Women’s team loses to VT

[MajorMajors]

As usual the women’s team struggled to score in the first half. Down by 19 at the half, they did cut the lead to 4 late in the game but then went cold and VT made their foul shots (did they ever!). Pitt loses by 10.

VT ended up 22 for 25 from the foul line.

Harris and Everett took 42 shots and made 16. That was over 60 percent of Pitt’s shots. Makes sense as these are Pitt’s best scorers, although Everett has been in a bit of a slump for her.

AB played 28 minutes but didn’t score. I still think Liatu should play somewhat more and AB somewhat less. AB’s offensive game is pretty much driving to the hoop - and getting fouled. She’s valuable, but we need more offense.

Something good - we only had 11 turnovers.

Need some wins…

Go Pitt.

 

[Chescat]

As usual the women’s team struggled to score in the first half. Down by 19 at the half, they did cut the lead to 4 late in the game but then went cold and VT made their foul shots (did they ever!). Pitt loses by 10.

VT ended up 22 for 25 from the foul line.

Harris and Everett took 42 shots and made 16. That was over 60 percent of Pitt’s shots. Makes sense as these are Pitt’s best scorers, although Everett has been in a bit of a slump for her.

AB played 28 minutes but didn’t score. I still think Liatu should play somewhat more and AB somewhat less. AB’s offensive game is pretty much driving to the hoop - and getting fouled. She’s valuable, but we need more offense.

Something good - we only had 11 turnovers.

Need some wins…

Go Pitt.

VT, although not an elite
ACC team is pretty solid.
Kitley their center, is on a
whole different level skill
wise, and knowledge of the
game wise. Her mid range
jump shot and inside game
showed who and what we
are. We have no big that's
even close to her. We hustle
and usually out rebound the
opposition, but still we're
exposed on the inside on
both the offensive and the
defensive end. We have
a few decent guards, and
a lot of athletes,

11 TO's is an improvement.
We were less outta control,
but still raggedy ass on a
number of occassions. All
you have to do is watch some
of these teams work the
ball offensively. BC and VT
did it very well, while we
rely on Harris to go one on
one and see what she can
come up with. A full game of
that is a recipe for disaster.
Coach White still hasn't
convinced me that he knows
Bball. Nice guy it seems.
Seemingly can recruit. We'll
see.

 

[gary2]

Looks like Pitt is working to take advantage of WVU and their lack of open scholarships.

Marley Washenitz Breaks Down Pitt Offer Days After Reopening Recruitment

For more than a year and a half, Marley Washenitz, one of the top girls basketball players in the state of West Virginia, was committed to her home state school, West Virginia University. She pledged to become a Mountaineer back in August 2020, but just the other day, received some tough news...

pittsburghsportsnow.com

 

[Black Panther]

Watched the replay.They put up a good fight to get it back within shouting distance,but not enough.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Down by 19 at the half, they did cut the lead to 4 late in the game but then went cold

It was 21 points, 53-32 with a little less than seven minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Over the next 9-1/2 minutes Pitt went on a 23-8 run to cut it to six with a little more than seven minutes left in the game.

After that it seemed like every time they had a chance to cut into the lead they would do something to shoot themselves in the foot. They tried to steal a minute or two on the bench for Harris and Hayford gets called for a double dribble. Igbokwe gets an offensive rebound and scores, but gets called for traveling so the basket doesn't count (I thought she traveled because she got fouled, but they didn't ask me). They had a possession where the got two offensive rebounds but missed all three shots they got out of it. And then in the last minute when it was a five point game late in the shot clock Everett deflected a pass so Harris left her woman to try to get a steal, doesn't quite get there in time and the VT player hits Harris' player cutting along the baseline for the killing layup.

They just can't seem to get over the hump in some of these games.

 

[gary2]

It was 21 points, 53-32 with a little less than seven minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Over the next 9-1/2 minutes Pitt went on a 23-8 run to cut it to six with a little more than seven minutes left in the game.

