Who steps up tonight?
- Thread starter MartyInLawrenceville
- Start date
I certainly hope you're right. But if Young, Artis, and JR play like they did last time we played
L'Ville, Luther "stepping up" will not make a difference IMO.
This game from my perspective is all about two things: 1. how we handle their pressure;
both full court zone pressure, and their half court pressure on JR and our guards.
2. Their inside players against us....we can't let their bigs manhandle us again inside. The
mismatch inside is what we have to overcome and that's going to take a collective effort
from all of our bigs. We don't have even one inside player to match up with them,
but collectively....MAYBE. I hope one of those includes Luther and he does what you suggest.
Luther and our other Bigs will have to play way over their heads (no pun LOL) for that to
happen. IMO...we need (as I said before ) some "home cookin" from the refs. If they call it
close that will help alleviate some of the pressure. If we can get them in foul trouble, that will
also help.
Remember this is a typical Pitino coached L'Ville team. This ain't the Cuse 2-3 zone that
Jamie handles so well, nor is it the Cuse weak inside game we saw several nights ago.
Here's hoping you can come on here tomorrow and say "See, Ryan Luther won the game for us."
L'Ville, Luther "stepping up" will not make a difference IMO.
This game from my perspective is all about two things: 1. how we handle their pressure;
both full court zone pressure, and their half court pressure on JR and our guards.
2. Their inside players against us....we can't let their bigs manhandle us again inside. The
mismatch inside is what we have to overcome and that's going to take a collective effort
from all of our bigs. We don't have even one inside player to match up with them,
but collectively....MAYBE. I hope one of those includes Luther and he does what you suggest.
Luther and our other Bigs will have to play way over their heads (no pun LOL) for that to
happen. IMO...we need (as I said before ) some "home cookin" from the refs. If they call it
close that will help alleviate some of the pressure. If we can get them in foul trouble, that will
also help.
Remember this is a typical Pitino coached L'Ville team. This ain't the Cuse 2-3 zone that
Jamie handles so well, nor is it the Cuse weak inside game we saw several nights ago.
Here's hoping you can come on here tomorrow and say "See, Ryan Luther won the game for us."
exceptional guard play is needed to beat the Ville.. Not just JRob but all guards..
Chris Jones.
Need a penetrating guard against Louisville, and he's the closest thing we've got. Him and Wilson.
Getting more than 30 points combined from our 5 starters is a good start, with Young and Artis scoring 29 of the 30 points. Although that is not singling out one player, PITT simply will not win if the guys who are playing the most minutes can't produce.
The guards coming off of the bench, like Johnson and Wilson, really need to keep the level of play high when giving the starters a breather. In my opinion, having Johnson handle the ball more, with his length, might be a great way to avoid the trap L'Ville loves to use.
To answer the question, I agree with Ryan Luther being a difference-maker. If he can knock down the mid-range jumper with any consistency and provide a spark on the glass, PITT should be in decent shape.
The guards coming off of the bench, like Johnson and Wilson, really need to keep the level of play high when giving the starters a breather. In my opinion, having Johnson handle the ball more, with his length, might be a great way to avoid the trap L'Ville loves to use.
To answer the question, I agree with Ryan Luther being a difference-maker. If he can knock down the mid-range jumper with any consistency and provide a spark on the glass, PITT should be in decent shape.
I don't know about you guys but my nervousness is already through the roof with 9 hours till tipoff lol
Luther has played well over the recent stretch of games (even in losses) - I hope he continues.
As goes the guard play I believe will go the game.
Ville bigs present a problem - Maia, Young, Luther, Jeter are in for a long evening.
Pitt guards have to play with control, protect the ball, and make shots.
I know the OP was who steps up - I will pick a position - guards have to step up.
As goes the guard play I believe will go the game.
Ville bigs present a problem - Maia, Young, Luther, Jeter are in for a long evening.
Pitt guards have to play with control, protect the ball, and make shots.
I know the OP was who steps up - I will pick a position - guards have to step up.
Cam Johnson can make them pay if they're too aggressive on traps.
The full court pressure isn't as scary as their "on ball" pressure. When they extend out and put pressure on the guards wayyyy out front, this team gets extremely flustered! Last game Pitt didn't even get into their offensive sets until 10-15 seconds were left on the shot clock (if they didn't already turn it over or chuck a bad shot). Hopefully they are ready, this would be a great win!!!
#H2P
Jeter steps up! no other reason except he has a knack for it!
#H2P
Jeter steps up! no other reason except he has a knack for it!
Rather than a player, I will say the refs. If they call fouls when Louisville fouls us, and we can hit our foul shots, we will win the game. If they let Louisville get away with the pushing and grabbing that they call defense, we will struggle just like the last few games.
I know, I know, I shouldn't always blame the refs, but they are huge when teams play this style. If they call fouls early, it will force UL to back off just slightly and give us some room to operate and a level of comfort in running the offense. If not, it will devolve into an ugly turnover fest, which is exactly what Pitino wants.
I know, I know, I shouldn't always blame the refs, but they are huge when teams play this style. If they call fouls early, it will force UL to back off just slightly and give us some room to operate and a level of comfort in running the offense. If not, it will devolve into an ugly turnover fest, which is exactly what Pitino wants.
RefQUOTE="33pitt99, post: 1030940, member: 1634"]Rather than a player, I will say the refs. If they call fouls when Louisville fouls us, and we can hit our foul shots, we will win the game. If they let Louisville get away with the pushing and grabbing that they call defense, we will struggle just like the last few games.
I know, I know, I shouldn't always blame the refs, but they are huge when teams play this style. If they call fouls early, it will force UL to back off just slightly and give us some room to operate and a level of comfort in running the offense. If not, it will devolve into an ugly turnover fest, which is exactly what Pitino wants.[/QUOTE]
I totally agree with your assessment. However, ya gotta admit.....what you are suggesting is EXACTLY how Jamie initially built his resume. Ironically, just about every opposing coach , players, fans, and even announcers blamed our success on doing exactly what you said L'ville does, along with refs allowing it.
Refs calling it much closer these days (even though not in our last game with L'Ville).
I hope the Refs do what you want, and not " what Pitino wants." LOL
I know, I know, I shouldn't always blame the refs, but they are huge when teams play this style. If they call fouls early, it will force UL to back off just slightly and give us some room to operate and a level of comfort in running the offense. If not, it will devolve into an ugly turnover fest, which is exactly what Pitino wants.[/QUOTE]
I totally agree with your assessment. However, ya gotta admit.....what you are suggesting is EXACTLY how Jamie initially built his resume. Ironically, just about every opposing coach , players, fans, and even announcers blamed our success on doing exactly what you said L'ville does, along with refs allowing it.
Refs calling it much closer these days (even though not in our last game with L'Ville).
I hope the Refs do what you want, and not " what Pitino wants." LOL
