Slippery Rock Exhibition Game & Other Dribbles ...

[DT_PITT]

** For me, each of the seasons of the last two decades have had a “title” which seems to appropriately capture what the season really meant.

** Sometimes the title can be known going into the year. I called 2006-2007 the “Big Season,” and 2008-2009 the “Season of Dreams.” More or less, both lived up to the billing.

** Other years, the title is composed as the season goes on. 2001-02 was the “Breakout Season.” 2009-2010 was the “Surprising Season.”

** Titles for the last few years haven’t been quite so pleasing. 2016-2017 was the “Lost Season.” And there really wasn’t a title low enough to describe the year after that.

** At one point, I called last season “the New Beginning,” although the slide of February didn’t quite give that title all the gumption it could have had.

** I've wondered for a while what to call this season. After all, I’m not truly excited about. But I am quite curious about it.

** So what did tonight do to live up to the title of the “Curious Season?” Well … plenty.

** This night should have done nothing to make fans any more certain that this season can surpass reasonable expectations. But it did provide plenty of reasons to be truly curious if it can.

** There’s little left to be curious about when it comes to Xavier Johnson. That is, except for the number of times tonight when I thought to myself: “how did he do that?” Allow me to offer a new nickname for Xavier – “SMH” – because even now into his second season, I still shake my head watching him finish in the lane.

** To the downside, Xavier didn’t look good shooting the three. He was often very wide open, but missed pretty badly actually.

** There wasn’t much downside to Trey’s game. A highlight was a particular finish in the lane when he pulled up for a running floater instead of driving deeper into traffic. This wasn’t a play he made last year.

** I’m curious if others are as enthused with what they are seeing from Gerald Drumgoole as I am. I believe he can have a notably better offensive season than Au”Diese did last year, and that’s saying something.

** It’s impressive that Gerald uses the up fake and drive as often as he does. In fact, there was a time or two when I thought he should have let the three fly instead. Still, usually freshman have to be convinced to take the former route instead of the latter.

** I don’t know if Au’Diese will ever start finishing at the rim quite as impressively as he gets to the rim. But this is a larger opportunity for him to improve his offense than improving his jump shot.

** Eric Hamilton will almost certainly be a more impactful player for this team than I thought he’d be. I’m hoping his foul trouble of the first half will be the exception rather than the rule. Eric’s a strong rebounder, and had an nice drive and finish to the rim, but he missed some plays too.

** At the moment, there doesn't really seem to be much difference in the production of Terrell and Eric. Both had successful and less than successful moments. The difference is that Eric still looks good in his less than successful moments, while Terrell more often does not.

** Karim Coulibaly played moments at the four and five. It appears that even with his wingspan, most of Karim’s game is still below the rim. As such, to make an impact this year, he’s going to learn to be a bit craftier with his footwork on the offensive end, and stronger with his base on the defensive end.

** A few days ago, I was glad to hear Justin Champagne was good to go, basically because I thought it might simply give us another piece of depth. Now I’m curious if I truly underestimated him. There were times he looked like a big strong guard out on the court, and I mean that in a good way.

** Justin looked smooth and tough and it was easy to picture him having more than his share of games with significant contributions’ this year.

** Ryan will make contributions this year for sure. He’s too good of shooter not too. The question will be between him being a good (35%) shooter or a really good (40%+) shooter. He still hasn’t shown to be a defensive liability, but Slippery Rock wasn’t quite the squad to put him to that test.

** If you were curious as to whether Onyebuchi Ezeakudo could play a couple of moments at the point in a pinch, tonight’s performance indicated that he probably could. He offered the two prettiest passes of the night into the paint for dunks.

** If you were curious as to whether Sampson George could do the same in a pinch, tonight’s performance wasn’t quite as encouraging.

