New Panthers

[Canadian_Panther]

I'm not sure if these are low expectations; but I only expect 1 of our 3 new experienced players to have an impact on our upcoming season. In my opinion; this system frustrates and taunts new players for 1.4 years.

Recent outside transfers have fallen short of summer expectations.
Chase Adams, Trey Ziegler, and all our recent center attempts.... we need a fresh breeze of what Jermaine brought to the table..

Who makes a breakthrough?

 

[DT_PITT]

I'm not sure if these are low expectations; but I only expect 1 of our 3 new experienced players to have an impact on our upcoming season. In my opinion; this system frustrates and taunts new players for 1.4 years.

Recent outside transfers have fallen short of summer expectations.
Chase Adams, Trey Ziegler, and all our recent center attempts.... we need a fresh breeze of what Jermaine brought to the table..

Who makes a breakthrough?

Good Day, eh.

While I appreciate the nature of your post, and understand your concerns, I should add that Chase Adams should not be included in your sample. His coming to Pitt was much more of a fluke+right situation entry to the Panthers. He would not have been a usual 5th year transfer like we are seeing now. Centenary was moving out of Div 1 and Pitt had an open scholarship.

I also would not include Derrick Randle and Joe Uchebo in your sample. Derrick was a victim of circumstance transfer, and Joe a risk free roll of the dice.

Trey Ziegler is, however, a much better example. In today's world, he may have indeed been a well regarded senior transfer. And he did indeed not work at Pitt.

I think the facts are that we really don't have any experience from which to draw from guessing what our three senior transfer might bring. All are a bit different from anything we've done before.

Having said this, I have fairly high expectations for Maia. I think he's a starter and a quality 20 MPG player. I have no idea what to expect from Smith, and even less of an idea what to expect from Alonzo.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

The two bigs should allow both Nix and Luther to red shirt which will benefit the program down the road. The only way Nix plays this year Imo is if he can not be denied which would be a wonderful situation. Pitt needs to get back to a more mature physical roster and this could be a first step. Also giving MYoung some help inside will only be a plus ,he had none last year.

 

[Zaratoughda]

Yes, this is a real concern. We all thought Zeigler was gonna come in and start and be a big factor but he was pretty much a 'C' player for us the entire year. IMO, Dixon could have given him more of a chance and adapt his approach more to fit him in more (he could take it to the hoop but was not much of an outside shooter) but, in any case that one didn't work.

One thing that is different here... the once a week (or whatever it is) summer workouts. This has made a big difference with incoming freshman and should do the same for transfers. More time to fit into the system. One example, Ryan Luther. In previous years no question he would have RSed last year but... with the summer workouts he had progressed more and did not get RSed, Made some contributions early in the season.

With Young moving to PF and Artis to SF (at least in the starting lineup) I expect Maia to start at C. We are replacing 6'7" and 220 (Artis) with 6'9" and 245 (Maia). That is an increase of 2 inches and 25 pounds and should go a LONG way to us not being undersized inside anymore and getting pushed around inside like happened last year. What is expected of Maia is play D and rebound... but he can score also (including some 3balls) and did good last year when coming up against major competition... so we will see how this one goes.

As far as ANO is concerned, as long as he holds up re his eye surgery, he should at least be the player spelling Maia at C. ANO is the same size as MY but has a huge wingspan and is a shot blocker... so... should be able to make an impact. Depending on how much Dixon plays Artis at PF, he may also have ANO spell Young at PF, and should do so in no uncertain terms against the Zags given their exceptional bigs.

(Yeah, Young to PF and Artis to SF... is Dixon's major experiment this year and we are just gonna have to see how this goes through the OOC schedule.)

Sterling Smith... should also start... but this one is not as sure. Chris Jones did much better when Dixon moved him to coming off the bench last year so probably wise to continue to do that with Chris. Then there is also Damon Wilson, who is getting the benefit of the summer practices while the other guards... are not (recovering from surgery). Also, although unlikely, there is the possibility of Josh Newkirk. So, we are just gonna have to see where all the pieces fit in here when the time comes.

 

[Canadian_Panther]

DT, those are fair rebuttals - I hope you're right.

Would NIX be fine with red-shirting? I thought he just sat out an entire season.. While I can appreciate what another year of prepping would do; I bet he's getting anxious to play ball!

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Played at junior college last year