Virginia Game & Other Dribbles ...

[DT_PITT]

** Regardless of how much one may or may not like him personally, it’s nearly impossible not to think of UVA Head Coach Tony Bennett as one of the very best coaches in the College Basketball Business.

** If you are one who likes X’s and O’s and watching a well-executed offense and a disciplined defense, the Cavaliers nearly always offer a tremendous exhibition.

** In the first two minutes of this 9pm contest, we watched Virginia’s mover-blocker offense generate three beautiful buckets. In the same time frame, their pack-line defense pushed the Panthers into rushed shots or turnovers.

** To the Panthers’ credit, they showed some battle for the rest of the first half. But it also seemed as if they just couldn’t execute on Virginia’s level. Virginia switched our screens and prevented the Panthers from getting much from them, often leaving us just trying to go one-on-one where help would almost always arrive.

** Defensively, the Panthers were losing shooters from screens or cuts to layups. All of this adds up to a 10 point halftime deficit, even when it didn’t even look like the Panthers played all that poorly. I even had a few thoughts of leaving this one early because of the very late start.

** But after the Panthers and Cavs traded a few buckets in the first four minutes of the second half, and the lead was pushed to 12, one of the teams ended up looking like the much better coached team. And it really wasn’t even close.

** After Kihei Clark made a layup at the 16:00 mark, the Cavs didn’t score again until Pitt had the lead. And excepting a notorious game against one particular UMBC team, rarely have I seen a UVA team look so incredibly rushed or stymied, mostly through better execution on switching off screens by the Panthers.

** Meanwhile, or their end, the Panthers, most notably Nelly, started going outside and around the UVA double team of our ball screen, effectively leaving the Panthers in 5-4 four situations to attack.

** This was the second half recipe conjured up by Coach Capel. And the great one on the other bench never really offered an answer.

** The result was an absolute blast – a huge win – and the best time the Panther faithful have had at the Pete since the only other time we beat Virginia since we entered the ACC. Either that, or even since the time we bested the Dukies in Dixon’s last year.

** What’s most remarkable about our Panthers, who at the moment are completely tied for first in the ACC, is that they look like a team demonstrating near perfect chemistry. This is not something we can say that we’ve witnessed in Capel’s first four years. We can’t even say we saw any of it in Pitt’s first four games this year. But we can now.

** One of the biggest parts of chemistry is how a team can collectively respond to adversity. We’ve already described how the team responded to first half adversity. But a key moment of the second half showed us something else. After the Panthers finally took a 2 point lead around 10 minutes. After a nice stop, Jamarius got blocked on a fast break that could have pushed the lead to four. Instead, Clark got a toss in bank shot and one, and the Panthers were suddenly back down one.

** At the time, I noted this as a critical potential turning point. But it wasn’t.

** The Panthers came down and Nike drove for his monster slam, and after a Panther steal, Blake executed a corner three and the lead was indeed driven to four.

** But the Panthers work was far from done. This is still Virginia and after the Cavs retook a two point lead, Nelly and Greg executed a cool out of bounds play getting the Panthers two foul shots. And the execution from that point on never stopped, including a couple of gorgeous dishes inside to Fede.

** In the those final minutes, we scored our last 17 points from 6 different players. That’s chemistry.

** In the second half, we never turned the ball over. That’s chemistry too.

** During the second half, we outscored the Cavs 45-29 (if you don’t count the banked in three at the buzzer). That’s chemistry as well. But even more than that, it’s coaching. Not many teams score 45 points in a half against Virginia. And heck, we've even had a couple games against the Cavs when we didn’t even score 45 points in two haves.

** For the first time in a long time, the Panthers look like a well coached team. We have players who understand and are embracing their roles. They are a far cry from the group they were in November. And they are pretty darn good. They are good enough to want to stay up past 1:00am on a school night to write "dribbles."

** At 4 O’clock on Saturday, the Panthers will face the Clemson Tigers, a team that has gotten the best of the Panthers seemingly more than should have since we joined the ACC. Win this one, and we will appear on a large chunk of these early season “bracketologies.” As we should. Because at this time, we certainly have the look of an NCAA Tournament Team. Check that. Instead let's say a “well coached NCAA Tournament Team.”

** My last hope is that more Panther fans will get to the Pete on Saturday. These guys are plenty of fun to watch. Both the players and the coaching staff deserve closer to a full house of support.

 

[PittMan 72]

** Regardless of how much one may or may not like him personally, it’s nearly impossible not to think of UVA Head Coach Tony Bennett as one of the very best coaches in the College Basketball Business.

** If you are one who likes X’s and O’s and watching a well-executed offense and a disciplined defense, the Cavaliers nearly always offer a tremendous exhibition.

** In the first two minutes of this 9pm contest, we watched Virginia’s mover-blocker offense generate three beautiful buckets. In the same time frame, their pack-line defense pushed the Panthers into rushed shots or turnovers.

** To the Panthers’ credit, the showed some battle for the rest of the first half. But it also seemed as if they just couldn’t execute on Virginia’s level. Virginia switched our screens and prevented the Panthers from getting much from them, often leaving us just trying to go one-on-one where help would almost always arrive.

