If nothing else, this game convinced me all the more ...

[DT_PITT]

... that an ACC win is in our future. Make no mistake that we are, by far, the worst team in the ACC. But now more than ever, I believe it's very difficult to go 0-18 in any league.

Second, Stallings has started to show more willingness to play zone which has proven at times to be a passable defense for this group.

I also see some pride in this group. And when going against a team like Wake Forest, we may actually have "more to play for."

I expect some will make a case to the contrary, which I can understand.

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

... that an ACC win is in our future. Make no mistake that we are, by far, the worst team in the ACC. But now more than ever, I believe it's very difficult to go 0-18 in any league.

Second, Stallings has started to show more willingness to play zone which has proven at times to be a passable defense for this group.

I also see some pride in this group. And when going against a team like Wake Forest, we may actually have "more to play for."

I expect some will make a case to the contrary, which I can understand.

Next up we'll see SMF's gameplan on how we make the NCAA Tournament.

Lol! Jk.

We def can get a win tho FR.

 

[Pitt3Putt]

Cal has a win in the P12 and somehow they are rated lower than Pitt on KenPom.

Any given game day, I guess.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

... that an ACC win is in our future. Make no mistake that we are, by far, the worst team in the ACC. But now more than ever, I believe it's very difficult to go 0-18 in any league.

Second, Stallings has started to show more willingness to play zone which has proven at times to be a passable defense for this group.

I also see some pride in this group. And when going against a team like Wake Forest, we may actually have "more to play for."

I expect some will make a case to the contrary, which I can understand.

Well 0-18, hard as it may be, is becoming more and more likely.

Why do you think this team has been hanging around and then seemingly hits droughts late in games and other teams go on runs to put games away? It's happened the last three games at least.

Playing zone has kept them in games lately, and I would think fitness does not play into things as much. Perhaps it's just their inexperience. Or opponents play with more focus and sense of urgency late in games?

 

[pittjas]

It's almost crazy to actually see play out in front of you...

Every game we hang around, hang around, hang around and as a basketball fan there's ALWAYS that night where when you hang around long enough you get a break to go your way or a short run and you hang on for an upset win.

You see it every year in the tournament, where a 3/14 game or 4/13 is just tight the whole way. In maybe 3 of the 4 matchups, the better team ends up pulling away at the end, but there's that one game or 2 the underdog wins.

However, what I fear, is that we are more like the 16 seed. As you all know, the 16 seed has NEVER beaten the 1 seed. A lot of the times, they are blown out by far superior teams, like we were several times already. But there's also a decent amount of instances where they hang around til midway in the 2nd half and then just lose all gas and lose by 10-20. Every year, you think it will be the year they can hang on, and no matter how close it comes to happening, it never does.

That's how I feel watching Pitt this year. You just KNOW they are going to go on a huge drought to either completely lose the lead or turn a managable deficit into an unsurmountable one. I just don't know we can pull one out. I get your logic, I really do, but I just don't know if this group has it in them. So far, we've just shown we are pretty good at finding ways to lose.

 

[pitt-girl]

It's almost crazy to actually see play out in front of you...

Every game we hang around, hang around, hang around and as a basketball fan there's ALWAYS that night where when you hang around long enough you get a break to go your way or a short run and you hang on for an upset win.

You see it every year in the tournament, where a 3/14 game or 4/13 is just tight the whole way. In maybe 3 of the 4 matchups, the better team ends up pulling away at the end, but there's that one game or 2 the underdog wins.

However, what I fear, is that we are more like the 16 seed. As you all know, the 16 seed has NEVER beaten the 1 seed. A lot of the times, they are blown out by far superior teams, like we were several times already. But there's also a decent amount of instances where they hang around til midway in the 2nd half and then just lose all gas and lose by 10-20. Every year, you think it will be the year they can hang on, and no matter how close it comes to happening, it never does.

