So what does stallings have to do to convince you.....

[Pittfan85]

He is on the right path?

Well first off, for me, I don’t want to hear “the record doesn’t matter.” If this team goes 1-17 or 0-18 in the ACC, that core is not developing enough to eventually be competitive in the ACC. If players like Stewart, Shamiel, kene, Davis, etc develop...then they will win at least a couple ACC games.

Also, assuming he gets a third year those recruits HAVE to show something next year. Right now there simply isn’t enough there, even if Stewart, kene, and Davis develop into ACC level players. He has to add pieces next year.

Record wise, to be here next year he needs to win at least 4 or 5 ACC games. Next year, NIT with 6-8 ACC wins. Fourth year tournament. Outside of that he has to go.

Those are my expectations for stallings to stay. The bar really isn’t that high. I simply don’t think he will even come close.

 

[316 S Bouquet]

He is on the right path?

Well first off, for me, I don’t want to hear “the record doesn’t matter.” If this team goes 1-17 or 0-18 in the ACC, that core is not developing enough to eventually be competitive in the ACC. If players like Stewart, Shamiel, kene, Davis, etc develop...then they will win at least a couple ACC games.

Also, assuming he gets a third year those recruits HAVE to show something next year. Right now there simply isn’t enough there, even if Stewart, kene, and Davis develop into ACC level players. He has to add pieces next year.

Record wise, to be here next year he needs to win at least 4 or 5 ACC games. Next year, NIT with 6-8 ACC wins. Fourth year tournament. Outside of that he has to go.

Those are my expectations for stallings to stay. The bar really isn’t that high. I simply don’t think he will even come close.

Recruiting needs to improve significantly and fast.

For next season, Milligan and Luther are being replaced by Dansby and Golden, respectively. It's not reasonable to expect that Golden will be able to step in and immediately replace Luther's production. Dansby has a better chance at matching Milligan's production, but that is not likely either. So, Stallings is going to be relying on coaching up the guys he has now to improve on this year's results.

In other words, the cavalry isn't coming. He needs to find a way to add a couple more recruits that can have a positive impact next season. Otherwise, next year will be more of the same and that isn't going to cut it.

 

[Chescat]

He is on the right path?

Well first off, for me, I don’t want to hear “the record doesn’t matter.” If this team goes 1-17 or 0-18 in the ACC, that core is not developing enough to eventually be competitive in the ACC. If players like Stewart, Shamiel, kene, Davis, etc develop...then they will win at least a couple ACC games.

Also, assuming he gets a third year those recruits HAVE to show something next year. Right now there simply isn’t enough there, even if Stewart, kene, and Davis develop into ACC level players. He has to add pieces next year.

Record wise, to be here next year he needs to win at least 4 or 5 ACC games. Next year, NIT with 6-8 ACC wins. Fourth year tournament. Outside of that he has to go.

Those are my expectations for stallings to stay. The bar really isn’t that high. I simply don’t think he will even come close.

Well since you asked....I'm pretty much with you on some of the things you mentioned.
However, the expectation of 4 or 5 ACC wins this year is IMO, an impossibility given
these players. I will be surprised if we win ANY games in the ACC this year (however
we might be able to stay with BC and Wake and maybe pull out wins there).
Watching the team progress the past few games shows me that he's getting it
done in practice with this group...thus the in game improvement.

But you asked what would convince me....two things"
1. Continued improvement with this group and being able to defeat the rest of
OOC games with the exception of WVU.

2. Major uptick in recruiting. I like Carr and Stevenson, and see potential in
Chukwuka and even Stewart, (who I usually criticize). But...he has to recruit
far better than all ofthese guys if we are ever to compete in the ACC.

 

[DT_PITT]

Recruiting needs to improve significantly and fast.

For next season, Milligan and Luther are being replaced by Dansby and Golden, respectively. It's not reasonable to expect that Golden will be able to step in and immediately replace Luther's production. Dansby has a better chance at matching Milligan's production, but that is not likely either. So, Stallings is going to be relying on coaching up the guys he has now to improve on this year's results.