** Defensively, the Panthers were losing shooters from screens or cuts to layups. All of this adds up to a 10 point halftime deficit, even when it didn’t even look like the Panthers played all that poorly. I even had a few thoughts of leaving this one early because of the very late start.

** But after the Panthers and Cavs traded a few buckets in the first four minutes of the second half, and the lead was pushed to 12, one of the teams ended up looking like the much better coached team. And it really wasn’t even close.

** After Kihei Clark made a layup at the 16:00 mark, the Cavs didn’t score again until Pitt had the lead. And excepting a notorious game against one particular UMBC team, rarely have I seen a UVA team look so incredibly rushed or stymied, mostly through better execution on switching off screens.

** Meanwhile, or their end, the Panthers, most notably Nelly, started going outside and around the UVA double team of our ball screen, effectively leaving the Panthers in a 5-4 four situations to attack.

** This was the second half recipe conjured up by Coach Capel. And the great one on the other bench never really offered an answer.

** The result was an absolute blast – a huge win – and the best time the Panther faithful have had at the Pete since the only other time we beat Virginia since we entered the ACC. Either that, or even since the time we bested the Dukies in Dixon’s last year.

** What’s most remarkable about our Panthers, who at the moment are completely tied for first in the ACC, is that they look like a team demonstrating near perfect chemistry. This is not something we can say that we’ve witnessed in Capel’s first four years. We can’t even say we saw any of it in Pitt’s first four games this year. But we can now.

** One of the biggest parts of chemistry is how a team can collectively respond to adversity. We’ve already described how the team responded to first half adversity. But a key moment of the second half showed us something else. After the Panthers finally took a 2 point lead around 10 minutes. After a nice stop, Jamarius got blocked on a fast break that could have pushed the lead to four. Instead, Clark git a toss in bank shot and one, and the Panthers were suddenly back down one.

** At the time, I noted this as a critical potential turning point. But it wasn’t.

** The Panthers came down and Nike drove for his monster slam, and after a Panther steal, Blake executed a corner three and the lead was indeed driven to four.

** But the Panthers work was far from done. This is still Virginia and after the Cavs retook a two point lead, Nelly and Greg executed a cool out of bounds play getting the Panthers two foul shots. And the execution from that point on never stopped.

** In the those final minutes, we scored 13 points from 6 different players. That’s chemistry.

** In the second half, we never turned the ball over. That’s chemistry too.

** During the second half, we outscored the Cavs 45-29 (if you don’t count the banked in three at the buzzer). That’s chemistry as well. But even more than that, it’s coaching. Not many teams score 45 points against Virginia. And heck, we even had a couple games when we didn’t score 45 points in two haves.

** For the first time in a long time, the Panthers look like a well coached team. We have players who understand and are embracing their roles. They are a far cry from the group they were in November. And they are pretty darn good.

** At 4 O’clock on Saturday, the Panthers will face the Clemson Tigers, a team that has gotten the best of the Panthers seemingly more than should have since we joined the ACC. Win this one, and we will appear on a large chunk of these early season “bracketologies.” As we should. Because at this time, we certainly have the look of an NCAA Tournament Team. Check that. Instead I’ll say a “well coached NCAA Tournament Team.”

** My last hope is that more Panther fans will get to the Pete on Saturday. These guys are plenty of fun to watch. Both the players and the coaching staff deserve closer to a full house of support.

Is it my imagination, or did Pitt have ZERO turnovers in the 2H. They finished with 8 for the game and I think they had 8 at the half?

But WOW, what a 2nd half clinic by the Panthers vs a team that is typically so consistent and precise in how they run their O and play D.

Thought Fede and Nelly, in particular, were brilliant in the 2H. And Nike, again, was a big time catalyst.

 

[4Mark_Marty]

You’re the best DT. I’ll be there Saturday. Loving this.

 

[DT_PITT]

Is it my imagination, or did Pitt have ZERO turnovers in the 2H. They finished with 8 for the game and I think they had 8 at the half?

But WOW, what a 2nd half clinic by the Panthers vs a team that is typically so consistent and precise in how they run their O and play D.

Thought Fede and Nelly, in particular, were brilliant in the 2H. And Nike, again, was a big time catalyst.

Yep -- as I noted, zero turnovers in the second half. To me, the overall emergence of Fede is the difference between the Panthers who lost to VCU and the Panthers now.

 

[Drew1208]

Fantastic Dribbles DT.
This has been a blast so far.

 

[Bethlehemjohn]

** Regardless of how much one may or may not like him personally, it’s nearly impossible not to think of UVA Head Coach Tony Bennett as one of the very best coaches in the College Basketball Business.

** If you are one who likes X’s and O’s and watching a well-executed offense and a disciplined defense, the Cavaliers nearly always offer a tremendous exhibition.

** In the first two minutes of this 9pm contest, we watched Virginia’s mover-blocker offense generate three beautiful buckets. In the same time frame, their pack-line defense pushed the Panthers into rushed shots or turnovers.