After that it seemed like every time they had a chance to cut into the lead they would do something to shoot themselves in the foot. They tried to steal a minute or two on the bench for Harris and Hayford gets called for a double dribble. Igbokwe gets an offensive rebound and scores, but gets called for traveling so the basket doesn't count (I thought she traveled because she got fouled, but they didn't ask me). They had a possession where the got two offensive rebounds but missed all three shots they got out of it. And then in the last minute when it was a five point game late in the shot clock Everett deflected a pass so Harris left her woman to try to get a steal, doesn't quite get there in time and the VT player hits Harris' player cutting along the baseline for the killing layup.

They just can't seem to get over the hump in some of these games.

Sounds familiar

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Kitley their center, is on a
whole different level skill
wise, and knowledge of the
game wise. Her mid range
jump shot and inside game
showed who and what we
are. We have no big that's
even close to her. We hustle
and usually out rebound the
opposition, but still we're
exposed on the inside on
both the offensive and the
defensive end.

I think the most disappointing thing about this team is that Rita Igbokwe really isn't any better a player now than she was as a freshman. As a freshman you could look at her and her athletic ability and how raw her game was and imagine her becoming a good ACC level center. Instead, she's pretty much exactly the same player now that she was when she was a freshman.

Fr: 19.5 mins/game, 46.2% shooting, 51.3% foul shooting, 6.8 reb/game, 1.9 blocks/game
Jr: 20.6 mins/game, 43.7% shooting, 50.0% foul shooting, 6.5 reb/game, 1.8 blocks/game

If they were getting out of her what you were hoping they would be getting out of her at this point in time they would be so much tougher to play against. Instead they basically have no inside game at all when they play anyone with a good big like many of the ACC teams do.

 

[gary2]

I think the most disappointing thing about this team is that Rita Igbokwe really isn't any better a player now than she was as a freshman. As a freshman you could look at her and her athletic ability and how raw her game was and imagine her becoming a good ACC level center. Instead, she's pretty much exactly the same player now that she was when she was a freshman.

Fr: 19.5 mins/game, 46.2% shooting, 51.3% foul shooting, 6.8 reb/game, 1.9 blocks/game
Jr: 20.6 mins/game, 43.7% shooting, 50.0% foul shooting, 6.5 reb/game, 1.8 blocks/game

If they were getting out of her what you were hoping they would be getting out of her at this point in time they would be so much tougher to play against. Instead they basically have no inside game at all when they play anyone with a good big like many of the ACC teams do.

The team does need to address the need for improved inside play.

Too many chiefs, not enough Indians.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Sounds familiar

In some ways it is, although it is fair to point out that the ACC is having a good year in women's basketball this year (as they typically do) and I think we can all agree that this is not a good year at all in the ACC in men's basketball.

The other thing that isn't helping the women is the schedule. So far they have played (in order) 1st place 8-0 NC State, 6th place 4-2 Notre Dame, 3rd place 5-1 Louisville, t4th 5-2 Georgia Tech, 7th place 4-3 Boston College, 11th place 2-6 Wake Forest (a win), and 2nd place 6-1 Virginia Tech.

So seven games and they've already played 1, 2, 3, t4, 6 and 7, with only one game against the bottom half of the league. Pitt's league opponents are currently 34-15 in conference games.

 

[MajorMajors]

Good point about Rita - this was supposed to be the year…. She provides a physical presence we haven’t had in a long time, but she still struggles to score.

I remember at the first “Chalk Talk” this season, the Coach was saying “Wait til you see Rita this season!” Well unfortunately whatever she was doing in practice isn’t translating in real games…

Go Pitt.

 

[Chescat]

Good point about Rita - this was supposed to be the year…. She provides a physical presence we haven’t had in a long time, but she still struggles to score.

I remember at the first “Chalk Talk” this season, the Coach was saying “Wait til you see Rita this season!” Well unfortunately whatever she was doing in practice isn’t translating in real games…

Go Pitt.

Well she hit for 23 in
this year's second game
against Lafayette, Next
highest was 9, then all
other games were 8 and
below. 5.9 ppg, and 6.5
rebounds. I have no idea
what Coach White was
talking about. She clearly
is not an ACC Center. IMO
she's a backup at best in
this league. What is most
diappointing is this staff
has not gotten her to
improve in this her third
year at Pitt.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

What is most
diappointing is this staff
has not gotten her to
improve in this her third
year at Pitt.

