Purdue Game & Other Dribbles ...

[DT_PITT]

** This was a game that surely was lots of fun at times, while very tough to take at others.

** This game also showed us we can be pretty good, but we still have a way to go.

** And it certainly gives as plenty to talk about, while hopefully giving Dixon some things he can learn from.

** Those sitting with me can testify that I started yelling for Dixon to go zone from about Purdue’s second trip. And as the early shortfall grew, I screamed louder and louder. I believe it was when the Boilers stretched the lead to 18-5, Dixon finally gave in.

** Hmmm … went zone with a 13 point deficit and we lost by 13. Just sayin.

** I also proclaimed that if Dixon had started the second half in man, I would have stormed onto the court to slap him upside his head. Sure glad I didn’t have to prove that one.

** I’ll get back to that zone issue in a bit, but regardless of the reason for the decficit, the reality is that we just aren’t good enough to make up that kind of ground and then surge ahead. And not against a team as good as Purdue who really can move the ball well.

** The good news however, was that to surge back like we did, we had to play some really good basketball. And it was some really good basketball, led by our often maligned point guard James Robinson.

** James was very good on both ends of the court for most of the game. It’s nice to see James shoot well, but it’s even better to see him get into the lane, and he did that effectively as well.

** Mike was good too, but he was trying a little too hard at the end. That problem is exacerbated when the rest of the Panther offense stops and watches Mike try to make moves, instead of continuing to move to give him places to pass to.

** Unfortunately, James and Mike didn’t have a good enough gun to help them. And one more gun might have been enough. Sheldon helped some, but Jamel wasn’t up to form and shots from Chris, Sterling, and especially Cam just couldn’t hit the mark when the team needed them most.

** That’s the other problem Dixon is facing now. He likes to rely on a rotation, and his depth is real. But it’s tough to know who he can call on to step in when needed.

** This is especially true at the five spot, and Dixon scrambled to find the right guy all night. And although his numbers don’t especially show it, Rafel Maia was that guy. It was his play in the zone midway through the first half that really sparked the team.

** Another spark to the zone was Mike playing the back wing, where he was able to cover the post, the wing and the corner with his wingspan. Cam Johnson had the same impact in his short stretches on the other back wing.

** Unfortunately, Sheldon and Jamel struggled with the same positional art. And in a game with so much talented size on both teams, Sheldon and Jamel allowed a 3-star freshman guard recruit (ranked around #150) to be the game changer by repeatedly living him open in the corner after floating too much in the paint.

** For stretches, our zone was pretty awesome, but not so much in the last 10 minutes of the game when we needed it most.

** Generally speaking however, I do think it’s time that Dixon fully embraces that zone needs to be the way this team plays this year. We can’t start games by getting killed in man, letting teams get their confidence flowing like the Boilers did today.

** Back to the other end, our guys also need to start executing by driving into the lane, or getting the ball into Mike in the post. For the first ten minutes or so, it was almost a total reliance on jump shots. That type of offense led to no baskets in the half court for the first seven minutes of the game. And of course, 17 point deficits.

** I was hopeful that the Panthers might make a big statement today, and of course I’m disappointed that didn’t happen.

** But this is clearly a better basketball team than last year, with plenty of areas where they can become even better.

** I believe “even better” actually can mean “pretty darn good.”

 

[Fredact]

The thrill was certainly back in the second part of the first half, when the Zoo was rockin' and I was screaming my brains out.

 

[steel_curtain]

-Good Post.

Quick thoughts

-Mike Young is a future star.

-16 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists on 5-11 shooting against a huge frontline. Cant ask for much more except be even more aggressive with the basketball.

-James Robinson played great tonight I thought

-Pitt was -5 in rebounds, +2 for turnovers. Good numbers against this team. Free Throw shooting was dead even

-Artis, Jeter, Jones, Slim, shot 6-28, 21%. We shot 21% from 3. That's your main difference.

