Notre Dame Game & Other Dribbles ...

[DT_PITT]

** Another really tough one. Really tough.

** During the under 8:00 timeout, I remarked to our group "60 points might win this one."

** At the time, Notre Dame had scored 43 points in the game's first 32 minutes. Even better for the Panther's D, ND scored just 13 points in the first 12 minutes of the second half.

** By that pace, maybe it was reasonable to think ND wouldn't score more than 16 in the final 8?

** But everything changed. The Irish scored 25 points in those last 8 minutes. They scored on 10 of their last 12 possessions. That's the ball game. Simple as that.

** We are never going to outscore anyone. We just can't. We don't have enough firepower.

** We actually executed some pretty good offense for much of the game. That is until we panicked down the stretch against ND's zone and forgot the get it to Big John during a few needed possessions.

** But that's always going to be the case with the Panthers this year. The offense is never going to provide any room for error.

** There wasn't really much if any error on defense up until that final hateful 8. There was some tremendous switching 1-5, and strong rotations to meet shooters.

** But those principles fell short in crunch time. John fell off a switch. Jamarius made two bad help decisions, while Will made one of the same. And Femi once didn't follow his man hard around a screen. That's five threes and 15 of the 25 points.

** That's really all it took. To their credit, the Panthers tightened up in the last two trips, but Hubb hit a really, really difficult one to win it.

** Like I said, no room for error.

** Our Panthers are going to win a couple ACC games this year I figure. That is as long as these close losses don't start to take a toll on them mentally.

** But they did plenty of good things today. Their effort made for an entertaining night at the Pete. But in the end, really tough. Again.

 

[TWPitt]

** Another really tough one. Really tough.

** During the under 8:00 timeout, I remarked to our group "60 points might win this one."

** At the time, Notre Dame had scored 43 points in the game's first 32 minutes. Even better for the Panther's D, ND scored just 13 points in the first 12 minutes of the second half.

** By that pace, maybe it was reasonable to think ND wouldn't score more than 16 in the final 8?

** But everything changed. The Irish scored 25 points in those last 8 minutes. They scored on 10 of their last 12 possessions. That's the ball game. Simple as that.

** We are never going to outscore anyone. We just can't. We don't have enough firepower.

** We actually executed some pretty good offense for much of the game. That is until we panicked down the stretch against ND's zone and forgot the get it to Big John during a few needed possessions.

** But that's always going to be the case with the Panthers this year. The offense is never going to provide any room for error.

** There wasn't really much if any error on defense up until that fateful final 8. There was some tremendous switching 1-5, and strong rotations to meet shooters.

** But those principles feel short in crunch time. John fell off a switch. Jamarius made two bad help decisions, while Will made one of the same. And Femi once didn't follow his man hard around a screen. That's five threes and 15 of the 25 points.

** That's really all it took. To their credit, the Panthers tightened up in the last two trips, but Hubb hit a really, really tough one.

** Like I said, no room for error.

** Our Panthers are going to win a couple ACC games this year I figure. That is as long as these close losses don't start to take a toll on them mentally.

** But they did plenty of good things today. Their effort made for an entertaining night at the Pete. But in the end, really tough. Again.

Great summary as always and it was a great game and atmosphere despite a smallish crowd and large Irish contingent.

Love the fight of this years team. Here to hoping Ithiel is cleared to play after Thursday’s legal proceedings. A 3 pt shooter would really help in these close games.

 

[DT_PITT]

Great summary as always and it was a great game and atmosphere despite a smallish crowd and large Irish contingent.

Love the fight of this years team. Here to hoping Ithiel is cleared to play after Thursday’s legal proceedings. A 3 pt shooter would really help in these close games.

I agree. It was fun.

 

[KennyTheKangaroo]

I also had fun at the game.

Four players scored double digit points. Pitt cant afford to lose games when four guys score in double digits

 

[KennyTheKangaroo]

On the flip side…..2 points from the bench?