** Since The Rock played almost all man defense, we learned nothing about how we might attack last year’s kryptonite.

** However, The Slimy Pebbles did create one area for concern. They were all over their offensive glass in the first half, rebounding over 40% of their many misses. It was surely a good thing they had so many misses too, or this might have actually been a contest.

** Our defensive rebounding improved in the second half (surrendering only 3 compared to 11 in the first half) and this allowed to us get out on the break and have some fun. We have the athletes and finishers to make this a weapon this year, but we’ve got to get the ball first.

** So for now, calling this the “Curious Season” seems to fit pretty well. There’s quite a way to go to learn if our Panthers can compose a much better name.

 

[whirlybird optio]

I like all the newcomers. I said this on twitter, but these last two classes are really good. 8 commitments between the two classes and zero reaches, all 8 look to be ACC Players. That’s what Ben/Jamie did between 2001-2009. Even in years when you weren’t getting stars, you were getting the Ramon’s, the Benjamins, the Graves etc. Sure you need some stars in that group (X and Trey are close) but there is real quality depth here. It’s just so plain to see vs the group Stallings brought in, or even some of the late Jamie years. There’s a bit of a culture reset here, and more than anything else that’s what Capel needs to do.

Now you have to show it on the Court. We’ll see. Still major holes in the interior, and we will need Drumgoole and Murphy badly all year to hit jumpers, but these are good players, confident players. I imagine expectations in the locker room are high, they should be.

H2P

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

- I like Drumgoole and Champagnie. Drumgoole reminds me a lot of Durand Johnson. Both are going to make significant contributions this year.

- Hamilton over Brown isnt surprising though neither stood out. Hamilton is easily more athletic which makes me think he is more able to catch dump offs.

- The problem with Brown is he's just too slow to get off the ground, there was a play where he caught a pass off penetration but by the time he actually got off the ground, a 6'5 or 6'6 player blocked his shot at the rim. They fouled him but it wasn't an overt foul. He's too slow and cant jump that high.

- Murphy is going to be that guy who goes 4-6 in 3s off the bench or 0-6.....but he will be a weapon. He looks like he has a nice stroke and is very confident, launching up 2 28 footers (but missing)

- Hamilton had a nice reverse layup.

- Not much else to take away from this game, really.

 

[DT_PITT]

- I like Drumgoole and Champagnie. Drumgoole reminds me a lot of Durand Johnson. Both are going to make significant contributions this year.

- Hamilton over Brown isnt surprising though neither stood out. Hamilton is easily more athletic which makes me think he is more able to catch dump offs.

- The problem with Brown is he's just too slow to get off the ground, there was a play where he caught a pass off penetration but by the time he actually got off the ground, a 6'5 or 6'6 player blocked his shot at the rim. They fouled him but it wasn't an overt foul. He's too slow and cant jump that high.

- Murphy is going to be that guy who goes 4-6 in 3s off the bench or 0-6.....but he will be a weapon. He looks like he has a nice stroke and is very confident, launching up 2 28 footers (but missing)

- Hamilton had a nice reverse layup.

- Not much else to take away from this game, really.

I get the comparison of Gerald with Durand Johnson. Although Gerald may have executed more shot fakes last night than Durand did during his entire career at Pitt.

 

[Ski11585]

** For me, each of the seasons of the last two decades have had a “title” which seems to appropriately capture what the season really meant.

** Sometimes the title can be known going into the year. I called 2006-2007 the “Big Season,” and 2008-2009 the “Season of Dreams.” More or less, both lived up to the billing.

** Other years, the title is composed as the season goes on. 2001-02 was the “Breakout Season.” 2009-2010 was the “Surprising Season.”

** Titles for the last few years haven’t been quite so pleasing. 2016-2017 was the “Lost Season.” And there really wasn’t a title low enough to describe the year after that.

** At one point, I called last season “the New Beginning,” although the slide of February didn’t quite give that title all the gumption it could have had.

** I've wondered for a while what to call this season. After all, I’m not truly excited about. But I am quite curious about it.