-If AJ Hammonds plays like this at any time the rest of the season, Purdue is going to be very difficult to beat. Hammonds carried that team the entire game, and Cline iced it at the end hitting 4 three's. The rest of Purdue had nothing on Pitt, and really, did nothing. Hammonds had 24 points and 12 rebounds. He ws 2-2 from 3 point range. And he hit more 3's tonight against Pitt then his last 3 years combined at Purdue.

-I still think Pitt is going to have a nice season. But some of the new rotation players and even the starters either looked way to fired up or nervous the first 10 minutes of the game. That was the game. Good learning experience. We have a good team. Need to get the younger guys some run in the next few games.

-We should have played Wilson. And for God sake we need to find some plays to get Sterling Smith some open looks. 2 shots all game for Smith?

 

[steel_curtain]

-Good Post.

Quick thoughts

-Mike Young is a future star.

-16 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists on 5-11 shooting against a huge frontline. Cant ask for much more except be even more aggressive with the basketball.

-James Robinson played great tonight I thought

-Pitt was -5 in rebounds, +2 for turnovers. Good numbers against this team. Free Throw shooting was dead even

-Artis, Jeter, Jones, Slim, shot 6-28, 21%. We shot 21% from 3. That's your main difference.

-If AJ Hammonds plays like this at any time the rest of the season, Purdue is going to be very difficult to beat. Hammonds carried that team the entire game, and Cline iced it at the end hitting 4 three's. The rest of Purdue had nothing on Pitt, and really, did nothing. Hammonds had 24 points and 12 rebounds. He ws 2-2 from 3 point range. And he hit more 3's tonight against Pitt then his last 3 years combined at Purdue.

-I still think Pitt is going to have a nice season. But some of the new rotation players and even the starters either looked way to fired up or nervous the first 10 minutes of the game. That was the game. Good learning experience. We have a good team. Need to get the younger guys some run in the next few games.

-We should have played Wilson. And for God sake we need to find some plays to get Sterling Smith some open looks. 2 shots all game for Smith?

BTW DT, do you have any thoughts on Pitt trying a triangle and 2 defense this year?

I mentioned this before the Pitt / Purdue game. We have athletic ability in the frontcourt. We are respectable at the guards. We are playing man to man and zone, but no combo defense. Why?

Bill Self uses it. He won the National Title using it and completely shut down North Carolina using it.

Tom Izzo uses it from time to time.

Rick Majerus used to use it when he took his team to the National Title game with Utah.

And the rules are now way different.

I would have really like to stuff the paint down low against Purdue and played single man to man on the Purdue shooters, where Cline killed us at the end. We could of effectively doubled down on Hammonds and still covered the perimeter. And we have the team speed to do it.

 

[PittPoker]

I was wrong about James and I am glad he proved me wrong. Started off poor but really played well after that.

Obviously the talent disparity was pretty evident and I think Mike Young got tired down the stretch. However Artis and his poor night was a key in this loss. Also no inside game, poor shot choices and like someone else mentioned, wish Sterling Smith had a chance to shoot more. He has a nice 3 point shot and sparked us with that 3 pt play.

Definitely though not as excited about this team before the game. Can they make the tournament?? Probably but Jamie needs to settle on a more permanent group of guys. In my opinion still way too many players rotated in.

 

[magadog]

-Good Post.

Quick thoughts

-Mike Young is a future star.

-16 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists on 5-11 shooting against a huge frontline. Cant ask for much more except be even more aggressive with the basketball.

-James Robinson played great tonight I thought

-Pitt was -5 in rebounds, +2 for turnovers. Good numbers against this team. Free Throw shooting was dead even

-Artis, Jeter, Jones, Slim, shot 6-28, 21%. We shot 21% from 3. That's your main difference.

-If AJ Hammonds plays like this at any time the rest of the season, Purdue is going to be very difficult to beat. Hammonds carried that team the entire game, and Cline iced it at the end hitting 4 three's. The rest of Purdue had nothing on Pitt, and really, did nothing. Hammonds had 24 points and 12 rebounds. He ws 2-2 from 3 point range. And he hit more 3's tonight against Pitt then his last 3 years combined at Purdue.

-I still think Pitt is going to have a nice season. But some of the new rotation players and even the starters either looked way to fired up or nervous the first 10 minutes of the game. That was the game. Good learning experience. We have a good team. Need to get the younger guys some run in the next few games.

