What I would do when Hugley returns

[DC_Area_Panther]

When a fully healthy Hugley is back I would not play 4 outside and only one big inside. I would pair a 2nd big with Hugley most of the time. Hugley + Federiko or G. D-G. Let the 2nd big be the dump off guy for an easy bucket when Hugley is doubled. That 4th perimeter player, IMHO, is not value added in terms of perimeter scoring.

My proposed starters--Hugley, Federiko, Hinson, Elliot and Cummings. Off the bench G. D-G, Sibande, Burton. When Hugley is out Federiko and a Twin together.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

When a fully healthy Hugley is back I would not play 4 outside and only one big inside. I would pair a 2nd big with Hugley most of the time. Hugley + Federiko or G. D-G. Let the 2nd big be the dump off guy for an easy bucket when Hugley is doubled. That 4th perimeter player, IMHO, is not value added in terms of perimeter scoring.

My proposed starters--Hugley, Federiko, Hinson, Elliot and Cummings. Off the bench G. D-G, Sibande, Burton. When Hugley is out Federiko and a Twin together.

Agreed. Pitt needs to try to be different. Let a Stretch 4 guard Federiko and see if we can hammer people on the glass

PG - Cummings 30 Burton 10
SG - Burton 20 Elliot 20
SF - Hinson 20 Sibande/Santos/Jeffress 20
PF - Hugley 20 Hinson 10 Jeffress 10
C - Federico 20 Twin 10 Hugley 10

 

[Pittnerski]

No way Burton doesn’t start

 

[Drew1208]

No way Burton doesn’t start

He probably shouldn't

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

He probably shouldn't

Have no problem with Burton getting plenty of minutes off the bench but he is not a plus as a 3-point shooter and he was the turnover leader vs West Virginia--he had 8 of Pitt's 19. When going to Hugley plus a 2nd big on the floor the other 3 all need to shoot the 3-ball well and not turn it over a lot.

Just my opinion on Burton--maybe he was just having a bad day vs West Virginia having to play so much point due to Cummings foul trouble. Note: Opinion is obviously based on limited data.

 

[joeydavid]

Have no problem with Burton getting plenty of minutes off the bench but he is not a plus as a 3-point shooter and he was the turnover leader vs West Virginia--he had 8 of Pitt's 19. When going to Hugley plus a 2nd big on the floor the other 3 all need to shoot the 3-ball well and not turn it over a lot.

Just my opinion on Burton--maybe he was just having a bad day vs West Virginia having to play so much point due to Cummings foul trouble. Note: Opinion is obviously based on limited data.

He's not a natural PG. Really was playing out of position with Nelly out.

 

[Drew1208]

Have no problem with Burton getting plenty of minutes off the bench but he is not a plus as a 3-point shooter and he was the turnover leader vs West Virginia--he had 8 of Pitt's 19. When going to Hugley plus a 2nd big on the floor the other 3 all need to shoot the 3-ball well and not turn it over a lot.

Just my opinion on Burton--maybe he was just having a bad day vs West Virginia having to play so much point due to Cummings foul trouble. Note: Opinion is obviously based on limited data.

Yeah i think I've seen enough. I expect him to start, but really think they'd be better off with him coming off the bench

 

[Drew1208]

He's not a natural PG. Really was playing out of position with Nelly out.

But that's just the thing. He's our back up pg. So if he's starting then has to play pg if Nelly is out for anything then that's just way too much usage.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Burtons the guy when everyone else is standing around that tries to make something happen . He needs to be on the court just not at pg . Nellys performance against WVU IMO was poor . A pg needs to be smart and manage his aggressiveness when he’s in foul trouble or when the refs are calling it close , which he didn’t .

 

[Drew1208]

Burtons the guy when everyone else is standing around that tries to make something happen . He needs to be on the court just not at pg . Nellys performance against WVU IMO was poor . A pg needs to be smart and manage his aggressiveness when he’s in foul trouble or when the refs are calling it close , which he didn’t .

What he makes happen is he dribbles around and shoots a long two or barely passes the ball... sorry just down on dude rn.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

What he makes happen is he dribbles around and shoots a long two or barely passes the ball... sorry just down on dude rn.

