So I heard that we were putting the band back together.
Before we get knee deep into everything Duke I just wanted to say that the past of years have been a wonderful time for a stat nerd. Not only has the basketball lexicon been infused with talk of tempo, rebounding rates and efficiency but that emphasis on playing more efficient and optimal basketball has actually yielded a more aesthetically pleasing product as a result. We have come a long way from the 90s Knicks to today's Warriors and Spurs. What a time to be alive!
But on to the stats, n'at.
There is no denying that when this team is playing good basketball and moving the ball that they can stay with any team in the nation. Sadly that hasn't exactly always been the case in conference play as Mike and Jamel in particular have been high turnover, ball stoppers on the offensive end and I really don't believe that it is a coincidence that one of our best offensive performances of the season largely happened with Mike spending a good portion of it on the bench. This isn't to imply that Mike isn't an exceptional basketball player or a great offensive talent but simply that as a primary option he might be a little bit stretched beyond his means and he certainly doesn't play well in groupings with Jamel and Sheldon.
And this brings me to my second point and that is that, by the numbers, Sheldon Jeter is probably the most important player on this year's team. Sheldon not only leads the team in Ortg but also in Drtg as well and while defensive ratings aren't a particularly exact science it certainly does fly in the face of the thinking that Sheldon is a defensive liability (it is also worth noting that Ryan Luther has been our second best defender by that metric and our best defensive player in conference play). I am not saying that the minutes should be dramatically shuffled going forwards here but I probably would like to see a good bit more of Sheldon and Ryan, particularly together as a 4/5 unit, when Mike is being spelled.
Before we get knee deep into everything Duke I just wanted to say that the past of years have been a wonderful time for a stat nerd. Not only has the basketball lexicon been infused with talk of tempo, rebounding rates and efficiency but that emphasis on playing more efficient and optimal basketball has actually yielded a more aesthetically pleasing product as a result. We have come a long way from the 90s Knicks to today's Warriors and Spurs. What a time to be alive!
But on to the stats, n'at.
FOUR FACTORS
That's just a proper thumping is what that is. Short-handed Duke simply had no answer for us on the glass and while they forced some turnovers they didn't do nearly enough to disrupt the Panthers' offensive rhythm outside of a five minute run late in the first half. It is nice when this team gets out to an early lead too, I feel as though there have been more than a few occasions where we have come out flat and then just can't get the stops necessary to get back into the game so it was nice to see so much intensity from the tip yesterday. Hitting it early, if you will.
There is no denying that when this team is playing good basketball and moving the ball that they can stay with any team in the nation. Sadly that hasn't exactly always been the case in conference play as Mike and Jamel in particular have been high turnover, ball stoppers on the offensive end and I really don't believe that it is a coincidence that one of our best offensive performances of the season largely happened with Mike spending a good portion of it on the bench. This isn't to imply that Mike isn't an exceptional basketball player or a great offensive talent but simply that as a primary option he might be a little bit stretched beyond his means and he certainly doesn't play well in groupings with Jamel and Sheldon.
And this brings me to my second point and that is that, by the numbers, Sheldon Jeter is probably the most important player on this year's team. Sheldon not only leads the team in Ortg but also in Drtg as well and while defensive ratings aren't a particularly exact science it certainly does fly in the face of the thinking that Sheldon is a defensive liability (it is also worth noting that Ryan Luther has been our second best defender by that metric and our best defensive player in conference play). I am not saying that the minutes should be dramatically shuffled going forwards here but I probably would like to see a good bit more of Sheldon and Ryan, particularly together as a 4/5 unit, when Mike is being spelled.
Loose Change
- Ryan playing a true stretch five really does open up the offense. He is still turning the ball over a little bit too often, particularly when he puts the ball on the deck but he is a very capable passer and shooter and it really opens the lane for other Panthers.
- This Pitt team is one of the few teams that I can remember that has a chance to finish in the top 10 in the nation in both OR% (currently 10th) as well as FT% (currently 12th). It's a pretty unique combination of skills.
- Speaking of top tens, the Panthers are 7th in the nation in Assist Rate, our third straight season in the top ten. If that isn't a testament to James' career then I don't know what is.
- 4 out of the Panthers' last 7 games have been 61 possessions or slower...so much for playing faster basketball, that just isn't Jamie Dixon's religion.
