Pitt basketball is relevant again

[NTOP]

When you read my entire comment in context, its absolutely true. Dixon did not recruit the type of players necessary to win while playing his preferred style of basketball.

UVA was quick, athletic, long and had multiple great shooters. Dixons teams usually only had one great shooter and several undersized but tough starters. UVA compares better with Villanova than it does the Dixon Pitt teams.

We'd be top 3-4 with Dixon's teams today. Duke, UNC, Ville most years. Dixon owned Boeheim. UVA might have peaked.

 

[MarshallGoldberg]

We'd be top 3-4 with Dixon's teams today. Duke, UNC, Ville most years. Dixon owned Boeheim. UVA might have peaked.

Possibly so. Dixon recruited good four year players and developed them as well as anyone. But basketball has also changed. Shorter shot clock, more freedom of movement, more "AAU style" in terms of ubiquitous high pick and roll, etc. And as mentioned, the geography of recruiting would have been different. Some of the Catholic schools Jamie recruited probably aren't even open anymore. It's an interesting but ultimately counterfactual world to imagine.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

We'd be top 3-4 with Dixon's teams today. Duke, UNC, Ville most years. Dixon owned Boeheim. UVA might have peaked.

Even Dixon II could have finished 4th or 5th in THIS ACC.

 

[NTOP]

Possibly so. Dixon recruited good four year players and developed them as well as anyone. But basketball has also changed. Shorter shot clock, more freedom of movement, more "AAU style" in terms of ubiquitous high pick and roll, etc. And as mentioned, the geography of recruiting would have been different. Some of the Catholic schools Jamie recruited probably aren't even open anymore. It's an interesting but ultimately counterfactual world to imagine.

But there are now more "prep" schools recruiting athletes. And "factories" like IMG, etc. The AAU circuit is stronger, but the style of play can be contained. UVA looks OK with good defense. Always room for a different approach. Defense & rebounding will always be competitive. But a shooter or two is a necessity.

 

[NTOP]

Even Dixon II could have finished 4th or 5th in THIS ACC.

Yep, These things are cyclical. The SEC is now more than UK.