Starting Lineup against Gannon

[Zaratoughda]

Guess the starting lineup against Gannon.

My guess is:

PG: Robinson
SG: Smith
SF: Artis
PF Young
C: ANO

With Jeter and Jones getting significant minutes. Wilson spelling Robinson. Maia, Johnson, Milligan also getting time. If Luther plays, then no RS.

No?

 

[billyberoux]

Guess the starting lineup against Gannon.

My guess is:

PG: Robinson
SG: Smith
SF: Artis
PF Young
C: ANO

With Jeter and Jones getting significant minutes. Wilson spelling Robinson. Maia, Johnson, Milligan also getting time. If Luther plays, then no RS.

No?

I think we see Jones at SG to start the season.

 

[Zaratoughda]

I think we see Jones at SG to start the season.

Maybe... but Jones is the only experienced player that can spell Artis at SF... and we got Wilson, Milligan and Slim to play at SG (Slim can play SF also). Yeah, I am thinking Jones spells Artis at SF AND Smith at SG... with Slim and Milligan getting bits of PT to show what they can do.

I think Dixon goes with Smith because he will bring some stability... this based on his comments in the interview after the B/G game.

Anyways.... who starts is not as important as to how many minutes a player gets... and Dixon can adjust this based on who is playing well.

Lastly... Jones started for a while last year but then Dixon moved him to the bench, at SF and SG, and he proved to be better coming off the bench.

 

[Pittx9]

Either kid could start at SG, probably Jones until at least sometime in December. Is it just me or is this all of a sudden a much better lineup than last year? I'm talking a team that could do some good things this season.

 

[billyberoux]

Maybe... but Jones is the only experienced player that can spell Artis at SF... and we got Wilson, Milligan and Slim to play at SG (Slim can play SF also). Yeah, I am thinking Jones spells Artis at SF AND Smith at SG... with Slim and Milligan getting bits of PT to show what they can do.

I think Dixon goes with Smith because he will bring some stability... this based on his comments in the interview after the B/G game.

Anyways.... who starts is not as important as to how many minutes a player gets... and Dixon can adjust this based on who is playing well.

Lastly... Jones started for a while last year but then Dixon moved him to the bench, at SF and SG, and he proved to be better coming off the bench.

Zara, it's just a guess on my part. I suspect as the year goes on Jones will be coming off the bench. My guess was based on thinking Dixon will want more continuity at the start, which I think would be more likely with Jones. As you said, who starts isn't really that important. Who do you think will be the primary backup at the point?

 

[Zaratoughda]

Zara, it's just a guess on my part. I suspect as the year goes on Jones will be coming off the bench. My guess was based on thinking Dixon will want more continuity at the start, which I think would be more likely with Jones. As you said, who starts isn't really that important. Who do you think will be the primary backup at the point?

As far as continuity is concerned... yeah that is a major consideration but if so you would want to use Jones the same way he was being used at the end of last year. Hmmm.... I believe he was playing mostly SF at the end of last year. They were starting Jeter at SF but Jones was getting a lot of minutes also... so I guess he was playing SG as well. Newkirk was spelling Robinson and also sometimes out there with him... which meant he was playing SG but his game deteriorated so much at one point Dixon sat him down and sent Lecak in to replace him

So... I would think... particularly with Jones... start him off the same as you ended up with last year. He played much better once he started coming off the bench... but needs to get better than he was last year... which he should get simply but keeping at it.

Looks like Wilson will be spelling Robinson... with some Milligan (at the point). As to which ends up spelling Robinson regularly... whichever can bring the better D is the most important thing. Milligan may also see time at SG... I would expect this because he is a scorer... but probably mostly Wilson at PG spelling Robinson.

Milligan is a real wild card. Can score for sure... from 3ball land... mid-range... and taking it to the hoop. If he can play reasonable D... he may start seeing a lot of time at SG.

 

[DT_PITT]

I think we see Jones at SG to start the season.

