The danger of trying to post late at night, after having a few drinks, and sweating out a win by Pitt is not writing things I will regret later. Nor is it spelling and grammar issues — well that is an issue but not where I’m going. It’s forgetting the whole point of the post.
After the St. John’s game, one of the primary issues I wanted to write was about how Pitt was playing a lot more along the lines of how they played in the non-con (hence the title of the post). Instead I got bogged down in things about the game, and forgot about tying it together with the intended point. Opting instead for sleep and forgetting all about it.
I’ve been fairly consistent stating that Pitt would be uneven this year. That progress would not be a straight line. Playing at points like they were capable of winning the conference, and others like they would struggle to finish at their preseason projection of 9th. Which of course, leads to the panicky, “oh god, Pitt won’t even make the Tournament,” outbursts. Not to mention silly strawman articles about how Coach Dixon is still the same coach (duh).
It doesn’t make this present stretch any less fun. Doubly so since two of the losses came against teams that were near the bottom last season.
Pitt isn’t in free-fall like UConn. Even Texas has found itself struggling far more than they should. Seth Davis still thinks Pitt is fine and at SI.com listed a bunch of teams with struggles and his evaluations.
Under the hood: When the Panthers knocked off Syracuse in the Carrier Dome on Jan. 2, they made 10-of-24 from three-point range. Turns out that was a mirage. During the last four games, they have gone just 13-for-55 (23.5 percent) from behind the arc. They adjusted during Sunday’s loss at South Florida by only taking eight threes, but they converted just 12-of-22 from the foul line. When the Panthers aren’t making shots, it puts enormous pressure on their defense, and during this recent skid the D has not been quite good enough.
Wheels report: Three wheels wobbly. Fourth holding steady.
It appears Pitt’s win streak inflated expectations, but now that the Panthers have self-corrected, I think they can keep chugging along. Still, they’re going to have to knock down some shots, either from the arc or the free throw line, to win Wednesday at West Virginia. Otherwise that fourth wheel might not hold up.
The last few games have been frustrating to me. The defense has been prone to breakdowns at key spots. Against USF the Bulls were kept to sub-40% shooting, but Dominique Jones came in hot and then Jones shot lights out in the second half (6-9) and continued to get to the free throw line.
What’s been really maddening, though, has been the offense. In the stretch where Pitt has gone 2-3, the perimeter shooting has been spotty to abysmal. Teams have adjusted and are playing a lot tighter outside. Willing to take a chance on letting Wanamaker, Brown and (when healthy) Dixon get past them to the basket.
The reason, obviously is to limit Ashton Gibbs. It has worked very well. He’s getting few open looks and is being guarded tightly at all turns. This has frustrated him and has him rushing his shots at times even when he does get free. The result is a major slump.
The offense’s problems start with sophomore guard Ashton Gibbs, Pitt’s leading scorer. He averaged 20 points and shot 51 percent from the field (28 for 55) in the first five games. In the past four he is averaging 14 per game while shooting 30 percent (16 for 55) from the field.
“He’s just going to have to be patient and let things come to him and we’re going to have execute better to get him shots,” Dixon said. “I think he’s taking pretty good shots. He needs to get to the free-throw line more. Those are things that get you out of slumps. It’s good to get those free throws and get a feel of the ball going through the basket.”
He’s not patient, and that means he is not getting any contact. Excluding the Seton Hall game, he’s had 10 FTAs in the other 4 games. To be fair, Gibbs has had one other shooting slump almost as bad this season — a 29-91 (32%) and 13-48 (27%) shooting slump over six games. That was from the Texas game through Kent St. Not so coincidentally, Pitt lost 2 games, had to go to double-OT to beat Duquesne, and included that 47-32 thriller over New Hampshire.
The other reason teams are playing so tightly and aggressively outside, is little fear inside. After his big game against Louisville, Nasir Robinson disappeared on the offense. He only had limited chances agianst G-town and Seton Hall. When Pitt made a concerted effort the last two games to focus on getting the ball inside on offense and giving him opportunities, however, Robinson has gone back to struggling — 2-13 in the last two games.
With Robinson struggling and Gilbert Brown having career highs in scoring vs. G-town and then topping that against USF, there are the renewed cries to start Brown.
