I think that most agree Pitt's recruiting has struggled over the last few years. Blair and Young were the last true stars we had. Adams was an anomaly.
So if I were Dixon ( and Barnes) I would review my entire recruiting philosophy.
I would first review all the players Pitt went after over the last five years and see if they turned out to be good players whether or not they were at Pitt. If for the most part they were good then I would look to see why. Pitt didn't land them. If they were not the right players that is a different problem.
I am assuming Pitt mostly eliminates players west of the Mississippi for obvious reasons. It also appears we do not look for one and done players unless Pitt has some special relationship (Adams) While I understand
this reasoning I would target at least one of these type players.
While I hear on this board we should recruit NYC or Philly I am not sure that is productive since talent changes over time. I might consider focusing on some of the Basketball factories, building relationships.
One thing I do not see and I may be wrong is to really target someone you covet and recruit item much harder. This was what the great Al McQuire did at Marquette. He personally recruited the star for that year.
Dixon should do the same. Roy Chipman did it with Charles Smith. I think he went to like 30 games his senior year.
Then I would look at my assistants that are leading the recruiting charge and look at the results. If you are primarily a recruiter then you have to be held accountable.
Finally I look at Pitt's Pro's and cons regarding recruiting.
Pros
1.Playing in the ACC. Look at this year's tournament. The ACC is cleaning up and we are already defending champions. So you can sell to kids if you want to play against the best come to Pitt.
2. The Pete. Still a great venue.
3 Pittsburgh. A lot of kids would rather live in the city.
4 our recent history. Yes we still have a lot to sell. Struggling but still solid.
Cons
1 Playing in the ACC. Not exactly an Eastern league and Pitt is in a gray zone.
Also playing against Duke, NC,Louisville etc is tough. But somehow Virginia is thriving.
So can we.
2 Not playing the AAU games. I don't pretend to know how that works but As a Pitt alum I would rather play fair. Have to identify kids that do not fall in this category.
3 Style. Not every team is Kentucky. Michigan State plays its own style. Virginia plays its own style.
While I would like Pitt to play their own brand, I do think you have to adapt to your talent each year.
I think style is a cop out.
4 Pittsburgh is not a basketball hotbed. This is tough when you always have to go out of your backyard to get players. You do need to keep any decent talent from Pittsburgh. Pitt has done this.
The conclusion is Pitt should do an in depth review of their recruiting. The lack of the proverbial go,to,guy
has hurt Pitt the last few years. The good news is you only need one or two special players to turn the corner. What if Pitt had Malcom Brogdan from Virginia on their team this year. The bad news is without these players Pitt is going nowhere fast. It is time to look in the mirror. Maybe Barnes will help.
Maybe Narduzzi could help.
Dixon always talks about getting better each day. He needs to do the same.
So if I were Dixon ( and Barnes) I would review my entire recruiting philosophy.
I would first review all the players Pitt went after over the last five years and see if they turned out to be good players whether or not they were at Pitt. If for the most part they were good then I would look to see why. Pitt didn't land them. If they were not the right players that is a different problem.
I am assuming Pitt mostly eliminates players west of the Mississippi for obvious reasons. It also appears we do not look for one and done players unless Pitt has some special relationship (Adams) While I understand
this reasoning I would target at least one of these type players.
While I hear on this board we should recruit NYC or Philly I am not sure that is productive since talent changes over time. I might consider focusing on some of the Basketball factories, building relationships.
One thing I do not see and I may be wrong is to really target someone you covet and recruit item much harder. This was what the great Al McQuire did at Marquette. He personally recruited the star for that year.
Dixon should do the same. Roy Chipman did it with Charles Smith. I think he went to like 30 games his senior year.
Then I would look at my assistants that are leading the recruiting charge and look at the results. If you are primarily a recruiter then you have to be held accountable.
Finally I look at Pitt's Pro's and cons regarding recruiting.
Pros
1.Playing in the ACC. Look at this year's tournament. The ACC is cleaning up and we are already defending champions. So you can sell to kids if you want to play against the best come to Pitt.
2. The Pete. Still a great venue.
3 Pittsburgh. A lot of kids would rather live in the city.
4 our recent history. Yes we still have a lot to sell. Struggling but still solid.
Cons
1 Playing in the ACC. Not exactly an Eastern league and Pitt is in a gray zone.
Also playing against Duke, NC,Louisville etc is tough. But somehow Virginia is thriving.
So can we.
2 Not playing the AAU games. I don't pretend to know how that works but As a Pitt alum I would rather play fair. Have to identify kids that do not fall in this category.
3 Style. Not every team is Kentucky. Michigan State plays its own style. Virginia plays its own style.
While I would like Pitt to play their own brand, I do think you have to adapt to your talent each year.
I think style is a cop out.
4 Pittsburgh is not a basketball hotbed. This is tough when you always have to go out of your backyard to get players. You do need to keep any decent talent from Pittsburgh. Pitt has done this.
The conclusion is Pitt should do an in depth review of their recruiting. The lack of the proverbial go,to,guy
has hurt Pitt the last few years. The good news is you only need one or two special players to turn the corner. What if Pitt had Malcom Brogdan from Virginia on their team this year. The bad news is without these players Pitt is going nowhere fast. It is time to look in the mirror. Maybe Barnes will help.
Maybe Narduzzi could help.
Dixon always talks about getting better each day. He needs to do the same.
