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February 6, 2012

Trusting Tray

Filed under: Basketball — Chas @ 11:14 am

No matter how many times in a row Pitt keeps beating Villanova, it will not make up for that Elite Eight game. But, it will have to do that Pitt keeps beating the Wildcats.

Well, I wrote it after the WVU game, but it bears repeating. This Pitt squad is Tray Woodall’s to lead on the court. When I watch Woodall bringing the ball up court and either Nasir Robinson or Lamar Patterson is going ahead pushing the opposing team’s defender up court. Keeping the defense at bay and from putting any pressure on the ball until Woodall crosses half court and can set the offense. It almost strikes me as the advance guards clearing and protecting the way for the commander.

A bit over-the-top? A little. But it kind of works. The other Pitt players fall in to line and place with Woodall leading this team. He brings a confidence that the rest of the team feeds. The hesitation. The stagnation at both ends. The confusion. All seem to have dissipated with Woodall out there.

This past week’s performance by Woodall also earned him Big East Player of the Week honors.

 

The rest of the team is just better and more sure of themselves when Woodall is playing.

“I just want to attack,” said Woodall, who is still smarting from an abdominal injury that kept him out of 11 of 12 games in December and most of January. “I don’t know if anyone thinks I’m hurting or whatever the case may be. I just want to leave the floor knowing that I made no excuses. I’m not worrying about my injury. I’m just going out there and playing basketball. At the end of the day, you don’t want to leave the court with regrets. You want to leave the court knowing that you gave everything on the floor… that you fought for your teammates. That’s what I’m trying to do. And it’s helping me look real good.”

That sentiment seems to be running through the rest of the team.

Pitt made it through another game against Villanova. The 79-70 final both did and did not reflect the way this game was. Pitt trailed for nearly 10 minutes in the first half before Woodall led a surge that gave Pitt a double-digit halftime lead. A lead that Pitt briefly built up to an 18 point lead before it settled into a 9-12 point lead for most of the second half.

Most brief runs by Villanova came when Coach Jamie Dixon tried to give Woodall a minute or two of rest. There weren’t many. Woodall played 37 minutes — 19 in the second half. He had to be out there for both ends of the ball. It definitely played into several turnovers in the waning minutes — esepecially that random pass to the 3d row.

But he knows his teammates and they know him. As that homerun play that finally broke Villanova and their almost comeback drove home.

The teams traded free throws, and Pitt led, 71-68, with 22 seconds to play when Nasir Robinson hit a streaking Woodall on a daring, 60-foot inbounds pass. Woodall caught the ball and was intentionally fouled while making a basket. By the time Villanova got the ball back — four free throws later — Pitt led, 77-68, with 19 seconds to play.

Robinson and Woodall had made eye contact before the risky, press-breaking pass.

“That was a big play by Nas and Travon,” Dixon said. “They made that call on their own.”

Perhaps more important than the score was the refs huddling in front of the monitor to determine Ty  Johnson intentionally fouled Woodall. That was a free timeout for Pitt to let Woodall get a little rest. He was struggling down the stretch.

Brief aside, I think the refs were dead wrong. It was not an intentional/flagrant to me. It struck me as a make-up call for Jim Burr’s incompetency by blowing his whistle expecting a shot clock violation nearly a minute earlier. A play that could well have put it out of reach then and there with Taylor right there to put down a slam — or just get fouled if he took too long fumbling with the ball.

As for Villanova, 8-days ago they blew an 18 point lead to Marquette to lose by 4. This time, they nearly came back from an 18-point deficit, but couldn’t.

At this point, what more can anyone really say? The Wildcats (10-13, 3-8 Big East) have been able to play with many opponents. But most of the time, they simply don’t have enough to make the ultimate difference. And that’s why they keep score.

There’s been a four-point loss at Marquette, a four-point loss at Cincinnati, a 10-point loss at Louisville in which they led by five at halftime, a second four-point loss to Marquette. And now this.

“It’s inconsistency of inexperience,” said coach Jay Wright, reiterating what’s become the theme of this bumpy ride. “That’s exactly what it is.”

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it. Kind of like Pitt during its losing streak without Woodall. Fran Fraschilla doing the color commentary was excellent in the game and made a few great points about how much Villanova really didn’t have anyone else on the outside with some consistency to help in the backcourt. That Maalik Wayans has to do too much back there — like Gibbs without Woodall.