-We should have played Wilson. And for God sake we need to find some plays to get Sterling Smith some open looks. 2 shots all game for Smith?

Smith definitely needs to be more assertive. In Pitt's offense, he should be taking a quasi Gibbs role...run him around picks& give him the green light.

Hammonds couldn't be stopped, but he used his height advantage quite well. It will be interesting to see his results when he is matched against someone his size.

Purdue was fortunate that Haas tried to muscle his way to the hoop. Hammonds was much better at exploiting Purdue's size advantage.

Cline was the catalyst that built up the lead that Pitt couldn't fight back from.

If Pitt would have made their open threes,like they had previously, the game would have gone down to the final minutes.

 

[Cavalier Panther]

This is honestly a question and not veiled criticism of Dixon: why didn't Wilson play more last night and against Kent state? I know we're deep and his shoulder was hurt, but he was effective in early games. Do we think he's being set up for a red shirt because with James, sterling and milligan we just don't need him right now?

 

[BuffetParrothead]

I saw a lot of bright spots during the Purdue game.
I thought the team was aggressive, took their shots when they were open, missed some we should have had, didn't take advantage of the Purdue 3-4 minutes of no scoring but that's basketball.
If you don't get the ball to the hoop it can't go in!
We have a team that will be in the tourney with a lot of upside potential this year. Last year not so much upside at this point in the season!
If you're not at the top now the key is how much can a team improve and I think this team will get better!
How much we'll see.

 

[Bruce1]

Great game! One comment re the zone. IMHO if you would have gone zone when you were down big it could have been a disaster. Purdue is a streaky 3 point shooting team but at that time several guys were hitting them, even AJ. Once your guys got past that initial burst by Purdue it swung quickly. When you started running the offense through Young we had no answer. I thought by the end of the game your bigs looked gassed. Some other coaches this year have said that their bigs got worn down by the constant banging inside. Good luck the rest of the year. Both coaches saw the food and the bad so they know what to work on going forward. I wish we had some of your athleticism.

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

This is honestly a question and not veiled criticism of Dixon: why didn't Wilson play more last night and against Kent state? I know we're deep and his shoulder was hurt, but he was effective in early games. Do we think he's being set up for a red shirt because with James, sterling and milligan we just don't need him right now?

I honestly don't know why he didn't play more or why Dixon won't play him at all at the 2 spot. He's athletic, can drive some, and has a pretty good shot.

As to Redshirting him, he's already played in Pitt's previous 4 games and can't redshirt at this point unless he gets a (season ending) medical Redshirt and we don't want or need that.

Go Pitt...

 

[DT_PITT]

BTW DT, do you have any thoughts on Pitt trying a triangle and 2 defense this year?

I mentioned this before the Pitt / Purdue game. We have athletic ability in the frontcourt. We are respectable at the guards. We are playing man to man and zone, but no combo defense. Why?

Bill Self uses it. He won the National Title using it and completely shut down North Carolina using it.

Tom Izzo uses it from time to time.

Rick Majerus used to use it when he took his team to the National Title game with Utah.

And the rules are now way different.

I would have really like to stuff the paint down low against Purdue and played single man to man on the Purdue shooters, where Cline killed us at the end. We could of effectively doubled down on Hammonds and still covered the perimeter. And we have the team speed to do it.

I think they would play triangle and two worse than they play man or zone. They would have just screened for Cline, which would have left us without a perimeter switch option.

Regardless, I'll take your word on it that Self and Izzo use it from time to time. Otherwise, I think there's a pretty good reason you don't see nearly any college coaches using defenses like box and one or triangle and two.

 

[RoguePanther]

I would love to see us play primarily zone defense, push the ball up the court routinely, and full court press.

That is the recipe for success this year, especially against teams like Purdue (big, slow, and lacking in guard play)

Disclaimer: Just a rec league coaches opinion....

 

[MajorMajors]

--While they missed some open shots, I thought Pitt took many tough, low percentage shots in this game. Seemed to be in too much of a hurry to shoot early in the game.