In other words, the cavalry isn't coming. He needs to find a way to add a couple more recruits that can have a positive impact next season. Otherwise, next year will be more of the same and that isn't going to cut it.

I agree with this. We need the calvary. This could include JUCO's or fifth year guys.

But we need to add a guy or two who can make a significant impact next season, primarily in the front court.

 

[Ski11585]

I'd like to see a genuine recruiting "win." If Stallings is an upgrade as a recruiter over Dixon, then I want to see that with a clear cut top 75 player. Someone that, as DT notes, can come in and make an immediate impact. I want to see that he is able to successfully sell his vision to recruits and that he's able to land them.

 

[whirlybird optio]

NCAA tournament next season.

 

[DT_PITT]

Well since you asked....I'm pretty much with you on some of the things you mentioned.
However, the expectation of 4 or 5 ACC wins this year is IMO, an impossibility given
these players. I will be surprised if we win ANY games in the ACC this year (however
we might be able to stay with BC and Wake and maybe pull out wins there).
Watching the team progress the past few games shows me that he's getting it
done in practice with this group...thus the in game improvement.

But you asked what would convince me....two things"
1. Continued improvement with this group and being able to defeat the rest of
OOC games with the exception of WVU.

2. Major uptick in recruiting. I like Carr and Stevenson, and see potential in
Chukwuka and even Stewart, (who I usually criticize). But...he has to recruit
far better than all ofthese guys if we are ever to compete in the ACC.

I'd be very surprised if we can beat Towson.

 

[levance2]

I'd be very surprised if we can beat Towson.

Towson is likely to be 10-2 or maybe even 11-1 when they play Pitt. Towson has already beaten three teams rated higher than us, and they narrowly lost their opener at ODU. I'm expecting a loss too.

 

[drp1tt]

I'd like to see a genuine recruiting "win." If Stallings is an upgrade as a recruiter over Dixon, then I want to see that with a clear cut top 75 player. Someone that, as DT notes, can come in and make an immediate impact. I want to see that he is able to successfully sell his vision to recruits and that he's able to land them.

He already has recruited better than Dixon given the short time he has been here. He only has one position left right now I think unless he over recruits and drops a few players. Definitely need a couple of bigs.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

I agree with this. We need the calvary. This could include JUCO's or fifth year guys.

But we need to add a guy or two who can make a significant impact next season, primarily in the front court.

Buzz was able to go the Juco route and have success. I don't think KS is the coach that Buzz is, but I'd like to see if he can do it somewhat close to what Buzz did at Marquette.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

He is on the right path?

Well first off, for me, I don’t want to hear “the record doesn’t matter.” If this team goes 1-17 or 0-18 in the ACC, that core is not developing enough to eventually be competitive in the ACC. If players like Stewart, Shamiel, kene, Davis, etc develop...then they will win at least a couple ACC games.

Also, assuming he gets a third year those recruits HAVE to show something next year. Right now there simply isn’t enough there, even if Stewart, kene, and Davis develop into ACC level players. He has to add pieces next year.

Record wise, to be here next year he needs to win at least 4 or 5 ACC games. Next year, NIT with 6-8 ACC wins. Fourth year tournament. Outside of that he has to go.

Those are my expectations for stallings to stay. The bar really isn’t that high. I simply don’t think he will even come close.

You really do have a one track mind.

 

[Haydman]

Recruiting needs to improve significantly and fast.

For next season, Milligan and Luther are being replaced by Dansby and Golden, respectively. It's not reasonable to expect that Golden will be able to step in and immediately replace Luther's production. Dansby has a better chance at matching Milligan's production, but that is not likely either. So, Stallings is going to be relying on coaching up the guys he has now to improve on this year's results.

In other words, the cavalry isn't coming. He needs to find a way to add a couple more recruits that can have a positive impact next season. Otherwise, next year will be more of the same and that isn't going to cut it.