“It’s kind of frustrating,” Cheek admitted. “Everyone on our team would like to see results now. [Not having anything to show for the effort] has been killing us.

“We have to just keep not letting the other games affect us, keep playing. We can’t let [this] get us down.”

…”They’re starting to look like the old Pitt team again,” Wright noted. “[Woodall] makes everyone more comfortable, in the way they normally play.”

The Wildcats led by five after 13 minutes before Pitt went on a 22-2 run that helped make it 40-28 at intermission. But James Bell and Johnson each fouled out in a combined 45 minutes, and the young bench contributed seven points, two boards and three assists in 38 minutes. Much of that came from junior Maurice Sutton in his 8 minutes.

“It’s been tough for [Wayns],” Wright said. “He’s handled it really well. Everyone knows they have to stop him. We’re trying to establish [other people].”

It’s getting late.

Fraschilla also pointed out, that despite the Wayans-led, highly regarded recruiting class (Scout.com ranked them #2 and Rivals.com said #3  in 2009) that included Cheek, Yarou and Armwood (4-star recruit who transferred, but wasn’t doing well before that)  that it was a class that hasn’t delivered outside of Wayans. Both Wayans and Cheek were McDonald’s All-Americans. No matter the coach, it does happen.

The other key for this Pitt win was the free throw shooting.

The Panthers made a season-high 27 free throws on 31 attempts in their 79-70 victory over Villanova on Sunday to extend their recent success at the line. Since going 1 for 6 against Louisville on Jan. 21, Pitt is shooting 83.0 percent (78 for 94) during its four-game winning streak.

Even Dante Taylor is getting into the act. The 6-foot-9 junior center is shooting 77.8 percent (14 for 18) since Jan. 1.

“I’ve been practicing,” he said. “Being more focused, taking it more serious. Those are easy points, and it’s a way to help my team out.”

Sunday, Tray Woodall (12 for 12) and Ashton Gibbs (7 for 7) didn’t miss, and Pitt made 21 of 23 in the second half.

Nice to see and by the end, it was needed.





I disagree. That should definitely be a flagrant foul. They made the right call. The offensive player is so vulnerable there. The defensive player needs to make a legit play on the ball. If not, should be a tech for either a malicious OR dangerious play. I’ve nearly had my arm ripped from my shoulder by some jackass on a similar play. It turned into a fight.

Comment by SilverPanther in NYC 02.06.12 @ 11:26 am

I think that foul was a judgment call. I wondered if we were going to get it when the play happpened, but I don’t think it was an obviously right or obviously wrong sort of thing.

Nice to see Taylor hitting FTs. Are we being too hard on him at this point? He’s actually playing OK, if below the expectations we all had for him.

Comment by pittbaster 02.06.12 @ 11:56 am

There has been improvement on the offensive end, but can they consistently shoot well over the next 7 games. They have to shoot well since the defense is lacking.

Comment by gdodson 02.06.12 @ 12:01 pm

The bottom line is that they are playing better. They are handling pressure better, reducing turnovers, attacking the basket, playing better defence, and making free throws. The turnover thing reared it ugly head towards the end of the game, but fortunately they got past it, by making free throws and with the home run ball.

Regradless of how they ultimately finish the season, it’s good to see them playing Pitt basketball again.

Comment by Justinian 02.06.12 @ 12:22 pm

I think the flagrant foul was called because the contact that was made was to Woodall’s face…Otherwise it was not that hard of a foul.

Comment by HbgFrank 02.06.12 @ 12:26 pm

All the talk about Tray making everyone’s role clearer, etc., is true, but the biggest impact is how unbelievably well he is playing, period. Not to be a skeptic, but I just can’t see him keeping up this torrid pace (who could, really), and if he falters with an “off game,” will the rest of the offense go back to sputtering?

Hopefully not, but I guess after the past few months I’m bracing for a setback. Fortunately, USF and Seton Hall might be beatable even with a down game from Woodall. Either way, wow, he’s playing ridiculously well.

Comment by JW 02.06.12 @ 12:40 pm

I agree HbgFrank. As the announcers pointed out the right side of his body was actually away from the ball/contact so there wasn’t malicious intent there, however, his hand/arm raked Tray across the face. Good call. It might have been a little make up for the blown shot clock call, but that is Jim Burr for you. How is he still a ref in the league?

Comment by Pendlum 02.06.12 @ 12:41 pm

off topic – but props to Hynoski on the Super Bowl win. He was actually mentioned on Mike and Mike in the morning around 8:00 by Golic as a difference maker that you wouldn’t know by looking on the stat sheet.

