Pitt hosting GW in the 1st rd of the NIT
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7:00pm ESPN, better TV coverage than some of their conference games this year.......
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Posted from Rivals Mobile
They had a season similar to Pitt's. They beat Wichita State and Dayton, but lost to Penn State and Duquesne.
Isn't he dead? They had another big guy right after that. Alexander Koul I think. Then had another big named Pops Mensah Bonsu (or something like that).
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They look to be a soft team. Leading scorer is from Argentina. They have a kid from Japan and one from Denmark to fill out their United Nations starters. I'd say this is a very good match up for Pitt on paper...not a great 3 point team, and not big or physical in the paint. With this Pitt team, I guess you never know? But looks like I may be able to take in the game when they come to Temple. Hail to Pitt!
They look to be a soft team. Leading scorer is from Argentina. They have a kid from Japan and one from Denmark to fill out their United Nations starters. I'd say this is a very good match up for Pitt on paper...not a great 3 point team, and not big or physical in the paint. With this Pitt team, I guess you never know? But looks like I may be able to take in the game when they come to Temple. Hail to Pitt!
Re: Reply
Stats show they attempted and made more 3-pointers than us. They are 43rd in rebound margin - we are 114th. They have a 6-10, 260 kid who averages in double figures, a 6-6 kid in double figures and two 6-8 kids averaging 7 ppg. One of the 6-8 kids is a Watanabe, is a swingman who could present match-up problems.
Sounds to me like they're bigger than us and there seems no reason to regard us as tougher. You would like to think we are more athletic, but we were more athletic than some teams who beat us, too.
Their SG Kethan Savage may be a key to the game. He is coming back from a broken foot like Wright suffered. Before the injury he was their leading scorer and an acrobatic dunker. Played a token one minute in their A-10 tournament loss. If he can go, they're a much better team. If Savage is out, the 6-6 Argentine or the 6-8 Japanese kid plays SG.
They play a slow tempo like us. Their AdjO is worse at 103rd but their AdjD is better at 74th.
The matchup could be closer than many think. As usual, it may depend on how we shoot.
This post was edited on 3/16 11:46 AM by Harve74
Stats show they attempted and made more 3-pointers than us. They are 43rd in rebound margin - we are 114th. They have a 6-10, 260 kid who averages in double figures, a 6-6 kid in double figures and two 6-8 kids averaging 7 ppg. One of the 6-8 kids is a Watanabe, is a swingman who could present match-up problems.
Sounds to me like they're bigger than us and there seems no reason to regard us as tougher. You would like to think we are more athletic, but we were more athletic than some teams who beat us, too.
Their SG Kethan Savage may be a key to the game. He is coming back from a broken foot like Wright suffered. Before the injury he was their leading scorer and an acrobatic dunker. Played a token one minute in their A-10 tournament loss. If he can go, they're a much better team. If Savage is out, the 6-6 Argentine or the 6-8 Japanese kid plays SG.
They play a slow tempo like us. Their AdjO is worse at 103rd but their AdjD is better at 74th.
The matchup could be closer than many think. As usual, it may depend on how we shoot.
This post was edited on 3/16 11:46 AM by Harve74
Re: Reply
When your defensive ranking is #290, it overwhelms everything else.
With both teams playing slow tempo, offensive efficiency is going to decide the game. We don't have a rebounding edge to help us extend possessions with offensive boards so we have to be as efficient as possible on every possession, i.e., low turnovers and high shooting percentage. The winning score will probably be in the low 60's, maybe even the 50's.
When your defensive ranking is #290, it overwhelms everything else.
With both teams playing slow tempo, offensive efficiency is going to decide the game. We don't have a rebounding edge to help us extend possessions with offensive boards so we have to be as efficient as possible on every possession, i.e., low turnovers and high shooting percentage. The winning score will probably be in the low 60's, maybe even the 50's.
Yeah, but they still lost many games because of inability to hit shots, even at their best, between, 2002-2010, lost lots of low scoring games because of low shooting %. The defense was lock down, they held the other teams at a very high level to low scores, yet they couldn't knock down shots, FTs, FGs, 3s and lost because they had less points. Nothing new to see here, move along....
it is simple
Even when Pitt has been good, they still love playing at slow tempo, and that hurts them. Even if you had the greatest offense in NCAA history, you'd have a chance to lose if the game was only 10 possessions.
For a long time, everyone said Pitt and their slow pace wouldn't work with the ACC and their typical run&gun style. Here we are a few years later and the ACC is one of the slowest leagues in the country. If anything, Pitt could be the oddball and try to push everyone else to play faster.