This might be acceptable except that Gilbert Brown plays the same position as Robinson and Brown just might be Pitt’s best player. A struggling team can’t afford to have its best player coming off the bench.
Brown, who did not become eligible until January, scored 25 against South Florida, 20 against Georgetown and 17 against Cincinnati. On a team that has been falling behind early too often, Brown needs to be in the starting lineup.
I’m not sold. While Brown and Robinson play the same position according to the depth chart, they do not play it the same way. Brown is given more room to play the perimeter on both ends. Robinson is much more of the inside presence — even undersized.
Take Robinson out of the starting lineup and the game immediately begins with all the interior defensive weight on Gary McGhee’s shoulders. Given the struggles of Dante Taylor you are risking getting McGhee in very early foul trouble and making Pitt’s offense even more of a perimeter game.
To say nothing of rebounding. USF had a very smart, simple strategy for dealing with Pitt sending so many players inside to fight for rebound. Tapping the ball. Their bigs, rather than try to snare it or fight for it, more often than not merely tapped the ball outside. Getting it back to open guards who could reset the offense.
Then there is the lack of depth on the bench — especially if you move Gilbert Brown to the starting line-up. With Jermaine Dixon day-to-day, Travon Woodall had a chance.
“Travon is a key for us,” Jamie Dixon said. “I said after the Seton Hall game that we need him to play more. He has to continue to improve and not be a freshman. That’s what we’ve talked about. He doesn’t have to score a lot. He doesn’t have to have big numbers. He just has to defend, give us some minutes and run some offense. I think [Thursday] he did a better job of that. That was good for us. Obviously, with Jermaine’s situation it was even more important.”
Dixon was asked Friday whether Woodall was the type of player who needed more minutes to play well. Dixon did not dispute the theory, but he said he has coached players over the years who have made the most of limited minutes as well.
“That’s the argument everyone makes,” Dixon said. “He just needs to play well. Either way, he needs to play well. He needs to do what we need him to do. He doesn’t need to put up big numbers. He just has to help us win games.”
Unfortunately he wasn’t able to step-up. He started, but played only 17 minutes vs. USF. He only took 1 shot and while he only had one turnover, he had no assists. He was overmatched trying to defend any of USF’s guards.
Hopefully Jermaine Dixon will be back in the line-up tomorrow, WVU will continue to play inconsistent ball, and Pitt will play-up to the competition.
I got so sick of watching Robinson in the last game receive a pass on the perimeter, watch his defender drop off by 3-4 feet, and then have him take 3-4 seconds to pass to somebody else who is actually capable of doing something with the ball. Heck, Robinson can’t even be used in the post. Yes, he can adequately defend players much bigger than him at times, but his offensive limitations are so significant that his limited inside presence cannot possibly make up for it.
He is much better suited to coming off the bench, providing some energy, hopefully a few rebounds or put backs, and giving Brown a blow. Agree that if Taylor can’t step up, then Richardson deserves some opportunities.
In general, though, it would be much better for the first 5-6 minutes of the game to have our three best scoring threats on the floor to increase the likelihood of getting a lead or, at the very least, decrease the likelihood of falling behind.
link to thepittsburghchannel.com
The article says that Gibbs doesn’t have an off switch, so it is very apparent, even without looking at the date it was written, that article was written sometime ago because Gibbs looks and acts like he is worn-out. It is not like Gibbs isn’t getting some free looks, it is that he is missing his shots.
It looks like he is resting on defense because he doesn’t pick up his man on the perimeter, is late on back side support, isn’t helping underneath, and not fighting through screens hard enough. The best way to knock Gibbs off his game is to make him play defense which teams are exploiting to no end especially without Dixon in the backcourt.
Gibbs takes 500 shots inside the key and another 500 shots from 3 pt range in practice. Too much practice maybe? He doesn’t look fresh for the games lately and is just heaving it up from 3pt land and clanking them off the rim which is leading to too many run-outs for the opposition.
I hope he gets his mojo back and returns to form down the stretch but without some help in the backcourt who knows? Will Woodall step up? Will it be this year? Will it be at WVU?