Comment by Pendlum 02.06.12 @ 12:43 pm

I was actually appalled by the flagrant call .. although I don’t think it made a difference in the outcome of the game. Note that Burr did not immediately call it flagrant, and only did after a very long look.

If Tray doesn’t fall down (like he seems to do after every contact — including the 2 times is shots were blocked in 2nd half), it wouldn’t even had been an issue.

Comment by wbb 02.06.12 @ 12:56 pm

I may, along with others, really have misjudged Woodall’s talent at point guard. He looked so tentative and slow earlier and maybe that was due to the injury. Right now, he is playing like the best point guard that has ever played at Pitt.
What a nice ride these last 4 games have been.
It’ll really be interesting to see how far it goes.

I have never agreed much with any of Burr’s calls and the one FF could have gone either way…but it’s “Mr. look at me!” Burr…loves the dramatics on TV.

I know we won and at times looked like a top 10 team, but can we have just one game without Gibbs turning the ball over at the top of the key…either with a lazy pass or like Saturday when he tried to spin dribble without his bar arm up for protection. He might as well have just handed the ball to the Villanova player for a layup.

Great foul shooting…can’t wait for SF. HTP

Comment by Dan 72 02.06.12 @ 1:16 pm

The blown shot clock call was big. It clearly hit the rim and the explaination that it was an inadvertant whissle is incorrect. He blew the call that’s not inadvertant. That’s what going to look the monitor, should be about, to correct the call. If nothing else they should have given Pitt the ball out of bounds, after stopping play.

Comment by Justinian 02.06.12 @ 1:18 pm

Justinian, depending on which ref blew the whistle, and where they were on the court, they may very well have not seen the ball graze the rim. Given the luxury of an immediate replay and the benefit of the camera angle, TV viewers we clearly able to see the ball and rim–the ref on the court may not have. If that’s how it played out–that the ref missed it in real-time–the whistle was most certainly inadvertent, and the possession rules would apply.

Comment by Lou 02.06.12 @ 1:30 pm

Isn’t it Wayns, not Wayans? Regardless, not that it will ever make up for the Elite Eight game, but another win over Nova helps somewhat

Comment by Greg 02.06.12 @ 1:31 pm

On the flagrant foul, I think the main reason it was called was because the contact was to the face, but a secondary reason was that the contact occurred after the shot was released, which makes it harder to view it as a play on the ball.

As for Woodall going down when he is hit, all I will say is that from my seats, it looked like Woodall was getting body checked and mugged all game long. Villanova clearly wanted to play physical with him, and for the most parts the refs let the contact go early in the game.

Question on the shot clock violation – was it obvious that the ball hit the rim? Again, it looked like it at the Pete, but we don’t have the benefit of replay. The strange part of that play is that it seemed like the whistle blew when the ball was in the air halfway to the hoop (and it appeared that it was Burr that blew it, since he was the one waving off the shot). What was the final ruling on that play – shot clock violation or alternating possession to Villanova?

Of course, the related question is how does Jim Burr keep his job year after year?

Comment by Pantherman13 02.06.12 @ 1:47 pm

Pantherman13- Ruling was inadvertant whistle, which is a jump ball, and arrow was with Nova.

Comment by Joe 02.06.12 @ 2:06 pm

As for Jim Burr having a job, I have no idea. Probably has something to do with being an old drinking buddy of Tranghese and Marinatto or something.

Comment by Joe 02.06.12 @ 2:07 pm

This story just broke on Yahoo/Sports

More accusations surface against former Wisconsin AD
By TODD RICHMOND, Associated Press

Comment by Emel 02.06.12 @ 2:28 pm

Comment by Emel 02.06.12 @ 2:31 pm

Right Now Tray Is the Best point guard in Big East . Nobody Wants to play Us. Hail To Pitt

Comment by 63Team 02.06.12 @ 2:41 pm

Anyone who had Pitt -7.5 loved the flagrant foul call, just saying.

Comment by boubacar aw 02.06.12 @ 2:42 pm

@Dan72, you are right, actually, i’ve midjudged just about every point guard we’ve had the last 10 years or so, thinking to myself, “well, this guy is never gonna be as good as the last guy” thoughts.

Dixon does a fantastic job of developing players, and has done it many times with the pg, and another example as Woodall seems to be coming into his own.