 

[Pittnerski]

I’m torn if I want this to be the last year of Capel or not. I wouldn’t want to be in Heathers shoes and having to make this decision. Hopefully we win 4-6 ACC games and it sorts itself out.

one hand decent core — Hugley, Burton, Femi. Supplement with portal transfers since he’s apparently given up on recruiting true freshman. Continue to develop Santos, Collier, Jeffress. Get Nike & hopefully Horton back next year. Hugley looking like he was the missing piece last season to a tournament bid.

other hand JC keeps losing buy games, keeps losing close games, and hasn’t recruited freshman well going on his second season.

if he stays, I’d condition it that he gets rid of 3/4 main assistants and the keeper can’t be his bro.

 

[Bethlehemjohn]

** Another really tough one. Really tough.

** During the under 8:00 timeout, I remarked to our group "60 points might win this one."

** At the time, Notre Dame had scored 43 points in the game's first 32 minutes. Even better for the Panther's D, ND scored just 13 points in the first 12 minutes of the second half.

** By that pace, maybe it was reasonable to think ND wouldn't score more than 16 in the final 8?

** But everything changed. The Irish scored 25 points in those last 8 minutes. They scored on 10 of their last 12 possessions. That's the ball game. Simple as that.

** We are never going to outscore anyone. We just can't. We don't have enough firepower.

** We actually executed some pretty good offense for much of the game. That is until we panicked down the stretch against ND's zone and forgot the get it to Big John during a few needed possessions.

** But that's always going to be the case with the Panthers this year. The offense is never going to provide any room for error.

** There wasn't really much if any error on defense up until that final hateful 8. There was some tremendous switching 1-5, and strong rotations to meet shooters.

** But those principles fell short in crunch time. John fell off a switch. Jamarius made two bad help decisions, while Will made one of the same. And Femi once didn't follow his man hard around a screen. That's five threes and 15 of the 25 points.

** That's really all it took. To their credit, the Panthers tightened up in the last two trips, but Hubb hit a really, really difficult one to win it.

** Like I said, no room for error.

** Our Panthers are going to win a couple ACC games this year I figure. That is as long as these close losses don't start to take a toll on them mentally.

** But they did plenty of good things today. Their effort made for an entertaining night at the Pete. But in the end, really tough. Again.

This team gets better every time out. For those who can’t see that and who won’t support the team, I feel sorry for you.

Those who say Capel can’t coach, aren’t watching either. Coaching is all about how hard your kids work and what kind of improvement they show and this team is giving him their all.

This was a well played, enjoyable game. It’s just too bad that Hubb finally made one. He has been brutal this year and shooting with no confidence and did not look any better in the first half. He was the one guy that worried me because he is such a streaky shooter and once he hit the first one, he was ready to roll. His game winner was very well defended though.

And as far as saying our offense can’t or won’t win games, I felt that way too. But last night we could not stop them in the last 8 minutes and our O hung in there. All we needed was Femi to hit 2 FT’s or get one stop.

 

[TheLogicalTake]

I came away largely impressed with how we looked, result not withstanding. Defensively I thought we did a great job of making them uncomfortable, especially in the first half. Offensively, as a positive I thought we smartly took advantage of the athleticism gap as much as possible. Burton made some nice shots, Femi looked great getting downhill, and Hugley is really using his size well. Overall despite the loss, I’m encouraged by that game. Efforts like that will keep us competitive through the end of the season which is really the best case right now.

As a side note, how bad has ND fallen? They haven’t been relevant in a while and that program just doesn’t have any juice. The freshman kid will be an all conference type once he fills out if he’s smart enough to stick around 2-3 years and Goodwin has a nice stroke, but on a whole I was more impressed with our guys than theirs, which says alot right now

 

[Jeffburgh]

** Another really tough one. Really tough.

** During the under 8:00 timeout, I remarked to our group "60 points might win this one."

** At the time, Notre Dame had scored 43 points in the game's first 32 minutes. Even better for the Panther's D, ND scored just 13 points in the first 12 minutes of the second half.

** By that pace, maybe it was reasonable to think ND wouldn't score more than 16 in the final 8?

** But everything changed. The Irish scored 25 points in those last 8 minutes. They scored on 10 of their last 12 possessions. That's the ball game. Simple as that.

** We are never going to outscore anyone. We just can't. We don't have enough firepower.

** We actually executed some pretty good offense for much of the game. That is until we panicked down the stretch against ND's zone and forgot the get it to Big John during a few needed possessions.

