** It would seem to me that 11 games into the 2022-2023 campaign, and well into Capel’s fifth year as Head Coach, that for most of the most die-hard Pitt Hoops fans, the Panthers have become a tiresome, if not tedious exercise in perspective.
** Let’s start a game ago at Vanderbilt. On it’s own, a one point loss on the road against a fair SEC foe was not a terrible thing by any means. The Panthers didn’t play badly, and actually did plenty of win-worthy things among one-more-than-that loss-worthy things. If the Panthers didn’t need every possible win out of conference win we can get, or if we hadn’t lost to VCU, the Vandy loss wouldn’t feel quite so difficult.
** This evening, a 25-point win could be if not should be something to enjoy. This is especially true for a fan base who should likely savior every iota of success it can swallow.
** Yet an unhealthier dose of perspective reminds us that this was a Sacred Heart team ranked around #300 by Ken Pomeroy, or who lost by 38 to Rutgers after enduring a 21 point first half deficit.
** Lest we not forget that Sacred Heart only trailed by 5 at today’s half, and only 2 points at the 13:56 mark of second half.
** But should we put that into perspective knowing the Panthers only surrendered 12 more points in those final near 14 minutes while scoring 36 the same time frame?
** Quite frankly, I just don’t know anymore. And part of me is tired of tying to figure it out.
** This much I do know. I really enjoyed watching Federiko Federiko today. During both of his second half exits from the game today, I rose to my feet to applaud his energy and effort, if not his athleticism and plain old production.
** Sure, maybe it’s wiser to put perspective into Fede’s 17 point, 14 rebound, 3 assist, 3 block performance knowing that Sacred Heart didn’t have a single starter over 6-6, and only one other player taller than that at 6-8, and he logged a mere 18 minutes.
** To the positive, maybe one could compare Fede to his newly named understudy John, who was remarkably less effective in his 11 minutes. In fact, mostly he was pretty bad actually. Again.
** Plenty have tried to put Big John’s performances into perspective too, knowing that he’s still just getting into shape, or he’s shaking off rust, or is even struggling trying to fit into the Panthers new attack.
** I’m not going to try to dive into how much perspective is healthy for John. I just know at the moment that he’s not anywhere close to the same player he was last year.
** And while I hate to pile on John, I do want to point to three specific plays that I found extremely troubling. The first was in the first half when he tried to pass out of a simply trap a threw a really ridiculous pass over everything for a turnover. It was undisciplined and lackadaisical.
** Next, in the second half, right after he came in the game, John moved to the top of the key for a high ball screen. But before screening anything at all, he faded back for a roll into a spot where he really couldn’t receive anything. Setting a bad screen is nothing new, but one would hope after watching Fede set strong, effective screens followed by disciplined rolls to the basket that John would try to put a little more into his execution.
** And finally, in the game’s homestretch, John had a pretty easy layup and he was blocked straight up by a guy about 3 inches shorter than he is. I don’t know if this is a lack of effort as much as it is the fact that John just can’t get off of his feet very far at the moment.
** I believe Panther fans should appreciate the fine trio of Blake Hinson, Greg Elliott and especially Nelly Cummings. Nelly is bringing some wonderful confidence to the court at the moment, even if one might wonder if we should be impressed by a Pitt career high against a substandard opponent. Still, he’s now 15-32 (47%) from three in his last five games, and the height of the basket and the distance of the three point line is the same regardless of the quality of the opponent.
** My only other disappointment of the day was from Nike who didn’t step forward in Jamarius’ absence. At times, at the forefront of Nike’s issues can be shot selection, which was well exemplified in the first half when Nike came down and rushed a three early in the shot clock. “Nike, you can get that shot anytime you want it” my friend yelled in disgust. I responded: “well, I think he knows that and wanted the shot the just then!”
** I’m noticing there is growing splinter among Pitt Hoops fans, using their own particular perspectives as their evidence that things are actually going better than or worse than others may think.
