Yeah that’s all fine, but this team sucks and has sucked all year and Dixon can’t make adjustments and we don’t have talent and we just lost our 1-seed and I’d be surprised if we don’t lose in the first round.

Seriously though, you’re exactly right. Sky’s not falling, kids.

Chas you are a delusional homer, Pitt sucks, Jaime Dixon cant coach and this team will lose in the second round. Disgusting, terrible, embarrassing loss. Take off your blue and gold glasses. Im never buying a ticket again. blah blah blah

That basically sums up the posts from the open thread…..

Chas I agree with your post. I am really surprised at how some are reacting to this loss. Our main goal is still in front of us. There will be plenty of time to critisize if and when Pitt gets an early exit in the tourney.

It was a loss that could have been a win, no doubt there. But it was not a TERRIBLE loss. This stuff happens in conference tourneys every year. Kansas (#1 Big 12 seed) squeeks by OK St. yesterday. Today, Northwestern takes OSU (#1 Big 10 seed) to OT, and Carolina (#1 ACC seed) wins on a last second shot over Miami.

The big differences between those teams: OK St. #61 RPI, Northwestern #87 RPI, Miami #68 RPI and UConn #24 RPI before their respective games.

All of the other teams also had chances at the end to win their games just like UConn, but they blew it. However, like the UConn folks said, none have Kemba Walker, a likely 1st team All-American, to take that last second shot.

Typically I don’t like this kind of thing, but I like that Gibbs (and the other players, apparently) were angry and that Gibbs predicted a final 4.

My problem with the loss:

1) this late in the season, late game TOs are inexcusable and seem to be a function of a lack of confidence

2) Getting beaten on the boards and Dixon’s insistence on keeping McGhee on the bench during a stretch when it was obvious his presence was needed on D.

3) continued problems on D at the top of the key

At this point I can deal with the fact that Gil Brown, with one or two exceptions a game, just won’t be aggressive and go to the goal. And that McGhee will never have *any* touch around the hoop. And that Wanny will always have one or two completely stupid TOs a game.

But points 1-3 above are things that shouldn’t happen at this point in the season. Except for perhaps the first round, do those things in the Big Dance and you’re going home.

Pitt vs UConn – 7-4 regular season.
0- 2 BET…..lost to the 2004 team by 3 points…eventual National Champs. Lost yesterday in a terrific game by 2.

I also think we still get a #1 seed. Look at ND losses. They were blown out twice.

Thanks Chas for your usual calm,cool, accurate game recap.

One last thing I have figured out about Jamie.
He will never make a game adjustment to something the team has not practiced repititiously or something they have not proven good at. No matter what. Having had some of those adjustments backfire in my face during games, I understand.

… and a lot of the same stuff happens in the NCAA too

I don’t think Pitt will be any more or less prepared next week. The cold reality is that a hot opponent or an off game and that’s it. I’d feel better about our prospects if we were playing better ball. While there’s no shame in losing to UConn, they didn’t blow the doors off the Garden either.

Look guys, the way Kemba Walker drove forward and then stepped back almost back to the 3 point line, no one was going to stop him. Gary McGhee did not give up the drive! Whether Wanamaker or anyone else was covering him wouldn’t have mattered. He made a terrific individual play, which is what he does. Pitt lost the game by making careless passes that let to easy transition layups that enabled UConn to get back in the game. Earlier in the year we were winning the close games. The 3 close games we lost down the stretch, were to top 20 teams in very close games. Pitt needs to go back and work on some of the little things that helped them to win those close games earlier in the season. The foul shooting issues that hurt them most of the season haven’t been an issue of late. Clean up the turn-overs and box out a little better and result will be different. Playing in the Big East is grind and it wears on a team. They need to recharge their batteries, work on the little things and come out fresh for the NCAAs. In the sceme of things being ranked #1 or #2 shouldn’t matter that much after the 1st game.

Fact remains in the NCAA tournament you have to play Top 25 teams and win them all. Especially if you are the better team you already have an advantage by having better talent. No excuse for what happened yesterday.