I would agree that it could be Jones as well.

 

[heybandguy]

What about Nix? A number of posters over the past few months have speculated about a RS. I would like to see him get time as he would be the only returning 5 the following year. Has anyone heard about what the staff's plan for him is?

I think Sterling Smith and Artis starting and Jones spelling each of them at various points makes the most sense. I think Jones can adequately contribute at either position to provide rest minutes. Come the last 5 minutes, I want a rotation that wins the game - whatever that looks like.

 

[Pitt20]

I would think it's got to be... Robinson, Jones, Artis, Jeter, Young IMO.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

heybandguy--I totally disagree on Nix. Getting him some PT (it sure wouldn't be much) would not be beneficial to his further development as you presume. What miniscule benefit, if any, he would get from a few garbage minutes would be an absolute waste of one of the two years of eligibility he has. It would absolutely not be worth his losing a year of eligibility as his third and final year at Pitt (which he would lose) should be his best year. His development via practice now that we have so much frontcourt depth will do far more for him than a few garbage minutes in games. Barring injury decimation of the frontcourt I am certain Nix will redshirt.

 

[Zaratoughda]

What about Nix? A number of posters over the past few months have speculated about a RS. I would like to see him get time as he would be the only returning 5 the following year. Has anyone heard about what the staff's plan for him is?

I think Sterling Smith and Artis starting and Jones spelling each of them at various points makes the most sense. I think Jones can adequately contribute at either position to provide rest minutes. Come the last 5 minutes, I want a rotation that wins the game - whatever that looks like.

Nix is almost surely gonna get RSed. In Dixon's interview after the B/G game... he didn't quite come out and say it but may as well have.

Smith did not do much in the B/G game and was not one of our top players in the G'Town scrimmage but Dixon had a lot of good words for him in the interview... saying he has brought stability and he is more than just a 3ball shooter. I believe Dixon made these points twice in the interview so one would get the impression he is gonna start Smith. Also, as I mentioned in a previous post, we need Jones to have a good year and it is better if we start off using him as he was used at the end of last year... and see if he can improve on his performance. Dixon had him in as a starter last year but his game was deteriorating and Dixon moved him to the bench, at SF and SG, and then things started picking up for CJ... had the big game against Cuse in the dome (19 points... 5-6 3balls) so my expectation is Dixon will continue to use him off the bench... at least at the start of the season.

If I were Dixon... I would want to have the option of playing Jones starter minutes at SF... even if he is coming off the bench. If Artis is not hitting his shot... Jones minimally is gonna give you better D so might be best for Jones to play more of the time at SF.

You ALSO got a situation like this at SG.... but I don't think it is between Smith and Jones... but moreso Smith and Milligan. If we need some points then you may as well roll the dice and give Milligan a shot.

 

[Zaratoughda]

I would think it's got to be... Robinson, Jones, Artis, Jeter, Young IMO.

I don't think we are gonna be seeing Young starting at C. We had a problem with being undersized at BOTH inside positions and got pushed around inside for it last year and got worn down. That is why Dixon brought in Maia, ANO and Nix.

I was thinking over the summer that Maia would be starting at C but he missed some time and ANO has gotten ahead of him. So, right now it looks like ANO is in the regular rotation... starting at C and spelled by Young swinging over from PF. With Young spending some of his time at C, it means starter minutes off the bench for Jeter at PF.

Yeah.. that's how I see it now... with Maia hanging in the wind so to speak and... I don't see anywhere that Luther fits in at all.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Guess the starting lineup against Gannon.

My guess is:

PG: Robinson
SG: Smith
SF: Artis
PF Young
C: ANO

With Jeter and Jones getting significant minutes. Wilson spelling Robinson. Maia, Johnson, Milligan also getting time. If Luther plays, then no RS.

No?