--Jeter really needs to work on his shot selection -- seems to put up poor shots, especially early in his playing time. I was surprised he got all the time he did.

--Hammons looked like an All-American - certainly a nightmare match-up for Pitt and most teams.

Go PItt.

 

[BigZeke]

** This was a game that surely was lots of fun at times, while very tough to take at others.

** This game also showed us we can be pretty good, but we still have a way to go.

** And it certainly gives as plenty to talk about, while hopefully giving Dixon some things he can learn from.

** Those sitting with me can testify that I started yelling for Dixon to go zone from about Purdue’s second trip. And as the early shortfall grew, I screamed louder and louder. I believe it was when the Boilers stretched the lead to 18-5, Dixon finally gave in.

** Hmmm … went zone with a 13 point deficit and we lost by 13. Just sayin.

** I also proclaimed that if Dixon had started the second half in man, I would have stormed onto the court to slap him upside his head. Sure glad I didn’t have to prove that one.

** I’ll get back to that zone issue in a bit, but regardless of the reason for the decficit, the reality is that we just aren’t good enough to make up that kind of ground and then surge ahead. And not against a team as good as Purdue who really can move the ball well.

** The good news however, was that to surge back like we did, we had to play some really good basketball. And it was some really good basketball, led by our often maligned point guard James Robinson.

** James was very good on both ends of the court for most of the game. It’s nice to see James shoot well, but it’s even better to see him get into the lane, and he did that effectively as well.

** Mike was good too, but he was trying a little too hard at the end. That problem is exacerbated when the rest of the Panther offense stops and watches Mike try to make moves, instead of continuing to move to give him places to pass to.

** Unfortunately, James and Mike didn’t have a good enough gun to help them. And one more gun might have been enough. Sheldon helped some, but Jamel wasn’t up to form and shots from Chris, Sterling, and especially Cam just couldn’t hit the mark when the team needed them most.

** That’s the other problem Dixon is facing now. He likes to rely on a rotation, and his depth is real. But it’s tough to know who he can call on to step in when needed.

** This is especially true at the five spot, and Dixon scrambled to find the right guy all night. And although his numbers don’t especially show it, Rafel Maia was that guy. It was his play in the zone midway through the first half that really sparked the team.

** Another spark to the zone was Mike playing the back wing, where he was able to cover the post, the wing and the corner with his wingspan. Cam Johnson had the same impact in his short stretches on the other back wing.

** Unfortunately, Sheldon and Jamel struggled with the same positional art. And in a game with so much talented size on both teams, Sheldon and Jamel allowed a 3-star freshman guard recruit (ranked around #150) to be the game changer by repeatedly living him open in the corner after floating too much in the paint.

** For stretches, our zone was pretty awesome, but not so much in the last 10 minutes of the game when we needed it most.

** Generally speaking however, I do think it’s time that Dixon fully embraces that zone needs to be the way this team plays this year. We can’t start games by getting killed in man, letting teams get their confidence flowing like the Boilers did today.

** Back to the other end, our guys also need to start executing by driving into the lane, or getting the ball into Mike in the post. For the first ten minutes or so, it was almost a total reliance on jump shots. That type of offense led to no baskets in the half court for the first seven minutes of the game. And of course, 17 point deficits.

** I was hopeful that the Panthers might make a big statement today, and of course I’m disappointed that didn’t happen.

** But this is clearly a better basketball team than last year, with plenty of areas where they can become even better.

** I believe “even better” actually can mean “pretty darn good.”

Dave,
Great post.
Couple thoughts:
1. Mike is an incredible all around player and should appear on one of the All-ACC teams. Fun to watch.
2. Nice game from JRob. Tough. Aggressive.
3. Need upgrades at the 2 & 5 - hopefully as the new guys get comfy someone emerges at those spots.
4. Tough games for Jamel and Sheldon. Not sure if either those guys will ever "get it" defensively as those 3's they allowed were killers. In addition puzzling as to why Sheldon is shooting jumpers rather than going right at Hammonds and using his athleticism.
5. Need a 3 point marksman in the worst way. Here's hoping Slim becomes that guy.
6. Agree Maia was effective. Great glue guy. Just needs to get in shape.
7. Give Jones' minutes to Wilson. Higher upside as a G
8. Definitely a Tourney team and no way the 10th best ACC team
H2P!

