Halfway through the conference season you would hope the last few games have given the team a boost of confidence. While maybe not as important as talent, a few confident players who play within their own ability and role on the team can build a very good squad. One of the things often said about Coach K is that he develops teams in which the players accept their roles but most of all he builds the player's self confidence. So of course the "lesser stars" on the Duke team are going to hit that open shot.
Coaching: Capel has had his team in the big games well into the second half. Finishing the games has been the issue, as has bad starts to games. Whether at the start or at the end of games Pitt's shortcomings to me are due to lack of senior leadership. Not that there is tension between them but X and Trey don't know who should defer to whom, last year it seemed they would look to JWF, this year it may be who has (or wants) the ball.
Offense: It is a patchwork made up of similarly skilled guards (and Murphy) similarly skilled small forwards and no inside presence. The spread offense used against Duke was slightly different from the motion offense usually run. Capel figured TreJones couldn't keep X in front of him (and vice versa on the other end ). Last night looked good but I don't know if it works against all man to man defenses.
Defense: Justin and X are weak spots. Last night the coaches must have got into X's ear at a time out so X immediately tries to body up Tre Jones at mid court and gets a bad foul. The center spot is going to give up points to quality bigs. Whether to double the post is the question, but they will not face another big who is even near Carey's level.
Outlook: I don't want to wait for the help that is on the way. I want to go on a streak now and then have unexpected shooting for a couple games in the ACC tournament.
Coaching: Capel has had his team in the big games well into the second half. Finishing the games has been the issue, as has bad starts to games. Whether at the start or at the end of games Pitt's shortcomings to me are due to lack of senior leadership. Not that there is tension between them but X and Trey don't know who should defer to whom, last year it seemed they would look to JWF, this year it may be who has (or wants) the ball.
Offense: It is a patchwork made up of similarly skilled guards (and Murphy) similarly skilled small forwards and no inside presence. The spread offense used against Duke was slightly different from the motion offense usually run. Capel figured TreJones couldn't keep X in front of him (and vice versa on the other end ). Last night looked good but I don't know if it works against all man to man defenses.
Defense: Justin and X are weak spots. Last night the coaches must have got into X's ear at a time out so X immediately tries to body up Tre Jones at mid court and gets a bad foul. The center spot is going to give up points to quality bigs. Whether to double the post is the question, but they will not face another big who is even near Carey's level.
Outlook: I don't want to wait for the help that is on the way. I want to go on a streak now and then have unexpected shooting for a couple games in the ACC tournament.
