OK, So Where are We Now?

[Chescat]

IMO I felt last night's performance was
not as close as the final score
indicated.
Yes, we did make a few runs and made
the score closer. At no time watching the
game, did I ever think we'd pull out a win
against NC. They're just too big, too
talented, and unlike FL ST (a team we've
upset twice), NC is also very well
coached and play with supreme confidence.

A poster a few days ago said, if we played
WF 10 times, we'd win 6 or 7 of them. I
totally agree with this and if we play NC
10 times, I believe they'd win 9 (maybe
all 10 of them).
So where does that put us?....IMO, not in
the basement where we've been the last
several years. It also doesn't mean "we're
back," as some on here declared recently.
To me, it says we're COMING BACK. I do
believe we're somewhere in the middle
of the ACC. We have enough talent to
stay on the floor with a NC, enough talent
to beat a more talented but very young
Duke, but not enough talent to not show
up with an "edge" and beat a WF. All of that
tells us who we really are.
I expect us to bounce back from this. I
personally like what Capel is doing, and
see a few more wins on the horizon along
with a slip up or two. It's all part of the
rebuild with good, but not elite players.
Been saying it for years on here, we NEED
a LEGIT BIG.

 

[PittMan 72]

UNC is hitting their stride. Their backcourt held them back some earlier in the season. They still probably lack a real good ball handling/playmaking PG. Maybe RJ Davis can become that over time?

But their front court? OMG. Huge, talented and deep. Look up the HS profiles of guys like Bacot, Brooks and Sharpe for a better understanding. Then Kessler at 7’1” in reserve. 4 very big and talented front-court players.

As far as Pitt, the Panthers need to beat ND on Sat. The WF game was one that certainly hurt When it slipped away. But get a W vs ND and get to 5-3 in the ACC. Then take stock and re-set from there.

This can still turn out to be a very good and satisfying season for Pitt in terms of their progress. Or not. Still lots left to play out. But its no time for the guys to get be getting down on themselves or the season. Not by a long shot.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

Our best big would be fifth best on UNC’s roster.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Our best big would be fifth best on UNC’s roster.

That’s including if Kip Raines was still available.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Notre Dame game is a must win.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

Notre Dame game is a must win.

If they lose that game, then we could very well see a free fall.

 

[Protes]

IMO I felt last night's performance was
not as close as the final score
indicated.
Yes, we did make a few runs and made
the score closer. At no time watching the
game, did I ever think we'd pull out a win
against NC. They're just too big, too
talented, and unlike FL ST (a team we've
upset twice), NC is also very well
coached and play with supreme confidence.

A poster a few days ago said, if we played
WF 10 times, we'd win 6 or 7 of them. I
totally agree with this and if we play NC
10 times, I believe they'd win 9 (maybe
all 10 of them).
So where does that put us?....IMO, not in
the basement where we've been the last
several years. It also doesn't mean "we're
back," as some on here declared recently.
To me, it says we're COMING BACK. I do
believe we're somewhere in the middle
of the ACC. We have enough talent to
stay on the floor with a NC, enough talent
to beat a more talented but very young
Duke, but not enough talent to not show
up with an "edge" and beat a WF. All of that
tells us who we really are.
I expect us to bounce back from this. I
personally like what Capel is doing, and
see a few more wins on the horizon along
with a slip up or two. It's all part of the
rebuild with good, but not elite players.
Been saying it for years on here, we NEED
a LEGIT BIG.

I was worried the Hugley loss was going to really hurt us going forward. And while it might not have made the difference last night, it *is* going to hurt us. AKC cannot carry the load at the 5, as Brown obviously can't be counted on for consistent help. Until we have some quality bigs on this roster, it's going to be tough for us to be anything but a middling ACC team.

 

[CaptainMurphy]

We are about who we thought they'd be: better yet still inconsistent. This is probably a .500 ACC team without a legitimate inside presence outside of AKC. And that's ok... still a big step over last year.

 

[PittMan 72]

We are about who we thought they'd be: better yet still inconsistent. This is probably a .500 ACC team without a legitimate inside presence outside of AKC. And that's ok... still a big step over last year.

Over the last 3 seasons these are Pitt’s regular season ACC records:

0-18
3-15
6-14

So yes, if Pitt can manage to get to .500 or better this season it would be a nice step forward. There is a LOT for them to play for yet this season. They need to get back on track with a W vs ND on Saturday.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

where does that put us?....IMO, not in
the basement where we've been the last
several years. It also doesn't mean "we're
back," as some on here declared recently.

We ARE back.....to Dixon II

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Yes. ND is looking like a must win. The key is to not allow 15 made 3 balls like vs Wake.

 

[Pittisit4me]

We lost our edge in that Wake game. We best get it back for ND. Maximum effort, Defend hard- especially on the three ball, and rebound. That should be enough to get it done.

If we lose to ND, I would really question the notion that we are back. I like this team and Capel's progress, but, he has been here three years now and we still have the same problem we had at the end of Dixon's time.

We will not take that next step until we get a good 5, and high quality 2. I hope Big John is somehow cleared in the future. He would help. That said, we are still deficient at the 2 and the 5. I am not dissing AKC either, he has been a pleasant surprise really. We need a guy that is stronger tho and can play above the rim.

Capel was brought here to rebuild brick by brick. I am still patient and like what I see. Although I don't think we will be able to declare ourselves "back" until we see an Efton Reid type and a shooting guard who can shoot!

 

[Chescat]

We lost our edge in that Wake game. We best get it back for ND. Maximum effort, Defend hard- especially on the three ball, and rebound. That should be enough to get it done.

If we lose to ND, I would really question the notion that we are back. I like this team and Capel's progress, but, he has been here three years now and we still have the same problem we had at the end of Dixon's time.

We will not take that next step until we get a good 5, and high quality 2. I hope Big John is somehow cleared in the future. He would help. That said, we are still deficient at the 2 and the 5. I am not dissing AKC either, he has been a pleasant surprise really. We need a guy that is stronger tho and can play above the rim.

Capel was brought here to rebuild brick by brick. I am still patient and like what I see. Although I don't think we will be able to declare ourselves "back" until we see an Efton Reid type and a shooting guard who can shoot!

Yup, I think you explained it pretty
well. That's why for now, I'll just go
with "Coming Back."