Two Questions: Answers Appreciated

[Exhiled 2 Da Cuse]

Bummer of a game. L-Ville's D seemed to take the heart right out of us (the way our team once routinely did to others). Had us playing scared and desperate.

The questions:

Jamie mentioned that C Jones had missed practice - what injury?

Why just 12 minutes for Maia versus L-Ville?

'Cuse

 

[Harve74]

Bummer of a game. L-Ville's D seemed to take the heart right out of us (the way our team once routinely did to others). Had us playing scared and desperate.

The questions:

Jamie mentioned that C Jones had missed practice - what injury?

Why just 12 minutes for Maia versus L-Ville?

'Cuse

1) Dunno about Jones.

2) As I said in DT's Dibbles, Maia was getting abused by Onuaku. I believe Jamie hoped Jeter woud a)be no worse defensively and b) add some offenive spark.

Clearly, it didn't work.

 

[Exhiled 2 Da Cuse]

Thanks Harve,

I thought maybe there was something more than that. I guess Coach D's grad transfer plan to address our team's weaknesses have helped but not nearly enough.

It may be that we will see the same kind of results against a few other teams this year and esp. come March when the big boys really start showing up.

Still a better team than last year.

Thanks again

'Cuse

 

[Pitt79]

Maia did have 5 rebounds in 12 minutes.

 

[Exhiled 2 Da Cuse]

Considering that Pitt and L-Ville ended up even on boards for the game, maybe it would have been better for him to stay in. Not only does he board but makes a lot of hustle plays. After all, I didn't see anyone else slowing Onawaku down much either.

 

[PittMan 72]

Bummer of a game. L-Ville's D seemed to take the heart right out of us (the way our team once routinely did to others). Had us playing scared and desperate.

The questions:

Jamie mentioned that C Jones had missed practice - what injury?

Why just 12 minutes for Maia versus L-Ville?

'Cuse

Jones: Leg injury (evidently since the ND game?) per Hillgrove on the radio. Right before the game started he said they weren't sure how much Jones would be able to play. Saw during the game that Jones had a wrap on his lower left leg. If you recall after his steal and breakaway dunk, he went down when he landed on that leg. Later in the game it looked like his left arm also was injured when he was fouled going to the hoop.

Maia: Like Harve said, think they were looking to try to inject some offense since scoring is not Maia's forte. But neither Jeter nor Luther were able to generate much scoring help, either. Defensively no one really did very well against Onuaku. The big Egyptian helped the Cards inside, too.

Just a fugly game for Pitt. Be interesting to see how the team responds to it in the next stretch of games. Also when Louisville visits Pitt on 2/24. Splitting these 2 @ ND and L'ville meets reasonable expectations in terms of results. But how Pitt played last night is not something that anyone that wants Pitt to succeed could be very happy about.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

Yep, splitting the 2 games with ND and 'Ville is a decent result and was somewhat expected. It was how we lost the 'Ville game that is concerning. Turnovers, poor passing, practically no assists, that won't win many games against anyone.

 

[JRPITT]

The game turned into an old Big East game. Louisville put on their big boy pants, we didn't. I too thought Maia should have played more simply for the fact that he is a big body that could set better SCREENS and thus maybe our offense could've jelled better. Also, I am disappointed in Michael Young's court demeanor. And the Louisville game hasn't been the first time. When he gets knocked down, he doesn't immediately get up and SPRINT to play defense, he gets up slowly and jogs down court. Don't get me wrong. Young is an excellent player. I just would like to see him quit pouting when he gets knocked down.

 

[whirlybird optio]

The game turned into an old Big East game. Louisville put on their big boy pants, we didn't. I too thought Maia should have played more simply for the fact that he is a big body that could set better SCREENS and thus maybe our offense could've jelled better. Also, I am disappointed in Michael Young's court demeanor. And the Louisville game hasn't been the first time. When he gets knocked down, he doesn't immediately get up and SPRINT to play defense, he gets up slowly and jogs down court. Don't get me wrong. Young is an excellent player. I just would like to see him quit pouting when he gets knocked down.

Couldn't agree more with this. I love young and Artis, but for two guys who should be leaders, they have awful body language when things don't go their way. Mike kept trying the exact same move over and over, and it was just frustrating to watch. Jamel needed to be more assertive, but he just kinda disappeared.

Also, it should be worth noting that against the three best teams we've played(zags, Purdue, UL) Artis had been in foul trouble each game. The holding foul after halftime against him was just a lazy play.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

Maia looked overmatched! Lou has 4 & 5*s for their entire team. A monkey can coach that team!

 

[Exhiled 2 Da Cuse]

A Monkey?

Maybe so. But they have got Rick Pitino - and whether I like the man or not, he's a great coach.

'Cuse

 

[Pittx9]

Louisville is the only team from the Big East/ACC that has absolutely owned us over the years. They could be in a rebuilding year where they're not even good and that full court press would still be too much for us. Frustrating, but there are many teams out there better than Louisville that I would give Pitt more than a fair chance at beating. It's just a really bad matchup for Pitt.