Completely agree. We need some recruiting wins. Last years class is bottom half of the ACC. 2018 isn't finished yet but does not appear to be much different. I know some like Ellison more than me but I don't see him as a definite high level contributor. Maybe he turns out to be an okay rotation guy but besides Carr we seem to have too many that fit this mold. I really thought he needed to grab at least two consensus top 100 guys for next year.

I could MAYBE stomach the losing if i felt significant help was on the way but so far that hasn't been the case.

 

[DiehardPanther]

He is on the right path?

Well first off, for me, I don’t want to hear “the record doesn’t matter.” If this team goes 1-17 or 0-18 in the ACC, that core is not developing enough to eventually be competitive in the ACC. If players like Stewart, Shamiel, kene, Davis, etc develop...then they will win at least a couple ACC games.

Also, assuming he gets a third year those recruits HAVE to show something next year. Right now there simply isn’t enough there, even if Stewart, kene, and Davis develop into ACC level players. He has to add pieces next year.

Record wise, to be here next year he needs to win at least 4 or 5 ACC games. Next year, NIT with 6-8 ACC wins. Fourth year tournament. Outside of that he has to go.

Those are my expectations for stallings to stay. The bar really isn’t that high. I simply don’t think he will even come close.

1) Win 10 or more games this year and the team shows improvement.
2) Recruiting improves
3) NIT or better next year.
4) NCAA in year 4

 

[Fk_Pitt]

He is on the right path?

Well first off, for me, I don’t want to hear “the record doesn’t matter.” If this team goes 1-17 or 0-18 in the ACC, that core is not developing enough to eventually be competitive in the ACC. If players like Stewart, Shamiel, kene, Davis, etc develop...then they will win at least a couple ACC games.

Also, assuming he gets a third year those recruits HAVE to show something next year. Right now there simply isn’t enough there, even if Stewart, kene, and Davis develop into ACC level players. He has to add pieces next year.

Record wise, to be here next year he needs to win at least 4 or 5 ACC games. Next year, NIT with 6-8 ACC wins. Fourth year tournament. Outside of that he has to go.

Those are my expectations for stallings to stay. The bar really isn’t that high. I simply don’t think he will even come close.

I'll play.

Heres what he has done positively
-recruited a couple kids to build around...under the toughest recruiting circumstances imaginable.
-developed players like Luther and Milligan and helped them become better players.
-showing that he is doing something right...as the new players are improving.

Here's what he needs to do for me--
-recruit a 4 star type kid like Ski said. Beat some good schools out for their services.
-show me that his system can work with the lack of rebounding and defense
-show me that the kids can learn to play defense.
-find a JUCO front court player who can help rebound. Unfortunately the Juco would be replacing Ryan Luther. Maybe recruit two JUCO players or impact transfers.
-show improvement as the year goes on this year.
-keep the team focused, playing hard, and not lose them. The season is about to get tougher. These are his kids. He can't lose them.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

I wish Malik Ellison was a front court player. We need experienced post players for next year. It would be nice if he was already on this roster.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Sign 2 Top 150ish recruits. Consistently good play by Carr, Stevenson, Stewart, Davis. 1 of Brown/Peace showing at least a sign that they might be good.

I could care less about wins and losses. This team will not beat any good teams because its too small to rebound and too young and not ready to out shoot people so that they dont have to rebound

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Well since you asked....I'm pretty much with you on some of the things you mentioned.
However, the expectation of 4 or 5 ACC wins this year is IMO, an impossibility given
these players. I will be surprised if we win ANY games in the ACC this year (however
we might be able to stay with BC and Wake and maybe pull out wins there).
Watching the team progress the past few games shows me that he's getting it
done in practice with this group...thus the in game improvement.

But you asked what would convince me....two things"
1. Continued improvement with this group and being able to defeat the rest of
OOC games with the exception of WVU.

