Justice Kithcart- Steal of the Century
- Thread starter steel_curtain
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Wow! Did people jump overboard to conclusions when I suggested Mike Young looks a little shorter than his roster height. I never said or intended to say height was all that mattered to be an effective center. It isn't. Big Fella was 6-7 in shoes, at best, but he was very wide and very strong and had the wingspan (reach) of a guy 6-10. That is why he was an effective center.
On the other hand, IMHO, Mike Young is not suited to play center as his primary position not so much because of his height (or lack thereof) but because he doesn't have the compensating physical attributes that Big Fella had--Mike's reach and hops are only average for a guy of 6-8 to 6-9 so center is not his ideal position and we are better off he can spend most of his minutes at power forward while somebody more physically suited to play center plays that position.
On the other hand, IMHO, Mike Young is not suited to play center as his primary position not so much because of his height (or lack thereof) but because he doesn't have the compensating physical attributes that Big Fella had--Mike's reach and hops are only average for a guy of 6-8 to 6-9 so center is not his ideal position and we are better off he can spend most of his minutes at power forward while somebody more physically suited to play center plays that position.
I agree with your second paragraph. I may not have gone into enough detail when I said Manigault won't be the starting center, but it's his strength that I believe would be the problem.
As far as Blair goes, let's face it, he was somewhat of a freak.
As far as Blair goes, let's face it, he was somewhat of a freak.
Link?
Also, I think it is under appreciated here that we picked up a guard who plays great defense named "Justice".
And yet he has played at least some center in every single game we've played this season.
If you've ever got a good look at them standing next to each other, Maia is clearly shorter than both Young and Nelson-Ododa. If Mike Young is really 6-9 then Maia might be 6-8, but probably more like 6-7.
And yet he's not the starting center, nor were two players brought in to play the 4 so he could continue to play more center.
Well you said we brought in guys to ensure that Young didn't have to play center this year, and yet he still does. Pretty frequently, in fact.
As to Justice, looks to be a 4 star recruit from just seeing that video alone and Wilson "must" be willing to play some time at SG during his career here. This year with Robinson & the next few years with Kithcart.
The talent these two could bring next year will be really fun to see.
Pitt is getting back to (quality) recruiting & Dixon is improving at getting talent.
#gottoloveit
-The guy can shoot. That should not be underestimated. He's made over 30 threes in the last 6 games. That's OVER 5 made per game. The last time we had a prospect that deadly from 3 in high school, was Ashton Gibbs. And this guy can pass, rebound, and rack up steals too.
Has a weird release on his jumper. Rotates his body to the left after the release. Doesn't seem to affect the shot....but the tape has none of his misses. Frankly, all I want is his ability to get into the lane & create. Looks terrific doing that. Quick hands dishing the ball. A lot to like.
"Justice will be served."
I know he can shoot. But if him and Wilson are on the floor at the same time, I would play Wilson at SG as he's 3 inches taller (@ 6-5) and bigger weight wise too.
Kithcart would "definitely" be a shooting point guard and if he and Milligan were on the floor at the same time, either of them could be at SG.
The future of Pitt hoops looks bright with these young guards.
Go Pitt & Beat NC State...
I noticed that too. Does it also appear to you that he also has a slow release from out in front of his body? Doesn't seem to be any film of him shooting over anyone. Coaches may need to work on that.
As with most things, I would imagine that Wilson would technically play the SG but only due to that being the position he checks. The offense doesn't really have defined roles, the positions are based on who is checking who on defense. Ashton Gibbs played PG for his teams but did very little in terms of initiating the offense and a guy like Mike Young had more freedom away from the hoop as a C last year than most of Pitt's previous PFs ever did.
If Kithcart is a deadeye shooter, I don't think him having the PG designation is necessarily going to limit his shots.
Tough to tell from a highlight reel. That twisting of the body might lower the release in general. Slim's release isn't exactly above his head, but the kid is 6-8, at least, and he should be able to shoot over almost anyone.....and his form is very smooth. Kithcart is multi-skilled and plenty quick. Good get for Jamie.....who can't recruit at all.
Kithkart will be the primary ball handler, bring it up court 90% of the time, initiate the offense most times, run the offense most times and play the PG on defense.
Wilson likely will be used like Wannmaker (to your Gibbs) as a point wing a decent amount and play the off guard on defense.
I can't see Wilson filling that role next year, especially if Artis is back. Where does Milligan fit in?
Looks like we'll have a healthy backcourt competition and rotation among Wilson, Clark, Milligan and Kithcart with Chris Jones also in the mix..
Jamie's recruiting and style of play since joining the ACC is going to be different and it is starting to show. He is starting to attract quality wing shooters and guards to match a more up tempo type game.
Mangault is a power forward. nix is our center with a junior college or grad transfer coming in to help at center. You groom manifestly for the position behind you'd, who better to learn behind. You groom for the future not play him out of position for the present. See how the one year at center hurt us and young.
It only hurts when there's a real 5 playing for the other team
Nothing hurt more last year than our pathetic perimeter defense.
Young did fine on both ends.
Manigault very well could play center for Pitt and in the ACC. He has very long arms and a very strong lower body. Reminiscent of what made Blair able to do the same. Especially when you have a 4 next to you like Young and a player like Artis on the wing, he would be a very good Center. Then,, if you have another big man (hopefully Nix...maybe Jordy T or a grad center) to spell and help with match-ups...and, also the luxury of moving Mike Young to the C depending on match-ups too. So many teams do not use the traditional C or a traditionally sized C in the game today. Most are in the 6'8 and 6'9 range...and, most are stretching it to be that tall.
Young is more than an adequate C in the ACC...but, his game and strengths are more at the 4 because of his versatility and his lower body strength is not as strong as some which hurts him defensively and has him tire when badly a post up C a lot. The best thing that has helped is lessening his load at the C and allowing Pitt to create the matchups they want with the added productive depth at C.
Young is more than an adequate C in the ACC...but, his game and strengths are more at the 4 because of his versatility and his lower body strength is not as strong as some which hurts him defensively and has him tire when badly a post up C a lot. The best thing that has helped is lessening his load at the C and allowing Pitt to create the matchups they want with the added productive depth at C.
B-Man, not sure I agee on Manigault, at least not as a starting C and getting most of the minutes.
Very well said on Young, not the player at C that he is at the 4, but the Randall/Uchebo combo pretty much forced him to play there.
Very well said on Young, not the player at C that he is at the 4, but the Randall/Uchebo combo pretty much forced him to play there.
Playing your best player out of position isn't done unless there's no other viable options. Because he can hold his own or get the better of other mediocre 5's doesn't mean he can handle a true 5. Pitt ( and MY ) didn't fair so well against a tall and athletic Louisville team. He's a talented player and his talents are much better suited for 4 . If he's here next year I hope it's at the 4 not the 5.
Young plays no different on the court at either position.
Not sure why this is so challenging a concept.
You don't think having a true center who can physically clog up the middle and lean on their big man wouldn't help MY's game?
From what I understand, they still have a C as top priority for 2016. Jordy Tshimanga (6'10", 260#) is a top 150 kid who said he will visit Pitt & Nebraska after the season. He.s probably not NCAA ready, but it leads me to believe they see Manigault as more of a 4.