** So what did tonight do to live up to the title of the “Curious Season?” Well … plenty.

** This night should have done nothing to make fans any more certain that this season can surpass reasonable expectations. But it did provide plenty of reasons to be truly curious if it can.

** There’s little left to be curious about when it comes to Xavier Johnson. That is, except for the number of times tonight when I thought to myself: “how did he do that?” Allow me to offer a new nickname for Xavier – “SMH” – because even now into his second season, I still shake my head watching him finish in the lane.

** To the downside, Xavier didn’t look good shooting the three. He was often very wide open, but missed pretty badly actually.

** There wasn’t much downside to Trey’s game. A highlight was a particular finish in the lane when he pulled up for a running floater instead of driving deeper into traffic. This wasn’t a play he made last year.

** I’m curious if others are as enthused with what they are seeing from Gerald Drumgoole as I am. I believe he can have a notably better offensive season than Au”Diese did last year, and that’s saying something.

** It’s impressive that Gerald uses the up fake and drive as often as he does. In fact, there was a time or two when I thought he should have let the three fly instead. Still, usually freshman have to be convinced to take the former route instead of the latter.

** I don’t know if Au’Diese will ever start finishing at the rim quite as impressively as he gets to the rim. But this is a larger opportunity for him to improve his offense than improving his jump shot.

** Eric Hamilton will almost certainly be a more impactful player for this team than I thought he’d be. I’m hoping his foul trouble of the first half will be the exception rather than the rule. Eric’s a strong rebounder, and had an nice drive and finish to the rim, but he missed some plays too.

** At the moment, there doesn't really seem to be much difference in the production of Terrell and Eric. Both had successful and less than successful moments. The difference is that Eric still looks good in his less than successful moments, while Terrell more often does not.

** Karim Coulibaly played moments at the four and five. It appears that even with his wingspan, most of Karim’s game is still below the rim. As such, to make an impact this year, he’s going to learn to be a bit craftier with his footwork on the offensive end, and stronger with his base on the defensive end.

** A few days ago, I was glad to hear Justin Champagne was good to go, basically because I thought it might simply give us another piece of depth. Now I’m curious if I truly underestimated him. There were times he looked like a big strong guard out on the court, and I mean that in a good way.

** Justin looked smooth and tough and it was easy to picture him having more than his share of games with significant contributions’ this year.

** Ryan will make contributions this year for sure. He’s too good of shooter not too. The question will be between him being a good (35%) shooter or a really good (40%+) shooter. He still hasn’t shown to be a defensive liability, but Slippery Rock wasn’t quite the squad to put him to that test.

** If you were curious as to whether Onyebuchi Ezeakudo could play a couple of moments at the point in a pinch, tonight’s performance indicated that he probably could. He offered the two prettiest passes of the night into the paint for dunks.

** If you were curious as to whether Sampson George could do the same in a pinch, tonight’s performance wasn’t quite as encouraging.

** Since The Rock played almost all man defense, we learned nothing about how we might attack last year’s kryptonite.

** However, The Slimy Pebbles did create one area for concern. They were all over their offensive glass in the first half, rebounding over 40% of their many misses. It was surely a good thing they had so many misses too, or this might have actually been a contest.

** Our defensive rebounding improved in the second half (surrendering only 3 compared to 11 in the first half) and this allowed to us get out on the break and have some fun. We have the athletes and finishers to make this a weapon this year, but we’ve got to get the ball first.

** So for now, calling this the “Curious Season” seems to fit pretty well. There’s quite a way to go to learn if our Panthers can compose a much better name.

Great post, DT. Glad to see the dribbles back.

As you note here, and I think it's easy to see from a handful of your other posts, you don't seem all that excited this year. Why do you think that is? Wear and tear from a frustrating tone on the forums from about 2015 onward? Still recovering from the Stallings years? Less interest in hoops in general?

