Last Year, This Year

[UPitt '89]

Last year at this time:

19-10/8-7. RPI 48. 50% chance.

Went on to close the season without winning another game.

This year:
19-8/8-7. RPI 45. 50% chance.

?????????



Need to change the pattern starting Sunday.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Last year at this time:

19-10/8-7. RPI 48. 50% chance.

Went on to close the season without winning another game.

This year:
19-8/8-7. RPI 45. 50% chance.

?????????



Need to change the pattern starting Sunday.

18-8. The D2 win doesnt count for RPI or NCAAT consideration. It is a bit depressing that going into the last 6 days of this regular season, we are in the exact same spot as last year. Inotherwords, no improvement in 365 days.

I do remember us having to win those last 3 though because the bubble was stronger and we had some bad losses. 10-8 wasnt going to do it. But 10-8 does it this year.

 

[iMissTheOldDays]

As much as I love Pitt hoops and want this team to succeed .. We are not going to beat Duke .. And for the guys who make the "oh it's ok we hung with them they just have better talent" excuse .. Just wait to see how we matchup with Duke .. Allen , Ingram and Kennard might all drop 25 on us .. Also the last 2 road games are basically toss ups so this is really feeling and looking like last season ..

 

[UPitt '89]

18-8. The D2 win doesnt count for RPI or NCAAT consideration. It is a bit depressing that going into the last 6 days of this regular season, we are in the exact same spot as last year. Inotherwords, no improvement in 365 days.

I do remember us having to win those last 3 though because the bubble was stronger. 10-8 wasnt going to do it. But 10-8 does it this year.

It doesn't count for rpi, but it is on the sheets that the committee uses.

And last year one of our 19 was the same.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

As much as I love Pitt hoops and want this team to succeed .. We are not going to beat Duke .. And for the guys who make the "oh it's ok we hung with them they just have better talent" excuse .. Just wait to see how we matchup with Duke .. Allen , Ingram and Kennard might all drop 25 on us .. Also the last 2 road games are basically toss ups so this is really feeling and looking like last season ..

Easy solution....Don't watch

 

[iMissTheOldDays]

Easy solution....Don't watch

Why would I not watch buddy ? Maybe you should read my post again , I love this team , but for people who think that we have a better chance of beating Duke .. Simply not true ..

 

[whirlybird optio]

18-8. The D2 win doesnt count for RPI or NCAAT consideration. It is a bit depressing that going into the last 6 days of this regular season, we are in the exact same spot as last year. Inotherwords, no improvement in 365 days.

I do remember us having to win those last 3 though because the bubble was stronger and we had some bad losses. 10-8 wasnt going to do it. But 10-8 does it this year.

9-9 with an ACCT win probably enough. 9-9 with a loss in ACCT and it's Dayton or first 4 out IMO.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Why would I not watch buddy ? Maybe you should read my post again , I love this team , but for people who think that we have a better chance of beating Duke .. Simply not true ..

There's always hope

 

[DT_PITT]

Last year at this time:

19-10/8-7. RPI 48. 50% chance.

Went on to close the season without winning another game.

This year:
19-8/8-7. RPI 45. 50% chance.

?????????



Need to change the pattern starting Sunday.

This has had me scared since we beat the Cuse on Saturday. Troublingly similar.

 

[UPitt '89]

This has had me scared since we beat the Cuse on Saturday. Troublingly similar.

The collective sigh of relief if Pitt can somehow pull out a win on Sunday would generate enough wind power to power the scoreboard at the Pete for a decade.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

It doesn't count for rpi, but it is on the sheets that the committee uses.

And last year one of our 19 was the same.

No, it doesn't even make the "team sheet," its not considered and to be honest, all the committee members probably wont even know we have an extra D2 win, bot that it matters anyway.

 

[Delpanther]

If we lose Sunday, I fear we go in the tank and lose the last 2 games. This team has very little mental toughness and I worry that their knowing/believing that they need the last 2 games to get into the tournament will be more than their fragile team psyche can handle. The thought of Artis and Young playing more desperately(and selfishly)than they did last night because of the rising stakes( considering all their screw ups) makes me cringe.