That's how I feel watching Pitt this year. You just KNOW they are going to go on a huge drought to either completely lose the lead or turn a managable deficit into an unsurmountable one. I just don't know we can pull one out. I get your logic, I really do, but I just don't know if this group has it in them. So far, we've just shown we are pretty good at finding ways to lose.

Agree. I always think about the teams we dismissed when playing them, because we knew that regardless what they brought we would win. It's humility.

 

[cupkafan]

The pathetic part is if we win one game. which I believe is not likely, that will be reason on here to give this poor slob another year. We need to end this now.( meaning immediately after the ACC first round loss.).

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

We're not athletic enough. We're not talented enough. We're not good enough.

But hey, we are trying a whole lot more than the last 2 years.

 

[Haydman]

... that an ACC win is in our future. Make no mistake that we are, by far, the worst team in the ACC. But now more than ever, I believe it's very difficult to go 0-18 in any league.

Second, Stallings has started to show more willingness to play zone which has proven at times to be a passable defense for this group.

I also see some pride in this group. And when going against a team like Wake Forest, we may actually have "more to play for."

I expect some will make a case to the contrary, which I can understand.

I agree that we're going to steal a game this season but times running out. I like seeing more zone and certainly seems more effective but do you think that will hold up? I'm wondering if we're catching some teams by surprise with it and as they get more film we'll see that effectiveness drop.

 

[Thee Jackie Treehorn]

Agree. I always think about the teams we dismissed when playing them, because we knew that regardless what they brought we would win. It's humility.

We're DePaul now, but didn't DePaul usually get like one or two wins? I say we get one somewhere, most likely Wake Forest.

 

[Pav9870]

Pomeroy gives us a 27% chance of going winless in conference. That gives us almost a 3 out of 4 chance of winning a game. Not excited about going to Chapel Hill after they have lost 3 games in a row.

 

[FordhamIII]

I don't see any wins this year. However, I do see promise that this group will be successful when these boys become men.

In two years this team will physically look nothing like they do today. When they are older and stronger I think they will be middle of the pack just need to keep the group together and add a key player or two.

Brighter times ahead for Pitt basketball.

 

[Delpanther]

This team has no one who makes any plays with the game on the line... Unless another team has the same huge gaping whole in their lineup I don't see Pitt beating anyone....it would almost have to be an accident.

 

[cupkafan]

Terrific 1-18 gets this jackass a reprieve. Love it.

 

[mbrannagan]

... that an ACC win is in our future. Make no mistake that we are, by far, the worst team in the ACC. But now more than ever, I believe it's very difficult to go 0-18 in any league.

Second, Stallings has started to show more willingness to play zone which has proven at times to be a passable defense for this group.

I also see some pride in this group. And when going against a team like Wake Forest, we may actually have "more to play for."

I expect some will make a case to the contrary, which I can understand.

Lets hope you are right, not losing every conference game probably means something to these kids.

That is not what I saw though. I was discouraged that the two guys we are most counting on in JWF and Carr each had pretty good games and we still lost by 12 to a team that just lost their best player. I was no more discouraged than before, but it just further illustrated that we do not have the players to make it work this year. Much of it was their own undoing to, the offensive foul calls were obvious and unnecessary. The lack of attempting to rebound was apparent, with them shooting so many threes they have opportunities for more of these midrange and long rebounds and they are often all on the other side of 3 by the time the shot hits the rim.

I'm really frustrated with the coaching. Opponents have 105 more offensive rebounds than us and nearly 200 more FG attempts than us.

 

[UptownPrivileges]

Well ... at least these guys show some hustle, keep trying. That is better than the last couple of years.Stallings has to land at least 2 semi studs this recruiting s year or ...... WOW

 

[Chescat]

... that an ACC win is in our future. Make no mistake that we are, by far, the worst team in the ACC. But now more than ever, I believe it's very difficult to go 0-18 in any league.