Regardless, I hope the team surprises this year and rekindles excitement for you, me, and all the other Panther fans who long to see a return to bitching on Selection Sunday that we got hosed with a 3 seed.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Great post, DT. Glad to see the dribbles back.

As you note here, and I think it's easy to see from a handful of your other posts, you don't seem all that excited this year. Why do you think that is? Wear and tear from a frustrating tone on the forums from about 2015 onward? Still recovering from the Stallings years? Less interest in hoops in general?

Regardless, I hope the team surprises this year and rekindles excitement for you, me, and all the other Panther fans who long to see a return to bitching on Selection Sunday that we got hosed with a 3 seed.

I think we can make the NIT. But rebounding and lack of an inside presence is going to hold this team back. If this team had even an average big guy like Gary McGhee, its an NCAAT team.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

I expect DT is just being understandably cautious. This team should and could be better than last season and still not improve much from last years 14-19 final record given that there are now 20 ACC games to play and 2 fewer OOC games to play along with the OOC schedule being somewhat more challenging than last season.

It seems to me that is a reasonable attitude to be only caustiously optimistic about the coming season vs being very excited. Caustiously optimistic is my attitude--less chance of becoming disappointed due to have started out being too optimistic.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

A lot of good info packed into the dribbles . Seems much to be optimistic about !

To me this season is all about continuing the climb out of the basement , I’d love to see a tourney bid , but improvement and player development is what this yr is all about . If GD and JC turn out to be even close to the players X and Trey are then this could be the foundation the program needs .

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

- I like Drumgoole and Champagnie. Drumgoole reminds me a lot of Durand Johnson. Both are going to make significant contributions this year.

- Hamilton over Brown isnt surprising though neither stood out. Hamilton is easily more athletic which makes me think he is more able to catch dump offs.

- The problem with Brown is he's just too slow to get off the ground, there was a play where he caught a pass off penetration but by the time he actually got off the ground, a 6'5 or 6'6 player blocked his shot at the rim. They fouled him but it wasn't an overt foul. He's too slow and cant jump that high.

- Murphy is going to be that guy who goes 4-6 in 3s off the bench or 0-6.....but he will be a weapon. He looks like he has a nice stroke and is very confident, launching up 2 28 footers (but missing)

- Hamilton had a nice reverse layup.

- Not much else to take away from this game, really.

Coulibaly thoughts?

 

[rockypanther]

I think my caution on this team is two things. Can we have more than one player who can shoot 35 percent or better from 3 point range. Can we improve greatly on defensive rebounding. The second one should be improved with Hamilton and Drumgoole and Champaigne. But they also need better coaching on positioning for defensive rebounds.

If those 2 things happen we win 18-19 games. If not we win 15-17 games in my opinion.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Having only seen the comments on here by those who attended the game, the boxscore and Capel's post game interview, I would say that Coulibaly will help us be better inside even though he is a below the rim big man and not a Dickie V "high flyer." High flyers Collier and Amadasun arrive next year.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

I think my caution on this team is two things. Can we have more than one player who can shoot 35 percent or better from 3 point range. Can we improve greatly on defensive rebounding. The second one should be improved with Hamilton and Drumgoole and Champaigne. But they also need better coaching on positioning for defensive rebounds.

If those 2 things happen we win 18-19 games. If not we win 15-17 games in my opinion.

You should caveat your 3-ball shooting % concerns a bit due to the line being moved farther back this season. Ours, and everyone else's accuracy should slide some.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Thanks DT. Was looking forward to this since there were no media outlets for this game.

How about "The Transition" where hopefully Pitt may get close to .500 in conference and maybe eek out an NIT bid.

In some ways reading about X's 3 pointer not being there gives me some realization he may in fact be here next year. Though, I am wondering if Trey can consistently show he can hit a 3, he may not be here next year.