 

[UPitt '89]

If we lose Sunday, I fear we go in the tank and lose the last 2 games. This team has very little mental toughness and I worry that their knowing/believing that they need the last 2 games to get into the tournament will be more than their fragile team psyche can handle. The thought of Artis and Young playing more desperately(and selfishly)than they did last night because of the rising stakes( considering all their screw ups) makes me cringe.

I kind of agree with this.

As recently as the 2014 team, I wouldn't have worried as much.... Patterson and Zanna weren't the greatest leaders, but they were Winston Freaking Churchill compared to Artis and Young.

If we don't beat Duke, then I can see those two have a 10+ turnover and <40% shooting game combined at VT.

 

[DT_PITT]

The collective sigh of relief if Pitt can somehow pull out a win on Sunday would generate enough wind power to power the scoreboard at the Pete for a decade.

Indeed.

I started to think the same kind of thing when the score went to 48-40.

Then Dixon took out Luther ...

 

[DT_PITT]

If we lose Sunday, I fear we go in the tank and lose the last 2 games. This team has very little mental toughness and I worry that their knowing/believing that they need the last 2 games to get into the tournament will be more than their fragile team psyche can handle. The thought of Artis and Young playing more desperately(and selfishly)than they did last night because of the rising stakes( considering all their screw ups) makes me cringe.

Worried about this too.

 

[UPitt '89]

Indeed.

I started to think the same kind of thing when the score went to 48-40.

Then Dixon took out Luther ...

Don't get me started.

I'm the President of the sign-Jamie-for-life fanclub. .. but I put the collapse last night largely on him.

And deep down, he probably agrees.

 

[NTOP]

If we lose Sunday, I fear we go in the tank and lose the last 2 games. This team has very little mental toughness and I worry that their knowing/believing that they need the last 2 games to get into the tournament will be more than their fragile team psyche can handle. The thought of Artis and Young playing more desperately(and selfishly)than they did last night because of the rising stakes( considering all their screw ups) makes me cringe.

But most of the guys played really hard last night. Luther, obviously, JRob, Jonesy, Cameron & Maia tried their best. Jones did a GREAT job on Lee in the first half, e.g. Effort wasn't the problem. 32-35 decent minutes doesn't excuse the sh!t show down the stretch. Young & Artis were awful at the end. Very disappointing end result, against a team with lots of talent.

 

[whirlybird optio]

And, IIRC, the first loss in the tailspin was a game @Wake where we blew a similar second half lead. Gulp

 

[QuitCallingMeWanny]

If we lose Sunday, I fear we go in the tank and lose the last 2 games. This team has very little mental toughness and I worry that their knowing/believing that they need the last 2 games to get into the tournament will be more than their fragile team psyche can handle. The thought of Artis and Young playing more desperately(and selfishly)than they did last night because of the rising stakes( considering all their screw ups) makes me cringe.

we agree Del now I am going to duck for cover so I don't get hit by lightning...this team doesn't have any grinders to pull them through...

 

[Delpanther]

we agree Del now I am going to duck for cover so I don't get hit by lightning...this team doesn't have any grinders to pull them through...

See, on occasion your views are wisdom inspired. You've reached breakthrough, grasshopper!

 

[DT_PITT]

't

Don't get me started.

I'm the President of the sign-Jamie-for-life fanclub. .. but I put the collapse last night largely on him.

And deep down, he probably agrees.

Just for the sake of it, here's where I stand on this.

I'm not a big fan of "if the coach would have done x, things would have been better." That's because you can never know what would have happened, and just because what was done didn't work is not proof that that something else would have worked better.

Still, I'll go bigger picture with the whole criticism. Every loss in on Jamie. And every win is on Jamie.

