** Like most Pitt fans, I came to the Pete today rather dour.** I feared the high point of the afternoon might turn out to be the nifty little golden Pitt towel we received upon entry which was quite useful for wiping the wintry mix from our collective brows.
** Instead we got to experience a solid basketball team effort in the face of adversity, enough to wipe away my previously dour disposition this day.
** We can’t proclaim this was the kind of performance that inspires a legit belief we can steer this season back into the tournament. But it was enough to offer up a pile of positive thoughts. So if your own personal disposition remains dour, this edition is not the place for you.
** The core of our Panthers have left us with their share of questions over the last six weeks. Today, that same core offered up mostly responses.
** Our first responder today was Ishael Legget.
** It wasn’t so much that Ish brought first rate production. It was rather his top notch leadership that should be noted. Where that leadership was most evident was on the defensive end where he was getting into the grills of Miami guards throughout.
** His battle on the boards was equally noteworthy along with his decision making. Perhaps most importantly, he produced points in the early going when most of the other Panthers encountered a lid on the tin.
** This wasn’t a case where Ish willed us to victory as he did against Wake Forest in last year’s ACC tournament. Instead, this was a game where his consistent approach laid a winning Panther blueprint.
** I suppose Zach doesn’t really need a blueprint as his motor is always switched to high even in defeat.
** Zach’s value was most evident from his work on Miami’s Clevaland whose only minor burst of a pair of buckets came when Zach was out to the game. Otherwise, Matthew was a complete non factor, and this is a guy who has scored at will against the ACC in his last 7 contests.
** Equally impressive was Zach’s effort on the boards. He just didn’t collect 10 rebounds, He fought for that many.
** This season, Cam Corhen has taken his share of lumps from a vocal portion of the Hoops fan base. While I understand the basis for some of it, I also don’t think all it has been entirely deserved. Today he deserved none.
** A comment often directed at Cam is that he plays too “soft,” and on this day, he was nowhere close to this designation.
** He defended strong in the post and came up with stops and steals, often without getting any double team help. Additionally, he hedged ball screens energy and attitude, daring the Canes to make a play on top of him as he flew back to the paint.
** Offensively, Cam was appropriately aggressive and only some limitations he has with his hands kept him from challenging a career high on points.
** With a new spotlight shining upon him, freshman Beebah responded with a mature effort where he let the game come nicely to him. He was smooth and under control, and took shots he should instead of trying to make plays that he shouldn’t.
** And then there’s Amsal.
** I’m going to forgo all of the editorializing about whether Amsal should have been playing more all along, and instead just rejoice in the fact that he did.
** I suspect Mr. Delalic’s performance among the faithful may take on some Luka-like legend in the coming days. Still, he was in fact quite splendid, and like Beebah, he made plays that he can make instead of trying to make ones he can’t.
** More importantly, I suspect Amsal’s European upbringing lends him more to a team offense where passing the basketball is valued as much or more than driving to grab a piece of the paint. More than anything else, this a welcome addition to our attack.
** Beyond that, Amsal more than held his own defensively while his offensive rebound put back should be on the list for one of the smartest plays a Panther has made this year.
** Now that Dunn is done, there’s no reason not to offer more minutes to Amsal going forward.
** And thankfully, there are more meaningful minutes to be played. After today's win, the road to the NCAA tournament is still very long and extremely narrow, but it’s still open.
** For this fan this day, that’s enough for me.
** Congratulations to our Panthers on a much, much needed win. Let’s get the Orange on Tuesday and keep this going!
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