My primary focus is on the Albany game, since I paid attention to that one. The Rider game, I have watched a little of online. PittScript has a better write-up of just the Rider game. Opening games are hard enough to judge. Wildly different performances from one to the next make it that much harder. Pitt is still 2-0 after the start of the season, and there is plenty of reason for optimism — and some things to be concerned. Really, the best thing to say about the first couple games: no injuries. Just ask Louisville.
From the Albany game, Lamar Patterson played a great game offensively. More importantly, he seems to have embraced the idea of being Brad Wanamaker. Still his own player. Different strengths — better rebounder, better ball control — and weaknesses — free throw shooting, ability to attack the basket. But Patterson is as much the natural facilitator as Wanamaker. He may eventually turn into this team’s de facto point guard. He sees the floor and judges angles where the ball is going on rebounds. He is slimmer and stronger this season. I would say he understood during the offseason that if he wants to get the playing time over J.J. Moore and hold off some of the up-and-coming talent, he has to completely understand the system and become a very well-rounded player. In the first two games he has 15 rebounds and 11 assists.
Travon Woodall will not keep up the hot 3-point shooting. Especially when Pitt plays teams with better defenses and bigger guards to defend him. But his confidence is high and he really wants to be the point guard for this team. The issue for Woodall — and really all the guards — will be getting the ball inside. There’s a lot of talent there, but the experience and knowledge by that talent to get free for a pass is still a work in progress.