Second, Stallings has started to show more willingness to play zone which has proven at times to be a passable defense for this group.

I also see some pride in this group. And when going against a team like Wake Forest, we may actually have "more to play for."

I expect some will make a case to the contrary, which I can understand.

Dt, one thing you might consider about going zone. Any coach worth his salt knows
that your players have to grasp basic defensive tendencies and techniques before
going to a zone. Those things are taught first by teaching man to man D. Once
that's in place you can pretty easily bring in a strong zone D.
If those man to man tendencies aren't in place first, the zone will be weak. A perfect example is a match up zone D. Very hard to beat if it's done right.
More importantly it's very hard to teach and get the players to enact it properly.
Point being...you gotta have the man to man D and its techiques in place first.
My guess is Stalling was most likely teaching man to man D first, trying to get it in
place, or at least passable...before going to a zone.
But I do agree with your observation about Stallings' willingness to play zone,
and you're right about it being "passable for this group."

 

[Jpripper88]

... that an ACC win is in our future. Make no mistake that we are, by far, the worst team in the ACC. But now more than ever, I believe it's very difficult to go 0-18 in any league.

Second, Stallings has started to show more willingness to play zone which has proven at times to be a passable defense for this group.

I also see some pride in this group. And when going against a team like Wake Forest, we may actually have "more to play for."

I expect some will make a case to the contrary, which I can understand.

I agree, but we only have 2 more reasonable chances, vs Wake and vs BC, IMO. I can't imagine any other opponents playing poorly enough for us to steal a win.

 

[Pitt3Putt]

... that an ACC win is in our future. Make no mistake that we are, by far, the worst team in the ACC. But now more than ever, I believe it's very difficult to go 0-18 in any league.

Second, Stallings has started to show more willingness to play zone which has proven at times to be a passable defense for this group.

I also see some pride in this group. And when going against a team like Wake Forest, we may actually have "more to play for."

I expect some will make a case to the contrary, which I can understand.

Dt, one thing you might consider about going zone. Any coach worth his salt knows
that your players have to grasp basic defensive tendencies and techniques before
going to a zone. Those things are taught first by teaching man to man D. Once
that's in place you can pretty easily bring in a strong zone D.
If those man to man tendencies aren't in place first, the zone will be weak. A perfect example is a match up zone D. Very hard to beat if it's done right.
More importantly it's very hard to teach and get the players to enact it properly.
Point being...you gotta have the man to man D and its techiques in place first.
My guess is Stalling was most likely teaching man to man D first, trying to get in
place, or at least passable...before going to a zone.
But I do agree with your observation about Stallings' willingness to play zone,
and you're right about it being "passable for this group."

This was my thought as well. I agreed with the people calling for zone earlier on in saying that would be the best defense, but I think in a year like this you need to get these guys familiar with what the preferred method will be going forward.

If you try to band-aid over a problem as a short term fix and then change it down the road, you’re pretty much back to square one in terms of getting guys familiar with everything.

 

[Jeffburgh]

I agree that we're going to steal a game this season but times running out. I like seeing more zone and certainly seems more effective but do you think that will hold up? I'm wondering if we're catching some teams by surprise with it and as they get more film we'll see that effectiveness drop.

Yeah. It takes a nice mix of experience, and they right pieces, to play an effective zone for any extended periods of time.
Chances are, that there was little planning by opposing coaches, and/or preparation, going into the Pitt games.
That now will be on the scouting reports, and teams will be more prepared. AND, again, with time, this team will get exposed playing it as much as with man to man.

 

[ScrantonicityIII]

We're not athletic enough. We're not talented enough. We're not good enough.

But hey, we are trying a whole lot more than the last 2 years.

That sounds like the bizarro Stuart Smiley.

 

[Thee Jackie Treehorn]

That sounds like the bizarro Stuart Smiley.

And doggone it, people don't like us.

 

[jaygeekray]

We're not athletic enough. We're not talented enough. We're not good enough.