 

[drunkinoakland]

Didn't read. Don't care anymore.

The decision to bench ANO was disgusting.

 

[Scruffy the Panther]

Didn't read. Don't care anymore.

The decision to bench ANO was disgusting.

Do you need a hug?

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

Dave,
Great post.
Couple thoughts:
1. Mike is an incredible all around player and should appear on one of the All-ACC teams. Fun to watch.
2. Nice game from JRob. Tough. Aggressive.
3. Need upgrades at the 2 & 5 - hopefully as the new guys get comfy someone emerges at those spots.
4. Tough games for Jamel and Sheldon. Not sure if either those guys will ever "get it" defensively as those 3's they allowed were killers. In addition puzzling as to why Sheldon is shooting jumpers rather than going right at Hammonds and using his athleticism.
5. Need a 3 point marksman in the worst way. Here's hoping Slim becomes that guy.
6. Agree Maia was effective. Great glue guy. Just needs to get in shape.
7. Give Jones' minutes to Wilson. Higher upside as a G
8. Definitely a Tourney team and no way the 10th best ACC team
H2P!

As to a three point shooter, in the limited attempts he's taken, Sterling Smith is shooting 60% from 3! We should purposely set screens and do pick and rolls to set this man up from three. Would be good if he could get at least 3-4 good looks from trey each game.

Cam can also shoot threes well, but needs to be smarter when to pull and shoot.

 

[drunkinoakland]

Sheldon helped? The depth is real? What in the name of blue Christ were you watching?

Slim is better than Rowan and gonna play in the NBA. Anyone still digging that?

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

Do you need a hug?

Lol. He might...

 

[Scruffy the Panther]

Sheldon helped? The depth is real? What in the name of blue Christ were you watching?

Slim is better than Rowan and gonna play in the NBA. Anyone still digging that?

What is so impressive about Rowan so far besides that he shoots every time he touches the ball?

 

[Scruffy the Panther]

** Generally speaking however, I do think it’s time that Dixon fully embraces that zone needs to be the way this team plays this year. We can’t start games by getting killed in man, letting teams get their confidence flowing like the Boilers did today.

I completely agree. Zone D needs to be our base this year. I've seen enough to know that our man won't get it done.

 

[drunkinoakland]

What is so impressive about Rowan so far besides that he shoots every time he touches the ball?

Well he plays 30 minutes a game for a team that is equal to or better than us. Slim on the other hand plays 8 in a close game, couldn't defend me, and he completely ruins gameflow, because for some reason when he is in whe treat him like he is Ray Allen and the offense becomes 18 seconds of Slim running off baseline screens while we look to get him a shot.

 

[Scruffy the Panther]

Well he plays 30 minutes a game for a team that is equal to or better than us. Slim on the other hand plays 8 in a close game, couldn't defend me, and he completely ruins gameflow, because for some reason when he is in whe treat him like he is Ray Allen and the offense becomes 18 seconds of Slim running off baseline screens while we look to get him a shot.

So you're argument is that he plays a lot? I'm not sure I'd call a team that lost to William and Mary and Arizona State our equal or better. Especially since William and Mary "steamrolled" NC State at home. I guess you prefer a player who takes at least 11 shots a game and misses (38.6%) most of them (who also can't defend).

You should probably quit while you are ahead. Or dry the tears from your eyes so you see more clearly.

 

[GodFamilyCountryPurdue]

...teams like Purdue (big, slow, and lacking in guard play)

You sure about that? We're big, but we aren't slow by any means. Our guards went for 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists while committing only 4 turnovers.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

** This was a game that surely was lots of fun at times, while very tough to take at others.

** This game also showed us we can be pretty good, but we still have a way to go.

** And it certainly gives as plenty to talk about, while hopefully giving Dixon some things he can learn from.

** Those sitting with me can testify that I started yelling for Dixon to go zone from about Purdue’s second trip. And as the early shortfall grew, I screamed louder and louder. I believe it was when the Boilers stretched the lead to 18-5, Dixon finally gave in.

