Barnes won't be on the team in 2021-2022 unless he reclassifies.Since you're taking an optimistic view of things for this exercise, throw in the Barnes commitment as well.
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Barnes won't be on the team in 2021-2022 unless he reclassifies.Since you're taking an optimistic view of things for this exercise, throw in the Barnes commitment as well.
Not sure your minimum scenario math computes very well. Going 8-12 ACC and still finishing 4+ games over 0.500 regular season would require 9 games over in the OOC's 11 games [i.e., going 10-1 ( 9 games over = 18-13) because 9-2 OOC would only be 7 games over OOC = 17-14)].I hope you are right. I’d sign up for that right now.
It wasn’t my scenario. I just said I would happily agree to being 4 or more games over .500.Not sure your minimum scenario math computes very well. Going 8-12 ACC and still finishing 4+ games over 0.500 regular season would require 9 games over in the OOC's 11 games [i.e., going 10-1 ( 9 games over = 18-13) because 9-2 OOC would only be 7 games over OOC = 17-14)].
The minimum scenario math is a little better if there can be 2-3 ACCT wins vs 1 ACCT loss figured in the mix.
In any event doing better than 7-4 or 8-3 OOC might be every bit as difficult as winning 8+ ACC games. Consider that the OOC includes Vanderbilt on the road, the two (2) Legends Classic games (Pitt, VCU, Arizona, Michigan) in Brooklyn, the ACC-B10 Challenge game and the West Virginia game. Out of those five games Pitt would be fortunate to get more than 2 wins. So, if they beat all the other 6 supposedly weaker opponents (no upset losses) 8-3 OOC might be where the OOC ends up.
IMHO, a doable scenario might be to beat Vandy and then either go 1-1 Legends/or, else win the ACC B10 challenge game plus have no upset losses and get to that 8-3 OOC record. Next go 8-12 ACC plus 2-1 ACCT. That would put the overall record at 18-16 after the ACCT with an NIT bid somewhat possible.
i realize it's not yourIt wasn’t my scenario. I just said I would happily agree to being 4 or more games over .500.
Barnes won't be on the team in 2021-2022 unless he reclassifies.
Right, he referenced Carrington who also won't be here 2021-22.
I doubt it happens too. That is why I would happily agree to it.i realize it's not your
"scenario," but anything
even close to "4 or more
games over 500" would
be a major achievement.
I just don't see it with
this group.
I won't predict a win-
loss scenario, since I
always want to see em
first in REAL game time.
However, I do see an
uptick this season due
to more overall talent
from top to bottom.
Again, that overall talent
is AVERAGE. Others in
this thread have said,
and I agree....we will be
better in some places.
Hugley will undoubtedly
improve. I like Cummings
over Femi. I feel Burton
will be steady, and he is
capable of being another
pg. We have better 3 pt.
potential and have five
guards who can actually
play. Santos?...we'll see.
Hugley needs help up
front. Hinson? I have no
idea but he's probably
better than what we had
last year. Fede? I gotta
believe will be a better
back up than Collier.
The twins? We'll see,but
maybe some spot duty
as they develop.
We have a much more
difficult pre season. The
ACC will maybe be better.
The unspoken key for us
is how well Capel can mix
and match these new
pieces into a cohesive
unit.
that’s an interesting stat.Even with all of the turnover - Pitt is returning the 5th most production in the ACC. The additions are largely additions over last year.
a
that’s an interesting stat.
So can we finally say that “being young” isn’t an excuse if this team fails? Although that should never be an excuse.Here you go.
OK, good find on yourEven with all of the turnover - Pitt is returning the 5th most production in the ACC. The additions are largely additions over last year.
So can we finally say that “being young” isn’t an excuse if this team fails? Although that should never be an excuse.
If Hinson is even medically cleared. TBDThe only way I see Pitt winning more than 13-14 games is if one of the twins is a surprise contributor. Course this is all based on not even seeing a scrimmage yet, but Hinson seems too much of a fade-away jump shooter to me.
Teams will work to get Hugley into foul trouble and with the big guy on the bench we’re pretty much toast — unless one of those twins steps up. And with their height, who knows…
Go Pitt.
If Hinson isn't medicallyIf Hinson is even medically cleared. TBD
IMO, Hugley getting doubled so much was to a significat degree Pitt's pitifully weak outside shooting. If that changes he will be doubled less.If Hinson isn't medically
cleared, that would be an
obvious problem. I don't
know how effective he'll
be, but he does bring us
experience. The other
options to help Hugley on
the inside all lack Hinson's
experience. Maybe they
can back up Hugley for
10-12 minutes, but can
they play along side of
him? Hugley obviously
cannot handle the inside
himself. We clearly saw
how teams doubled him
last year.
The good news..... I do
feel we're stronger in the
backcourt, but the inside
IMO, was and still is a
concern.
Exactly. We had a 6’10” Mo Gueye beside Hugley last year and it still resulted in him getting double teamed with every paint touch. More size isn’t going to get teams to back off - forcing them to defend the perimeter will.IMO, Hugley getting doubled so much was to a significat degree Pitt's pitifully weak outside shooting. If that changes he will be doubled less.
