- Last night was really bad. Losing to Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament is nothing to be ashamed of. But that team, in that manner - wow. I had thought Wisconsin was better than that. Koening and Hayes have regressed. Some of it is playing next to Dekker and Kaminsky of course. But that Wisconsin team is not good. To me, the team looked extremely tight again. It is difficult to have a 10/12 point lead in a game where 90 total points were scored and lose.
- The most puzzling part of the night to me was Ryan Luther. I have no idea why he didn't play. I said that unless he is sick or there is a reason, there is no excuse. The defense reasoning makes no sense to me. He is probably their best post defender. If he isn't he is at least right there. It is not like he is a liability. Jeter is the biggest defensive liability. ANO hardly plays all year, and then he plays in the biggest game of the year and even gets a play run for him in crunch time. Amazing. All week, I knew it was scary when Dixon was going on and on about the graduate transfers. He was so proud and happy for them. It seemed to take priority over everything. What about the players that have been in the program longer?
- Even scarier, I still think the philosophy is flawed. The comment comes down to defense and rebounding. At some point, you have to think offense. You held a high major team to 47 points in a game. What else can you do? A shutout? If you think offensively even for a few minutes, they may have been able to separate a little. This game was not lost because of the defensive end.
- The last play really summed up the season. James driving for a layup and runs into his own teammate. At points this season, this team would excite you. Then, it would come crashing down. Just a tough way for a senior to go out.
- Not sure how the team looks next year. A lot of people assuming that everyone will be back. I wouldn't be so sure. There is always some movement. This team was not young. Do not be shocked if Mike and Jamel go through the process. As juniors, they should. There is no downside to it. Let me be clear, I don't think either player has a chance to get drafter. However, Jamel is really old and may want to start playing for money. The twist to this situation is that both are best friends. They are basically brothers. So I would think that it is either both or neither for next year.
- Let's not spend time on the ridiculous UNLV rumors. Not happening. Nor are they firing Dixon. I don't think anything will happen either way for at least two more years. With that being said, TCU is the only job even worth spending a minute on. I don't think he is going there, but it does provide an interesting situation. Reason being, it presents an opportunity to get away without taking too much of a PR hit. Because he played there, he can sell the idea that he wants to return and turn the program around.
- Other than that, I don't see anything happening. No other program at Pitt's level or just above is going to be pursuing now. So it is basically TCU. Moving down to a lesser job just seems unlikely to me. So I do think he has 2-3 years to get this program back to relevance.
- The press conferences have become more and more awkward to me. You can see the pressure and vibe of the program with each question. It is just a very difficult point right now for the program. They haven't been nationally relevant since like 2011/2012. For a program that struggles to recruit in the first place, it is that much harder without any energy or momentum. Not sure how you get that back with the same personnel in place.
- Barnes is very committed to this program. He understands how important basketball and football is. He will definitely provide more money and see what is needed. I just don't changing assistants will matter much. I know most of you have seen my thoughts on that topic. Regardless of what happens and when it does, this administration has changed the outlook of this job. I have heard from several people that guys who would never even consider Pitt under Pederson, would now at least be open to it under Barnes. I don't think you can underestimate the importance of that.
- It is going to be a long offseason. Plenty of rumors. I anticipate at least a move or two with the staff. Would not be surprised to see some roster movement as well. It figures to be eventful like always, so we will just take it in stride.
- The recruiting class is actually solid. For the first time in a long time, they have high school kids that can develop. They need another center for sure. The reports that I have heard from practice aren't all that encouraging with Rozelle. Obviously Mike and Jamel are the key. If they are back, a front court of Artis, Young, and Luther is pretty encouraging. However, there will be issues in the back court again. That is where games are lost in March. I wouldn't even be surprised to see Kithcart starting at point guard. Even if everyone is back, it will be an old team and then things will be rotated again. This program is certainly at a crossroads. I don't know if they can get it back, but we will see.
- The most puzzling part of the night to me was Ryan Luther. I have no idea why he didn't play. I said that unless he is sick or there is a reason, there is no excuse. The defense reasoning makes no sense to me. He is probably their best post defender. If he isn't he is at least right there. It is not like he is a liability. Jeter is the biggest defensive liability. ANO hardly plays all year, and then he plays in the biggest game of the year and even gets a play run for him in crunch time. Amazing. All week, I knew it was scary when Dixon was going on and on about the graduate transfers. He was so proud and happy for them. It seemed to take priority over everything. What about the players that have been in the program longer?
- Even scarier, I still think the philosophy is flawed. The comment comes down to defense and rebounding. At some point, you have to think offense. You held a high major team to 47 points in a game. What else can you do? A shutout? If you think offensively even for a few minutes, they may have been able to separate a little. This game was not lost because of the defensive end.
- The last play really summed up the season. James driving for a layup and runs into his own teammate. At points this season, this team would excite you. Then, it would come crashing down. Just a tough way for a senior to go out.
- Not sure how the team looks next year. A lot of people assuming that everyone will be back. I wouldn't be so sure. There is always some movement. This team was not young. Do not be shocked if Mike and Jamel go through the process. As juniors, they should. There is no downside to it. Let me be clear, I don't think either player has a chance to get drafter. However, Jamel is really old and may want to start playing for money. The twist to this situation is that both are best friends. They are basically brothers. So I would think that it is either both or neither for next year.
- Let's not spend time on the ridiculous UNLV rumors. Not happening. Nor are they firing Dixon. I don't think anything will happen either way for at least two more years. With that being said, TCU is the only job even worth spending a minute on. I don't think he is going there, but it does provide an interesting situation. Reason being, it presents an opportunity to get away without taking too much of a PR hit. Because he played there, he can sell the idea that he wants to return and turn the program around.
- Other than that, I don't see anything happening. No other program at Pitt's level or just above is going to be pursuing now. So it is basically TCU. Moving down to a lesser job just seems unlikely to me. So I do think he has 2-3 years to get this program back to relevance.
- The press conferences have become more and more awkward to me. You can see the pressure and vibe of the program with each question. It is just a very difficult point right now for the program. They haven't been nationally relevant since like 2011/2012. For a program that struggles to recruit in the first place, it is that much harder without any energy or momentum. Not sure how you get that back with the same personnel in place.
- Barnes is very committed to this program. He understands how important basketball and football is. He will definitely provide more money and see what is needed. I just don't changing assistants will matter much. I know most of you have seen my thoughts on that topic. Regardless of what happens and when it does, this administration has changed the outlook of this job. I have heard from several people that guys who would never even consider Pitt under Pederson, would now at least be open to it under Barnes. I don't think you can underestimate the importance of that.
- It is going to be a long offseason. Plenty of rumors. I anticipate at least a move or two with the staff. Would not be surprised to see some roster movement as well. It figures to be eventful like always, so we will just take it in stride.
- The recruiting class is actually solid. For the first time in a long time, they have high school kids that can develop. They need another center for sure. The reports that I have heard from practice aren't all that encouraging with Rozelle. Obviously Mike and Jamel are the key. If they are back, a front court of Artis, Young, and Luther is pretty encouraging. However, there will be issues in the back court again. That is where games are lost in March. I wouldn't even be surprised to see Kithcart starting at point guard. Even if everyone is back, it will be an old team and then things will be rotated again. This program is certainly at a crossroads. I don't know if they can get it back, but we will see.