** Hmmm … went zone with a 13 point deficit and we lost by 13. Just sayin.

** I also proclaimed that if Dixon had started the second half in man, I would have stormed onto the court to slap him upside his head. Sure glad I didn’t have to prove that one.

** I’ll get back to that zone issue in a bit, but regardless of the reason for the decficit, the reality is that we just aren’t good enough to make up that kind of ground and then surge ahead. And not against a team as good as Purdue who really can move the ball well.

** The good news however, was that to surge back like we did, we had to play some really good basketball. And it was some really good basketball, led by our often maligned point guard James Robinson.

** James was very good on both ends of the court for most of the game. It’s nice to see James shoot well, but it’s even better to see him get into the lane, and he did that effectively as well.

** Mike was good too, but he was trying a little too hard at the end. That problem is exacerbated when the rest of the Panther offense stops and watches Mike try to make moves, instead of continuing to move to give him places to pass to.

** Unfortunately, James and Mike didn’t have a good enough gun to help them. And one more gun might have been enough. Sheldon helped some, but Jamel wasn’t up to form and shots from Chris, Sterling, and especially Cam just couldn’t hit the mark when the team needed them most.

** That’s the other problem Dixon is facing now. He likes to rely on a rotation, and his depth is real. But it’s tough to know who he can call on to step in when needed.

** This is especially true at the five spot, and Dixon scrambled to find the right guy all night. And although his numbers don’t especially show it, Rafel Maia was that guy. It was his play in the zone midway through the first half that really sparked the team.

** Another spark to the zone was Mike playing the back wing, where he was able to cover the post, the wing and the corner with his wingspan. Cam Johnson had the same impact in his short stretches on the other back wing.

** Unfortunately, Sheldon and Jamel struggled with the same positional art. And in a game with so much talented size on both teams, Sheldon and Jamel allowed a 3-star freshman guard recruit (ranked around #150) to be the game changer by repeatedly living him open in the corner after floating too much in the paint.

** For stretches, our zone was pretty awesome, but not so much in the last 10 minutes of the game when we needed it most.

** Generally speaking however, I do think it’s time that Dixon fully embraces that zone needs to be the way this team plays this year. We can’t start games by getting killed in man, letting teams get their confidence flowing like the Boilers did today.

** Back to the other end, our guys also need to start executing by driving into the lane, or getting the ball into Mike in the post. For the first ten minutes or so, it was almost a total reliance on jump shots. That type of offense led to no baskets in the half court for the first seven minutes of the game. And of course, 17 point deficits.

** I was hopeful that the Panthers might make a big statement today, and of course I’m disappointed that didn’t happen.

** But this is clearly a better basketball team than last year, with plenty of areas where they can become even better.

** I believe “even better” actually can mean “pretty darn good.”

Statistically speaking the one thing that stood out was the first poor 3-ball shooting game this season. You can live and die by the three and we died by it vs Purdue.

But, DT is right that, unlike the typical Pitt team of the past, this team has lots of room to grow and improve over the course of the season.

And, lest we feel too upset about the loss, we lost to what Sagarin's computer believes to be a top 4 team.

 

[Piranha]

I would love to see us play primarily zone defense, push the ball up the court routinely, and full court press.

That is the recipe for success this year, especially against teams like Purdue (big, slow, and lacking in guard play)

Disclaimer: Just a rec league coaches opinion....

Agreed - we have the depth as well

 

[Harve74]

Well he plays 30 minutes a game for a team that is equal to or better than us. Slim on the other hand plays 8 in a close game, couldn't defend me, and he completely ruins gameflow, because for some reason when he is in whe treat him like he is Ray Allen and the offense becomes 18 seconds of Slim running off baseline screens while we look to get him a shot.

Not sure you were watching the same game I was. Slim played creditably on the backline of the zone. He had 2 boards, a steal and several deflections. Agree his shot needs to fall and sooner or later it will.