Work in Progress is another title. But some of these guys, they are the Pitt players of 2000's........or we hope they can be even close to that success. But X is uber athletic but is not a great shooter. We got Trey early, on a reclass before the bluebloods could swoop in. Au'diese is just not big enough or have a perimeter game. Coubilaly doesn't have the athleticism, Campagnie may just have been miscast last year, Drumgoole was a 3rd option on his loaded HS team. These are all the guys we get, that the bluebloods don't go after. So we have stayed in our lane.

I do believe if we can translate this into success, and the Pete and Zoo returns as a weapon, now in the ACC, we can then start closing on some of the top players with Capel at the helm.

Really looking forward to this year. Lets hope this is alot like the 2001 season....where we came of age and really set us up for the next and truthfully, the next decade.

 

[JS School]

I don't make predictions and I don't have any idea how successful this team will be, but this roster has the look of a good team. Capel started with a lightning quick PG, an SG who can score and a good versatile wing. He added a couple of bigger athletic wings and serviceable inside players. He also now has two guys who look like good 3 pt shooters. This is a better looking roster than Pitt has had in awhile. Hopefully he can find an Adams-like C.

 

[lilspainishflea]

Thanks DT. Was looking forward to this since there were no media outlets for this game.

How about "The Transition" where hopefully Pitt may get close to .500 in conference and maybe eek out an NIT bid.

In some ways reading about X's 3 pointer not being there gives me some realization he may in fact be here next year. Though, I am wondering if Trey can consistently show he can hit a 3, he may not be here next year.

Work in Progress is another title. But some of these guys, they are the Pitt players of 2000's........or we hope they can be even close to that success. But X is uber athletic but is not a great shooter. We got Trey early, on a reclass before the bluebloods could swoop in. Au'diese is just not big enough or have a perimeter game. Coubilaly doesn't have the athleticism, Campagnie may just have been miscast last year, Drumgoole was a 3rd option on his loaded HS team. These are all the guys we get, that the bluebloods don't go after. So we have stayed in our lane.

I do believe if we can translate this into success, and the Pete and Zoo returns as a weapon, now in the ACC, we can then start closing on some of the top players with Capel at the helm.

Really looking forward to this year. Lets hope this is alot like the 2001 season....where we came of age and really set us up for the next and truthfully, the next decade.

I am almost certain that Trey will be here next season. He just doesn't have the one NBA skill that X has (in X's case, the dribble penetrate).

NBA early entrants are really at least one of two kinds of players: 1) extreme athletes (e.g., size/speed); and/or 2) extreme skillset. X is close to #1 and has at least part of #2 as well. Trey is a worse athlete and doesn't really have the extreme single skill or all-round offensive game right now that would lead him to the NBA via path #2. He has good, not great, size and speed. He's a good, not lock down, defender. He's an ok, not good, shooter. These are not the things you want to write when you're talking about an NBA player.

It's just such a harder place to play. Think about a guy like Carson Edwards who is an elite bucket getter. Dude willed his team to the Elite 8. Amazing scorer at all 3 levels and he was a second round pick. Again, Trey is a better defender and has much better size but that's the level of output and efficiency NBA teams want in a guard that isn't 6'6"+, can't run a 4.3, and isn't an elite lockdown defender. Trey might get there eventually but short of him single-handedly carrying us deep into the NCAAT, he will be returning.

 

[DT_PITT]

Great post, DT. Glad to see the dribbles back.

As you note here, and I think it's easy to see from a handful of your other posts, you don't seem all that excited this year. Why do you think that is? Wear and tear from a frustrating tone on the forums from about 2015 onward? Still recovering from the Stallings years? Less interest in hoops in general?

Regardless, I hope the team surprises this year and rekindles excitement for you, me, and all the other Panther fans who long to see a return to bitching on Selection Sunday that we got hosed with a 3 seed.

The easiest way to answer is that my level of excitement generally matches the height of my expectations.

I like this team and I’m looking forward to watching us progress. I believe HCJC has us moving.