** But that's always going to be the case with the Panthers this year. The offense is never going to provide any room for error.

** There wasn't really much if any error on defense up until that final hateful 8. There was some tremendous switching 1-5, and strong rotations to meet shooters.

** But those principles fell short in crunch time. John fell off a switch. Jamarius made two bad help decisions, while Will made one of the same. And Femi once didn't follow his man hard around a screen. That's five threes and 15 of the 25 points.

** That's really all it took. To their credit, the Panthers tightened up in the last two trips, but Hubb hit a really, really difficult one to win it.

** Like I said, no room for error.

** Our Panthers are going to win a couple ACC games this year I figure. That is as long as these close losses don't start to take a toll on them mentally.

** But they did plenty of good things today. Their effort made for an entertaining night at the Pete. But in the end, really tough. Again.

I saw that play unfold when Hugs was WAY too lackadaisical getting out and back on the hedge and didn't prevent the swing.

The thing was he was feeling comfortable offensively and taking better shots, which was good. But, hes still young and immature and it carried over to his defense there were he was too relaxed.

Teams have to learn how to win, even how to not lose. This can be a decent team, but they have to learn games are 40 minutes and how to make it all add up to a win.

 

[Bethlehemjohn]

I saw that play unfold when Hugs was WAY too lackadaisical getting out and back on the hedge and didn't prevent the swing.

The thing was he was feeling comfortable offensively and taking better shots, which was good. But, hes still young and immature and it carried over to his defense there were he was too relaxed.

Teams have to learn how to win, even how to not lose. This can be a decent team, but they have to learn games are 60 minutes and how to make it all add up to a win.

60? Ready for some football?

 

[rockypanther]

60? Ready for some football?

I would give for even 40 minutes

 

[Jeffburgh]

60? Ready for some football?

lol ...

 

[Duneaux Harm]

I don’t think they get it to John at the end because he is gassed. There was A possession where he was in perfect position for a rebound and the Notre dame Kid just simply jumped above him because John could barely get off the floor. Capel is smart enough to go into John when he is playing well but when he has run out of steam he simply cannot.

 

[NCanton Panther]

This team gets better every time out. For those who can’t see that and who won’t support the team, I feel sorry for you.

Those who say Capel can’t coach, aren’t watching either. Coaching is all about how hard your kids work and what kind of improvement they show and this team is giving him their all.

This was a well played, enjoyable game. It’s just too bad that Hubb finally made one. He has been brutal this year and shooting with no confidence and did not look any better in the first half. He was the one guy that worried me because he is such a streaky shooter and once he hit the first one, he was ready to roll. His game winner was very well defended though.

And as far as saying our offense can’t or won’t win games, I felt that way too. But last night we could not stop them in the last 8 minutes and our O hung in there. All we needed was Femi to hit 2 FT’s or get one stop.

Unfortunately the 2 FTs by Femi were indeed a killer.

What’s funny is shortly before the misses he hit 2 FTs with nice nothing but net shots. I was thinking to myself, he’s really improved his FTs from earlier in the year, better concentration, better form, etc.

And then he turns around and throws up a near air ball on the front end of a 1 n 1. Follows that with the even uglier attempt on the and one. I was like whoa, I was way too premature with my initial positive thoughts on his FT improvement.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Watching the game last night I came away feeling that was the finest team defense I’ve seen out of a Pitt team since Pitt was actually a relevant team under Jammie . Unfortunately a few late mistakes cost them .

FTs really cost them the game , especially Femi’s . You just can’t throw away easy points , especially a team so challenged to score .

This is going to be an unpopular thing to say , but with Nike and Horton playing and Jeffress on the bench this would’ve been JCs best team . These guys are working hard and improving .

Offensively Pitt is playing 4 on 5 , is Santos , Payton and DO defense so bad that they can’t get into the game for Will ?

ND might be down , but didn’t they beat Kentucky ! Guess Kentucky is down too along with Virginia and the rest of the ACC !

The players nor the man himself have quit on this season as so many have suggested . Like it or not he’s doing his best coaching job . Maybe having players without their own agenda matters .

Horton will be back soon , they’re not putting him in jail and Pitt will give him a second chance as they should . Putting him in the rotation and moving Will to the bench will add about 10 pts offensively and give Hugley and Mo more space . W’s are sure to follow .