2015, Pitt lost 5 of their slowest 7 games.
2014, 6 of 7.
If you play slow and are efficient on one or both ends, you will win most games. Any time you are off just a little, that might be enough to lose.
Even when Pitt has been good, they still love playing at slow tempo, and that hurts them. Even if you had the greatest offense in NCAA history, you'd have a chance to lose if the game was only 10 possessions.
For a long time, everyone said Pitt and their slow pace wouldn't work with the ACC and their typical run&gun style. Here we are a few years later and the ACC is one of the slowest leagues in the country. If anything, Pitt could be the oddball and try to push everyone else to play faster.
2015, Pitt lost 5 of their slowest 7 games.
2014, 6 of 7.
If you play slow and are efficient on one or both ends, you will win most games. Any time you are off just a little, that might be enough to lose.
Re: it is simple
Slow pace, fast pace, they where still shooting poorly and having difficulty scoring! I don't get why so many are in denial about that! I see what you're saying though, they want to play "Steelers Basketball", run out the clock and try to score too fast, thereby having more chances to make mistakes, since you have to run more plays.
Yes, but they still won a ton of games because of their ability to defend. Way more games than any other point in their history. Nowadays, they are more of an offensive team than they are a defensive/rebounding team. They haven't been good defensively since McGhee/Brown/Wanamaker graduated in 2011. Do you think its a coincidence that this team/program has fallen off? This program was much better when they were getting tough kids who wanted to defend and rebound, and stay four years. That's what the program was built on, and they haven't played that way for awhile now, and it shows in the results on the court. It's one thing to be good offensively, and that team in 2003 was, and that team in 2009 was, but they also need to defend and rebound, which those two teams did better than most.Originally posted by Pitt79:
Yeah, but they still lost many games because of inability to hit shots, even at their best, between, 2002-2010, lost lots of low scoring games because of low shooting %. The defense was lock down, they held the other teams at a very high level to low scores, yet they couldn't knock down shots, FTs, FGs, 3s and lost because they had less points. Nothing new to see here, move along....
2002-2011 - 273-71 (.794)
#1 - 2 times
#2 - 1 time
#3 - 4 times
#4 - 1 time
#5 - 1 time
#9 - 1 time
Average Offense Rating = 18.3
Average Defense Rating = 25.2
Not a coincidence the times they received the #5 & #9 were their two worst defensive teams (#58 in 2005, #64 in 2008) despite being #12 in offense both of those years.
2012-2015 - 91-49 (.650)
#8 - 1 time
#9 - 1 time
CBI - 1 time
NIT - 1 time
Average Offense Rating = 22.5
Average Defense Rating = 104.3
Not a coincidence that the two times they've missed the NCAA Tournament, their defense was wretched (#149 in 2012, #218 this year).
If they played defense anywhere near where they typically did over the past 12 or so years this year, they'd be solidly in the tournament. Doing so would've led to wins at Hawaii, vs Clemson, at Virginia Tech, at Wake, vs Miami, and likely at Florida State too. Even with a loss at FSU, that would've left this team at 24-7 heading into the ACC Tournament. That would've put them somewhere in the #5-#7 seed range.
Their three best offensive teams were 2003 (#9 in nation), 2009 (#2 in nation), and 2011 (#4 in nation)... they still lost close games because of their inability to defend. They gave up 77 points to Marquette and lost by 3, they gave up 78 points to Villanova and lost by 2, they gave up 71 points to Butler and lost by 1.
Sagarin's computer has us dead even with GW on a neutral site. So, we should be favored by 3-4 since its at the Pete.
Re: it is simple
Pitt was 4th in the ACC in offensive efficiency. You are the one who is in denial. There is more to offense than FG%, although that is obviously pretty important.
Re: it is simple
Why am I in denial? It's you who are in denial, you say yourself shooting % is important, then you note "Pitt was 4th in the ACC in offensive efficiency", 4th in a 14 team league and they finish 19-14? So that seems to point to better shooting% is more helpful than offensive effciency.
Pitt was 6th in the ACC in FG% offense, last in FG% defense. Yes, offense was the problem.
Pitt was 8th in the ACC in 3PT% offense, last in 3PT% defense. Yes, offense was the problem.
Pitt was 6th in the ACC in FT%.
Pitt was 2nd in the ACC in assists.
Pitt was 1st in the ACC in AST:TO ratio.
Pitt was tied for 4th in the ACC in offensive rebounds.
Pitt was 4th in the ACC in offensive rebound percentage.
Pitt was 14th in the ACC in blocked shots.