** To the Panthers’ credit, they showed some battle for the rest of the first half. But it also seemed as if they just couldn’t execute on Virginia’s level. Virginia switched our screens and prevented the Panthers from getting much from them, often leaving us just trying to go one-on-one where help would almost always arrive.

** Defensively, the Panthers were losing shooters from screens or cuts to layups. All of this adds up to a 10 point halftime deficit, even when it didn’t even look like the Panthers played all that poorly. I even had a few thoughts of leaving this one early because of the very late start.

** But after the Panthers and Cavs traded a few buckets in the first four minutes of the second half, and the lead was pushed to 12, one of the teams ended up looking like the much better coached team. And it really wasn’t even close.

** After Kihei Clark made a layup at the 16:00 mark, the Cavs didn’t score again until Pitt had the lead. And excepting a notorious game against one particular UMBC team, rarely have I seen a UVA team look so incredibly rushed or stymied, mostly through better execution on switching off screens by the Panthers.

** Meanwhile, or their end, the Panthers, most notably Nelly, started going outside and around the UVA double team of our ball screen, effectively leaving the Panthers in a 5-4 four situations to attack.

** This was the second half recipe conjured up by Coach Capel. And the great one on the other bench never really offered an answer.

** The result was an absolute blast – a huge win – and the best time the Panther faithful have had at the Pete since the only other time we beat Virginia since we entered the ACC. Either that, or even since the time we bested the Dukies in Dixon’s last year.

** What’s most remarkable about our Panthers, who at the moment are completely tied for first in the ACC, is that they look like a team demonstrating near perfect chemistry. This is not something we can say that we’ve witnessed in Capel’s first four years. We can’t even say we saw any of it in Pitt’s first four games this year. But we can now.

** One of the biggest parts of chemistry is how a team can collectively respond to adversity. We’ve already described how the team responded to first half adversity. But a key moment of the second half showed us something else. After the Panthers finally took a 2 point lead around 10 minutes. After a nice stop, Jamarius got blocked on a fast break that could have pushed the lead to four. Instead, Clark git a toss in bank shot and one, and the Panthers were suddenly back down one.

** At the time, I noted this as a critical potential turning point. But it wasn’t.

** The Panthers came down and Nike drove for his monster slam, and after a Panther steal, Blake executed a corner three and the lead was indeed driven to four.

** But the Panthers work was far from done. This is still Virginia and after the Cavs retook a two point lead, Nelly and Greg executed a cool out of bounds play getting the Panthers two foul shots. And the execution from that point on never stopped, including a couple of gorgeous dishes inside to Fede.

** In the those final minutes, we scored 13 points from 6 different players. That’s chemistry.

** In the second half, we never turned the ball over. That’s chemistry too.

** During the second half, we outscored the Cavs 45-29 (if you don’t count the banked in three at the buzzer). That’s chemistry as well. But even more than that, it’s coaching. Not many teams score 45 points against Virginia. And heck, we've even had a couple games against the Cavs when we didn’t even score 45 points in two haves.

** For the first time in a long time, the Panthers look like a well coached team. We have players who understand and are embracing their roles. They are a far cry from the group they were in November. And they are pretty darn good. They are good enough to want to stay up past 1:00am on a school night to write "dribbles."

** At 4 O’clock on Saturday, the Panthers will face the Clemson Tigers, a team that has gotten the best of the Panthers seemingly more than should have since we joined the ACC. Win this one, and we will appear on a large chunk of these early season “bracketologies.” As we should. Because at this time, we certainly have the look of an NCAA Tournament Team. Check that. Instead let's say a “well coached NCAA Tournament Team.”

** My last hope is that more Panther fans will get to the Pete on Saturday. These guys are plenty of fun to watch. Both the players and the coaching staff deserve closer to a full house of support.

Good stuff, DT.

Can’t wait till Sat. How about a Fuel and Fuddle get together?

 

[DT_PITT]

Good stuff, DT.

Can’t wait till Sat. How about a Fuel and Fuddle get together?

I will certainly be there! Maybe 2:30?

 

[Fk_Pitt]

** Regardless of how much one may or may not like him personally, it’s nearly impossible not to think of UVA Head Coach Tony Bennett as one of the very best coaches in the College Basketball Business.

** If you are one who likes X’s and O’s and watching a well-executed offense and a disciplined defense, the Cavaliers nearly always offer a tremendous exhibition.

** In the first two minutes of this 9pm contest, we watched Virginia’s mover-blocker offense generate three beautiful buckets. In the same time frame, their pack-line defense pushed the Panthers into rushed shots or turnovers.

** To the Panthers’ credit, they showed some battle for the rest of the first half. But it also seemed as if they just couldn’t execute on Virginia’s level. Virginia switched our screens and prevented the Panthers from getting much from them, often leaving us just trying to go one-on-one where help would almost always arrive.

** Defensively, the Panthers were losing shooters from screens or cuts to layups. All of this adds up to a 10 point halftime deficit, even when it didn’t even look like the Panthers played all that poorly. I even had a few thoughts of leaving this one early because of the very late start.

