Hey, you knew it was coming. Really silly top-25 predictions for next year. Even before the dust settles on early entries to the NBA draft and a few more key recruits decide.
Pitt seems to be a consensus top-10 pick in the way too early stuff.
7. PITTSBURGH: The Panthers were Big East contenders a year ahead of schedule, tying for second in the league. Junior guard Ashton Gibbs is one of the nation’s most underrated scorers — he shot 44.4 percent on threes during Big East play in ‘09-10 — and on the verge of becoming a national name.
Marc Millar from Beyond the Arc:
5. Pitt
Panthers finished 25-9 and were a Big East surprise. By returning four starters and three top bench players, they’re good enough to win league.
From FoxSports.com’s Jeff Goodman:
8. PITTSBURGH
Record: 25-9 (second round of the NCAA tournament)
Lose: Jermaine Dixon Possible Early Entry Departures: None
Key Returnees: Ashton Gibbs, Brad Wanamaker, Gilbert Brown, Gary McGhee, Nasir Robinson, Travon Woodall, Dante Taylor
Newcomers: J.J. Moore, Cameron Wright, Isaiah EppsThe Panthers weren’t expected to do much this past season after losing four starters, but Jamie Dixon performed some magic to the tune of 25 wins. Pittsburgh’s lone loss is that of Jermaine Dixon, but guards Gibbs and Wanamaker have another year under their belt and McGhee made dramatic improvement in the past year. The key could be the progress of Taylor up front.
Gary Parrish at CBSSports.com puts Pitt at #6.
Over at SBN:
8) Pitt: Jamie Dixon has proven himself to be among the elite coaches in the country, and he should have one of his better teams in 2010/2011. The Panthers exceeded most expectations with their performance this season, and they return their top three scorers. Ashton Gibbs should be one of the elite guys in the Big East next season, and look for Isaiah Epps to step in and make an immediate impact next year.
Mike DeCourcy also chimes in from the Sporting News:
9. Pitt
The Panthers need to become more versatile on offense, but don’t be surprised if talented big man Dante Taylor makes a significant leap as a sophomore.
And finally from Andy Katz at ESPN.com:
5. Pitt: The Panthers were the surprise of the Big East last season by landing a 2-seed in the Big East tournament and a 3-seed in the NCAA tournament in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. No one should be shocked by Pitt returning this season as the Big East favorite. The whole team returns. Ashton Gibbs is the leader of this group and makes money shots for the Panthers.
So, at this point the lowest ranking is 9th. Highest 5th.
Expect Pitt to have a tough and backloaded Big East schedule for next year.
The real news is Walt Harris to Cal U.
Hilarious stuff.
Which I’m hoping comes soon !
Agree with wbb that Taylor’s development will be a key to just how good the team can be. I also think that Woodall and Epps will play critical roles in how far the team goes in the BE and The Dance. If it all falls in place offensively, look out, because we already know this team can play defense.
I think it’s more about players in the Pitt system making big year-to-year leaps – Young, Blair, Gibbs, McGhee, etc. – than McDonalds AAs making Fr. to So. leaps. Other than DeCourcy from TSN, no one here guaranteed improvement. We’re saying that how much he improves determines how much the chances for Pitt improve.