One more thing , this team went from a team that was going to be hard to root for to a team that you can‘t help to root for !

 

[meadvillecoach]

Watching the game last night I came away feeling that was the finest team defense I’ve seen out of a Pitt team since Pitt was actually a relevant team under Jammie . Unfortunately a few late mistakes cost them .

FTs really cost them the game , especially Femi’s . You just can’t throw away easy points , especially a team so challenged to score .

This is going to be an unpopular thing to say , but with Nike and Horton playing and Jeffress on the bench this would’ve been JCs best team . These guys are working hard and improving .

Offensively Pitt is playing 4 on 5 , is Santos , Payton and DO defense so bad that they can’t get into the game for Wil ?

ND might be down , but didn’t they beat Kentucky ! Guess Kentucky is down too along with Virginia and the rest of the ACC !

The players nor the man himself have quit on this season as so many have suggested . Like it or not he’s doing his best coaching job . Maybe having players without their own agenda matters .

Horton will be back soon , they’re not putting him in jail and Pitt will give him a second chance as they should . Putting him in the rotation and moving Wil to the bench will add about 10 pts offensively and give Hugley and Mo more space . W’s are sure to follow .

One more thing , this team went from a team that was going to be hard to root for to a team that you can‘t help to root for !

Well said

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

Watching the game last night I came away feeling that was the finest team defense I’ve seen out of a Pitt team since Pitt was actually a relevant team under Jammie . Unfortunately a few late mistakes cost them .

FTs really cost them the game , especially Femi’s . You just can’t throw away easy points , especially a team so challenged to score .

This is going to be an unpopular thing to say , but with Nike and Horton playing and Jeffress on the bench this would’ve been JCs best team . These guys are working hard and improving .

Offensively Pitt is playing 4 on 5 , is Santos , Payton and DO defense so bad that they can’t get into the game for Wil ?

ND might be down , but didn’t they beat Kentucky ! Guess Kentucky is down too along with Virginia and the rest of the ACC !

The players nor the man himself have quit on this season as so many have suggested . Like it or not he’s doing his best coaching job . Maybe having players without their own agenda matters .

Horton will be back soon , they’re not putting him in jail and Pitt will give him a second chance as they should . Putting him in the rotation and moving Wil to the bench will add about 10 pts offensively and give Hugley and Mo more space . W’s are sure to follow .

One more thing , this team went from a team that was going to be hard to root for to a team that you can‘t help to root for !

Traits of the Capel Era - Rinse and Repeat

Lay a dud or two every season in the non conference - Niagara, Nicholls St, St. Francis, The Citadel, UMBC, etc.

December into January - Play better and fool you into thinking things are going to be different.

Late January until Early March - Lose a bunch of games and realize it is fool’s gold.

March Recruiting - Get mentioned with some high profile recruit. Think you are going to land him to only come up empty handed. Bring in whatever is left over in the transfer portal.

 

[pittizit]

Traits of the Capel Era - Rinse and Repeat

Lay a dud or two every season in the non conference - Niagara, Nicholls St, St. Francis, The Citadel, UMBC, etc.

December into January - Play better and fool you into thinking things are going to be different.

Late January until Early March - Lose a bunch of games and realize it is fool’s gold.

March Recruiting - Get mentioned with some high profile recruit. Think you are going to land him to only come up empty handed. Bring in whatever is left over in the transfer portal.

Well said..cut the rope.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Traits of the Capel Era - Rinse and Repeat

Lay a dud or two every season in the non conference - Niagara, Nicholls St, St. Francis, The Citadel, UMBC, etc.

December into January - Play better and fool you into thinking things are going to be different.

Late January until Early March - Lose a bunch of games and realize it is fool’s gold.

March Recruiting - Get mentioned with some high profile recruit. Think you are going to land him to only come up empty handed. Bring in whatever is left over in the transfer portal.

It’s understandable to feel that way , but I think the internal bickering which we aren’t privy to really killed those teams and Hugley’s situation sealed the fate of last yrs team .

Recruiting is without a doubt the most concerning issue facing the program .

I’d have no problems getting two guys like Mo next yr from the transfer portal !