** But after the Panthers and Cavs traded a few buckets in the first four minutes of the second half, and the lead was pushed to 12, one of the teams ended up looking like the much better coached team. And it really wasn’t even close.

** After Kihei Clark made a layup at the 16:00 mark, the Cavs didn’t score again until Pitt had the lead. And excepting a notorious game against one particular UMBC team, rarely have I seen a UVA team look so incredibly rushed or stymied, mostly through better execution on switching off screens by the Panthers.

** Meanwhile, or their end, the Panthers, most notably Nelly, started going outside and around the UVA double team of our ball screen, effectively leaving the Panthers in a 5-4 four situations to attack.

** This was the second half recipe conjured up by Coach Capel. And the great one on the other bench never really offered an answer.

** The result was an absolute blast – a huge win – and the best time the Panther faithful have had at the Pete since the only other time we beat Virginia since we entered the ACC. Either that, or even since the time we bested the Dukies in Dixon’s last year.

** What’s most remarkable about our Panthers, who at the moment are completely tied for first in the ACC, is that they look like a team demonstrating near perfect chemistry. This is not something we can say that we’ve witnessed in Capel’s first four years. We can’t even say we saw any of it in Pitt’s first four games this year. But we can now.

** One of the biggest parts of chemistry is how a team can collectively respond to adversity. We’ve already described how the team responded to first half adversity. But a key moment of the second half showed us something else. After the Panthers finally took a 2 point lead around 10 minutes. After a nice stop, Jamarius got blocked on a fast break that could have pushed the lead to four. Instead, Clark git a toss in bank shot and one, and the Panthers were suddenly back down one.

** At the time, I noted this as a critical potential turning point. But it wasn’t.

** The Panthers came down and Nike drove for his monster slam, and after a Panther steal, Blake executed a corner three and the lead was indeed driven to four.

** But the Panthers work was far from done. This is still Virginia and after the Cavs retook a two point lead, Nelly and Greg executed a cool out of bounds play getting the Panthers two foul shots. And the execution from that point on never stopped, including a couple of gorgeous dishes inside to Fede.

** In the those final minutes, we scored 13 points from 6 different players. That’s chemistry.

** In the second half, we never turned the ball over. That’s chemistry too.

** During the second half, we outscored the Cavs 45-29 (if you don’t count the banked in three at the buzzer). That’s chemistry as well. But even more than that, it’s coaching. Not many teams score 45 points against Virginia. And heck, we've even had a couple games against the Cavs when we didn’t even score 45 points in two haves.

** For the first time in a long time, the Panthers look like a well coached team. We have players who understand and are embracing their roles. They are a far cry from the group they were in November. And they are pretty darn good. They are good enough to want to stay up past 1:00am on a school night to write "dribbles."

** At 4 O’clock on Saturday, the Panthers will face the Clemson Tigers, a team that has gotten the best of the Panthers seemingly more than should have since we joined the ACC. Win this one, and we will appear on a large chunk of these early season “bracketologies.” As we should. Because at this time, we certainly have the look of an NCAA Tournament Team. Check that. Instead let's say a “well coached NCAA Tournament Team.”

** My last hope is that more Panther fans will get to the Pete on Saturday. These guys are plenty of fun to watch. Both the players and the coaching staff deserve closer to a full house of support.

Good stuff, but I have to ask, how can anyone not like Tony Bennett? He’s one of the classiest coaches I’ve seen in the game, and he’s built his program in a similar way that made us great for a ten year period. They’ve been in many ways the standard bearer in the ACC, doing it the right way, just as we did in the a big East. He’s easy to root for.

 

[DT_PITT]

Good stuff, but I have to ask, how can anyone not like Tony Bennett? He’s one of the classiest coaches I’ve seen in the game, and he’s built his program in a similar way that made us great for a ten year period. They’ve been in many ways the standard bearer in the ACC, doing it the right way, just as we did in the a big East. He’s easy to root for.

I'm guessing most like him but a few think he's a tiny bit smug and/or sanctimonious. But that wasn't really the point. He's a great coach for sure.

 

[PittPoker]

Yep -- as I noted, zero turnovers in the second half. To me, the overall emergence of Fede is the difference between the Panthers who lost to VCU and the Panthers now.

One thing I really like about Fede is he lets the offense come to him. He's not screaming for the ball every possession and trying to make every offensive possession run through him. He's patient and puts himself in good position more often than not to make some easy bunnies. He's been very impressive, I think the second half of this Virginia game he looked like a veteran big man we've had for 4 years. Passing and scoring.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

I'm guessing most like him but a few think he's a tiny bit smug and/or sanctimonious. But that wasn't really the point. He's a great coach for sure.

Ok. If anyone reading this post thinks he’s smug, they should watch his post game presser. It was great. He’s not Boeheim or Calhoun. Lol.

 

[DT_PITT]

One thing I really like about Fede is he lets the offense come to him. He's not screaming for the ball every possession and trying to make every offensive position run through him. He's patient and puts himself in good position more often than not to make some easy bunnies. He's been very impressive, I think the second half of this Virginia game he looked like a veteran big man we've had for 4 years. Passing and scoring.