Certainly the lack of offers/interest w/r/t the Diaz twins can be viewed as compelling circumstantial evidence.This all makes sense and is more or less what I see.
Can you elaborate more on what you said about the twins? I believe I've said what I heard which was they are a little closer to projects than Pitt fans might want.
I'd maybe predict more than 14 wins. It might be a little bit hopeful but I'm seeing maybe 8-12 in conference and 8-3 OOC. The ACC record depends on how much the league will improve. Hard to know right now. I think Capel has upgraded overall talent, but I just don't know if I see a player he's brought in that will make a significant difference. Or in other words, I think he's raised the floor, but perhaps not the ceiling.
Getting to a winning record is a must for Capel to keep his job in my opinion.
Yes, you make a goodIMO, Hugley getting doubled so much was to a significat degree Pitt's pitifully weak outside shooting. If that changes he will be doubled less.
There has to be a more recent example than Chevy Troutman… lol. That was 22 freaking years ago!Certainly the lack of offers/interest w/r/t the Diaz twins can be viewed as compelling circumstantial evidence.
But maybe there is some precedent that offers some hope beyond just wishful thinking that there could be some “lightning in a bottle” for Pitt with the twins? This is a Jamie quote about Chevy Troutman (entire article linked):
“When you're building a program like we were, you have to get some guys who surprise you," Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. "You find players who are under-recruited (Troutman had offers only from La Salle and Duquesne) and hope they can help make an impact. There's no question that Chevy has made an impact at the University of Pittsburgh."
https://archive.triblive.com/news/troutman-has-made-all-the-right-choices-3__trashed/
Certainly the lack of offers/interest w/r/t the Diaz twins can be viewed as compelling circumstantial evidence.
But maybe there is some precedent that offers some hope beyond just wishful thinking that there could be some “lightning in a bottle” for Pitt with the twins? This is a Jamie quote about Chevy Troutman (entire article linked):
“When you're building a program like we were, you have to get some guys who surprise you," Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. "You find players who are under-recruited (Troutman had offers only from La Salle and Duquesne) and hope they can help make an impact. There's no question that Chevy has made an impact at the University of Pittsburgh."
https://archive.triblive.com/news/troutman-has-made-all-the-right-choices-3__trashed/
To me the point is that we just never know. Especially with young guys. Some exceed expectations. Some never meet them.I'm all for hoping for having some guys surprise us, but Chevy might not be the best example. He was well known as a top 100-125 ranked recruit and the second best high school player in PA.
I don't remember exactly why he was only offered by Duquesne and LaSalle. I suspect it was because of qualifying issues -- if you remember -- he was a partial qualifier and had a sit out a year before playing. Bottom line though, is that Chevy was not viewed as a project be any means.
Another thing to consider is that it took three years before Chevy made a big impact. As I said, he sat out a year being a partial qualifier, and didn't really make an impact in his freshman year until Howland decided to use him at the five an he started playing more by taking more of Toree Morris' minutes. But his impact wasn't really felt until his third year (RS sophomore year).
But again, I'm not trying to contest your point per se. We are going to need some lighting in the bottle for this year.
Along those lines, a better example might Donatas Zavackas. He was not heavily recruited, nor extremely well known. I think there was one recruiting source (Clark Francis) who considered him in the Top 200. But he was pretty much a starter as a freshman during Howland's first year. He was certainly more bulky and stronger than the twins, but the comparison still stands.
Very fresh in my memory if not yours. But regardless, for whatever reasons he was lightly recruited. And he was a fabulous player. It happens. The opposite also happens: highly recruited guys that flop.There has to be a more recent example than Chevy Troutman… lol. That was 22 freaking years ago!
indeed!To me the point is that we just never know. Especially with young guys. Some exceed expectations. Some never meet them.
Pitt really needs some guys to step up. They also need what appears to be a much better job of developing and coaching them up. And retaining more guys so they have a chance to improve.
Would be great to have a season where PItt does something that gives us cause for optimism moving forward. It has been WAY TOO LONG! All we can do is to wait and see. 🤷♂️
Yeah. The Chevy trout man Ontario alert examples aren’t prevalent though. It’s why we don’t have a good comparison for another big since.Very fresh in my memory if not yours. But regardless, for whatever reasons he was lightly recruited. And he was a fabulous player. It happens. The opposite also happens: highly recruited guys that flop.
The Portal and NIL have changed the dynamics now. That can work for or against a program. All up to the decisions the leadership makes.
I'd like to have him right now.For the love of all things holy please do not have one outlier game that we have to hear about for 4-5 years like Levon Kendall.
To me the point is that we just never know. Especially with young guys. Some exceed expectations. Some never meet them.
Pitt really needs some guys to step up. They also need what appears to be a much better job of developing and coaching them up. And retaining more guys so they have a chance to improve.
Would be great to have a season where PItt does something that gives us cause for optimism moving forward. It has been WAY TOO LONG! All we can do is to wait and see. 🤷♂️