And if you want to give real criticism to Dixon in this regard, I'd suggest that it can be pointed to his lack of ability to develop the decision making of Young and Jamel, or that he hasn't been able to teach or coax Jeter to improve his defense. (That drive by slam over Jeter was the play that really got me last night. -- it was as if Jeter wasn't defending at all.)

Saying it another way, the criticism of Dixon should be more about that he can't count on his "top" players to execute more than the fact that he played them.

 

[DT_PITT]

And, IIRC, the first loss in the tailspin was a game @Wake where we blew a similar second half lead. Gulp

Gulp is right. Yuck.

 

[Delpanther]

But most of the guys played really hard last night. Luther, obviously, JRob, Jonesy, Cameron & Maia tried their best. Jones did a GREAT job on Lee in the first half, e.g. Effort wasn't the problem. 32-35 decent minutes doesn't excuse the sh!t show down the stretch. Young & Artis were awful at the end. Very disappointing end result, against a team with lots of talent.

I concur that the effort was there last night and we showed a fair amount of grit until crunch time. The D we played during the stretch when we went up by 8 was the best we played all year. As soon as Artis and Young conceived the idea thereafter that one of them had to win the game, things went in the toilet. These 2 guys are simply not dependable and they play their worst under pressure. We better find a way to win Sunday. Since I am a good luck talisman and will be there Sunday, it's a lock!

 

[UPitt '89]

't

Just for the sake of it, here's where I stand on this.

I'm not a big fan of "if the coach would have done x, things would have been better." That's because you can never know what would have happened, and just because what was done didn't work is not proof that that something else would have worked better.

Still, I'll go bigger picture with the whole criticism. Every loss in on Jamie. And every win is on Jamie.

And if you want to give real criticism to Dixon in this regard, I'd suggest that it can be pointed to his lack of ability to develop the decision making of Young and Jamel, or that he hasn't been able to teach or coax Jeter to improve his defense. (That drive by slam over Jeter was the play that really got me last night. -- it was as if Jeter wasn't defending at all.)

Saying it another way, the criticism of Dixon should be more about that he can't count on his "top" players to execute more than the fact that he played them.

I would agree if my (and others') criticisms were after the fact.

But go back and read the game thread. At the exact moment of the 8:16 timeout.... I said that Young needs to stay on the bench, the team is playing very well without him. TiredRam made the comment the instant Luther came out that he is blaming the impending loss on Jamie removing Luther from the game. Whirlybird_option and another poster or two said similar things. Pitt was still ahead, and Ram could already see the momentum shift. As could whirlybird_option.

It was a fulcrum point of the game, and many of us recognized it at THAT moment - not after the game .... it wasn't monday-morning QBing, and it wasn't 20/20 hindsight. If we could feel that the 8:16 mark was the key point in the game as it was occurring, so should've Jamie.

And in his post-game comments, he indicated as much. At three different occasions he mentioned that we had a wide open shot (Robinson) to take a 10 point lead and missed and Louisville got a 3 in transition to cut the lead to 5. He recognized that 5-point swing as the key moment in the game.

He didn't acknowledge that he made the absolute wrong move at that point - but he immediately followed those comments with effusive praise for Luther's performance on the night.

Deep down, I believe he knows he made a mistake.

 

[DT_PITT]

I would agree if my (and others') criticisms were after the fact.

But go back and read the game thread. At the exact moment of the 8:16 timeout.... I said that Young needs to stay on the bench, the team is playing very well without him. TiredRam made the comment the instant Luther came out that he is blaming the impending loss on Jamie removing Luther from the game. Whirlybird_option and another poster or two said similar things. Pitt was still ahead, and Ram could already see the momentum shift. As could whirlybird_option.

It was a fulcrum point of the game, and many of us recognized it at THAT moment - not after the game .... it wasn't monday-morning QBing, and it wasn't 20/20 hindsight. If we could feel that the 8:16 mark was the key point in the game as it was occurring, so should've Jamie.

And in his post-game comments, he indicated as much. At three different occasions he mentioned that we had a wide open shot (Robinson) to take a 10 point lead and missed and Louisville got a 3 in transition to cut the lead to 5. He recognized that 5-point swing as the key moment in the game.

