Have no idea what to make of this team. Still can't figure them out. When they defend like they did in the last ~15 minutes last night, they can beat anyone in the league. Defense is supposed to be the one staple and it should travel. The shooting is going to come and go, but the defense should be the constant. Can't remember a team that can just turn it on like that. That is two consecutive games where they got down double digits and came back. That is not a recipe to continue. They deserve a lot of credit for last night, but that is not sustainable. Thought they found themselves after the Duke game. They discussed the defense and physicality, mental toughness. It has to be there.
It was a tough start for Ish, but then he was basically perfect after that. Kudos. He has played through some personal adversity and has come through. Best he has looked shooting the ball. Maybe he is through the shoulder issue. This is who Pitt needs him to be.
Vintage Bub last night. At this point, he is just not a creating point guard. He is at his best now as just a playmaker. His pull up midrange game is deadly because of his size and elevation. It is also a quick release. He has found that he can get that shot at any point over anyone. It is his sweet spot essentially. Impressive response from him and I thought he was really good.
Blake was also good. I've noticed in recent weeks that he has been much more patient. He seems to have intentionally taken a step back to an extent, allowing others to step up. Seems calculated to me. His drives were so much better last night. All under control and strong. I've never been a fan of his game off the dribble, but he used it to perfection last night. And of course the timely threes. Thought Forbes had a nice plan using Hildreth on Blake to start. When teams have done this, Blake seems to basically just stand out of the way as if it was a box and one. Not sure I understand the approach, but it has ended up loosening up.
Will deserves a lot of credit defensively. He did a great job and has gotten so much stronger. Somehow, his base is now about as strong as it gets for this team. Reid could not move him at all. On the flip side, it is just so depressing to see your center make Efton Reid look like prime Hakeem Olajuwon. Let's just not even think about that I guess. Will is exactly what they needed and he made the difference. Despite the size advantage, Wake didn't even try to post Efton. The officials let them bang and Will did just that and then some. It flipped the game and credit to Capel for going there and not to Guillermo. Neither had any chance last night. Which is another discussion. Props to Will for stepping up and being so versatile. That slip screen basically ended the game and how sweet it was. You could feel the emotion from him through the TV. Such a release. Props to Milan for drawing that one up.
Jaland really struggled based on his recent standard, so it was nice to see them win despite that. Not worried about him at all. Thought he got banged a bit last night and just didn't get any favorable whistles. Even when Jaland isn't shooting well, he is always in motion and his drives create offensive rebounding opportunities because he draws attention and takes good shots.
This team has a chance to make a run now. Winnable game at home next now. The key is that they have to defend for 40 minutes. Or at least something closer to 40. If they do that, they can make the tournament. Problem is, the margin for error is gone. They really have to get after it now. But what team in this league scares you? For me, the answer is zero. I would say Duke fully healthy but that is about it. Not saying this team is going to run the table or anything, but they are good enough to make a run and to make it interesting. That is the talent. Had they defended like this consistently, they would be at least 2 or so games better.
One of the perceived strengths of this team heading into the season was their size. Funny enough, seems like it is the complete opposite now. They look the best with the three guard lineup, and maybe even a 6'7 wing defending the center spot.
It was a tough start for Ish, but then he was basically perfect after that. Kudos. He has played through some personal adversity and has come through. Best he has looked shooting the ball. Maybe he is through the shoulder issue. This is who Pitt needs him to be.
Vintage Bub last night. At this point, he is just not a creating point guard. He is at his best now as just a playmaker. His pull up midrange game is deadly because of his size and elevation. It is also a quick release. He has found that he can get that shot at any point over anyone. It is his sweet spot essentially. Impressive response from him and I thought he was really good.
Blake was also good. I've noticed in recent weeks that he has been much more patient. He seems to have intentionally taken a step back to an extent, allowing others to step up. Seems calculated to me. His drives were so much better last night. All under control and strong. I've never been a fan of his game off the dribble, but he used it to perfection last night. And of course the timely threes. Thought Forbes had a nice plan using Hildreth on Blake to start. When teams have done this, Blake seems to basically just stand out of the way as if it was a box and one. Not sure I understand the approach, but it has ended up loosening up.
Will deserves a lot of credit defensively. He did a great job and has gotten so much stronger. Somehow, his base is now about as strong as it gets for this team. Reid could not move him at all. On the flip side, it is just so depressing to see your center make Efton Reid look like prime Hakeem Olajuwon. Let's just not even think about that I guess. Will is exactly what they needed and he made the difference. Despite the size advantage, Wake didn't even try to post Efton. The officials let them bang and Will did just that and then some. It flipped the game and credit to Capel for going there and not to Guillermo. Neither had any chance last night. Which is another discussion. Props to Will for stepping up and being so versatile. That slip screen basically ended the game and how sweet it was. You could feel the emotion from him through the TV. Such a release. Props to Milan for drawing that one up.
Jaland really struggled based on his recent standard, so it was nice to see them win despite that. Not worried about him at all. Thought he got banged a bit last night and just didn't get any favorable whistles. Even when Jaland isn't shooting well, he is always in motion and his drives create offensive rebounding opportunities because he draws attention and takes good shots.
This team has a chance to make a run now. Winnable game at home next now. The key is that they have to defend for 40 minutes. Or at least something closer to 40. If they do that, they can make the tournament. Problem is, the margin for error is gone. They really have to get after it now. But what team in this league scares you? For me, the answer is zero. I would say Duke fully healthy but that is about it. Not saying this team is going to run the table or anything, but they are good enough to make a run and to make it interesting. That is the talent. Had they defended like this consistently, they would be at least 2 or so games better.
One of the perceived strengths of this team heading into the season was their size. Funny enough, seems like it is the complete opposite now. They look the best with the three guard lineup, and maybe even a 6'7 wing defending the center spot.
