his position or his role. In his last 6, he’s averaging under 4 PPG, while shooting 2-25 from three. Ouch.
** Here’s hoping Jeff can coax him back to the level where he played last year, as the Panthers need this from him to become the best team they can be.
** And while GDG is slumping, Zach is starting to soar. In his last 6 games, he’s close to 12 PPG while shooting 13-27 from three. He’s picked up for GDG and then some. While we were busy counting buckets with our youngster, we may not have noticed senior Zach’s best all around game as a Panther, including his buzzer beating outing in Columbus.
** I’m sure our Panthers are glad to be home , even if they have to hit the books in the next ten days. In that time, I hope they hit the practice floor and the film room too, not to mention the weight room.
** Second halves like this one should remind them how good they can be. However, first halves like this one, along with both halves in Mississippi, should keep them focused on the notion they still have much to improve.
** So tonight when Beebah’s 3’s kept falling and his total reached 26, we all started searching the record books to recall the Pitt record for points in a game by a freshman.
** A few minutes and two Cummings layups later, his tally reached 30 and the matching the record with a three pointer was within reach.
** This time however, with under 2 minutes to go, Capel rightfully inserted Marlon Barnes in Beebah’s place. Even without the record, his day was done, and he was offered his well deserved exit.
** But more than that, at that moment, Jeff was able to pull Cummings to him and whisper private words of wisdom to his talented freshman.
** Everyone in Pitt Hoops land knows that #3 is a true talent. But often this year, he’s also looked like a true freshman. With that, it’s safe to assume Jeff mentioned to Beebah that he grew up a little this night, and hopefully he’ll use this as a springboard to much needed greater contributions as this season progresses.
** Or maybe Jeff explained to Cummings that his 30 points aside, his greatest moment was on the other end as a defender when he knocked the ball loose at halfcourt and then made a headlong dive to corral the rock resulting in a Colonels foul.
** On most nights, we won’t need Beebah to score 30. But on every night going forward, we’ll need plays like this.
** Interestingly enough however, we actually did need Beebah’s 17 first half points to be leading our foe at the break, largely because of Jaland’s foul trouble goose egg.
** I don’t think it’s accurate to portray the Panthers’ play in the first half as poor. But it was lackluster, and combined with some hot Colonels three point shooting (including one that banked in), the difference at the break was indeed too close for comfort. In fact, I even needed to reminded some that our opponent was actually leading Clemson at Littlejohn by four midway through the second half.
** But in the second half, the Panther’s tightened up their defensive switches and Eastern Kentucky went cold. They scored their 44th point at 13:57. Their 46th point didn’t fall until well past the under 8 timeout.
** By that time, this once close contest was a 29 point difference and the Beebah record watch was on,
** This was truly a “needed” kind of second half, both for the team’s fans and the player’s confidence. This was the first time in a few weeks when both could just relax and enjoy the play.
** It was also most likely our best half of the season on both ends of the court, and resulted in a difference that will most notably improve our standings with the laptops.
** I’ll offer something of a lament that this is what a College Basketball OOC season has come to, but so it is.
** But the big second half also gave Papa Kante a few more solid minutes which should help his progression.
** I was also hopeful the big second half would give Amsal a few more opportunities to put his game on full display. I believe we are seeing a bit of improvement and added confidence. But I can’t say I’m particularly pleased with what looks like a little looser than we’d like handle on the basketball. But there’s still time for his time to come. And this night was Beebah’s anyway.
** The only downside of the evening is the continued slump of GDiaz. Whether one believes that he’s a ACC starter level player, he already demonstrated that he’s a much better player than he’s been as of late, regardless of his position or his role. In his last 6, he’s averaging under 4 PPG, while shooting 2-25 from three. Ouch.
** Here’s hoping Jeff can coax him back to the level where he played last year, as the Panthers need this from him to become the best team they can be.
** And while GDG is slumping, Zach is starting to soar. In his last 6 games, he’s close to 12 PPG while shooting 13-27 from three. He’s picked up for GDG and then some. While we were busy counting buckets with our youngster, we may not have noticed senior Zach’s best all around game as a Panther, including his buzzer beating outing in Columbus.
** I’m sure our Panthers are glad to be home , even if they have to hit the books in the next ten days. In that time, I hope they hit the practice floor and the film room too, not to mention the weight room.
** Second halves like this one should remind them how good they can be. However, first halves like this one, along with both halves in Mississippi, should keep them focused on the notion they still have much to improve.
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