2. Major uptick in recruiting. I like Carr and Stevenson, and see potential in
Chukwuka and even Stewart, (who I usually criticize). But...he has to recruit
far better than all ofthese guys if we are ever to compete in the ACC.

I'd be very surprised if we can beat Towson.

We won't. I watched them and they have clearly better players. They'll probably be favored. I will be legitimately impressed if we win that because we won't win it on talent. Stallings will have to outcoach Skerry.

Funny thing is Skerry had more underclass talent at Towson than what Jamie was able to attract to Pitt.

Hey, could Skerry be an option here? Seems like a recruiter.

 

[316 S Bouquet]

I'll play.

Heres what he has done positively
-recruited a couple kids to build around...under the toughest recruiting circumstances imaginable.
-developed players like Luther and Milligan and helped them become better players.
-showing that he is doing something right...as the new players are improving.

Here's what he needs to do for me--
-recruit a 4 star type kid like Ski said. Beat some good schools out for their services.
-show me that his system can work with the lack of rebounding and defense
-show me that the kids can learn to play defense.
-find a JUCO front court player who can help rebound. Unfortunately the Juco would be replacing Ryan Luther. Maybe recruit two JUCO players or impact transfers.
-show improvement as the year goes on this year.
-keep the team focused, playing hard, and not lose them. The season is about to get tougher. These are his kids. He can't lose them.

A couple players to build around is hardly an accomplishment in a 9 player class. And Carr and Stevenson were not recruited in the "toughest recruiting circumstances imaginable," to the extent you are referring to those players. If Stallings can land someone similar to Carr this year, I agree that would be an accomplishment given where the team is at now. But when Carr committed we were a senior-laden team that seemed poised to make the NCAA tournament in Stallings' first season.

 

[Ski11585]

He already has recruited better than Dixon given the short time he has been here. He only has one position left right now I think unless he over recruits and drops a few players. Definitely need a couple of bigs.

I'm not sure I agree. Perhaps his recruiting has been marginally better than Dixon's last 2-3 classes. It has not been a substantive upgrade however, and it certainly hasn't been a big upgrade over Dixon's full time here.

But honestly I'm not posting that to make a comparison. On its own merits Stalling's recruiting has not been enough.

 

[Pittfan85]

A couple players to build around is hardly an accomplishment in a 9 player class. And Carr and Stevenson were not recruited in the "toughest recruiting circumstances imaginable," to the extent you are referring to those players. If Stallings can land someone similar to Carr this year, I agree that would be an accomplishment given where the team is at now. But when Carr committed we were a senior-laden team that seemed poised to make the NCAA tournament in Stallings' first season.

Honestly, the fact that stallings had SOOOO much PT available to offer guys should have led to more than Stevenson and Carr as solid recruits you can build around. If it was a three person class adding to an already established team those two are great, however after those two everything else is at best a question mark.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

A couple players to build around is hardly an accomplishment in a 9 player class. And Carr and Stevenson were not recruited in the "toughest recruiting circumstances imaginable," to the extent you are referring to those players. If Stallings can land someone similar to Carr this year, I agree that would be an accomplishment given where the team is at now. But when Carr committed we were a senior-laden team that seemed poised to make the NCAA tournament in Stallings' first season.

I disagree. Who would want to commit here? No one of major significance with options.

 

[316 S Bouquet]

I disagree. Who would want to commit here? No one of major significance with options.

You are not remembering the timing of events correctly. Carr committed in Fall 2016, with Aaron Thompson already on board. Things were not dire at that time whatsoever. The 2016-17 Panthers were, at the time, evaluated as an NCAA tournament team by Lunardi and his ilk. So Carr and Thompson (both players with options) committed to Pitt at a time when they expected to get early playing time on a team coming off a tournament appearance with a first year head coach. Things did not turn out that way, clearly. But the Carr commitment did not come at a particularly dark time for the program (like now, for instance).

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Honestly, the fact that stallings had SOOOO much PT available to offer guys should have led to more than Stevenson and Carr as solid recruits you can build around. If it was a three person class adding to an already established team those two are great, however after those two everything else is at best a question mark.