Pitt was 13th in the ACC in steals.
Pitt was 15th in the ACC in defensive rebounds.
Pitt was 12th in the ACC in defensive rebound percentage.
Somehow, this all points to offense being the problem, though.
Pitt was 8th in the ACC in 3PT% offense, last in 3PT% defense. Yes, offense was the problem.
Pitt was 6th in the ACC in FT%.
Pitt was 2nd in the ACC in assists.
Pitt was 1st in the ACC in AST:TO ratio.
Pitt was tied for 4th in the ACC in offensive rebounds.
Pitt was 4th in the ACC in offensive rebound percentage.
Pitt was 14th in the ACC in blocked shots.
Pitt was 13th in the ACC in steals.
Pitt was 15th in the ACC in defensive rebounds.
Pitt was 12th in the ACC in defensive rebound percentage.
Somehow, this all points to offense being the problem, though.
When the shots are falling (ND & UNC), the offense is a thing of beauty and Pantherlair fanemies are generally silent.
When the shots aren't falling (as in way too many games this season), the Pantherlair blames the exact same offense. When UVa runs their normal offensive sets and the shots go in, it is an amazingly efficient thing to watch. But when Brogdon goes 1-9 to start the UNC game, they stink. And then when he scores 15 straight points, the offense is amazing.
More of us need to admit that we really don't know what we are watching.
But when we lose "Dixon needs to evolve" "Needs to open up the offense" "Needs to run more" "needs to penetrate more" "needs to play more zone" "Needs to scrap that zone forever" "Recruit Better Shooters" "Recruit on ball defenders" "Recruit Quicker Guards" "Recruit stronger guards" "teach his players to stay in control" "teach his forwards to jump" "recruit rim protecting shot blockers" "teach his forwards to box out" "recruit higher basketball IQ guys" "Recruit less academic players" "recruit better athletes" "Recruit longer players" "recruit better big men" 'be Coach Cal" "be more like Sean Miller" "Be even more like Archie Miller" "become John Miller" and when we win it was because the other team stinks.
All we need are five 7 foot guards who can all penetrate and kick it out, knock down every open three pointer, create their own shots, never miss any FTs EVER and control the defensive boards as we run more and pack in the defense while guarding the three point line better.
Got It !!!!
When the shots aren't falling (as in way too many games this season), the Pantherlair blames the exact same offense. When UVa runs their normal offensive sets and the shots go in, it is an amazingly efficient thing to watch. But when Brogdon goes 1-9 to start the UNC game, they stink. And then when he scores 15 straight points, the offense is amazing.
More of us need to admit that we really don't know what we are watching.
But when we lose "Dixon needs to evolve" "Needs to open up the offense" "Needs to run more" "needs to penetrate more" "needs to play more zone" "Needs to scrap that zone forever" "Recruit Better Shooters" "Recruit on ball defenders" "Recruit Quicker Guards" "Recruit stronger guards" "teach his players to stay in control" "teach his forwards to jump" "recruit rim protecting shot blockers" "teach his forwards to box out" "recruit higher basketball IQ guys" "Recruit less academic players" "recruit better athletes" "Recruit longer players" "recruit better big men" 'be Coach Cal" "be more like Sean Miller" "Be even more like Archie Miller" "become John Miller" and when we win it was because the other team stinks.
All we need are five 7 foot guards who can all penetrate and kick it out, knock down every open three pointer, create their own shots, never miss any FTs EVER and control the defensive boards as we run more and pack in the defense while guarding the three point line better.
Got It !!!!
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Well does not require shooters or the shots to go down to rebound and play defense. Where did Pitt rank in those categories this campaign? Where you want to place the blame...does not really matter. Not going to do much in ACC play or make the dance without major improvements in rebounding and defense next season. Hail to Pitt!
Well does not require shooters or the shots to go down to rebound and play defense. Where did Pitt rank in those categories this campaign? Where you want to place the blame...does not really matter. Not going to do much in ACC play or make the dance without major improvements in rebounding and defense next season. Hail to Pitt!
In the end, scoring the most points wins, so shooting, scoring, offense always matter, this BS idea that just run out the clock and play D and win 20-19 because you don't have the balls or ability to take it to the hole and score the basketball holds this program down, sure they can have some 30 win seasons and got to the Sweet 16 sometimes that way, but the Big Boys that win it all and go to the Final 4 have shooting and offense skills that Pitt never seems to have, not wanting shooters and offense is settling for less. Hopefully the NCAA changes the rules to hurt the slow down teams to force Pitt to change.
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