Should be a very close game tonight. From a match-up standpoint, this will be a big challenge for Pitt with the Wildcat guards. ‘Nova is also unbeaten at the Wachovia this year including an outstanding performance versus Texas.
7:11: Pitt up 8-4, 15:01 in the half. Slow sluggish start plus being at an NBA arena rather then the cozy home court, really quieted the crowd. Could hear the pro-Gray, -Cook and -Pitt contingents pretty well. So far the guards are doing a nice job of not being too bothered by Villanova’s guards. Surprised to see ‘Nova standing around so much early.
7:20: This will not be a good game for Sam Young. He’s being beaten by the ‘Nova players on defense. He already looks frustrated — and it effects him on offense by trying to make amends.
Both teams playing tight defense, getting up on the guards.
7:29: God-damn! Pitt showing little energy. Not boxing out. Only running on offense, not getting back on defense. When Gray is the only one hustling back, that’s ugly.
7:32: In case you were wondering: Cook is 0-4, Young 0-2, and Gray is 3-4. The team is shooting 6-19 (‘Nova at 7-23). Gray has 8 of Pitt’s 17 rebounds. 18-17 Villanova, 6:30 to the half.
7:38: Villanova up 26-20 with 3:53. You know, Pitt missed some early shots that were good looks, and it seemed to hit their confidence. They just seemed stunned the shots weren’t falling, and ‘Nova would get out on them for the rebound. Frustrating to see 8 turnovers already.
7:50: I’m not sure ‘Nova should feel that great about the way they played. Yes they have the lead, but aside from Sumpter they aren’t looking too good. Nardi and Reynolds already look tired — at least they don’t have the legs under their shots.
Pitt, however, can only feel crappy about the way they played. Digger Phelps complaining that they aren’t getting it inside to Gray enough. Here’s the problem. Pitt is struggling to get it inside to Gray. The Wildcats are doing solid work bodying up on the perimeter to give no space for the 3 or to see around them to make the pass inside.
11 first half turnovers. Mike Cook is playing like he’s nervous in front of his friends and family. Definitely in his head.
28-23 Villanova.
8:13: Pitt being much more aggressive after another passive start to the half. Suddenly the fouls are being called on ‘Nova as Pitt drives. It’s that simple. Refs are consistent with it.
Have to credit Villanova with a defense first approach. They are asking and the guards are agreeing to spend their limited energy on the defensive end and let the frontcourt do the work on offense.
8:22: That sucking sound is the forward position for Pitt tonight. Young, Kendall and Cook 1-13, 6 turnovers, and 8 rebounds (6 for Kendall).
Despite that Pitt just took the lead on a Benjamin 3. 38-37 Pitt, 12:20.
8:37: Damn, have to corral those loose balls! Pitt leads 47-45, 6:44 left. Sumpter heading to the line.
Benjamin has been very good, but 3 fouls put him on the bench for a couple so he’s there for the final minutes — at least that’s what I’m believing.
8:43: memo. Never do lettuce related throwing event on a basketball court.
8:49: Pitt leads 54-49, 3:50 left. Still too close.
I have to concede to shock at seeing Young get back on the court in the second half. Especially now. I’d like to see Benjamin back out there, but that’s me.
9:03: Pitt wins 65-59!!!
Big, big win. Much like the Syracuse win, a bad first half, gave way to a great second half effort. Corrections were made. The intensity turned up and they forced the opposition to play the way Pitt wanted. Beautiful.
Antonio Graves had a great game on both sides for Pitt. He was excellent on the defensive end, even when he struggled in the first half. In the second half he was the sparkplug. 13 points, 6 assists, 4 steals (and on the negative 4 turnovers).
Pitt, only had 4 turnovers in the second half for 15 total. Villanova ended up having more (17).
Aaron Gray had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The refs are punishing us too, every call going Novas way.
Graves has a chance to be defensive player of the year in the big east. All the posters who were down on him early this year should be eating crow. He has been tremendous since day 1 this season. You have to give him credit. He was buried on the bench last year, but continued to work hard and now he is our best defender and best penetrator. Not to mention a lights out three point shooter.
Awesome win!
I don’t know what Jamie told them in the lockerroom but they looked entirely different the 2nd half.
Also, seeing that schmuck Pedersen sitting with Larry the Cable guy and definitely not getting-r-done just made it for a perfect evening.
On another note, tonight’s game tells me that maybe the Big East isn’t as weak this year as some pundits say.
vs. St. John’s 4-5 FG, 8 points
@Cincy 4-5 FG, 9 points
vs. Marquette 4-9 FG, 11 points
vs. UConn 1-5 FG, 4 points
vs. G’town 7-11 FG, 18 points
This gives an average of 10 points per game. Add to that 3.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists to 1.6 turnovers.
solid games for the guards, cook was great without shooting in the 2nd half, well dont by him not to keep going when he realized his shot was off….graves, fields were solid as hell down the stretch finishing plays….and the d was incredible for the last 15 minutes….great win……….
Let’s all remember one thing, though. The Big East is absolutely terrible. Beating a backcourt of Nardi and the frosh Reynolds isn’t exactly like playing Lowry, Foye and Ray. Even Sumpter isn’t the same player as he was before the 2nd surgery. At one point they had Shane Clark, going about 6’5″ 200 trying to guard Aaron Gray.
So I’ll take the win, but I won’t inflate the importance of it. The fact is, Pitt should beat that team, even in Philly. Besides Marquette and maybe G-town (and WVU in Morgantown, just because it’s Hoopie-ville), there isn’t much comp for Pitt on the Big East docket this year. I think it’s a one-year anomaly, and the conf should be back next year, but this year it’s a wide open road.
IMO, Cook’s biggest problem is his terrible movement without the ball. He stands around on offense, waiting on the perimeter for the pass. He almost never gets the ball after coming off of a pick and the defender is still a step behind – providing a possible opening to the hoop.
Graves has matured into a very solid player. You could make an argument for him being this team’s MVP thus far. He is playing lock-down defense, is one of the leading three-point shooters in the BE, and is probably – at the moment – the best on the team at driving to the hoop and scoring or picking up a foul. Fields also has been absolutely clutch. If there is a go-to guy on this team at the moment, it’s Fields. He wants to take the big shot.
Please check out my blog, Villanova Viewpoint, for the Villanova version of the contest. Congratulations. You have a great team. Good luck the rest of the way. (If Pitt had to win, I was hoping that Mike Cook would be the hero, in his hometown- too bad it didn’t turn out that way…)
Comments on my web log are always welcome – positive or negative…
All that being said, Pitt needs Cook’s penetrating and passing and scoring ability. Dixon just needs to figure out when and how to use him.
did they make comments on tv about the “cabbage” game in the middle of the 2nd half…priceless seeing jay wrights staff in suits picking up cabbage on the court…..dixon looked pissed…….last thing we need is someone blowing out a knee slipping on that stuff…..
way to go ‘nova nation……
Fun game to be at. Every time Nova would get close, the crowd would just erupt. Pitt quieted them down every time with a key basket.
other promotions included:
foul shots for $50 gift certificate to some bar
foul shots for an X-Box…….
half court shot for $250 (almost made it)
good ideas i guess….except for the cabbage one….morons…….