But plain and simply, it’s hard to be as exited about a team that you expect to win 7 conference games as you would be about a team who begins the year in the top 15 and is expected to contend for a conference championship.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

The easiest way to answer is that my level of excitement generally matches the height of my expectations.

I like this team and I’m looking forward to watching us progress. I believe HCJC had us moving.

But plain and simply, it’s hard to be as exited about a team that you expect to win 7 conference games as you would be about a team who begins the year in the top 15 and is expected to contend for a conference championship.

I enjoy watching a young team on the upswing .

 

[Chescat]

* Since The Rock played almost all man defense, we learned nothing about how we might attack last year’s kryptonite.

Thanks for the great re cap.
As far at the above quote, it'll be very interesting to see how we do when
teams don't go man to man against us. I believe we'll be better with the
addition of Drumgoole and Trey improving his outside game.
We also should have an improvement inside with offensive rebounding
and someone who won't fumble an inside drop off from our guards.
With all that said, If I were coaching against Pitt, I'd go zone, pack
the lane, and dare Pitt to beat us from the outside.
Coaches at this level basically go with a man D, however we should
expect to see quite a bit of zone used against us.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Coulibaly thoughts?

Reminds me of a Howland/Dixon type 4. Undersized, not terribly skilled but has long arms, is active, and seems to always be around the ball. I think he plays a fair amount this year and ends up as our best rebounder (per minute).

 

[Chescat]

Reminds me of a Howland/Dixon type 4. Undersized, not terribly skilled but has long arms, is active, and seems to always be around the ball. I think he plays a fair amount this year and ends up as our best rebounder (per minute).

At 6'8" I'm not so sure he's an "undersized 4." However I basically agree
with what you're saying about him.

 

[Chanceman]

No comments on the terrible free throw shooting?

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

No comments on the terrible free throw shooting?

Why should it be a concern? See the following--

Johnson was 1 for 3-- small sample & he shot FTs at 75.1% last season.
Champagnie was 1 for 2--too small a sample to worry about.
Aiken was 0 for1 He won't play when it counts.
George was 0 for 2 He won't play when it counts.
Brown was 2 for 3 (0.66) He shot 65.8% last season.
McGowens was 3 for 3 He shot 76.4% last season.
Drumgoole was 3 for 4. No concern.
Toney was 7 for 10 He shot 66.3 % last season.
Coulibaly was 2 for 2 No concern.
Murphy was 2 for 6. Freak off night. He shot 81.9% on FTs for his full JUCO season last year.

Capel didn't mention FTs in his post game. Again, I don't see any reason for concern here--especially given it was only one exhibition game. Take out Aiken and George (0-3) and give Murphy his normal 5 for 6 and XJ 1 more (2 for 3) and it could have just as likely been 25 for 33 (~75%) which would have been okay.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

The problem with Brown is he's just too slow to get off the ground, there was a play where he caught a pass off penetration but by the time he actually got off the ground, a 6'5 or 6'6 player blocked his shot at the rim.

The problem on that play wasn't that he was slow to get off the ground (which he generally is), the problem is that when he caught the ball the first thing he did was look around to see where the defenders were. If he had simply caught it and gone right up he would have been fine, even if he is slow. Instead he looked for the contact, and he found it. But that's not something he ought to ever be doing.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

The problem on that play wasn't that he was slow to get off the ground (which he generally is), the problem is that when he caught the ball the first thing he did was look around to see where the defenders were. If he had simply caught it and gone right up he would have been fine, even if he is slow. Instead he looked for the contact, and he found it. But that's not something he ought to ever be doing.

His biggest problem is his "motor skills" arent as developed as a regular ACC big guy. If you timed it from the time he catches the ball until the time he gets off the ground, I bet you'd find its the slowest in the ACC. Its why he always gets his shot blocked. Plus he cant jump that hight.