I can’t believe that Woodall got to start in the last game because he has in the last 6 games, 7 points, 7 turnovers and three assists. Isn’t the assist to turnover ratio supposed to be the other way around. I understand the rotation, guard for guard but really what is he bringing to the floor? One point per turn over, that is not good is it? He been a liability on defense all year not just against the USF guards.
Woodall is supposed to have elite speed, has anyone seen it or know what happened to it? Why doesn’t he use it and what is he waiting for, Christmas? Dribbling around in circles till he is trapped and forced to make bad passes isn’t running the point is it? Where is the improvement?
Can’t wait until Epps gets here.
The bottom line, there is only one legit, natural, potential big east caliber PF on the team and right now he is playing exclusively back up center. This topic has been beaten to death on this site and others so I won’t re-hash. Unfortunately for all of us, like Woodall, Taylor hasn’t stepped up and shown Jamie enough to instill any confidence in his ability to get the job done at PF. So back up center is where he stays.
In retrospect, IF Jamie was going to try Taylor and McGhee together, the USF game might have been a good spot. Pitt was getting killed on the boards and USF didn’t have a real offensive threat at the PF. Besides Nas and Woodall weren’t getting it done. Why not give others their minutes and try a line up of Gary, Dante, Gil, Brad and Ashton? (That is a rhetorical question, I know the answer, see above)
The PG, again, is just trying to stir up trouble to sell that PG Minus thing.
I do hope that Jamie tries at least one time a McGhee, Taylor and Brown frontcourt, just to give us a taste of what that might produce. My guess is that he does in practice but hasn’t seen the defensive play he requires to give him the confidence to use it in a game that counts.
These struggles remind me a lot of the ’07-’08 version when Sam wanted to be a 3 but had to play 4, Biggs looked lost and sometimes awful when he came in as a sub, and DeJuan showed promise but wasn’t a force yet. So, maybe there’s a method to Jamie’s “madness.”
WVU is going to be a big challenge because of their length at every spot, so maybe, just maybe we’ll see Taylor at the 4 for a stretch. If not, I’m sure Jamie has his reasons and Taylor is well aware of them.
The following is from MaxPreps entitled “Book It! 20 Mational Signing Day guarantees” by Stephen Spiewak:
18. Years from now, Pitt’s class will be viewed as extremely underrated, particularly on defense. T.J Clemmings and Bryan Murphy will develop into two of the Big East’s top pass-rushers.
In Sam Young’s sophmore year he was upset because he had to play behind Levon Kendall at the 4. He believed he was the best 4 on the team. Mike Cook was the 3 that year and Young’s junior year until he got hurt. Young played the 4 almost exclusively his junior year as well. Gilbert Brown started at the 3 after Cook got hurt and Keith Benjamin started there after Fields got back.
Sam only played the three exclusively as a senior.
Some of us have been kicking around the idea that Gilbert Brown should start. According to the Post the coaching staff has discussed starting Gilbert Brown and did not rule it out against the Mountaineers.
link to post-gazette.com
What this means is that Brown is in and Robinson is out. While I like the idea of starting Brown, I have mixed thoughts about trading Browns offense for Robinsons defense and rebounding. I would like to see the coaching staff come up with something more creative and do something to make the team taller especially against a tall team like WVU and especially If WVU is stomping us. Please do something to keep us from “smaller” ball.
woodall could play a role tonight. wvu has very suspect guard play and the taller players should not be able to stay in front of him. i hope he comes to play.
Everbody has a theory why we lost the last three games. Coach Dixon blamed the usf loss on rebounding (USF 34 to Pitt 31). I don’t see that either.
As far is Gibbs shooting, his flat arc makes keeps him from getting off many shots while covered. He must have a screen to shoot. Screening in BBall is like offensive line play infront of a running game in football. It may not work for a long while in a game …but it you keep trying it will wear down opponents with 20 minutes to go.
Jamie is a terrific coach, he knows this…they just need to execute.
One of the best discussions ever on this site.