Comment by Dan 02.06.12 @ 2:49 pm

Somebody mentioned how physical Nova was with Woody.
Woody isn’t exactly Hulk Hogan out there, and you factor in his injury and clearly one element of Nova’s game plan was to be physical with Woody and try to wear him out. Add 19 minutes of 20 being played and it showed in the last couple minutes.

If he goes down when he gets fouled or when his shot blocked, again Woody is usually the smallest guy on the court. I would think that would cut him a little bit of slack, at least with us.
He’s a star player which for most everyone else in the BigEast, it usually gets some slack from the refs as well. I know it would for certain select teams.

As for Woody having an off game and Pitt not being able to overcome that, I give you the Georgetown game as Exhibit A, as to why that’s not a given.

On to Tampa & USF and let’s keep this train rolling !

Comment by Emel 02.06.12 @ 2:56 pm

Good comment Lou. Of course I’m biased, but when they go to the monitor and something like the ball hitting the rim is clearly visable, my hope is that they will correct it. I know I guess I’m a Pollyanna. The alternate possession explaination unfortunately makes sense.

Coming into this year I felt good about Travon Woodall and the team’s chances. Last season Woodall had really come through in several games, comming in off the bench. He was playing well early in the year, then when he got hurt the the wheels came off. It’s good to see him back and let’s see where they can go from here.

Comment by Justinian 02.06.12 @ 3:23 pm

Shout out to the badgers

link to youtube.com

Comment by Tony in Harrisburg 02.06.12 @ 3:24 pm

Joe – thanks. I never heard an explanation at the game, although the fans were making so much noise at that point (mainly booing Burr) that I may have missed the announcement.

Here’s a question for the rules aficionados out there…does an inadvertent whistle only revert to the possession arrow at the end of the shot clock? When nobody is in possession of the ball at the time of the whistle? Anytime?

Trying to think logically about this, I guess if Burr blew the whistle while the ball was in the air, then technically nobody had possession. Pitt clearly got the rebound, so I assume if the whistle had blown at that point Pitt would have retained possession.

As for Burr, like Higgins he has been around forever and somehow has the reputation of being a good ref, but for the life of me, I can’t figure it out. I remember him being bad back in the 1980s, and he hasn’t gotten better with age.

Comment by Pantherman13 02.06.12 @ 3:30 pm

Burr whistled the play dead while the ball was in the air. Clearly an inadvertent whistle but play stopped nonetheless. Anything that happens after that point is irrelevant. If he had blown the play dead while Pitt still had the ball (i.e. no shot had been taken), then Pitt would have retained possession with whatever time should have been remaining on the shot clock. In this case, possession goes to the team with the arrow. One more reason I think the NCAA should do away with the possession arrow and go back to jump ball for possession.

Comment by Pitt Dad 02.06.12 @ 3:41 pm

Pantherman, I think the possession arrow, and who currently has possession on the court are two different things. Burr blew the whistle because he believed Pitt to be in violation of the 35-second clock. While the refs corrected the call of Pitt being in violation of the 35-second clock, the inadvertant whistle still applied–that call was NOT corrected; the possession arrow pointed to Nova, so they got the ball.

Comment by Lou 02.06.12 @ 3:47 pm

Will the ACC refs be any better? I bet Pitt gets screwed when playing NC and Duke. That’s what I’m hearing from the other school’s fans in the conference.

Comment by TX Panther 02.06.12 @ 3:51 pm

Thanks Pitt Dad – the explanation makes sense, so it gives me some comfort that they at least applied the rules correctly.

I guess “inadvertent” is the technical term, but “mistaken” might be more apt. Burr’s reaction indicated that he really thought there was a shot clock violation, so it seems he was quite purposeful in blowing the whistle…he was just wrong. At least it didn’t affect the outcome…this time.

Comment by Pantherman13 02.06.12 @ 3:53 pm

looks like Chryst still has an unfinished staff

link to pittsburghlive.com

time to brink David Walker back to Pitt

Comment by wbb 02.06.12 @ 3:58 pm

Lou – I think the possession arrow only came into play because when the whistle was blown, neither team actually possessed the ball (i.e., the ball was in midair). If it had been blown after Pitt got the rebound, Pitt should have been awarded the ball because they were in possession when the inadvertent whistle was blown, and they would have had a new shot clock because the shot hit the rim (the reviewable part of the play).

