-Both teams started off slow. Hard to believe that neither team scored in the first couple of minutes when the score ended up 98-79 in Pitt's favor.
-Pitt finally clicked on all cylinders on offense today. They shot 56% from the field and more importantly they shot 55% from beyond the arc. Six different Pitt players scored in double figures today, led by DeJaun Blair's 22.
-Pitt looked better on the defensive end of the court, but they still gave up 79 points to a Big East cellar dweller today. An argument can be made that DePaul hit some tough shots with hands in their faces, and it's a valid argument, but the bigger defensive issue was the easy trips down the lane. Too many times the Blue Demons were able to just waltz to the hoop for an easy two.
Pitt needs to make other teams pay for coming in the lane. Even if that means putting in McGhee and Biggs and telling them to play aggressive, not to hurt, but to challenge every shot.
-Pitt finally got back to dominating the boards today, 46-27. They also grabbed 14 offensive boards. That's in stark contrast to the West Virginia game where the Panthers were out rebounded 35-30, as well as in the Cincy game, the Louisville game, the Notre Dame game, the Marquette game, and so on.
-Player of the game is a difficult one today, as many Panthers played well. Gil Brown had 13 pts and 5 pts in only 17 minutes. Keith Benjamin had 12 points, 5 assts, and 3 boards, many of his points came during a crucial second half crunch. DeJuan Blair had 22 points and 14 boards, along with a fine defensive performance. However my player of the game is...
-...Levance Fields. He had 11 pts, 9 rebounds, 9 assts and only 3 turnovers. Some may wonder how a player that shoots 4-12 from the field and 1-3 from three-point land can be player of the game; because he crashed the boards.
Fields grabbed 8 defensive rebounds and 1 offensive rebound. Normally offensive rebounds would be more valuable, but lets face it, Pitt has been dominated on the boards lately. Fields created scoring chances by grabbing long rebounds and starting the break today.
Fields also showed that he is willing to test his foot when he was diving on the court to save a ball from going out of bounds and he hitting a nice falling-down lay up.
-Blair was unreal today. He had three fouls, but he seemed to be in control all day. He shot 80% from the field and 85% from the charity stripe. He grabbed 14 rebounds, 3 of which were offensive, and he seemed to be in the perfect position all day.
-Sam Young played well and chipped in with 5 rebounds. Young scored 19 pts on 7-13 shooting. Watching him shoot the three ball, it's hard to imagine this is the same player from last year. He was 3-4 from beyond the arc. Young continued to play aggressive despite picking up 4 fouls in the game.
-The team really seemed to benefit from having the 5-day break. There was more spring in their step and they clearly shot better. Coach Dixon was quoted saying they were able to more in practice than they had since December.
-On to the Big East Tournament...
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3 comments:
We certainly have problems with our defense, in particular our hedge. The layups given up are a clear indication of a lack of help-defense...and missing the huge space eater in the middle we had with Gray...it's too hard to expect our guards to cut off all penetration.
Just a different animal this year for Pitt.
I agree that our guards aren't going to be able to help much at this point, but we need somebody to clog that middle.
The problem is we can't have Young or Blair in foul trouble. That's why I think MaGhee and Biggs could be critical in clogging up the middle.
Funny how some fans were critical of Gray last year, I guess you don't know what you have, until it's gone.
Same goes for Graves for that matter... especially after Cook's injury, how much do we miss his dribble penetration, defense, and 40% outside shooting?
Our fans are the toughest critics of our own players..which is a shame..there always seems to be a whipping boy. I guess it was Ramon's turn this sesaon, with Biggs making an occassional appearance.
i fear we'll miss the steady-heady play of Ramon and his shooting. Gotta say, I got choked up as he left the court today...such a class act.
Actually all of our seniors pretty much summarize this Program. Sacrifice for the team, play hard, and win.
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