It seems strange to say this but it almost "feels" as if he likes setting screens.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

One thing I really like about Fede is he lets the offense come to him. He's not screaming for the ball every possession and trying to make every offensive position run through him. He's patient and puts himself in good position more often than not to make some easy bunnies. He's been very impressive, I think the second half of this Virginia game he looked like a veteran big man we've had for 4 years. Passing and scoring.

Yeah his ability to find the cutter is cool to see. And he’s just getting started here. Can’t wait to see his career progress.

 

[PittPoker]

Here's what Tony Bennett had to say after the game. Wasn't happy.

 

[Drew1208]

The one thing that's really different is the defense.
Lol what the hell happened.
This team was so bad defensively earlier in the year.
But I got to give to the team and coaches. Everything is better in that department. Their team D looks pretty legit and we always now seem to have a good defensive gameplan

 

[Pitt2006]

But disciplined as well in the second half with minimal fouls. It was pointed out Cavs great at line but Pitt really did not put them there. Really hope the crowd returns Saturday afternoon with no real competing sports or events going on.

 

[Duneaux Harm]

** Regardless of how much one may or may not like him personally, it’s nearly impossible not to think of UVA Head Coach Tony Bennett as one of the very best coaches in the College Basketball Business.

** If you are one who likes X’s and O’s and watching a well-executed offense and a disciplined defense, the Cavaliers nearly always offer a tremendous exhibition.

** In the first two minutes of this 9pm contest, we watched Virginia’s mover-blocker offense generate three beautiful buckets. In the same time frame, their pack-line defense pushed the Panthers into rushed shots or turnovers.

** To the Panthers’ credit, they showed some battle for the rest of the first half. But it also seemed as if they just couldn’t execute on Virginia’s level. Virginia switched our screens and prevented the Panthers from getting much from them, often leaving us just trying to go one-on-one where help would almost always arrive.

** Defensively, the Panthers were losing shooters from screens or cuts to layups. All of this adds up to a 10 point halftime deficit, even when it didn’t even look like the Panthers played all that poorly. I even had a few thoughts of leaving this one early because of the very late start.

** But after the Panthers and Cavs traded a few buckets in the first four minutes of the second half, and the lead was pushed to 12, one of the teams ended up looking like the much better coached team. And it really wasn’t even close.

** After Kihei Clark made a layup at the 16:00 mark, the Cavs didn’t score again until Pitt had the lead. And excepting a notorious game against one particular UMBC team, rarely have I seen a UVA team look so incredibly rushed or stymied, mostly through better execution on switching off screens by the Panthers.

** Meanwhile, or their end, the Panthers, most notably Nelly, started going outside and around the UVA double team of our ball screen, effectively leaving the Panthers in 5-4 four situations to attack.

** This was the second half recipe conjured up by Coach Capel. And the great one on the other bench never really offered an answer.

** The result was an absolute blast – a huge win – and the best time the Panther faithful have had at the Pete since the only other time we beat Virginia since we entered the ACC. Either that, or even since the time we bested the Dukies in Dixon’s last year.

** What’s most remarkable about our Panthers, who at the moment are completely tied for first in the ACC, is that they look like a team demonstrating near perfect chemistry. This is not something we can say that we’ve witnessed in Capel’s first four years. We can’t even say we saw any of it in Pitt’s first four games this year. But we can now.

** One of the biggest parts of chemistry is how a team can collectively respond to adversity. We’ve already described how the team responded to first half adversity. But a key moment of the second half showed us something else. After the Panthers finally took a 2 point lead around 10 minutes. After a nice stop, Jamarius got blocked on a fast break that could have pushed the lead to four. Instead, Clark git a toss in bank shot and one, and the Panthers were suddenly back down one.

** At the time, I noted this as a critical potential turning point. But it wasn’t.

** The Panthers came down and Nike drove for his monster slam, and after a Panther steal, Blake executed a corner three and the lead was indeed driven to four.

** But the Panthers work was far from done. This is still Virginia and after the Cavs retook a two point lead, Nelly and Greg executed a cool out of bounds play getting the Panthers two foul shots. And the execution from that point on never stopped, including a couple of gorgeous dishes inside to Fede.

** In the those final minutes, we scored 13 points from 6 different players. That’s chemistry.

** In the second half, we never turned the ball over. That’s chemistry too.

** During the second half, we outscored the Cavs 45-29 (if you don’t count the banked in three at the buzzer). That’s chemistry as well. But even more than that, it’s coaching. Not many teams score 45 points against Virginia. And heck, we've even had a couple games against the Cavs when we didn’t even score 45 points in two haves.

** For the first time in a long time, the Panthers look like a well coached team. We have players who understand and are embracing their roles. They are a far cry from the group they were in November. And they are pretty darn good. They are good enough to want to stay up past 1:00am on a school night to write "dribbles."

** At 4 O’clock on Saturday, the Panthers will face the Clemson Tigers, a team that has gotten the best of the Panthers seemingly more than should have since we joined the ACC. Win this one, and we will appear on a large chunk of these early season “bracketologies.” As we should. Because at this time, we certainly have the look of an NCAA Tournament Team. Check that. Instead let's say a “well coached NCAA Tournament Team.”

