I'm not into moral victories at this level, especially in the third year of a coach. But I felt like this team played a lot of good minutes tonight. Just not enough. They played well enough to lead at half time, but they found themselves down. Of course the big Virginia run in the second half basically ended it. You just can't come down from that many against that program. Disappointing for sure, but there were some positives.
The game went about how I thought. I just didn't see so many runs on both sides. You don't typically see a team jump out 7-0 on Virginia, and then make multiple runs of their own in the game. It just speaks to the talent and ability of this team.
Karim had a great first half. He has always had a feel for how to operate in the post around larger defenders, and it was on display tonight. Very savvy and creative. I'm not sure what his ceiling is due to the athleticism, but it is solid if you can get consistent efforts like the one tonight. If he was your reserve center, you would be in great shape.
Ithiel deserves credit as well. He is no longer playing hesitant or with doubt. The 4 rebounds were impressive as well. Maybe a couple of the shots were early, but you have to take the open ones against Virginia, and he is the best chance at making threes.
Thought Xavier was fine. The 3-12 looks horrible, but I don't think many of the attempts were bad decisions. He was not involved much early, and he seemed fine with it. They were running really good offense from the tip, and he was just moving the ball in rhythm.
Au'Diese was fine, but they just need more. Virginia was set on taking Justin out of the game, but no one truly took advantage. It just feels like Au'diiese is most comfortable when he is drawing fouls and getting to the line. That doesn't happen against Virginia.
It just shows good unbelievable Justin has been this year to say that he had 18 and 10 at Virginia, and I don't think he played all that well. He was good, but just not himself. When he went down late, I was scared. Was relieved to see that it was knee to knee contact, and not a stabilization or serious injury. Tonight was the first time that an opponent was doubling him on the touch every time, and I thought he handled it really well. The one exception was when he threw the skip pass away. On that play, he actually backed out of the double and positioned himself for a one on one drive. You could tell that he was never truly comfortable tonight, so he didn't feel that and instead went for the skip when he shouldn't have. Overall though, he handled it well and there was not a blueprint for how to handle him established tonight. I do no think you want to double him because he handles it well.
The most concerning thing right now is that this rotation is basically six players. You can't have that. Terrell is basically unplayable when he looks like he did tonight. The turnover and then foul on the other end for an and one, immediately. Set the tone and that was that. Femi is good, and he is even ready to belong in that game. His one drive late was really special. I don't know what the answer is. Maybe no one else is ready to contribute. I just find that hard to believe. And if they aren't, why not? Someone has to be capable to provide something. Nike with his athleticism? Will with his length on the wing? Collier's athleticism? Just don't see the harm in trying these guys for small stretches Maybe not even tonight because you don't like the matchup. But at some point you have to develop depth.
I think Virginia probably wins the league. It seems like them and Florida State, and then everyone else. That is just a solid team in every facet. Three players with length that all shoot well over 40% from three. A 7'1 shot blocker around the rim. Experienced point guard. They just don't beat themselves. Don't commit unnecessary fouls, and they rarely ever gamble. I think poise and maturity was the difference tonight. This Pitt team had them a few different times tonight, but just couldn't match the culture that Virginia has. Not many programs can. This has basically become the model program in the ACC over the last 7-8 years.
No shame in tonight. But you can't let it beat you twice. It is just one. Move on and beat a team that you can beat. This team had Louisville on the ropes as well, without Toney and Champagnie. The key is no more letdowns. Everything that you want to accomplish is still out there. I think what they saw tonight can help them tremendously moving forward, provided they learn from it and stay together.
The game went about how I thought. I just didn't see so many runs on both sides. You don't typically see a team jump out 7-0 on Virginia, and then make multiple runs of their own in the game. It just speaks to the talent and ability of this team.
Karim had a great first half. He has always had a feel for how to operate in the post around larger defenders, and it was on display tonight. Very savvy and creative. I'm not sure what his ceiling is due to the athleticism, but it is solid if you can get consistent efforts like the one tonight. If he was your reserve center, you would be in great shape.
Ithiel deserves credit as well. He is no longer playing hesitant or with doubt. The 4 rebounds were impressive as well. Maybe a couple of the shots were early, but you have to take the open ones against Virginia, and he is the best chance at making threes.
Thought Xavier was fine. The 3-12 looks horrible, but I don't think many of the attempts were bad decisions. He was not involved much early, and he seemed fine with it. They were running really good offense from the tip, and he was just moving the ball in rhythm.
Au'Diese was fine, but they just need more. Virginia was set on taking Justin out of the game, but no one truly took advantage. It just feels like Au'diiese is most comfortable when he is drawing fouls and getting to the line. That doesn't happen against Virginia.
It just shows good unbelievable Justin has been this year to say that he had 18 and 10 at Virginia, and I don't think he played all that well. He was good, but just not himself. When he went down late, I was scared. Was relieved to see that it was knee to knee contact, and not a stabilization or serious injury. Tonight was the first time that an opponent was doubling him on the touch every time, and I thought he handled it really well. The one exception was when he threw the skip pass away. On that play, he actually backed out of the double and positioned himself for a one on one drive. You could tell that he was never truly comfortable tonight, so he didn't feel that and instead went for the skip when he shouldn't have. Overall though, he handled it well and there was not a blueprint for how to handle him established tonight. I do no think you want to double him because he handles it well.
The most concerning thing right now is that this rotation is basically six players. You can't have that. Terrell is basically unplayable when he looks like he did tonight. The turnover and then foul on the other end for an and one, immediately. Set the tone and that was that. Femi is good, and he is even ready to belong in that game. His one drive late was really special. I don't know what the answer is. Maybe no one else is ready to contribute. I just find that hard to believe. And if they aren't, why not? Someone has to be capable to provide something. Nike with his athleticism? Will with his length on the wing? Collier's athleticism? Just don't see the harm in trying these guys for small stretches Maybe not even tonight because you don't like the matchup. But at some point you have to develop depth.
I think Virginia probably wins the league. It seems like them and Florida State, and then everyone else. That is just a solid team in every facet. Three players with length that all shoot well over 40% from three. A 7'1 shot blocker around the rim. Experienced point guard. They just don't beat themselves. Don't commit unnecessary fouls, and they rarely ever gamble. I think poise and maturity was the difference tonight. This Pitt team had them a few different times tonight, but just couldn't match the culture that Virginia has. Not many programs can. This has basically become the model program in the ACC over the last 7-8 years.
No shame in tonight. But you can't let it beat you twice. It is just one. Move on and beat a team that you can beat. This team had Louisville on the ropes as well, without Toney and Champagnie. The key is no more letdowns. Everything that you want to accomplish is still out there. I think what they saw tonight can help them tremendously moving forward, provided they learn from it and stay together.