 

[Harve74]

I was wrong about James and I am glad he proved me wrong. Started off poor but really played well after that.

Obviously the talent disparity was pretty evident and I think Mike Young got tired down the stretch. However Artis and his poor night was a key in this loss. Also no inside game, poor shot choices and like someone else mentioned, wish Sterling Smith had a chance to shoot more. He has a nice 3 point shot and sparked us with that 3 pt play.

Definitely though not as excited about this team before the game. Can they make the tournament?? Probably but Jamie needs to settle on a more permanent group of guys. In my opinion still way too many players rotated in.

Disagree competely on the rotation point. We lost this game because Young got tired and started missing shorts he'd made earlier. (Not to put the blame in Mike. At least he made shots for a while. Jamel and others never got hot.)
We have no consistently strong post presence and are going to have to mx and match-up there all season. Likewse, the 2G is wide open and JRob has to be kept fresh.

With this roster, we're going to have to run and we're going to have to play the hot hand at several positions.

 

[PittPoker]

Disagree competely on the rotation point. We lost this game because Young got tired and started missing shorts he'd made earlier. (Not to put the blame in Mike. At least he made shots for a while. Jamel and others never got hot.)
We have no consistently strong post presence and are going to have to mx and match-up there all season. Likewse, the 2G is wide open and JRob has to be kept fresh.

With this roster, we're going to have to run and we're going to have to play the hot hand at several positions.

But Harv for example, why was Milligan in instead of Wilson? I don't remember even seeing Milligan enter the game at all the past few but against a top team he all of a sudden is used?? I agree about Mike Young being tired, obvious in the late stages of the game missing really easy shots by the rim. If only Artis did anything.

 

[steel_curtain]

Statistically speaking the one thing that stood out was the first poor 3-ball shooting game this season. You can live and die by the three and we died by it vs Purdue.

But, DT is right that, unlike the typical Pitt team of the past, this team has lots of room to grow and improve over the course of the season.

And, lest we feel too upset about the loss, we lost to what Sagarin's computer believes to be a top 4 team.

Second game this season. We couldn't shoot the 3 against D2 St Joseph either, we were like 6-24 or something like that. Its not like Purdue had this out of this world defense. Plain and simple we couldn't make wide open shots. And we had a ton of wide open shots. None of our shooters were on.

 

[DT_PITT]

Sheldon helped? The depth is real? What in the name of blue Christ were you watching?

Slim is better than Rowan and gonna play in the NBA. Anyone still digging that?

Dude?

I can understand a more negative disposition and/or assessment than I offered, but going over the top like this surely isn't like you.

 

[drunkinoakland]

Dude?

Just highly disappointed in what transpired last night. And Sheldon was largely the reason our competitiveness disappeared, so I don't care if he had 7 or 10 points or whatever, he largely was responsible for the loss and certainly didn't help.

All the other posts, I'll agree they were extreme overreactions.

 

[DT_PITT]

Just highly disappointed in what transpired last night. And Sheldon was largely the reason our competitiveness disappeared, so I don't care if he had 7 or 10 points or whatever, he largely was responsible for the loss and certainly didn't help.

All the other posts, I'll agree they were extreme overreactions.

Don't necessarily disagree with your point about Sheldon.

 

[DT_PITT]

Not sure you were watching the same game I was. Slim played creditably on the backline of the zone. He had 2 boards, a steal and several deflections. Agree his shot needs to fall and sooner or later it will.

I love every time that Cam let's a three fly. I love how he gets shots off. I also liked how he played defense. But a troubling thought did occur to me last night -- what if his three doesn't start to fall?

It's a different game if just one of his three falls last night.

 

[PittPoker]

I love every time that Cam let's a three fly. I love how he gets shots off. I also liked how he played defense. But a troubling thought did occur to me last night -- what if his three doesn't start to fall?

It's a different game if just one of his three falls last night.

Can anyone answer why Milligan was in last night?

 

[NTOP]

Can anyone answer why Milligan was in last night?

Probably just to give Rob a breather.

 

[PittPoker]

Probably just to give Rob a breather.