 

[Duneaux Harm]

Traits of the Capel Era - Rinse and Repeat

Lay a dud or two every season in the non conference - Niagara, Nicholls St, St. Francis, The Citadel, UMBC, etc.

December into January - Play better and fool you into thinking things are going to be different.

Late January until Early March - Lose a bunch of games and realize it is fool’s gold.

March Recruiting - Get mentioned with some high profile recruit. Think you are going to land him to only come up empty handed. Bring in whatever is left over in the transfer portal.

Take away the duds in early season and that was also Pitt during the Jamie era many times.

 

[DT_PITT]

It’s understandable to feel that way , but I think the internal bickering which we aren’t privy to really killed those teams and Hugley’s situation sealed the fate of last yrs team .

Recruiting is without a doubt the most concerning issue facing the program .

I’d have no problems getting two guys like Mo next yr from the transfer portal !

Mo has been a winning lottery ticket on the offensive end.

 

[DT_PITT]

On the flip side…..2 points from the bench?

Heck … what bench? Only 21 minutes.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Mo has been a winning lottery ticket on the offensive end.

Let’s not forget that he’s a human fly shatter too !

 

[Chescat]

Those who say Capel can’t coach, aren’t watching either. Coaching is all about how hard your kids work and what kind of improvement they show and this team is giving him their all.

Capel has had his team play
hard and often over their
heads since he's been here.

This team lacks talent and
simply can't shoot. They
hustle, work hard, and for
the most part, played
tough on D.

Stat wise....just look at
ND's shooting and ours.
They were 42% from the
field, we were 45%, BUT
they were 10-22 on 3's
45%. and we were only
5-14, for 37%. We hit
more FG's, however they
killed us with their 3's.
Throw in ND's FT's 94%,
16-17 as opposed to our
16-22, 72% and the #'rs
explain it. Our FT % was
better than our average,
66%. When a team shoots
94% from the line, and
45% on 3's, it's tough to
beat.

As for Odukale's two FT
misses at end....he was
actually 5-7...for him
that's good. Jeffress is
killing us 1-6 on threes,
2-4 from the line. We can
criticize Capel for lack
of recruiting, program
development, etc, but
this group played very
well last night given
the talent level.

 

[wbrpanther]

Heck … what bench? Only 21 minutes.

In reality Pitt has barely strung together a starting five much less bench strength. I love Jeffress and want very much for him to succeed but can we really afford having him throw up 6 or 7 or whatever threes and have him hit only one? Those were wasted possessions and really hurt.

 

[DT_PITT]

In reality Pitt has barely strung together a starting five much less bench strength. I love Jeffress and want very much for him to succeed but can we really afford having him throw up 6 or 7 or whatever threes and have him hit only one? Those were wasted possessions and really hurt.

I think the only player who can take away minutes from Will is Horton.

 

[wbrpanther]

I think the only player who can take away minutes from Will is Horton.

I would like to see Santos get the chance to throw a few up.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

In reality Pitt has barely strung together a starting five much less bench strength. I love Jeffress and want very much for him to succeed but can we really afford having him throw up 6 or 7 or whatever threes and have him hit only one? Those were wasted possessions and really hurt.

Once Horton returns he won’t be used nearly as much .

I‘d love to see him shoot in practice to see if he can actually shoot the ball and is just having an adjustment period to game conditions or that he’s just not that good of a shooter .

 

[Chescat]

Heck … what bench? Only 21 minutes.

True!
Bench, there is no bench.
Jeffress should be on the
bench, but has to play
given the talent level.
Ezzy sees major minutes
as a walk on. Collier, is way
over his head as a backup
C in the ACC. I would like
to see Santos get some of
Jeffress' minutes, same for
Olidapo, but I'm not at
practice and unaware of
what's happening there.

 

[TWPitt]

Once Horton returns he won’t be used nearly as much .

I‘d love to see him shoot in practice to see if he can actually shoot the ball and is just having an adjustment period to game conditions or that he’s just not that good of a shooter .

I think his whole thing is confidence.

He seems like Toney his freshman year. Real tentative and awkward then his sophomore year shots started falling and his confidence grew.

Will needs a game where he hit 2 right off the bat then score on a dribble drive and end up with 10-12. He has the ability to play at this level he just needs the confidence.