But hey, we are trying a whole lot more than the last 2 years.

Are we?
Just watch a player, say Stewart, during the last 8 mins of these games. Do you really feel that is maximum effort on both ends of the floor? Granted everyone's maximum effort and talent level is different. But it looks to me like they are getting used to losing and make no special effort to break this string of defeats. Come crunch time they stand around the perimeter playing hot potato until the shot clock demands someone force up a three pointer... And when our bigs are on the court they appear like they are trying not to pick up stupid fouls rather than actually playing solid defense.
These young guys have almost certainly lost more games this year than they did in their entire HS careers. Their confidence has been shattered and it is exposed as soon as these ACC teams turn the pressure up on them. They need to learn how to win when they aren't the most talented athlete on the floor. They need a nurturing coach capable of developing them into winners; I hope Stallings is up to it.

 

[Bethlehemjohn]

... that an ACC win is in our future. Make no mistake that we are, by far, the worst team in the ACC. But now more than ever, I believe it's very difficult to go 0-18 in any league.

Second, Stallings has started to show more willingness to play zone which has proven at times to be a passable defense for this group.

I also see some pride in this group. And when going against a team like Wake Forest, we may actually have "more to play for."

I expect some will make a case to the contrary, which I can understand.

I agree and think that one will be our best chance.

 

[DiehardPanther]

50% - 0 and 18
45% - 1 and 17
5% - 2 and 18

 

[HailToPitt1985]

50% - 0 and 18
45% - 1 and 17
5% - 2 and 18

I suppose there's a slight chance we can beat WF. I don't think we will, but we have a chance. Other than that, nothing says we have a chance against anyone else we're playing the rest of the year.

 

[JohnTurman]

... that an ACC win is in our future. Make no mistake that we are, by far, the worst team in the ACC. But now more than ever, I believe it's very difficult to go 0-18 in any league.

Second, Stallings has started to show more willingness to play zone which has proven at times to be a passable defense for this group.

I also see some pride in this group. And when going against a team like Wake Forest, we may actually have "more to play for."

I expect some will make a case to the contrary, which I can understand.

Dude they lost by 31 points and if you average their margin of L this year it has to be + 15 points. If they were coached better maybe they could be in more games. Stallings is a bum. Kids are playing hard, but his system is not working for the talent he has.

 

[DT_PITT]

Dude they lost by 31 points and if you average their margin of L this year it has to be + 15 points. If they were coached better maybe they could be in more games. Stallings is a bum. Kids are playing hard, but his system is not working for the talent he has.

Like I said, I expect some will make a case otherwise, which I understand.

Nonetheless, you missed my point completely. My point was only that we would win one ACC game this year, and in no way was I making a case pro or con for Stallings' coaching ability.

 

[paulbl99]

Next up we'll see SMF's gameplan on how we make the NCAA Tournament.

Lol! Jk.

We def can get a win tho FR.

Oh no you sb serious

 

[PittWhitt]

Are we?
Just watch a player, say Stewart, during the last 8 mins of these games. Do you really feel that is maximum effort on both ends of the floor? Granted everyone's maximum effort and talent level is different. But it looks to me like they are getting used to losing and make no special effort to break this string of defeats. Come crunch time they stand around the perimeter playing hot potato until the shot clock demands someone force up a three pointer... And when our bigs are on the court they appear like they are trying not to pick up stupid fouls rather than actually playing solid defense.
These young guys have almost certainly lost more games this year than they did in their entire HS careers. Their confidence has been shattered and it is exposed as soon as these ACC teams turn the pressure up on them. They need to learn how to win when they aren't the most talented athlete on the floor. They need a nurturing coach capable of developing them into winners; I hope Stallings is up to it.

 

[PittWhitt]

Stewart actually lead the team with 10 rebounds. That's pretty impressive from your 2 guard!! So saying he isn't giving maximum effort is false.