** My last hope is that more Panther fans will get to the Pete on Saturday. These guys are plenty of fun to watch. Both the players and the coaching staff deserve closer to a full house of support.

Completely forgot about the game last night because one of my ESPN notices gave me the impression the game was Wednesday. So I turned it on with less than a minute to go and needing to inbound the ball under pressure.

The things that shone through was how much this team has no fear of their situation and just works to accomplish the task. How well our best guys shoot free throws. And how pitiful the crowd size was for okaying number 11.

 

[sonofabit]

I’m just glad Teddy didn’t find it in his head to be bigger than this game. Refreshing. Haven’t heard much from him lately. Lol.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

** Regardless of how much one may or may not like him personally, it’s nearly impossible not to think of UVA Head Coach Tony Bennett as one of the very best coaches in the College Basketball Business.

** If you are one who likes X’s and O’s and watching a well-executed offense and a disciplined defense, the Cavaliers nearly always offer a tremendous exhibition.

** In the first two minutes of this 9pm contest, we watched Virginia’s mover-blocker offense generate three beautiful buckets. In the same time frame, their pack-line defense pushed the Panthers into rushed shots or turnovers.

** To the Panthers’ credit, they showed some battle for the rest of the first half. But it also seemed as if they just couldn’t execute on Virginia’s level. Virginia switched our screens and prevented the Panthers from getting much from them, often leaving us just trying to go one-on-one where help would almost always arrive.

** Defensively, the Panthers were losing shooters from screens or cuts to layups. All of this adds up to a 10 point halftime deficit, even when it didn’t even look like the Panthers played all that poorly. I even had a few thoughts of leaving this one early because of the very late start.

** But after the Panthers and Cavs traded a few buckets in the first four minutes of the second half, and the lead was pushed to 12, one of the teams ended up looking like the much better coached team. And it really wasn’t even close.

** After Kihei Clark made a layup at the 16:00 mark, the Cavs didn’t score again until Pitt had the lead. And excepting a notorious game against one particular UMBC team, rarely have I seen a UVA team look so incredibly rushed or stymied, mostly through better execution on switching off screens by the Panthers.

** Meanwhile, or their end, the Panthers, most notably Nelly, started going outside and around the UVA double team of our ball screen, effectively leaving the Panthers in 5-4 four situations to attack.

** This was the second half recipe conjured up by Coach Capel. And the great one on the other bench never really offered an answer.

** The result was an absolute blast – a huge win – and the best time the Panther faithful have had at the Pete since the only other time we beat Virginia since we entered the ACC. Either that, or even since the time we bested the Dukies in Dixon’s last year.

** What’s most remarkable about our Panthers, who at the moment are completely tied for first in the ACC, is that they look like a team demonstrating near perfect chemistry. This is not something we can say that we’ve witnessed in Capel’s first four years. We can’t even say we saw any of it in Pitt’s first four games this year. But we can now.

** One of the biggest parts of chemistry is how a team can collectively respond to adversity. We’ve already described how the team responded to first half adversity. But a key moment of the second half showed us something else. After the Panthers finally took a 2 point lead around 10 minutes. After a nice stop, Jamarius got blocked on a fast break that could have pushed the lead to four. Instead, Clark git a toss in bank shot and one, and the Panthers were suddenly back down one.

** At the time, I noted this as a critical potential turning point. But it wasn’t.

** The Panthers came down and Nike drove for his monster slam, and after a Panther steal, Blake executed a corner three and the lead was indeed driven to four.

** But the Panthers work was far from done. This is still Virginia and after the Cavs retook a two point lead, Nelly and Greg executed a cool out of bounds play getting the Panthers two foul shots. And the execution from that point on never stopped, including a couple of gorgeous dishes inside to Fede.

** In the those final minutes, we scored 13 points from 6 different players. That’s chemistry.

** In the second half, we never turned the ball over. That’s chemistry too.

** During the second half, we outscored the Cavs 45-29 (if you don’t count the banked in three at the buzzer). That’s chemistry as well. But even more than that, it’s coaching. Not many teams score 45 points in a half against Virginia. And heck, we've even had a couple games against the Cavs when we didn’t even score 45 points in two haves.

** For the first time in a long time, the Panthers look like a well coached team. We have players who understand and are embracing their roles. They are a far cry from the group they were in November. And they are pretty darn good. They are good enough to want to stay up past 1:00am on a school night to write "dribbles."

** At 4 O’clock on Saturday, the Panthers will face the Clemson Tigers, a team that has gotten the best of the Panthers seemingly more than should have since we joined the ACC. Win this one, and we will appear on a large chunk of these early season “bracketologies.” As we should. Because at this time, we certainly have the look of an NCAA Tournament Team. Check that. Instead let's say a “well coached NCAA Tournament Team.”

** My last hope is that more Panther fans will get to the Pete on Saturday. These guys are plenty of fun to watch. Both the players and the coaching staff deserve closer to a full house of support.

TB is also one of the classiest individuals in college hoops. Hard not to root for them when not playing Pitt.