 

[DT_PITT]

I would like to see Santos get the chance to throw a few up.

Big drop off as a defender.

 

[wbrpanther]

Big drop off as a defender.

That's for sure. Defense is why Jeffress plays so much. But there are situations where he could get a few minutes here or there.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

I’m torn if I want this to be the last year of Capel or not. I wouldn’t want to be in Heathers shoes and having to make this decision. Hopefully we win 4-6 ACC games and it sorts itself out.

one hand decent core — Hugley, Burton, Femi. Supplement with portal transfers since he’s apparently given up on recruiting true freshman. Continue to develop Santos, Collier, Jeffress. Get Nike & hopefully Horton back next year. Hugley looking like he was the missing piece last season to a tournament bid.

other hand JC keeps losing buy games, keeps losing close games, and hasn’t recruited freshman well going on his second season.

if he stays, I’d condition it that he gets rid of 3/4 main assistants and the keeper can’t be his bro.

I would be torn too, if we had a recruiting class. What then grounds me into reality, is the realization that next year at this exact moment, we likely will be in a similar spot. So then what?

 

[Chescat]

FTs really cost them the game , especially Femi’s . You just can’t throw away easy points , especially a team so challenged to score .

Yes, you're right about FT's.
They cost us the game,
both theirs and ours. Femi
was actually 5-7, but as we
know, the two misses were
killers, especially with one
being a One and One.
On the other hand, ND
goes for 16-17...94%.

 

[Chescat]

In reality Pitt has barely strung together a starting five much less bench strength. I love Jeffress and want very much for him to succeed but can we really afford having him throw up 6 or 7 or whatever threes and have him hit only one? Those were wasted possessions and really hurt.

I feel the way you do
about Jeffress. As a lot
of posters have said, he
seemingly lacks confidence
on offense. When he gets
the ball, he looks to get it
into Hugley, or passes it
back. He hesitates to make
a move or shoot unless he's
wide, wide open.

I've said from jumpstreet,
"innate talent".....I'd like
to know when it becomes
"actual" talent. He's killing
us in games, but Capel
has no choice but to play
him.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

I feel the way you do
about Jeffress. As a lot
of posters have said, he
seemingly lacks confidence
on offense. When he gets
the ball, he looks to get it
into Hugley, or passes it
back. He hesitates to make
a move or shoot unless he's
wide, wide open.

I've said from jumpstreet,
"innate talent".....I'd like
to know when it becomes
"actual" talent. He's killing
us in games, but Capel
has no choice but to play
him.

It’s not only that he doesn’t pose a threat offensively when he has the ball his teammates don’t even pass him the ball when he’s the only one open .

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

I don’t know how anyone can watch basketball and think Will Jeffress has talent. He’s a 5 man playing guard. Should’ve gotten out of Erie as a freshmen and went to IMG or Montverde. Playing as a backup to Earl Timberlake in AAU didn’t help either. Would welcome anyone back who takes minutes away.

 

[DT_PITT]

That's for sure. Defense is why Jeffress plays so much. But there are situations where he could get a few minutes here or there.

Here's the thing. Nate is shooting exactly the same from three as Will is shooting. They are both 8-33. And they are shooting almost the same overall from the floor. Worse than that, take away the Towson game and Nate is 4-25 from three.

 

[Chescat]

I don’t know how anyone can watch basketball and think Will Jeffress has talent. He’s a 5 man playing guard. Should’ve gotten out of Erie as a freshmen and went to IMG or Montverde. Playing as a backup to Earl Timberlake in AAU didn’t help either. Would welcome anyone back who takes minutes away.

I've criticized Jeffress as much
or more than anyone. Watching
his in game performances
makes me wonder. He's a
mess out there on the floor.
With that said, I see what
I've always posted..."innate
talent." I question anyone
who supposedly knows hoops
and can't see it.

 

[Chescat]

Here's the thing. Nate is shooting exactly the same from three as Will is shooting. They are both 8-33. And they are shooting almost the same overall from the floor. Worse than that, take away the Towson game and Nate is 4-25 from three.

And therein lies a fundamental
reason why he doesn't see
the floor. Jeffress is better
on D, and he does rebound.
I give Santos a pass since he's
a frosh.