Gibbs does not need to shoot a contested long two point jumpshot ever. it’s just a bad shot. more than likely it won’t go in and if it does, then you only get 2 points. step in and get a nice 10-footer or get the ball to a big. repeatedly taking 18-foot jumpers is a great way to lose games. he is forcing shots right now from that distance.
relax, run the sets, be patient, and gibbs will get his shots. dan 72 is correct, if they aren’t there in the first, then they will be in the second. and if they aren’t there, then something else has to be. it’s up to the coaches to decide how to attack a defense hell bent on stopping one jumpshooter. it shouldn’t be that hard.
Wanamaker and McGhee have spoken of more touches in the post, yet it just isn’t happening.
Gibbs is missing wide open jump shots, I think his legs are dead from too many minutes over the course of the season.
Sure screens are important, I loved it when an announcer described McGhee as an “Offensive lineman”
enigma – agreed.
When has he ever “put it together”? Certainly not in the last 10 games.
“all the tools are there” – Maybe he is too small and weak.
he may still be weak and he is short, but he is exceptionally quick, sees the floor, likes to pass the ball, and has decent ball handling skills. getting stronger might help him finish at the rim. woodall is only 20 years old. he has the ability to improve.
I wtruly ish him the best and hope he has his break-out game tonight.
This game tonight is going to be tough for our Panthers. Vegas says +10.5 for a reason. Pitt has match up issues against WVU all over the court. Who is going to guard Jones? He is too fast for McGhee, too strong for anyone else. He is really tough on the offensive boards and shoots a high percentage, both inside and out.
How about Butler? He’s too big for Brad and Jermaine. I guess you have to go with Gil, but then who guards Ebanks? Truck Byrant will be another tough, physical guard for Ashton. And Wellington Smith is not really a scorer, but he is big enough to give Gibbs fits. This will be the toughest front court to keep off the glass that Pitt has faced to date.
A few thoughts:
Start Brown, have him guard Butler initially. Have Brad try to muscle Ebanks.
Go inside to McGhee, try to take advantage of his size mismatch. And who knows, maybe Jones picks up a couple early fouls.
Put Dixon on Truck. Kill the head and the body will follow. Take your chances with Gibbs on smith or whoever the other guard is. Plus Gibbs can save a little energy for the offensive end.
Mix in a little zone. WVU isn’t a great outside shooting team and struggled against the ‘cuse 2-3 (who doesn’t?).
Bring in Nas quickly for either Brad or Gil. He should be able to guard either Butler or Ebanks.
In their last trip to Morgantown, both Wannamaker and Brown played very well coming off the bench. Butler and Ebanks aren’t great perimeter defenders, our guys should be able to beat them off the dribble.
And lastly, this game has to be played at Pitt’s pace (slow). WVU’s half court offense is good, but not as good as their offense when they run and get easy shots.
Pitt has to keep the rebounds close. If WVU controls the glass, Pitt loses, period.
Got my beer on ICE and my TIVO set. Can’t wait.
I just hope I get to see it. Only available on ESPN360 here and it’s marked “subject to blackout” which for some unknown reason includes FLorida. I hate ESPN sometimes, er most times.
Against summer league comp, he was able to play well offensively, getting to the hole and distributing. None of that offensive play has translated to BE games and he hasn’t looked like much of a defender against either level of competition.
TampaT:
Seems we have the same coverage problem. The USF game was on justinTV. It breaks up a lot, still a little better than the live blog. Don’t know about tonights game.
With all good hopes and graces,
may our foes trip over their shoelaces.
may their jock straps bind and
cross their eyes so they shoot the ball into the stands
and turn it over to us with their brick hands.
may our rims go in and all their rims be out.
may their defense be thin and ours be stout.
let the refs for once call the game our way
and keep the big bad huggy bear at bay.
May we rebound like kangaroos,
and they like they forgot their shoes.
Its most definitely not haiku,
but lets hope its good for victory over WVU.
Tampa: I hope you’re right about the similarities to the ‘cuse game. Jamie’s teams do better in the dome than they do in Morgantown.
Pitt will win if:
1) Wannamaker and Brown can get to the basket and hit some shots. They each need to be in double figures points. Likely.
2) Pitt can keep Butler under 25 points. Iffy.
3) Pitt can match WVU rebound for rebound. Not too likely. AND
4) Gibbs can make 3 or more 3-pointers. Who knows?
Woodall is decidely NOT a factor either way.
