- To me, there is nothing wrong with the offense. From a schematic point of view. It has worked for years, and it produces a ton of open shots. The issue is the personnel. Without the Johnson's, there are no consistent shooters from the perimeter. To make matters worse, there is no efficiency around the rim either. This offense gets a ton of good looks, they just can't take advantage because of a lack of shooters and finishers.
- Now, if you want to argue that they should run more, I think it is a valid question. With that being said, this team is not built to run and press. They just aren't. Jamie Dixon's teams will never be built that way. Yes, they have had success pressing Boston College and Clemson (at times), but that is because they were Boston College and Clemson. It does help to get easy shots, but this team gets easy shots in the offense and doesn't capitalize.
- Defensively, I think Pitt has improved and they are playing just okay on that end. Much better than where it was. However, pressing will just expose the defense. If you have a tough time defending in the half court, it just becomes tougher full court. There is no help 90 feet from the basket. If you aren't a laterally-quick or fast team, it is very difficult. It also requires a mindset, and Pitt just doesn't play that way.
- Yesterday, I think Pitt was tied. They put Joe in, and it absolutely killed them. First play, he hedges poorly and can't recover and it resulted in a lay-up. On the other end, he backed down a defender and missed a close shot. Next time down, he gives up an offensive rebound and Clemson ends up scoring. Tough sequence. Not sure how much longer they can hope for the best with Joe.
- If I am Pitt, I keep recruiting like crazy for this class. Basically, if I have a quality player that is willing to commit, I take them and figure it out later. This roster is pretty weak and there may be another couple of spots available.
- Cassius Winston was scheduled to visit yesterday but he couldn't make it. Probably a good thing, but you never know how a kid looks at a situation like Pitt is in right now. On one hand, you want to avoid kids seeing it in person. On the other hand, maybe they look at it as an opportunity to play right away. Each kid is different.
- This program is getting to a crossroads. The 2016 class could be a strong one for Pitt, but there is a fine line here. Every program deals with a down year here and there. Pitt has had a couple since 2009. No big deal. With that being said, it can slip away quickly. So I understand the concern and urgency. Basically, we know this is a down year and it is going to be ugly. It can be turned around quickly with a couple of players added to this sophomore group that will be a year older next year. Now, that is easier said than done. The staff has to basically hide this season and sell the future. That is not always easy to do. If Pitt can just be respectable and competent this year, it would go a long way to helping them recruit. The dilemma is that what looked to be a bridge year at one point, may turn very ugly. I do worry about what may happen if they only win a handful of league games.
- Basketball is a game that can turn around quickly, with a just a couple of players. The right freshman can contribute right away. There are good junior college players and transfers. Durand and Cameron Johnson will help solve the outside shooting issues next season, and this sophomore group can be solid. The key to this program lies with how they finish 2015, and then who they land in 2016. If they do well in both of those areas, this program can get back to where it was. If they miss out on some players in the spring and 2016 is disappointing, it can go downhill quickly.
- Now, if you want to argue that they should run more, I think it is a valid question. With that being said, this team is not built to run and press. They just aren't. Jamie Dixon's teams will never be built that way. Yes, they have had success pressing Boston College and Clemson (at times), but that is because they were Boston College and Clemson. It does help to get easy shots, but this team gets easy shots in the offense and doesn't capitalize.
- Defensively, I think Pitt has improved and they are playing just okay on that end. Much better than where it was. However, pressing will just expose the defense. If you have a tough time defending in the half court, it just becomes tougher full court. There is no help 90 feet from the basket. If you aren't a laterally-quick or fast team, it is very difficult. It also requires a mindset, and Pitt just doesn't play that way.
- Yesterday, I think Pitt was tied. They put Joe in, and it absolutely killed them. First play, he hedges poorly and can't recover and it resulted in a lay-up. On the other end, he backed down a defender and missed a close shot. Next time down, he gives up an offensive rebound and Clemson ends up scoring. Tough sequence. Not sure how much longer they can hope for the best with Joe.
- If I am Pitt, I keep recruiting like crazy for this class. Basically, if I have a quality player that is willing to commit, I take them and figure it out later. This roster is pretty weak and there may be another couple of spots available.
- Cassius Winston was scheduled to visit yesterday but he couldn't make it. Probably a good thing, but you never know how a kid looks at a situation like Pitt is in right now. On one hand, you want to avoid kids seeing it in person. On the other hand, maybe they look at it as an opportunity to play right away. Each kid is different.
- This program is getting to a crossroads. The 2016 class could be a strong one for Pitt, but there is a fine line here. Every program deals with a down year here and there. Pitt has had a couple since 2009. No big deal. With that being said, it can slip away quickly. So I understand the concern and urgency. Basically, we know this is a down year and it is going to be ugly. It can be turned around quickly with a couple of players added to this sophomore group that will be a year older next year. Now, that is easier said than done. The staff has to basically hide this season and sell the future. That is not always easy to do. If Pitt can just be respectable and competent this year, it would go a long way to helping them recruit. The dilemma is that what looked to be a bridge year at one point, may turn very ugly. I do worry about what may happen if they only win a handful of league games.
- Basketball is a game that can turn around quickly, with a just a couple of players. The right freshman can contribute right away. There are good junior college players and transfers. Durand and Cameron Johnson will help solve the outside shooting issues next season, and this sophomore group can be solid. The key to this program lies with how they finish 2015, and then who they land in 2016. If they do well in both of those areas, this program can get back to where it was. If they miss out on some players in the spring and 2016 is disappointing, it can go downhill quickly.