The frustrating thing is that the game seems to have never slowed down for her. Her problem scoring as a freshman was largely due to rushing shots when she didn't need to. Her problem scoring this year is largely due to rushing shots when she doesn't need to. It's like you can see how she could be a decent player if she could just slow down and make the relatively easy plays most of the time. Instead you have someone who never shoots the ball from further than four or five feet from the basket who is shooting 43.7% as a junior.

 

[PITTfanSD]

I caught the last several minutes of the game. Everett was playing hard but I thought she played a little too undisciplined. She threw up a three and then started celebrating running down the floor when she was supposed to play full court pressure. A previous possession she threw up a three when there was clearly better options.

However, she was the only player at that point with a pulse.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

I caught the last several minutes of the game. Everett was playing hard but I thought she played a little too undisciplined. She threw up a three and then started celebrating running down the floor when she was supposed to play full court pressure. A previous possession she threw up a three when there was clearly better options.

However, she was the only player at that point with a pulse.

I think part of the issue with that is that other than Everett and Harris there is no one on this team that can create any offense, either for themself or anyone else. So when they are behind, especially late in games, it has to be either Everett or Harris, because no one else can do it. So they end up forcing shots that you would rather they not.

 

[Chescat]

Yes, Harris and Everett
are the only two who
can create, however
Strother can shoot.
She's a decent three point
threat. So....I would put
Harris on the point with
Strother and Everett on
the wings. I'd put King
on the high post with
Igbokwe low. Work the
ball among the four
players with Ibokwe
getting rebounds and
putbacks. I'd make Harris
cease the one on one
dribbling crap. She'd still
get her shots through
ball movement.

I'd stop the platoon like
subbing that White uses.
I'd bring in Clesca or even
Hayford at the point for
a few minutes. They'd all
be taught ball movement.
They are not good enough
to go one on one for a whole
game. C'mon coach, this is
basic Bball 101. It ain't hard.

 

[MajorMajors]

Yes, Harris and Everett
are the only two who
can create, however
Strother can shoot.
She's a decent three point
threat. So....I would put
Harris on the point with
Strother and Everett on
the wings. I'd put King
on the high post with
Igbokwe low. Work the
ball among the four
players with Ibokwe
getting rebounds and
putbacks. I'd make Harris
cease the one on one
dribbling crap. She'd still
get her shots through
ball movement.

I'd stop the platoon like
subbing that White uses.
I'd bring in Clesca or even
Hayford at the point for
a few minutes. They'd all
be taught ball movement.
They are not good enough
to go one on one for a whole
game. C'mon coach, this is
basic Bball 101. It ain't hard.

Agree. I’d like to see Strother taking several more threes each game - let her get into some sort of rhythm…

And King has a better all-around game than AB - or at least the potential for it.

Go Pitt.

 

[Chescat]

Agree. I’d like to see Strother taking several more threes each game - let her get into some sort of rhythm…

And King has a better all-around game than AB - or at least the potential for it.

Go Pitt.

Well I'm glad you agree,
but also I want to make
clear the following:
The personnel changes
with which we both
agree, are meaningless
if White contually has
Harris, over dribbling,
along with Everett doing
the same. Install a ball
movement half court
offense that values the
ball and then sets up
our few good shooters
for higher percentage
shots. IMO we have a few
shooters and they can
make those shots. This
is not brain surgery, it's
basic Bball stuff.

All White needs to do is
look at tape of teams
doing this to us game
after game. Most recently
VT and BC both gave him
a visual lesson of good
ball movement, working
the ball for good shots.

 

[mike412]

Question: I’m assuming the PG who committed to Pitt for 2022 has signed her LOI. I think I read that she has been the Player of the Year for two years now. Assuming that she is a true PG who can control the pace of the game, do you think that White will actually try to run some half court offense instead of the haphazard run and gun style they are playing now. I don’t think any of the players he has playing PG are true PGs.

To me, it still looks like pickup schoolyard BB when they have the ball. I wonder whether having a true PG can cure that.

 

[Chescat]

Yes, it does look like "pickup
schoolyard BB." However as
I look at these players I see
Harris as a true pg, I feel
she is playing in a coach
directed fast pace offense that
does not fit this team's ability
to succeed. That's why we
see the schoolyard Bball.
She's good enough to do
what she does, but it simply
doesn't work. Yes, she can
create for herself on occasion,
but it's not working against
these far better ACC teams.
It's not Harris's offense, it's
Whites's.