I've recently gone through the recruiting process with my own kids and others. Playing time is important but all kids think thatvthey have a chance to play, regardless of the makeup of the roster. What they value more than anything else is a good environment that they are moving into. And that certainly didn't describe this environment.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

You are not remembering the timing of events correctly. Carr committed in Fall 2016, with Aaron Thompson already on board. Things were not dire at that time whatsoever. The 2016-17 Panthers were, at the time, evaluated as an NCAA tournament team by Lunardi and his ilk. So Carr and Thompson (both players with options) committed to Pitt at a time when they expected to get early playing time on a team coming off a tournament appearance with a first year head coach. Things did not turn out that way, clearly. But the Carr commitment did not come at a particularly dark time for the program (like now, for instance).

Thanks for the post. Maybe so, but Stallings threw out a ton of offers later and couldn't get any talkers. Frankly I wouldn't have come either.

 

[levance2]

What they value more than anything else is a good environment that they are moving into. And that certainly didn't describe this environment.

Based on what? Describe this toxic environment of November 2016.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Based on what? Describe this toxic environment of November 2016.

There's a spring period too.

 

[levance2]

There's a spring period too.

He only had to fill so many spots in the spring because he threw out / drove out literally half his roster. Carr was his best recruit and he was already signed in November.

 

[Pittfan85]

Based on what? Describe this toxic environment of November 2016.

Here will be the answer:

“Jamie Dixon destroyed the program blah blah blah, Jamie Dixon, blah blah blah, couldn’t recruit”

 

[rmf05]

1) Win 10 or more games this year and the team shows improvement.
2) Recruiting improves
3) NIT or better next year.
4) NCAA in year 4

I second this.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Here will be the answer:

“Jamie Dixon destroyed the program blah blah blah, Jamie Dixon, blah blah blah, couldn’t recruit”

Jamie Dixon did not destroy the program. He only contributed, along with others, to where we sit today. If you think the program is destroyed, then unfortunately Jamie must share in the blame.

 

[Chescat]

I'd be very surprised if we can beat Towson.

Good point. I wasn't aware of Towson, but upon looking they have one loss and
won five games on a neutral floor. Their best wins were against, LaSalle, Penn,
and Manhatten, also St. Mary's by 33 at home. Not sure we could beat ANYONE
by 33...lol.

 

[FireballZ]

Good point. I wasn't aware of Towson, but upon looking they have one loss and
won five games on a neutral floor. Their best wins were against, LaSalle, Penn,
and Manhatten, also St. Mary's by 33 at home. Not sure we could beat ANYONE
by 33...lol.

St Mary's MD, not CA. Are they even D1?

 

[Parkview57]

unfortunately Jamie must share in the blame

Under normal circumstances this may be the case, but Stallings came in and during his first season created a toxic environment, wanted to place blame away from himself, publicly berated the players, drove the best player off, and it appears he did this to ensure that he took no blame for such a lousy showing last year. Now, he keeps telling everybody who will listen that this year is really "a second first year", so that he can claim it really is not his fault. Had Stallings came in and worked with the players where they were, tried to work hard to get them on board and play together, show an understanding that there would be growing pains, display common respect for the players as students of the university, and at the end of the season meet with them and respectfully show them where they stood, the program would be further ahead without all the negativity. He wanted no part of sharing in the struggle last year, so he did this and now it is 100% his, for better (which we have seen lately) or worse, IMO.

 

[Chescat]

Under normal circumstances this may be the case, but Stallings came in and during his first season created a toxic environment, wanted to place blame away from himself, publicly berated the players, drove the best player off, and it appears he did this to ensure that he took no blame for such a lousy showing last year. Now, he keeps telling everybody who will listen that this year is really "a second first year", so that he can claim it really is not his fault. Had Stallings came in and worked with the players where they were, tried to work hard to get them on board and play together, show an understanding that there would be growing pains, display common respect for the players as students of the university, and at the end of the season meet with them and respectfully show them where they stood, the program would be further ahead without all the negativity. He wanted no part of sharing in the struggle last year, so he did this and now it is 100% his, for better (which we have seen lately) or worse, IMO.