PG: Robinson 32 Wilson 8
SG: Jones 15, Wilson 10, Smith/Milligan 15, game by game on who plays more
SF: Artis 30 Jones 10
PF: Young 22 Jeter 18
C: ANO 18 Luther 8 Young 8 Maia 4

I see the 2 and 5 positions being a season-long thing where Dixon goes with the hot hand.

 

[Pitt20]

Think back to our biggest wins last year... It was because Jeter played well. I think you got to find a way to get him in there. He is the difference maker and could be poised for a more consistent year. If that means Young at the 5 for the first 4-5 minutes of the game, I think you have to do that. Then you can rotate in Ano, Maia, and perhaps Luther. Not saying this is what Dixon will do, but it's what I would do.

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

I know nothing about how he's played or if he will start but I'm told that Dixon REALLY likes Smith. Whether he delivers anything we shall see but that's what I've heard from a fairly reliable source.

 

[Zaratoughda]

Think back to our biggest wins last year... It was because Jeter played well. I think you got to find a way to get him in there. He is the difference maker and could be poised for a more consistent year. If that means Young at the 5 for the first 4-5 minutes of the game, I think you have to do that. Then you can rotate in Ano, Maia, and perhaps Luther. Not saying this is what Dixon will do, but it's what I would do.

Who starts and who comes off the bench isn't as important as how many minutes a player gets. So, for the inside I see a 3 man rotation of ANO or Maia, Young, and Jeter, with Young the player that is splitting his minutes between the 4 and 5.

So, if Jeter is hot (on both ends of the court), you end up playing him 30 minutes... all at PF. That means Young gets 10 minutes at PF and whatever he gets at C.

 

[steel_curtain]

PG: Robinson 32 Wilson 8
SG: Jones 15, Wilson 10, Smith/Milligan 15, game by game on who plays more
SF: Artis 30 Jones 10
PF: Young 22 Jeter 18
C: ANO 18 Luther 8 Young 8 Maia 4

I see the 2 and 5 positions being a season-long thing where Dixon goes with the hot hand.

PG-Robinson-28 Wilson-12
SG-Jones, Milligan, Smith, Johnson-anyone that shoot and make 3's
SF-Artis-30 Jones, Jeter, Johnson
PF-Jeter-20 Artis-5 Young-15
C-Young-20 Maia / ANO / Luther-20

Minute leaders

Artis-35
Young-35
Rest-TBD

Artis and Young both compete for All ACC honors. Artis runs for ACC player of the year.
It would be great if Robinson got his minutes under 25, but it wont happen. Dixon loves him even though he is an offensive liability and holds the team back. Goal this year is to win by outscoring people with Artis and Young, not trying to win 41-40.

Elite Offense far greater than > Elite Defense

Pitt buried preseason #1 North Carolina, Syracuse twice, and Notre Dame last year with Elite offense.
O-F-F-E-N-SE!!! Get some talent at the guards who can shoot, and let Artis and Young dominate offensively while 1 guard TBD fills it up from 3 point range. Do that, and Pitt dances and can make a Sweet 16 surprise.

 

[DT_PITT]

What about Nix? A number of posters over the past few months have speculated about a RS. I would like to see him get time as he would be the only returning 5 the following year. Has anyone heard about what the staff's plan for him is?

I think Sterling Smith and Artis starting and Jones spelling each of them at various points makes the most sense. I think Jones can adequately contribute at either position to provide rest minutes. Come the last 5 minutes, I want a rotation that wins the game - whatever that looks like.

From the best I can gather (and this is reading between the lines), unless he improves his con

PG-Robinson-28 Wilson-12
SG-Jones, Milligan, Smith, Johnson-anyone that shoot and make 3's
SF-Artis-30 Jones, Jeter, Johnson
PF-Jeter-20 Artis-5 Young-15
C-Young-20 Maia / ANO / Luther-20

Minute leaders

Artis-35
Young-35
Rest-TBD

Artis and Young both compete for All ACC honors. Artis runs for ACC player of the year.
It would be great if Robinson got his minutes under 25, but it wont happen. Dixon loves him even though he is an offensive liability and holds the team back. Goal this year is to win by outscoring people with Artis and Young, not trying to win 41-40.