No I get it was for James to rest, I'm just wondering why Wilson wasn't playing and Milligan was. Maybe Jamie liked what he saw in practice with Milligan?

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

No I get it was for James to rest, I'm just wondering why Wilson wasn't playing and Milligan was. Maybe Jamie liked what he saw in practice with Milligan?

I don't know. But it's said that these two (Milligan and Wilson) only combined for 4 minutes total when they were some of the team's better shooters in the past few games. Jamie really can't find any time for them at SG??

 

[Cincypittfan]

** This was a game that surely was lots of fun at times, while very tough to take at others.

** This game also showed us we can be pretty good, but we still have a way to go.

** And it certainly gives as plenty to talk about, while hopefully giving Dixon some things he can learn from.

** Those sitting with me can testify that I started yelling for Dixon to go zone from about Purdue’s second trip. And as the early shortfall grew, I screamed louder and louder. I believe it was when the Boilers stretched the lead to 18-5, Dixon finally gave in.

** Hmmm … went zone with a 13 point deficit and we lost by 13. Just sayin.

** I also proclaimed that if Dixon had started the second half in man, I would have stormed onto the court to slap him upside his head. Sure glad I didn’t have to prove that one.

** I’ll get back to that zone issue in a bit, but regardless of the reason for the decficit, the reality is that we just aren’t good enough to make up that kind of ground and then surge ahead. And not against a team as good as Purdue who really can move the ball well.

** The good news however, was that to surge back like we did, we had to play some really good basketball. And it was some really good basketball, led by our often maligned point guard James Robinson.

** James was very good on both ends of the court for most of the game. It’s nice to see James shoot well, but it’s even better to see him get into the lane, and he did that effectively as well.

** Mike was good too, but he was trying a little too hard at the end. That problem is exacerbated when the rest of the Panther offense stops and watches Mike try to make moves, instead of continuing to move to give him places to pass to.

** Unfortunately, James and Mike didn’t have a good enough gun to help them. And one more gun might have been enough. Sheldon helped some, but Jamel wasn’t up to form and shots from Chris, Sterling, and especially Cam just couldn’t hit the mark when the team needed them most.

** That’s the other problem Dixon is facing now. He likes to rely on a rotation, and his depth is real. But it’s tough to know who he can call on to step in when needed.

** This is especially true at the five spot, and Dixon scrambled to find the right guy all night. And although his numbers don’t especially show it, Rafel Maia was that guy. It was his play in the zone midway through the first half that really sparked the team.

** Another spark to the zone was Mike playing the back wing, where he was able to cover the post, the wing and the corner with his wingspan. Cam Johnson had the same impact in his short stretches on the other back wing.

** Unfortunately, Sheldon and Jamel struggled with the same positional art. And in a game with so much talented size on both teams, Sheldon and Jamel allowed a 3-star freshman guard recruit (ranked around #150) to be the game changer by repeatedly living him open in the corner after floating too much in the paint.

** For stretches, our zone was pretty awesome, but not so much in the last 10 minutes of the game when we needed it most.

** Generally speaking however, I do think it’s time that Dixon fully embraces that zone needs to be the way this team plays this year. We can’t start games by getting killed in man, letting teams get their confidence flowing like the Boilers did today.

** Back to the other end, our guys also need to start executing by driving into the lane, or getting the ball into Mike in the post. For the first ten minutes or so, it was almost a total reliance on jump shots. That type of offense led to no baskets in the half court for the first seven minutes of the game. And of course, 17 point deficits.

** I was hopeful that the Panthers might make a big statement today, and of course I’m disappointed that didn’t happen.

** But this is clearly a better basketball team than last year, with plenty of areas where they can become even better.

** I believe “even better” actually can mean “pretty darn good.”

 

[Cincypittfan]

If you remember how they scored early in that game 3 of their 3's were a good 3' behind the arc and had someone running at them and 1 was from a 7 footer.........12 points.

I think they would have have been up big either way zone or man based upon these shots....We just couldn't pee in the ocean

I thought they had plenty of better good looks in the zone but weren't hitting them..except the frosh.

Typically, you want to man a team that is slower and bigger and zone a quick athletic team....No?