The one thing that seems to go unmentioned is Stallings' decision to try and make
a pg out of Artis. The result of that IMO, hurt us right from the get go. Artis was turnover prone when he played forward, putting him at the point made it even worse. Personally I felt he came into a great situation with Artis, Young, Johnson, Jeter,
Jones, and Luther. If he recruited a pg (and he should have seen the need to do so)
we would have been an entirely different team. Unfortunately the rest is history.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Under normal circumstances this may be the case, but Stallings came in and during his first season created a toxic environment, wanted to place blame away from himself, publicly berated the players, drove the best player off, and it appears he did this to ensure that he took no blame for such a lousy showing last year. Now, he keeps telling everybody who will listen that this year is really "a second first year", so that he can claim it really is not his fault. Had Stallings came in and worked with the players where they were, tried to work hard to get them on board and play together, show an understanding that there would be growing pains, display common respect for the players as students of the university, and at the end of the season meet with them and respectfully show them where they stood, the program would be further ahead without all the negativity. He wanted no part of sharing in the struggle last year, so he did this and now it is 100% his, for better (which we have seen lately) or worse, IMO.

The toxic environment started during the most uncomfortable press conference ever. Other than that, you bring up provocative points.

 

[Pittfan85]

The one thing that seems to go unmentioned is Stallings' decision to try and make
a pg out of Artis. The result of that IMO, hurt us right from the get go. Artis was turnover prone when he played forward, putting him at the point made it even worse. Personally I felt he came into a great situation with Artis, Young, Johnson, Jeter,
Jones, and Luther. If he recruited a pg (and he should have seen the need to do so)
we would have been an entirely different team. Unfortunately the rest is history.

Well, he did rerecruit kithcart...only to immediately move artis from the 3 to the point and block him.

 

[Chescat]

Well, he did rerecruit kithcart...only to immediately move artis from the 3 to the point and block him.

I'm pretty sure Kithcart and the other recruits were recruited by Jamie. If I
remember correctly, Stallings decided to keep them all. That was a "nice guy"
thing to do, but as a head coach who was recruiting at Vanderbuilt he surely must have known what these guys were like.
With all that said, he should have, IMO recruited another pg. On the other hand, even if he didn't...Artis as a pg was a very bad decision, and most of us here knew it. He
could have used Kithcart, Milligan (who as we have seen, has some skills), or Wilson
who Jamie used on occasion. The good part was any of these guys would have been
supported by a strong, experienced cadre of players.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

I disagree. Who would want to commit here? No one of major significance with options.

If you can't recruit guys when you have a boatload of ACC playing time to sell in your first year on the job then you've got a problem. When guys would rather go play at a lower level school, and one with not nearly as much playing time available, than your ACC school with lots of playing time available that indicates a problem. And likely a large one.

 

[rockypanther]

He already has recruited better than Dixon given the short time he has been here. He only has one position left right now I think unless he over recruits and drops a few players. Definitely need a couple of bigs.

No he hasn't.

 

[Pittfan85]

I'm pretty sure Kithcart and the other recruits were recruited by Jamie. If I
remember correctly, Stallings decided to keep them all. That was a "nice guy"
thing to do, but as a head coach who was recruiting at Vanderbuilt he surely must have known what these guys were like.
With all that said, he should have, IMO recruited another pg. On the other hand, even if he didn't...Artis as a pg was a very bad decision, and most of us here knew it. He
could have used Kithcart, Milligan (who as we have seen, has some skills), or Wilson
who Jamie used on occasion. The good part was any of these guys would have been
supported by a strong, experienced cadre of players.

If stallings brought back kithcart and CM because he wanted to be a “nice guy” he is worse than I thought.