Because everyone else is standing around doing nothing .

JRob had the same issues , he put up a lot of bad shots as the clock was expiring because no else was doing anything.

 

[Drew1208]

Because everyone else is standing around doing nothing .

JRob had the same issues , he put up a lot of bad shots as the clock was expiring because no else was doing anything.

I don't put the blame all on him. There's times when the offense stops and he tries to get it going himself.
But if he's the pg it's up to him to get his teammates moving sometimes.
He's just not a pg and he's asked to be a pg way way too much. Again not his fault. But he's got tunnel vision to often.

 

[joeydavid]

But that's just the thing. He's our back up pg. So if he's starting then has to play pg if Nelly is out for anything then that's just way too much usage.

In the WVU game (given the way it was called) Dior was probably the most missed of the 3.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

By 3 do you mean out of Hugley, Jeffress and Dior?

 

[joeydavid]

By 3 do you mean out of Hugley, Jeffress and Dior?

Yeah.

 

[garrett_sherwin]

Teams would just sit in a 2-3 zone and make Pitt shoot over them or just specifically for Pitt match them and also play two bigs. Hinson is going to play the 4 when Hugley comes back with Elliot and Burton on the wings and Nelly running the point.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Federiko cannot play the 4. He’s a backup 5

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Don't want Federiko to be a 4, he doesn't have the ball skils or shot for it.. Would like to see Hugley as the 4 or to see Pitt play a double post offense.

 

[Sam Young 23]

I think calling Capel the black Kevin Stallings is giving him way to much credit. Jeff Capel isn't near the coach Stallings was at Vandy. I'm not sure Capel would be successful as a highschool coach.

 

[PittPharm2002]

He's not a natural PG. Really was playing out of position with Nelly out.

Nelly is over matched at this level
Which should be no surprise to anyone who isn’t a midland homer

 

[joeydavid]

Nelly is over matched at this level
Which should be no surprise to anyone who isn’t a midland homer

There's more evidence that he's not over-matched playing P5 teams than being overmatched at this point. NC State, Syracuse, Pitt and Wisconsin games are pretty good reference points.

Nelly Cummings 2021-22 Game Log | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

2021-22 Game Log for Nelly Cummings

www.sports-reference.com

 

[Fsgolfdr]

I don't put the blame all on him. There's times when the offense stops and he tries to get it going himself.
But if he's the pg it's up to him to get his teammates moving sometimes.
He's just not a pg and he's asked to be a pg way way too much. Again not his fault. But he's got tunnel vision to often.

That’s why he’s a 2 not a pg !

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

When a fully healthy Hugley is back I would not play 4 outside and only one big inside. I would pair a 2nd big with Hugley most of the time. Hugley + Federiko or G. D-G. Let the 2nd big be the dump off guy for an easy bucket when Hugley is doubled. That 4th perimeter player, IMHO, is not value added in terms of perimeter scoring.







My proposed starters--Hugley, Federiko, Hinson, Elliot and Cummings. Off the bench G. D-G, Sibande, Burton. When Hugley is out Federiko and a Twin together.

Because everyone else is standing around doing nothing .

JRob had the same issues , he put up a lot of bad shots as the clock was expiring because no else was doing anything.

And also the result of him creating no offense at all. The Tino of Pitt basketball

 

[PittPharm2002]

There's more evidence that he's not over-matched playing P5 teams than being overmatched at this point. NC State, Syracuse, Pitt and Wisconsin games are pretty good reference points.

Nelly Cummings 2021-22 Game Log | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

2021-22 Game Log for Nelly Cummings

www.sports-reference.com

Good point
I’ll ignore the 11% from 3, fg % of 33% so far this year - and 3 assist to 4 TO against wvu .

let’s focus on his Patriot league play

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Good point
I’ll ignore the 11% from 3, fg % of 33% so far this year - and 3 assist to 4 TO against wvu .

let’s focus on his Patriot league play

Vs WVU, Pitt was even with him on the floor and a -26 with him on the bench. Maybe he will prove to be overmatched at this level, but it’s silly to make that conclusion as we sit here today.