What’s the latest on Zanna’s return? It was said 3-6 weeks on the 24th, and 3 weeks exactly would be Thursday March 17th, first day we could potentially play. I wonder a) how his progress is, and b) if Jamie would play him coming off a broken bone, as a freshman, in the NCAAs. I guess after yesterday’s rebounding performance and foul trouble, he’d pretty much have to.

Got to agree with Justinian… McGhee actually did a good job of forcing Walker to shoot a jumper, even though he looked awful in doing so… a step back from almost the 3-point line… I will take that shot over a drive in the lane any day…

I also gotta think the #1’s have to go to Pitt, ND, Kansas, and Ohio St…

Pitt won the toughest league in the country OUTRIGHT, and went 15-3 in the process… The ONLY games they’ve lost were to teams who are going to the NCAA Tournament… I haven’t looked at all th data, but I just dont believe there is another team in contention for a #1 with that resume…

that being said, whether they are a #1, #2 or #7, they have to lineup and play… the opponent doesn’t matter… with the unpredictable nature of the tournament, you never know who you are going to get anyway, so they would be better off focusing on correcting their own issues, and disregarding their seeding

I really don’t see how UNC can get a 1-seed over Pitt. I watched that game today and came away unimpressed. UNC basically had a home game and struggled mightily.

When Zanna is healthy he will play the minutes that J.J. Richardson plays. At this point, I think Pitt is better off going small rather than playing J.J. Richardson.

Good point on Jamie’s coaching style, Dan 72. That’s why “he gets more from less” as all the experts like to point out.

That brings me to something I’ve tried to keep in mind all year. This is a team of overachievers. They are not the most talented bunch of players in their conference let alone in the county. We’ve been told that by Dokish, Gottlieb, Bilas and others, including some posters here, for the past two years.

However, they are a group of guys who play excellent team basketball on both ends of the floor, and the starting 5 do it the best which is why they get the most minutes. That has them #1 seed deserving and Final Four capable, which has made for a pretty good ride so far this year. I guess we’ll see where it ends starting next week.

Also I was reading the end of the last thread… saying it is a horrible loss because Pitt lost to a 9 seed is a joke. UConn is going to be a 4 seed at worst in the NCAA tournament. UConn has one of the best players in the country and although an A-hole one of the best coaches in the country.

agree with your take on this, Chas

Note that the two alleged tops seeds barely escaped their first confernce games. OSU lost in OT to lowly Northwestern and Kansas won by over OK St.

I do believe ND will surpass Pitt as a 1 seed being the only thing we have over them was the league title, beating them by 1 game. Otherwise, they have a higher RPI, more wins vs Top 25, beat Pitt at Pitt, and has won 12 of the last 13 games. I still think we have a good chance for the 4th No. 1, however.

I don’t see how Pitt is the last #1 seed. How many RPI top 25 teams did Duke beat? UNC? They aren’t going to take the #1 seed.

And, I agree with others that say that who else on Pitt’s team is able to defend that shot.

I will take exception to those that question the talent…that teams shot the ball exceptionally well yesterday. No, Aston Gibbs may not play in the NBA and Kemba Walker certainly will. But Kemba is NEVER going to go 5-6 from three point range. Ashton is shooting 47% for the season from three. That isn’t overachieving. That is talent.

And to all those people in the other thread jumping off the bandwagon….screw you. The NCAA tournament is about luck and match-ups as much as it is about having the best overall team.

After having time to stew over/think about the loss it’s not as big a deal as it was yesterday. I think the main issue for most fans, at least in my humble opinion, is that we’ve seen this movie before. Earlier than expected losses to Pacific, Bradley, Xavier, Nova, Kent St, Xavier again, etc have worn on the fan base quite a bit and that is why many of us can’t get our hopes up for a deep NCAA Tourney run, even after a terrific regular season.