** As I've said, I don’t have any answers at the moment. I only know that by March 31, perspective most likely won’t be needed. After five years, for better or worse, Capel’s record will speak clearly for itself.
** Let’s start a game ago at Vanderbilt. On it’s own, a one point loss on the road against a fair SEC foe was not a terrible thing by any means. The Panthers didn’t play badly, and actually did plenty of win-worthy things among one-more-than-that loss-worthy things. If the Panthers didn’t need every possible win out of conference win we can get, or if we hadn’t lost to VCU, the Vandy loss wouldn’t feel quite so difficult.
** This evening, a 25-point win could be if not should be something to enjoy. This is especially true for a fan base who should likely savior every iota of success it can swallow.
** Yet an unhealthier dose of perspective reminds us that this was a Sacred Heart team ranked around #300 by Ken Pomeroy, or who lost by 38 to Rutgers after enduring a 21 point first half deficit.
** Lest we not forget that Sacred Heart only trailed by 5 at today’s half, and only 2 points at the 13:56 mark of second half.
** But should we put that into perspective knowing the Panthers only surrendered 12 more points in those final near 14 minutes while scoring 36 the same time frame?
** Quite frankly, I just don’t know anymore. And part of me is tired of tying to figure it out.
** This much I do know. I really enjoyed watching Federiko Federiko today. During both of his second half exits from the game today, I rose to my feet to applaud his energy and effort, if not his athleticism and plain old production.
** Sure, maybe it’s wiser to put perspective into Fede’s 17 point, 14 rebound, 3 assist, 3 block performance knowing that Sacred Heart didn’t have a single starter over 6-6, and only one other player taller than that at 6-8, and he logged a mere 18 minutes.
** To the positive, maybe one could compare Fede to his newly named understudy John, who was remarkably less effective in his 11 minutes. In fact, mostly he was pretty bad actually. Again.
** Plenty have tried to put Big John’s performances into perspective too, knowing that he’s still just getting into shape, or he’s shaking off rust, or is even struggling trying to fit into the Panthers new attack.
** I’m not going to try to dive into how much perspective is healthy for John. I just know at the moment that he’s not anywhere close to the same player he was last year.
** And while I hate to pile on John, I do want to point to three specific plays that I found extremely troubling. The first was in the first half when he tried to pass out of a simply trap a threw a really ridiculous pass over everything for a turnover. It was undisciplined and lackadaisical.
** Next, in the second half, right after he came in the game, John moved to the top of the key for a high ball screen. But before screening anything at all, he faded back for a roll into a spot where he really couldn’t receive anything. Setting a bad screen is nothing new, but one would hope after watching Fede set strong, effective screens followed by disciplined rolls to the basket that John would try to put a little more into his execution.
** And finally, in the game’s homestretch, John had a pretty easy layup and he was blocked straight up by a guy about 3 inches shorter than he is. I don’t know if this is a lack of effort as much as it is the fact that John just can’t get off of his feet very far at the moment.
** I believe Panther fans should appreciate the fine trio of Blake Hinson, Greg Elliott and especially Nelly Cummings. Nelly is bringing some wonderful confidence to the court at the moment, even if one might wonder if we should be impressed by a Pitt career high against a substandard opponent. Still, he’s now 15-32 (47%) from three in his last five games, and the height of the basket and the distance of the three point line is the same regardless of the quality of the opponent.
** My only other disappointment of the day was from Nike who didn’t step forward in Jamarius’ absence. At times, at the forefront of Nike’s issues can be shot selection, which was well exemplified in the first half when Nike came down and rushed a three early in the shot clock. “Nike, you can get that shot anytime you want it” my friend yelled in disgust. I responded: “well, I think he knows that and wanted the shot the just then!”
** I’m noticing there is growing splinter among Pitt Hoops fans, using their own particular perspectives as their evidence that things are actually going better than or worse than others may think.
** As I've said, I don’t have any answers at the moment. I only know that by March 31, perspective most likely won’t be needed. After five years, for better or worse, Capel’s record will speak clearly for itself.
