Just a general thought first, the ACC is down again. Just not a deep league with quality. Which makes things even more depressing. I watched a decent amount of the Florida State and Boston U game. Boston was just so fun to watch. Not much flukey about that game. They were an average box out away from winning at Florida State. Boston played with so much confidence and they were having fun. You can feel the energy off the screen.
Which brings me to last night. I think we are quickly running out of things to say. We can discuss the same things over and over again, but I am not sure it is worth it. I know how many people care and are upset, but there are only so many ways to analyze this team. Vanderbilt is not that good this year. They have two good scorers that were just okay last night. Based on what they did, you should easily beat that team at home. What they did in the second half is just alarming. In so many ways.
This is what happens when you can't shoot the basketball. When a team struggles to score or shoot, the only other option is to be great on the defensive end and be mentally tough. The amount of mental toughness it takes to keep defending at a high level when you can't score is incredible. Every trip down the floor that ends in a bad shot or an empty possession can be draining. The first good Pitt teams of the Big East days could win this way because they were experienced and tough. They all developed in the program physically and mentally. It is so hard to do that now with transfers in and out every year.
I know a bunch of people that went to the volleyball game last night. One of my friends told me that she had free access to the IC Light Club at the game due to the volleyball ticket. Now, I don't know if it was a universal thing that was printed on the ticket or just a random selection, etc. But that is pretty much rock bottom. I remember when the volleyball and women's programs would do something similar based on a men's ticket. That is just where things are right now.
At this point, this team basically needs Nate Santos to shoot the three well in order to have a chance against any decent team. When he shoots 1-8, they may not beat anyone. When I say anyone, I mean the rest of the schedule other than like maybe two games. Maybe things change and Horton returns making it a two player thing. But they are just so limited on the offensive end shooting it, that is basically where it is. 2-15 from three is really hard to do. They have had similar performances several times now. 13-60 from three as a team thus far. You would think that is almost impossible to put together a group that struggles so bad collectively. Teams are going to continue to sit tight and pack it in. When Nate shoots it well, it gives them a chance to at least find some spacing and get John involved. Otherwise, just so brutal.
Speaking of John, not sure what that was. His lack of effort on one play in the first half told me all I needed to know. He thought he got fouled and just stared at the official. Okay, you got your point across. But after that, there was zero effort to get back in order to help his team. I thought John would come out motivated and anxious after the Towson game. Last night was very concerning. Vanderbilt is very weak up front and that is the effort he turned in.
The free throw shooting was better and the majority of these kids are playing hard. Just not sure what else there is to even say. We are getting close to this thing getting quite ugly. Momentum is such a critical thing for young kids and programs. They have not been able to establish or build off of anything yet. Obviously only 5 games in, but we are a couple of games away from this thing really getting ugly. And I know this is a bad team that is going to have a rough season. But I am talking about a VERY rough year.
Which brings me to last night. I think we are quickly running out of things to say. We can discuss the same things over and over again, but I am not sure it is worth it. I know how many people care and are upset, but there are only so many ways to analyze this team. Vanderbilt is not that good this year. They have two good scorers that were just okay last night. Based on what they did, you should easily beat that team at home. What they did in the second half is just alarming. In so many ways.
This is what happens when you can't shoot the basketball. When a team struggles to score or shoot, the only other option is to be great on the defensive end and be mentally tough. The amount of mental toughness it takes to keep defending at a high level when you can't score is incredible. Every trip down the floor that ends in a bad shot or an empty possession can be draining. The first good Pitt teams of the Big East days could win this way because they were experienced and tough. They all developed in the program physically and mentally. It is so hard to do that now with transfers in and out every year.
I know a bunch of people that went to the volleyball game last night. One of my friends told me that she had free access to the IC Light Club at the game due to the volleyball ticket. Now, I don't know if it was a universal thing that was printed on the ticket or just a random selection, etc. But that is pretty much rock bottom. I remember when the volleyball and women's programs would do something similar based on a men's ticket. That is just where things are right now.
At this point, this team basically needs Nate Santos to shoot the three well in order to have a chance against any decent team. When he shoots 1-8, they may not beat anyone. When I say anyone, I mean the rest of the schedule other than like maybe two games. Maybe things change and Horton returns making it a two player thing. But they are just so limited on the offensive end shooting it, that is basically where it is. 2-15 from three is really hard to do. They have had similar performances several times now. 13-60 from three as a team thus far. You would think that is almost impossible to put together a group that struggles so bad collectively. Teams are going to continue to sit tight and pack it in. When Nate shoots it well, it gives them a chance to at least find some spacing and get John involved. Otherwise, just so brutal.
Speaking of John, not sure what that was. His lack of effort on one play in the first half told me all I needed to know. He thought he got fouled and just stared at the official. Okay, you got your point across. But after that, there was zero effort to get back in order to help his team. I thought John would come out motivated and anxious after the Towson game. Last night was very concerning. Vanderbilt is very weak up front and that is the effort he turned in.
The free throw shooting was better and the majority of these kids are playing hard. Just not sure what else there is to even say. We are getting close to this thing getting quite ugly. Momentum is such a critical thing for young kids and programs. They have not been able to establish or build off of anything yet. Obviously only 5 games in, but we are a couple of games away from this thing really getting ugly. And I know this is a bad team that is going to have a rough season. But I am talking about a VERY rough year.