If White can't figure out yet
that he's teaching this type
of offense that is totally
incompatible with these
players, I'm not so sure
he'll change with a new
recruit. Good coaches are
able to adust their style
to the players he has. I
feel he's forcing a style
that doesn't fit his players.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

If White can't figure out yet
that he's teaching this type
of offense that is totally
incompatible with these
players, I'm not so sure
he'll change with a new
recruit. Good coaches are
able to adust their style
to the players he has.

I cannot imagine what style of offense you think this team should be playing that will make them successful. You keep arguing for slowing the ball down and playing a more half court, move the ball around, passing style of offense. This team absolutely does not have the personnel to play that way. There is no low post offense to speak of. There isn't a good passer who can play down low so that you can play inside out. No one on this team shoots the ball well enough to make the defense respect their outside shooting. Other than Harris there is no one who is actually a good passer.

Watch the game tomorrow, see how many times a Pitt player is dribbling the ball a couple feet inside the three point line and the defender who is guarding them is below the foul line because they know they don't have to guard Pitt players (other than maybe Everett) to 18 feet from the basket.

They play fast and try to catch teams before they can get their defense set because they know that the half court offense is abysmal. Slowing down and playing more in the half court isn't going to help, it's going to lead to the same sort of frantic end of the shot clock play that we see now, except more frequently.

 

[Chescat]

Sorry, but I totally disagree.
Anyone who knows Bball
knows you have to learn
the basics first. These players
run up and down the floor,
more often than not, out of
control. I know you know
they've been doing it for
two years now. Learn how
to pass and move without
the ball first. Then learn to
speed it up. It CAN be
taught.

Secondly, I prefer a fast
pace offense and pressing
defensively. These women
are not and haven't been
taught how. I'm not
suggesting a snail paced
offense. I want to see
ball movement, not over
dribling movement. I also
disagree with your comment
that no one on this team
shoots well enough. I give
you Harris, Strother, and
Everett as shooters. I see
King in the high post with
a jumper from the FT line.
You must be watching a
whole different game than
I am....but that's ok, we
see it differently

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

I give
you Harris, Strother, and
Everett as shooters. I see
King in the high post with
a umpire from the FT line.

Harris is shooting 37.2% overall, 33.3% from three. Everett is shooting 36.2% overall, 33.3% from three. Strother is shooting 29.8% overall, 32.5% from three (so she's somehow shooting threes better than twos). King is shooting 42.5% overall, and she obviously has not taken any threes.

There's your problem right there. You think that those players are shooters. And I guess they are, in the sense that they actually do physically shoot the ball. The problem is that every one of them is a bad shooter. I mean Strother, come on, she shows some potential at times but she is shooting less than 30% from the field on the season. That is downright awful. Amber Brown leads the team in field goal percentage at 43.9% (not counting Cynthia Ezeja, who has only taken 16 shots so far this year). I wonder how many teams in the NCAA don't have even one player on their team shooting 44% or better from the field?

 

[Chescat]

Harris is shooting 37.2% overall, 33.3% from three. Everett is shooting 36.2% overall, 33.3% from three. Strother is shooting 29.8% overall, 32.5% from three (so she's somehow shooting threes better than twos). King is shooting 42.5% overall, and she obviously has not taken any threes.

There's your problem right there. You think that those players are shooters. And I guess they are, in the sense that they actually do physically shoot the ball. The problem is that every one of them is a bad shooter. I mean Strother, come on, she shows some potential at times but she is shooting less than 30% from the field on the season. That is downright awful. Amber Brown leads the team in field goal percentage at 43.9% (not counting Cynthia Ezeja, who has only taken 16 shots so far this year). I wonder how many teams in the NCAA don't have even one player on their team shooting 44% or better from the field?

They're .shooting those
%'s because they're more
often than not, outta
control to begin with.
They're usually on the
move trying to hit running
jumpers, and forced
layups. They don't square
to the hoop. They're
good athelets and can
be taught/coached to
do what I'm talking about.
I'm not going to get into a
long harrangue with you.
We see it differently, that's
all.....and that's ok too.