 

[Wednesday Morning]

Like the dribbles. I agree, the zone is our kryptonite and I wish Slippery Rock played some to see how we attack it.

 

[DT_PITT]

No comments on the terrible free throw shooting?

I thought about it but will wait to see if it's any kind of a trend. And 58% is not good, but it's not an alarming number like something like 12-36 would have been.

The better news is that we shot 36 free throws. That's key for us.

 

[DT_PITT]

Thanks DT. Was looking forward to this since there were no media outlets for this game.

How about "The Transition" where hopefully Pitt may get close to .500 in conference and maybe eek out an NIT bid.

In some ways reading about X's 3 pointer not being there gives me some realization he may in fact be here next year. Though, I am wondering if Trey can consistently show he can hit a 3, he may not be here next year.

Work in Progress is another title. But some of these guys, they are the Pitt players of 2000's........or we hope they can be even close to that success. But X is uber athletic but is not a great shooter. We got Trey early, on a reclass before the bluebloods could swoop in. Au'diese is just not big enough or have a perimeter game. Coubilaly doesn't have the athleticism, Campagnie may just have been miscast last year, Drumgoole was a 3rd option on his loaded HS team. These are all the guys we get, that the bluebloods don't go after. So we have stayed in our lane.

I do believe if we can translate this into success, and the Pete and Zoo returns as a weapon, now in the ACC, we can then start closing on some of the top players with Capel at the helm.

Really looking forward to this year. Lets hope this is alot like the 2001 season....where we came of age and really set us up for the next and truthfully, the next decade.

Definitely like "The Transition" better than "curious." But I'm hoping for something like "Ahead of Schedule."

 

[PittMan 72]

I thought about it but will wait to see if it's any kind of a trend. And 58% is not good, but it's not an alarming number like something like 12-36 would have been.

The better news is that we shot 36 free throws. That's key for us.

Be interesting to see if the dribble penetration and rim attacking that led to so many FT's last night can at least be approximated vs a big ACC team like FSU.

Would expect the Noles to play a lot of zone and/or sagging m2m to cut off driving lanes, limit Pitt's quickness out front and force Pitt to shoot more jumpers. Especially after what Pitt was able to do against them by driving the ball here last year. We'll see.

I've seen some guys who are extremely fast with the ball in their hands in my time. (Allen Iverson was probably #1 in that category of all the college guards I've seen in person in that regard). But XJ is up there. Doesn't look like he's lost even a micro second either. His speed and quickness off the dribble - and then his body control, strength and ability to get the ball up to the rim and score or draw fouls - is really impressive. Have to see how he - and the rest of the Panthers - are able to attack and score against FSU.

 

[DT_PITT]

Be interesting to see if the dribble penetration and rim attacking that led to so many FT's last night can at least be approximated vs a big ACC team like FSU.

Would expect the Noles to play a lot of zone and/or sagging m2m to cut off driving lanes, limit Pitt's quickness out front and force Pitt to shoot more jumpers. Especially after what Pitt was able to do against them by driving the ball here last year. We'll see.

I've seen some guys who are extremely fast with the ball in their hands in my time. (Allen Iverson was probably #1 in that category of all the college guards I've seen in person in that regard). But XJ is up there. Doesn't look like he's lost even a micro second either. His speed and quickness off the dribble - and then his body control, strength and ability to get the ball up to the rim and score or draw fouls - is really impressive. Have to see how he - and the rest of the Panthers - are able to attack and score against FSU.

X also switches the ball from one hand to another while in the air as well as anyone I’ve ever seen.

 

[PittMan 72]

X also switches the ball from one hand to another while in the air as well as anyone I’ve ever seen.

Agree. He's very adept at that. Enables him to avoid shot blocks, draw fouls and use the rim as protection to enable him to get the ball up and finish in traffic and through contact.