 

[PittAU]

Is it my imagination, or did Pitt have ZERO turnovers in the 2H. They finished with 8 for the game and I think they had 8 at the half?

But WOW, what a 2nd half clinic by the Panthers vs a team that is typically so consistent and precise in how they run their O and play D.

Thought Fede and Nelly, in particular, were brilliant in the 2H. And Nike, again, was a big time catalyst.

That’s what we were talking about during the game as well. I don’t ever remember a Pitt team, or any team for that matter, not having a turnover in a half.

One other thing, was that Dior Johnson sitting on the bench last night?

 

[Ski11585]

That’s what we were talking about during the game as well. I don’t ever remember a Pitt team, or any team for that matter, not having a turnover in a half.

One other thing, was that Dior Johnson sitting on the bench last night?

Yup. And for what it’s worth he seems really engaged with the team.

 

[Protes]

Here's what Tony Bennett had to say after the game. Wasn't happy.

View embedded media

Interesting comments about Capel toward the end.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

What a contrast between the two halves , the first half Pitt looked outclassed by a far better team . The opening minutes by the Cavs were
flawless and Pitt struggled the whole half shooting the ball . Against a team like Virginia you can't continuously miss your open looks . The second half should end all speculation that this staff can't coach nor will there be a meltdown going down the stretch . This team has heart and grit and a coach whose getting the most out of his team .

Not sure I like Elliot as the inbounder , that's two games in a row they struggled to get the ball in play . I know they practice this , but maybe spend a few more minutes on it !

Great win , shame there wasn't more fans there , but this is what happens when you've had so many poor seasons in a row and a late start . 9pm is fine for tv , but it's tough on spectators.

4 -0 who'd have thought ......no one !

 

[PittPharm2002]

The one thing that's really different is the defense.
Lol what the hell happened.
This team was so bad defensively earlier in the year.
But I got to give to the team and coaches. Everything is better in that department. Their team D looks pretty legit and we always now seem to have a good defensive gameplan

Fede’s mobility and activity makes the team defense a helluva lot better .

And I’ll just leave it at that

 

[DT_PITT]

What a contrast between the two halves , the first half Pitt looked outclassed by a far better team . The opening minutes by the Cavs were
flawless and Pitt struggled the whole half shooting the ball . Against a team like Virginia you can't continuously miss your open looks . The second half should end all speculation that this staff can't coach nor will there be a meltdown going down the stretch . This team has heart and grit and a coach whose getting the most out of his team .

Not sure I like Elliot as the inbounder , that's two games in a row they struggled to get the ball in play . I know they practice this , but maybe spend a few more minutes on it !

Great win , shame there wasn't more fans there , but this is what happens when you've had so many poor seasons in a row and a late start . 9pm is fine for tv , but it's tough on spectators.

4 -0 who'd have thought ......no one !

In Elliott's defense, both of those final inbounds were difficult -- near the corner of the baseline, unable to move. Additionally, I'm not sure I like what we are running. He really didn't have any easy targets to throw to.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

This is fun. I think the way we are playing is sustainable. It seemed to be over the past 6 years, the few times we rose up and "bit" a ranked team, it is because we shot lights out. We all know that is not sustainable. It is when your defense, protecting the ball, making good shots, hitting free throws down the stretch, those are sustainable, "winning" habits.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

In Elliott's defense, both of those final inbounds were difficult -- near the corner of the baseline, unable to move. Additionally, I'm not sure I like what we are running. He really didn't have any easy targets to throw to.

It's like blaming the qb when no one's open , but whatever the reasons are they need to do something different, it's going to cost them somewhere down the line .

 

[DT_PITT]

I’m just glad Teddy didn’t find it in his head to be bigger than this game. Refreshing. Haven’t heard much from him lately. Lol.

I'm one who thinks Teddy is an excellent ref. And he's cooled down his act a bit. A fun moment happened in the second half, when Teddy called a (pretty clear) foul on Blake. As Ted started going to the table to announce the foul, Blake came over to him seemingly to complain and argue a bit. Ted simply stopped and crossed his arms forcefully. Blake got the message and retreated quickly and then Ted proceeded to announce the foul to the table.

A little while later, Ted reengaged Blake and they had what looked like a short agreeable conversation. But a younger Teddy might have escalated the situation. Instead, he gave it a perfect end, because players simply cannot go over to refs to complain about calls in the way that Blake started to.

 

[PittMan 72]

Yep -- as I noted, zero turnovers in the second half. To me, the overall emergence of Fede is the difference between the Panthers who lost to VCU and the Panthers now.

For sure, Fede has blossomed. So has Nelly. 15 assists and just 1 turnover combined in the last 2 games vs UNC & UVA.

Nike tonight was electric. 16 points and tremendous energy.

LOVED the composure and poise from the FT line to close out the game. 15-17 for the game. Outstanding!

Some excellent adjustments by the staff to help generate that 45 point 2H explosion. And great execution by the players.

Everybody doing their part. Right now the team is more than the sum of their parts.