Elite Offense far greater than > Elite Defense

Pitt buried preseason #1 North Carolina, Syracuse twice, and Notre Dame last year with Elite offense.
O-F-F-E-N-SE!!! Get some talent at the guards who can shoot, and let Artis and Young dominate offensively while 1 guard TBD fills it up from 3 point range. Do that, and Pitt dances and can make a Sweet 16 surprise.

I wouldn't say elite offense is greater than elite defense.

It's a pretty simple equation that they are really quite equal. And you can win with whatever balance of combined "pretty good" that you can achieve.

And the problem last year is that our pretty decent offense was often overtaken by our really bad defense.

So sure, I can't disagree with the idea that there could be a goal this year to win by outscoring people -- if that is THIS team's best chance to be the best it can be. And for this to happen, our pretty decent offense will need to become a really good offense. But even with that, we won't get to far with a defense ranked around #200.

But a pretty good example of what you are talking about was Notre Dame last year (#2 offense, #100 defense). They were an elite offense, but a mediocre defense. Butler is an example of inverse (#7 defense, #82 offense). So it's not much of a surprise that these two teams went to OT in the NCAA tournament. I'll have to look for some examples of matchups of a team who was Top 5 in offense but maybe Top 30 in defense and how they faired against a team the other way around.

The question for Pitt is what how much offense will they need to "give up" to get better defensively or how much defense they will need to give up for vice versa.

They were ranked #30 in offense last year, and #202 in defense. Even if we became an elite offense (maybe #10), we would not have been all that much better with that kind of defense.

 

[Scruffy the Panther]

PG-Robinson-28 Wilson-12
SG-Jones, Milligan, Smith, Johnson-anyone that shoot and make 3's
SF-Artis-30 Jones, Jeter, Johnson
PF-Jeter-20 Artis-5 Young-15
C-Young-20 Maia / ANO / Luther-20

Minute leaders

Artis-35
Young-35
Rest-TBD

Artis and Young both compete for All ACC honors. Artis runs for ACC player of the year.
It would be great if Robinson got his minutes under 25, but it wont happen. Dixon loves him even though he is an offensive liability and holds the team back. Goal this year is to win by outscoring people with Artis and Young, not trying to win 41-40.

Elite Offense far greater than > Elite Defense

Pitt buried preseason #1 North Carolina, Syracuse twice, and Notre Dame last year with Elite offense.
O-F-F-E-N-SE!!! Get some talent at the guards who can shoot, and let Artis and Young dominate offensively while 1 guard TBD fills it up from 3 point range. Do that, and Pitt dances and can make a Sweet 16 surprise.

We get it. You only care about one thing. It used to be two, before Mustapha Heron broke your heart.

 

[DT_PITT]

PG-Robinson-28 Wilson-12
SG-Jones, Milligan, Smith, Johnson-anyone that shoot and make 3's
SF-Artis-30 Jones, Jeter, Johnson
PF-Jeter-20 Artis-5 Young-15
C-Young-20 Maia / ANO / Luther-20

Minute leaders

Artis-35
Young-35
Rest-TBD

Artis and Young both compete for All ACC honors. Artis runs for ACC player of the year.
It would be great if Robinson got his minutes under 25, but it wont happen. Dixon loves him even though he is an offensive liability and holds the team back. Goal this year is to win by outscoring people with Artis and Young, not trying to win 41-40.

Elite Offense far greater than > Elite Defense

Pitt buried preseason #1 North Carolina, Syracuse twice, and Notre Dame last year with Elite offense.
O-F-F-E-N-SE!!! Get some talent at the guards who can shoot, and let Artis and Young dominate offensively while 1 guard TBD fills it up from 3 point range. Do that, and Pitt dances and can make a Sweet 16 surprise.

I should also add that I agree that our guard play (both offense and defense) was our biggest weakness.