If he can develop an effective pull up move and be able to hit some mid-range jumpers to add to his repertoire he will be very hard to stop. The 3 point distance shooting also certainly remains a work in progress. Hopefully the distance shooting will continue to improve. I'm sure he working very hard at it. But he sure is fun to watch with the ball in his hands.

 

[Jeffburgh]

The easiest way to answer is that my level of excitement generally matches the height of my expectations.

I like this team and I’m looking forward to watching us progress. I believe HCJC has us moving.

But plain and simply, it’s hard to be as exited about a team that you expect to win 7 conference games as you would be about a team who begins the year in the top 15 and is expected to contend for a conference championship.

I get the general point, but I would say last year, with three or four ACC wins was SO much more enjoyable for me than the Stallings years, and even JDs last year or two, because I could sense JD was sliding here, and there was absolutely no hope with Stallings, that was just never going to end well, while last year there was an actual sense of hope.

I am fairly excited about this season, with similar expectations you, because even that would be a good step forward.

Since 12-13 the program has had 12-11-8-9-4-0-3 conference wins.

Just knew the program was in decline until last season. Now, hope and optimism ...

 

[DT_PITT]

I get the general point, but I would say last year, with three or four ACC wins was SO much more enjoyable for me than the Stallings years, and even JDs last year or two, because I could sense JD was sliding here, and there was absolutely no hope with Stallings, that was just never going to end well, while last year there was an actual sense of hope.

I am fairly excited about this season, with similar expectations you, because even that would be a good step forward.

Since 12-13 the program has had 12-11-8-9-4-0-3 conference wins.

Just knew the program was in decline until last season. Now, hope and optimism ...

Agree about the Stallings years.

But I even enjoyed the last two Dixon years quite a bit, and went into them with fairly high expectations. I couldn’t wait for the Gonzaga game in Dixon’s last year.

I was even fairly excited going into Stallings’ first year, wanting to see what a new coach could get out of Young and Artis.

 

[lilspainishflea]

Be interesting to see if the dribble penetration and rim attacking that led to so many FT's last night can at least be approximated vs a big ACC team like FSU.

That's how we upset them last year. 38 for 46 from the line. That's a ton of foul shots.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Agree about the Stallings years.

But I even enjoyed the last two Dixon years quite a bit, and went into them with fairly high expectations. I couldn’t wait for the Gonzaga game in Dixon’s last year.

I was even fairly excited going into Stallings’ first year, wanting to see what a new coach could get out of Young and Artis.

You’re an optimist

nothing wrong with that

 

[DT_PITT]

You’re an optimist

nothing wrong with that

I’m not really an optimist.

More just hopeful.

For example, going into year 2 of Stallings, I was hopeful we would win 1 ACC game.

An optimist thought we’d win 3.

 

[PittMan 72]

That's how we upset them last year. 38 for 46 from the line. That's a ton of foul shots.

Exactly. Would imagine FSU will try to make some adjustments this year to cut off the dribble penetration and keep the Pitt G's and wings out of the lane. Zone. Sagging man-to-man.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Agree about the Stallings years.

But I even enjoyed the last two Dixon years quite a bit, and went into them with fairly high expectations. I couldn’t wait for the Gonzaga game in Dixon’s last year.

I was even fairly excited going into Stallings’ first year, wanting to see what a new coach could get out of Young and Artis.

Knew we were in trouble immediately with Stallings when he failed to recruit a JUCO or Grad Transfer point guard to replace Robinson for year #1. Had he done so, he could have replicated Dixon’s last year and had more to sell recruits going forward.

 

[Pitt79]

If this team had even an average big guy like Gary McGhee, its an NCAAT team.

Everybody Loves Gary McGhee, he was a tough baller, I think he's still playing pro in Greece.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

I’m not really an optimist.

More just hopeful.

For example, going into year 2 of Stallings, I was hopeful we would win 1 ACC game.

An optimist thought we’d win 3.

Ha

 

[DT_PITT]

Ha

Glad you understood the joke!!