 

[4Mark_Marty]

What a contrast between the two halves , the first half Pitt looked outclassed by a far better team . The opening minutes by the Cavs were
flawless and Pitt struggled the whole half shooting the ball . Against a team like Virginia you can't continuously miss your open looks . The second half should end all speculation that this staff can't coach nor will there be a meltdown going down the stretch . This team has heart and grit and a coach whose getting the most out of his team .

Not sure I like Elliot as the inbounder , that's two games in a row they struggled to get the ball in play . I know they practice this , but maybe spend a few more minutes on it !

Great win , shame there wasn't more fans there , but this is what happens when you've had so many poor seasons in a row and a late start . 9pm is fine for tv , but it's tough on spectators.

4 -0 who'd have thought ......no one !

I was at the game. I got an hour sleep. Couldn't fall asleep til 5am.

 

[4Mark_Marty]

I'm one who thinks Teddy is an excellent ref. And he's cooled down his act a bit. A fun moment happened in the second half, when Teddy called a (pretty clear) foul on Blake. As Ted started going to the table to announce the foul, Blake came over to him seemingly to complain and argue a bit. Ted simply stopped and crossed his arms forcefully. Blake got the message and retreated quickly and then Ted proceeded to announce the foul to the table.

A little while later, Ted reengaged Blake and they had what looked like a short agreeable conversation. But a younger Teddy might have escalated the situation. Instead, he gave it a perfect end, because players simply cannot go over to refs to complain about calls in the way that Blake started to.

I'm gonna use that crossing the arms move Friday night!!!

 

[Fsgolfdr]

I'm gonna use that crossing the arms move Friday night!!!

Better yet try it with the wife or significant other one !

 

[PittIsIt1995]

The one thing that's really different is the defense.
Lol what the hell happened.
This team was so bad defensively earlier in the year.
But I got to give to the team and coaches. Everything is better in that department. Their team D looks pretty legit and we always now seem to have a good defensive gameplan

Mainly due to Fede taking over the middle role. Good rim protector and active on the hedge defense

 

[JS School]

This is fun. I think the way we are playing is sustainable. It seemed to be over the past 6 years, the few times we rose up and "bit" a ranked team, it is because we shot lights out. We all know that is not sustainable. It is when your defense, protecting the ball, making good shots, hitting free throws down the stretch, those are sustainable, "winning" habits.

It's nice to see them winning in a variety of ways. Hot 3 point shooting or good defense. Riding a guy with a hot hand or with balanced scoring. Even coming from behind or managing to hold on after building a lead.

 

[FrogmoreZeke]

In Elliott's defense, both of those final inbounds were difficult -- near the corner of the baseline, unable to move. Additionally, I'm not sure I like what we are running. He really didn't have any easy targets to throw to.

Inbounding against the press has been an issue. Guys aren't getting open and when they do it's on the sideline or in the corner. UVA did us a fav last night fouling right away w about 25 seconds left. I thought if they had waited, they had, I believe Neely trapped. Hope the coaches look at setting a screen or something. Also, I believe we hit 6 straight free throws at the end. Needed all of them.

 

[JS School]

Great win , shame there wasn't more fans there , but this is what happens when you've had so many poor seasons in a row and a late start . 9pm is fine for tv , but it's tough on spectators.

Seemed like about 7000 in attendance. I thought it wasn't bad for a 9 pm weeknight before classes resumed. Second half energy was great, I thought the first half may have felt a little subdued due to the moment of silence for UVA football players and tribute to Damar. Great to hear the students chanting Let's Go Pitt walking out after the game. Really felt like the enthusiasm was back overall rather than just the high of an upset.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Seemed like about 7000 in attendance. I thought it wasn't bad for a 9 pm weeknight before classes resumed. Second half energy was great, I thought the first half may have felt a little subdued due to the moment of silence for UVA football players and tribute to Damar. Great to hear the students chanting Let's Go Pitt walking out after the game. Really felt like the enthusiasm was back overall rather than just the high of an upset.

Almost all the best sporting event experiences I have been to have been Pitt bb games . While the Pete can rock there was nothing like the environment in the Field House with Tiger Paul running up and down the court driving the crowd into a frenzy.

 

[DT_PITT]

Seemed like about 7000 in attendance. I thought it wasn't bad for a 9 pm weeknight before classes resumed. Second half energy was great, I thought the first half may have felt a little subdued due to the moment of silence for UVA football players and tribute to Damar. Great to hear the students chanting Let's Go Pitt walking out after the game. Really felt like the enthusiasm was back overall rather than just the high of an upset.

My guestimate was more along the lines of 4-5 thousand.

 

[Bethlehemjohn]

The one thing that's really different is the defense.
Lol what the hell happened.
This team was so bad defensively earlier in the year.
But I got to give to the team and coaches. Everything is better in that department. Their team D looks pretty legit and we always now seem to have a good defensive gameplan

All about communication and help D.

 

[JS School]

My guestimate was more along the lines of 4-5 thousand.

I just checked the box score, attendance was listed as 6464. Which means 4000 is probably correct.

I'm probably getting used to looking at the crowd then guessing what figure they are going to come up with.