He didn't acknowledge that he made the absolute wrong move at that point - but he immediately followed those comments with effusive praise for Luther's performance on the night.

Deep down, I believe he knows he made a mistake.

I could also point to dozen and dozen of other times when people have posting during games and saying they saw a wrong move and it wasn't. Also, that entire five point swing you refer to all happened when Luther was still in the game.

The only thing I would have done differently is the second Jeter was blown by for the slam I would have subbed for him. I'm not exactly positive when Dixon got him up to the scorers table -- I think it was a little later, after L-ville's next three had tied it.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Why would I not watch buddy ? Maybe you should read my post again , I love this team , but for people who think that we have a better chance of beating Duke .. Simply not true ..

AGree...they are EXCELLENT at spacing on the offensive end, and pressure the perimeter on defense.

Plus, K will have no problem finding the mismatch and exploiting it all game long.

I predict no less than 15 rebounds for Plumlee...he was twice the heart of Artis, Young, and Jeter combined.

 

[UPitt '89]

AGree...they are EXCELLENT at spacing on the offensive end, and pressure the perimeter on defense.

Plus, K will have no problem finding the mismatch and exploiting it all game long.

I predict no less than 15 rebounds for Plumlee...he was twice the heart of Artis, Young, and Jeter combined.

We have to hope to get Plumlee in early foul trouble. Without Jefferson, he really is their only glass-cleaner.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

We have to hope to get Plumlee in early foul trouble. Without Jefferson, he really is their only glass-cleaner.

Duke doesnt foul.

 

[UPitt '89]

Duke doesnt foul.

Both Allen and Kennard fouled out against Louisville.

Allen's being the turning point in the game.

The game before that against UNC, Plumlee committed 4 fouls, although still played 35 minutes.

The game before that, they committed 19 fouls against UVa.


So clearly, the DO foul. You have to take drive to get the calls, though.

 

[vinniep33]

't

Just for the sake of it, here's where I stand on this.

I'm not a big fan of "if the coach would have done x, things would have been better." That's because you can never know what would have happened, and just because what was done didn't work is not proof that that something else would have worked better.

Still, I'll go bigger picture with the whole criticism. Every loss in on Jamie. And every win is on Jamie.

And if you want to give real criticism to Dixon in this regard, I'd suggest that it can be pointed to his lack of ability to develop the decision making of Young and Jamel, or that he hasn't been able to teach or coax Jeter to improve his defense. (That drive by slam over Jeter was the play that really got me last night. -- it was as if Jeter wasn't defending at all.)

Saying it another way, the criticism of Dixon should be more about that he can't count on his "top" players to execute more than the fact that he played them.

Jeter could have at least hammered him and put him on the line. Jeez is he soft. They all are dammit. Every one of them are soft. I wouldn't take one in a fox hole with me. I'm too old to be in fox holes. Who am I kidding.

 

[DT_PITT]

Jeter could have at least hammered him and put him on the line. Jeez is he soft. They all are dammit. Every one of them are soft. I wouldn't take one in a fox hole with me. I'm too old to be in fox holes. Who am I kidding.

LOL

 

[vinniep33]

LOL

You're the best DT!!!! Keep the faith.

 

[DT_PITT]

You're the best DT!!!! Keep the faith.

You too!

And stay out of fox holes!

 

[vinniep33]

You too!

And stay out of fox holes!

I will.

 

[UPitt '89]

You too!

And stay out of fox holes!

Unless the foxes look like this...

 

[TiredRam97]

18-8. The D2 win doesnt count for RPI or NCAAT consideration. It is a bit depressing that going into the last 6 days of this regular season, we are in the exact same spot as last year. Inotherwords, no improvement in 365 days.

I do remember us having to win those last 3 though because the bubble was stronger and we had some bad losses. 10-8 wasnt going to do it. But 10-8 does it this year.

But it counts for Dixon's 20 win bonus!