there is a difference between taking a jump shot with a defender there with a hand in the face and talking a jump shot with the defender on the ground and being wide open. during that game when pitt had a hand in kembas face he threw up bricks. when wide open he hit it. bottom line is the end of game defensive strategy to switch picks between guards and bigs has to change and rather than make excuses and pat ourselves on the back for a close loss, pitt should be working to correct these late game problems. so acting like there aren’t problems doesn’t make much sense. again not saying the sky is falling but that doesn’t mean there aren’t problems that need fixed

The problem I have is the other teams had tough games but they won them. Pitt had a tough game and lost. I am not sure if this team has enough talent to win the close one in the tournament against a top team. The team cannot put anyone away. They had UConn on the ropes in the first have and let up way too many easy baskets to let them back in the game. A halftime lead of 10 and Pitt would havve won. It seems like most other BE teams feel they can beat Pitt because we let so many teams hang around. If Pitt would have had Cin. it would have been a close game but ND put the hammer down. It would be nice to see Pitt hammer someone.

Pitt has to prove to me that this isnt the same old shit and actually overacheive in the tourney for once. If that’s all that really matters we sure dont play like it! Im tired of late season brain farts that cost us games we should win. Just hope this isnt forshadowing for the upcoming games

Guys this team has over achieved all year long. Yes they haven’t played as well lately, as they did earlier, but no one confuses this year’s talent, with the team two years ago with DeJuan Blair, Sam Young and Levance Fields or the 1988 team with Charle Smith, Jerome Lane, Demetrius Gore. For much of the year they were playing remarkable team basketball. It’s difficult if not impossible to play at that level indefinately. I’m sure that getting bumped out of the Big East Tournament is a humbling experience for all of them. Undoubtably they’ll be working on a lot of things this week. Let’s see how they respond.

Didn’t have the stomach to look at the comments yesterday afternoon once I saw they were in the 200s already. Hope this is a bit more level-headed of a thread than I imagine that one was.

Biggest worry for me out of yesterday was the lack of intensity and aggressiveness, especially on the boards. I am queasy watching that replay over and over again of Kemba getting his own offensive board with Taylor standing stationary with his arms up and Gibbs five feet away just watching. Gotta have five guys going hard at the defensive glass, and at least two to the offensive boards. That’s how Pitt wins.

Conference tournaments prove about as much as the conf championship in football: nothing. But we keep having them so a bunch of people can make a bunch of money.

That’s fine, except it ends up screwing the BE. Its clearly the best conference in the country. Yet few BE teams win the NC, because they’re too tired in the NCAAs.

I think Pitt will lose the 1 seed, but so what? I’d rather they have the week of rest.

Watched the Cuse put UConn into overtime tonight….they put their two best players on Walker (5 sec to go with the ball) and he never touched the ball. Still UCOnn is red hot and if ND crawls into the final, I would rather have them play a hot UConn team than a Zone team in Syracuse.

Been watching L’ville ND. Right now I think Notre Dame is the best team in the country. They make you make a decision every time down the floor…either stop the 3 point shooters or stop the pick and roll..but you cannot do both. At least L ville is pressing a bit. Down by 7 halfway thru period 1. The ND shooters are cold blooded Irish assasins!

I’m really sick of that shot. It finished Pitt, but it’s not the reason they lost. They didn’t play sound transition D, didn’t rebound well at all, and didn’t protect the ball late in a close contest. In hindsight, they were probably lucky to be tied that late, and deserved to lose.

Kemba has amazing skills, but he didn’t win this one single handedly. Pitt got outworked despite a strong showing hitting shots.

Dan, As much as I hate to say it, Notre Dame is certainlly playing the best ball in the big East. They have a terrific point guard and amazing shooting. What’s really discourgaing is that they are sharing the ball so well in the halfcourt that they remind me of a Pitt team. It appears that Pitt peaked in midseaon. Hopefully with the weeks rest, they can get it back.

Chas – Thanks for keeping it cool. I was at work and missed the game and couldn’t find comfort in watching it on DVR delay when I knew the result and having already seen the last play again and again and again on SC. So DVR got deleted.

I look to you for your reaction and am encouraged with your cool head.

