Jamie's press conference

[Bethlehemjohn]

he said that they have been spending majority of practices working on defense. Explains why he offense has been bad the last few games. We are holding on to the ball and dribbling too much instead of quick passes. We should focus on O, because the D sucks no matter what.

 

[Pav9870]

Watching the Clemson-Florida State game yesterday, I was struck by the intensity of both teams playing defense. There was a desire to deny the ball or passing lanes that I haven't seen by Pitt this year. Clemson's back door cuts that were so wide open against Pitt were almost totally shut down by FSU. The Clemson defense was likewise tough most of the game. It would be nice to see this kind of desire to play defense make its way onto the Pete tonight.

 

[Delpanther]

he said that they have been spending majority of practices working on defense. Explains why he offense has been bad the last few games. We are holding on to the ball and dribbling too much instead of quick passes. We should focus on O, because the D sucks no matter what.

Yea, the view that the team could overcome it's defensive weaknesses and still have a solid year was predicated on the offense carrying this team. Even going back to the second half of the ND game this team has shown an increasing tendency to play too much one on one BB. Young, in particular, has to handle double teams better. With this tendency, the shot selection has fallen off of a cliff. Lots of room for improvement on offense.

 

[Bethlehemjohn]

Defense is mostly effort and some teamwork. This team will never amount to anything if they don't give the effort.

 

[PHATWOOD]

Guys have to care about playing D. What's Jamie going to do? Bench half of his starting lineup? If I can figure this out, well, I'd imagine the guys he's preaching to every day have.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Guys have to care about playing D. What's Jamie going to do? Bench half of his starting lineup? If I can figure this out, well, I'd imagine the guys he's preaching to every day have.

The coach needs some help from the 'team leaders." Not sure we have one or two this year!

 

[Zaratoughda]

The thing about defense.... is it is knowing what you are supposed to do.... and then DOING what you are supposed to do.

TALENT... is not all that important (though it helps). What is more important... is the above two and working hard at what you are supposed to do.

In the game against Clemson.... one time down the court.... Young failed to pick up his guy... Blossomgame... and Maia ended up trying to cover him.... and Blossomgame nailed a 3ball.

Another time.... with Luther out there... Luther dilly dallied too long on the hedge.... and his guy went towards the hoop and Young went off his guy.... Blossomgame.. to cover Luther's guy and... you guessed it... another 3ball for Blossomgame. THIS one, was mainly on Luther but Young also... could have let Artis pick up the guy going to the hoop and stayed on Blossomgame.

The thing is.... SCREW UPS like these is what you call BAD DEFENSE... and we do it WAY too often. If not one player then tends to be someone else.

So, yeah, we could stand to be WAY BETTER on defense... and it mainly is each player doing what they are supposed to do consistently through the course of the game.

 

[Bethlehemjohn]

Guys have to care about playing D. What's Jamie going to do? Bench half of his starting lineup? If I can figure this out, well, I'd imagine the guys he's preaching to every day have.

If they want to be good, they better try harder. Who cares if you play if you don't win. I just can't understand why they can't be self motivated. Coaching only takes you so far.

 

[Pittx9]

The offense has been bad. The defense however has been disgustingly pathetic to watch. Giving up 40 or more points in the first half for three straight games is so beyond unacceptable. I think this group is talented enough to make offense themselves barring a night where everyone goes cold (which seems to happen a lot), but they really do need to work on defense as much as possible.