 

[docpanther26]

Good point
I’ll ignore the 11% from 3, fg % of 33% so far this year - and 3 assist to 4 TO against wvu .

let’s focus on his Patriot league play

This year has only been two games. Let’s wait a little on judgement day.

 

[pittchagg]

I think Hugley would be eaten alive defending 4’s.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

I think Hugley would be eaten alive defending 4’s.

Only if he has to guard a smallish 4 on the perimeter because that 4 can shoot the 3-ball well. Also, there is always the option on the defensive end to guard a position other than the one you play on the offensive end. Maybe on defense your other more mobile big guards the 4. Also, when your opponent plays 4 guards/wings and only one big you don't have the same need to play two bigs together. There would be no need to do so.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

And also the result of him creating no offense at all. The Tino of Pitt basketball

The pg isn’t responsible for the other players to work to get open , if they’re dribbling around with guys wide open then that’s on them .

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Maybe on defense your other more mobile big guards the 4.

OK, I'll bite, which of our other bigs are mobile enough to guard a good perimeter four?

 

[412boyz81]

I think Hugley would be eaten alive defending 4’s.

I think a 4 would get killed by Hugley one of the best big men in all of college basketball. Facts….

 

[412boyz81]

Only if he has to guard a smallish 4 on the perimeter because that 4 can shoot the 3-ball well. Also, there is always the option on the defensive end to guard a position other than the one you play on the offensive end. Maybe on defense your other more mobile big guards the 4. Also, when your opponent plays 4 guards/wings and only one big you don't have the same need to play two bigs together. There would be no need to do so.

and he has the feet to at least contested there shot

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Defensively, much remains game and opponent situational. It depends on what kind of 4 the opponent puts on the court in this era of increasingly "positionless" basketball.

If it is a smaller quicker 4 with ball skills who shoots the ball well from outside (i.e., plays more like a 3 or a big 2) and can dribble drive effectively then you go without a second big and play someone quicker at the 4. This kind of opponent shouldn't be able to double Hugley down low as effectively as one that can double him with a second bigger defender so ther isn't a particular advantage to complimenting him with a second big on offense anyway.

On the other hand, if the opponents' 4 is more a 4/5 or 5/4 type of 4 who isn't much of a threat to shoot from the outside, then Federiko or one of the twins (especially when they have more games under their beltl) should be able to adequately defend that kind of 4 so that the offensive gain from playing a second big with Hugley and making doubling him with two bigger guys less effective isn't lost on the defensive end.

The main point is that coaches need to be creative with their rosters (i.e., thinking outside of the box) and not taking a "one style/one approach fits" all situatioins and all opponents.

 

[docpanther26]

I agree with all of this, the question is can Capel make those in game adjustments consistently?

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Yes. Many wonder if he isnt locked into an inflexible system that would only work well if he had Duke or UNC level talent?

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Nelly is over matched at this level
Which should be no surprise to anyone who isn’t a midland homer

Completely agree. Playing decent in a one off game as an underdog with nothing to lose I’d completely different than playing well consistently against the big boys when scouted. He’s showing it again tonight.

Doesn’t really do anything on the elite level you need to be effective

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Completely agree. Playing decent in a one off game as an underdog with nothing to lose I’d completely different than playing well consistently against the big boys when scouted. He’s showing it again tonight.

I disagree. I think he will become a league average ACC PG. Now that's in a bad league. We'll see.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

I disagree. I think he will become a league average ACC PG. Now that's in a bad league. We'll see.

What can he do that’s league average? Shoot? No. Pass? No. Defend? No. Create? No. He’s bottom 4 PG’s in the league

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

What can he do that’s league average? Shoot? No. Pass? No. Defend? No. Create? No. He’s bottom 4 PG’s in the league

The ACC sucks though. Maybe a 4 bid league? UNC, Duke, VT, UVa

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

The ACC sucks though. Maybe a 4 bid league? UNC, Duke, VT, UVa

They’ll get 5-6, it’s a bad ACC and he’s still a bottom tier PG. He didn’t even put up efficient stats at Colgate.

This team really was gonna go as Dior Johnson went. So they should be trying like hell to reinstate him if they wanna keep their jobs.