Without reading the other comments here just yet, I have to say that Kemba was excited to know that Pitt would switch on the high screen and knew the ending to the movie before everyone else at the Garden…but why? I’m a huge Coach Dixon fan, but, geez, c’mon…quit switching defenders on the screens when it includes the 4 & 5 players, especially at the top of the key. It is exactly why ND schooled us at home this season. Switching is fine, but when it involves the big guys, step back and slide through. It is fundamental.

Regardless, thanks for the even keel response. I appreciate your unending efforts to get us through season after season. Looking forward to next week. Hail to Pitt!

JP–to your point, I’ve made a habit out of watching the UNCs, the Dukes, Kentuckys, etc. play their first round games over the past few years. When these teams are high seeds (1-2), they usually come out strong and don’t let up. Duke came out last year, and won their first round game by almost 30 points. They won their next two by double-digits. It wasn’t until the E8 matchup that they won by 7. They won their first Final Four game over WVU by nearly 20.

In 2009, UNC won their first round game by 43 points! They won all the rest, including the championship game, by double and high-double digits. THAT is the way champions win. Don’t tell me Pitt isn’t built for it; I can excuse physical execution, it’s mental mishaps that are so bothersome, and that’s what happened to Pitt yesterday. A lot of that goes back to coaching.

Kudos to Louisville–they just beat the #1 team in the Big East, Notre Dame. I like their fresher legs over UConn for the championship, regardless of who has Kemba.

Glad UL won but go UConn tomorrow

WOW. I can’t believe Notre Dame, a top 5 team lost to Louisville. They suck. I’d be surprised is Mike Brey has a job tomorrow.

The whole they had Kemba we didn’t thing is funny, because if we get a defensive rebound we probably win. Then we could have said, well we have ashton and you don’t.

i guess i’m not watching the same nd team as everyone else cause i’m not that impressed. can’t be a lville team with siva fouled out. blowing a 16 point lead. didn’t pitt just to down to lville and take them to overtime same thing nd did on neutral site. no way nd can make case to get 1 seed over pitt now

ND was going to run away with the tournament right???

ND’s recent hot streak has more to do with who they played than anything. Since losing by double figures in Morgantown, ND beat Providence, Seton Hall, Villanova, UConn and Cinci. Hmmm… what’s a the common thread with those teams? Pitt beat every single one. Heck the entire Month of February ND had three tough games in which they beat ‘ville at home, beat UConn on the road and lost tonight. But yeah ND is much better than Pitt. ND used a gimmick offense to beat Pitt and was afraid to play Pitt straight up. In addition, Pitt only had a better overall conference record. Pitt didn’t lose by 22 to Marquette like ND did, or lose by 18 at the Garden to St. Johns, or lose by 12 to the Cuse or by 14 at WVU. And guess what the best team ND played in out of conference was Kentucky and they lost by 14.

Sounds like a lot of rationalizations going on. I have to agree with Tony above – PITT has to win these types of games on a way more regular basis. As it is now, as has been over the years, the overwhelming attitude about PITT basketball is ‘regular season giants, post-season midgets’.

One or two seed doesn’t really matter much, as long we get to go to Cleveland.

I am getting the feeling (from Luke Winn) that BYU is going to grab a No. 1 if they win their tourney… and Duke could grab the other if they beat UNC to win. Meaning No. 2s for Pitt and ND. I guess it doesn’t matter much in the end, but it would be a bit of a bummer end to Pitt’s regular season efforts.

lots of chicken littles feeling the sky is falling…fire dixon, no defense,can’t rebound, blah blah blah…enjoy the ride. Remember when Pitt fans were happy to be a 9,l0 seed?

The most athletically gifted teams in the conference…and maybe the country…are in the finals tonight.

So Ron Cook votes for Notre Dame. So what, you don’t get to raise a banner for getting a 1 seed.

If we can stop the stupid turnovers and rebound like we have been, we will win some games. If we don’t make the final four there will be 200 comments on why we are no good. Ereryone is entitled to their own opinion. Mine is that this is a very good, but flawed team. I won’t be surprised if they go far or get knocked out early. That is the nature of this team and the NCAA tournament. Let’s go Pitt.
I will also root for all Big East teams in the tourney. Even ND and WVU.

Cook maybe correct. ND may get #1 along with Pitt. Pitt deserves a #1 seed by winning the Big East Conference. No team is a clear favorite to win the NCAA championship this year. I believe Pitt has as good a chance to make it to the final game as any team in the top 10. I like our chances… HTP!

When Pitt played Notre Dame, I thought we didn’t take advantage to run enough. They have phenonemal outside shooting and when you play them tight maqking their shooters put the ball on the floor, they don’t shoot as well. Louisville pressed them and disrupted their offencive rythem. Now, I think there is a good probability that they could drop to a 2 seed. ND did not win the conference, of the conference tounament. Despite what Ron Cook says, I think it matters to the selection committee. This morning I believe Pitt is back to the 3rd No. 1 seed and Duke the 4th No. 1. If Duke wins the ACC, they should lock up a No. spot and Notre Dame will be a No. 2 seed.

Duke will have to play without their best player. Nolan Smith rolled his ankle and it looked bad. Without him Duke is really, really vulnerable.

Funny, but no one (at least that I saw) has mentioned anything about this dreaded BigEast Tourney format. I mean for the top seeded team to have to play a team like Uconn first game out, is sort of no reward at all for being the regular season champion and number one seed. The format needs to be changed with the Top 4 seeds playing the bottom 4 seeds, NOW THAT is a reward for placing in the Top 4 of the BigEast. Again after finishing in the Top 4 of a most grueling regular season those teams need to be rewarded better than the current format.

After that 1rst round, those teams would then get a bye into the quarterfinals playing the 4 teams that come out of round 2. This is the format the coaches voted to use after last season only to overruled by the Athletic Directors. It makes a whole heck of a lot more sense than the present format. At least it does to this Pitt alum.

I said that in the previous thread, melvinbennett, but it got lost in all the angst-ridden posts.

My point was not only did Pitt have to play a team with a higher RPI than other conference champs did, but they also had to play a team that already had two games – against one cupcake and one hurting team – to get on a roll. That’s why I think the BE coaches who’ve had teams get the double-bye don’t like the format.

That being said, Pitt still should have won the other day. When you shoot lights out like that, 55% FG’s, and 85% FT’s it’s hard to lose. You actually have to try. Looking at that still shot from half court on Walker’s winning shot and seeing Brown & Wanny just standing there, when they saw he was going one on one with Big G, one of them should have cheated over and at least tried to get a hand in his face. I mean it was such a clean look for Walker, he could hardly miss it. My image of Gilbert Brown and his career is not good now, I hope he can change my image of him in the Big Dance, right now it’s wasted talent and him posing as a statue in the Elite 8 game, the St John’s game, this last game and a lot of times just completely disappearing in a game. Again I hope he can play big in the Big Dance.

Sorry TampaT, I didn’t want to wade thru those 200 some posts in the previous thread. Too much negativity and a lot of anti-Pitt trolls posing.

Perfect plan to beat a ND team that only goes 7 deep. L’ville pressed their butts the second half and while it only caused one to, it gave ND tired legs and allowed L’ville to come back from 16 down. Great coaching by Pitino but he has the horses to pull it off.

Screw Cook, Pitt deserves the only 1 seed in the BE.

Pitt had the tougher schedule down the stretch of the Big East regular season and the held serve winning the conference. Theat should be worth something to the selection committee. If Notre Dame had won the Big east Tournament, they would deserve the nod over Pitt.

I just want to make sure everyone remembers that when Pitt was in the finals of the BET seemingly every year it was “that’s nice but it doesn’t matter if they don’t get it done in the NCAAs” but now that they lost to a good UConn team its now an indictment on how they’re not built to win big games. The critics can’t have it both ways, either the week in MSG matters or it doesn’t.

Thursday afternoon was infuriating, no doubt. Pitt should never get killed on the boards by a team playing their third game in as many days, but to use it as a referendum about how they can’t finish and then make an apples to apples comparison to Kansas-OSU (in Kansas City), UNC-Miami (in Greensboro) and OSU-NW is unbelievably dumb.

Will Pitt make the final four, probably not. This team lacks a back to the basket scorer and a wing player that can beat guys off the dribble. Does it mean that Jamie is a choke artist and that its never going to happen, hell no. The beauty of Pitt hoops is that there’s never a long wait to contend again.

That is how Louisville naturally plays, Pitt does not have the personnel to press and that is not how they play. The one opponent who they would want to speed up is Wisconsin, but I don’t think it makes much sense to pressure Jordan Taylor. I understand trying to adjust, but ultimately each team has an identity and that is basically how they are going to play. I think if Pitt can get Zanna back for the tournament, they will have the front line depth to rebound well and have a decent shot in any game. Still, making the final four is very difficult and some of it is down to matchups and luck

I personally don’t care if Pitt gets a 1 or 2 seed, but if they don’t and ND does, it clearly shows the committee puts very little value in regular season championships.

Boubacar, I heard it was Nolan Smith’s toe–the ankle sounds much worse. I would think that Va Tech would have a good chance today.

I understand the rationale that Pitt has talent deficiencies that logically would prevent a final 4, but those shortcomings can be offset with hustle, smarts and utilizing the roster talent, and there’s enough talent to have gone 15-3 in BE and frankly 17-1 was obtainable. And I don’t buy that BET is meaningless, not when the automatic bid goes to the BET winner and not the regular season winner.

NO SWEAT, NO WIN. After inspired 2nd half v WV at the Pete Brad, Gibbs, Brown was dripping sweat, they played their butts off. That’s how this team wins, with fundamentals, playing together and working hard. Melvin’s right, that still says it all. The lack of effort and desire from Brown and Bradley v. UConn is a mystery. If Brown and Brad come out flat and stupid at any point after the first round we probably lose. I have read every post, I need the therapy, and Tampa did make comment about UConn being the toughest draw for a 1 seed, but we still should have won. I posted that we can’t keep blowing opportunites, that’s not what champions do. Some of our seniors played like they didn’t cherish the opportunity. That I don’t understand.

I hope Pitt still gets a #1 seed but the commitee has a history of seeding us lower than expected. It was a tough loss but a great game. Maybe you double Kemba and let someone else beat you… Anyway, time to regroup.

It was Smioth’s toe, sorry I got a little confused.

2002 #3 lost to Kent State in Sweet 16
2003 #2 lost to Marquette in Sweet 16
2004 #3 lost to OK State in Sweet 16
2005 #9 lost to #8 Pacific 1st round
2006 #5 lost to #13 Bradley 2nd round
2007 #3 lost to #2 UCLA in Sweet 16
2008 #4 lost to #5 Michigan State 2nd round
2009 #1 lost to #3 Villanova in Elite 8
2010 #3 lost to #6 Xavier 2nd round

I’d say we’re due for a 6-0 finish

Duke spanks NC in ACC final. I’m almost certain they get the #1 nod over Pitt.

I said it before; I don’t think it matters where the seed falls at this point. I don’t think we have the athletes/talent to go deep this year. Say what you want about hustle/grit/fortitude/character/charisma/chutzpah/will/toughness/whatever. Those things are great, and they help you get through the grind of the regular season. Come tournament time, you need another gear and Pitt hasn’t found it yet. It’s not a Dixon thing; he’s a great coach and I keep hoping that maybe he’ll shake things up and find that extra gear. I’m just not sure that its there to find.

Also, clearly conference tournaments matter. Especially when the field of teams is like it is this year. I’m guessing the committee will look at everything, and maybe even put additional emphasis on late season performance – at least near the top of the brackets. Other things matter as well, including things that shouldn’t. Duke brings a massive cult following and a lot of history to the dance, and that counts for something in the minds of the voters, not matter what they say. At the end of the day, at least to me, Pitt just didn’t LOOK like a #1 seed. I hope I’m wrong… I really do.

Should be fun in a couple of hours regardless 🙂

Better to get a 2 and play nearby than a 1 and go west. Getting a 2 and being shipped out west would be another selection committee gift wrapped insult.