Comment by Pantherman13 02.06.12 @ 4:01 pm

ugh

Newly hired Pitt RB coach bolts to Wisconsin

By Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Monday, February 6, 2012
Last updated: 3:32 pm

Eddie Faulkner, the Pitt running backs coach for less than a month, was hired to coach tight ends at the University of Wisconsin, Badgers coach Bret Bielema announced today.

Faulkner played running back at Wisconsin from 1996-2000 and spent last season as the running backs coach/special teams coordinator at Northern Illinois. Prior to that, he was on the Ball State staff for seven seasons.

Pitt coach Paul Chryst hired Faulkner on Jan. 12.

Read more: Newly hired Pitt RB coach bolts to Wisconsin – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review link to pittsburghlive.com

Comment by steve 02.06.12 @ 4:05 pm

Wow, unless Faulkner sought out the position, that seems like a punk move by Bielema, but also underscores that he must have been pretty pissed at Chryst for taking the Wisconsin coaches in the first place.

I agree, Walker would be a welcome addition.

Comment by Pantherman13 02.06.12 @ 4:05 pm

Inadvertent is the rule book term. Pantherman is correct. The possession arrow comes into play because neither team had possession. If Villanova had the ball, they would have kept possession. The only advantage to Pitt in this case was that the possession arrow flipped.

Here’s the rule:
Section 3. Alternating-Possession Situations
Art. 1. The ball shall be put in play by the team entitled to the throw-in at a
designated spot where:
g. An inadvertent whistle occurs, and there is no player or team control.

Comment by Pitt Dad 02.06.12 @ 4:07 pm

Allergic to Double Os? Homesick for brats? venison? Madison? let’s hope these are the reasons

Comment by steve 02.06.12 @ 4:09 pm

Section 39. Inadvertent Whistle
Art. 1. An inadvertent whistle occurs any time an official blows the whistle as an
oversight and does not have a call to make.

By this definition, it would seem almost all Burr’s whistles are inadvertent.

Comment by Pitt Dad 02.06.12 @ 4:28 pm

Faulkner’s wife hated Pittsburgh.

Comment by TX Panther 02.06.12 @ 4:32 pm

funny that attached from BadgerBlitz.com (Rivals) makes no mention of Pitt

link to wisconsin.rivals.com

Comment by wbb 02.06.12 @ 4:42 pm

I agree!!! Dave Walker Should be brought back to Pitt. Where is he now? Does Pitt have a reasonable chance to entice him? He did an ourstanding job with the Panther running the last few years. He already knows Ray Graham and they seemingly did well together. It was a shabby move for Bielsma to snatch Faulner back. I am increasingly disenchanted by the lack of commitment by the mentors of the gridiron. Perhaps I expect too much, but the trend, though not new or unique is disconcerting TO ME!!! Rev. George from Columbus where the HC of the Buckeyes has just endured a chrge of lack of ethics(or worse) by the same Mr. Bielsma, Guess it all depends on whose ox is being gored, eh?

Comment by Rev. George Mehaffey 02.06.12 @ 4:57 pm

Dave Walker spent the 2011 season as the running backs coach for the Indianapolis Colts so he may be available.

Comment by Pitt Dad 02.06.12 @ 5:13 pm

A friend who met him at the LOI event was not at all impressed.

Good riddance, I say.

Comment by steve 02.06.12 @ 5:22 pm

You’re talking about a running back coach, not an offensive coordinator. No big deal. Maybe they could bring in someome familiar with western PA or with ties to Florida or New Jersey. They have all major slots filled already, so they should look at this position to fulfill a need.

Comment by Justinian 02.06.12 @ 6:18 pm

Anyone else getting dicked on their football season tickets like they are doing to me and everyone else that sat in the endzone bleachers ? After all these years they decide to shut down the bleacher seats and they are not going to sell them unless its a big game. They want people to show up at football games but they think they are going to move me to the side 88 rows up and think i am going to buy them. Yes Pitt I will go from row A to somewhere in Egypt just for you. This football program is so pathetic anymore that I am done spending money on them

Comment by Mike Haywood Jr. 02.06.12 @ 6:27 pm

Dan ….on Tray…sure Dixon has made improvements but I see something in Tray I have never seen and I have watched every game he’s played. He has developed some real quickness and trust in his game. His aggressiveness has inspired the team and I am shocked as I have never seen some of the recent moves and dribbles that he is now using. You can coach em up all you want but Tray has talent heretofore unseen by a good many of us. It is the kind of “Billy Knight” quick talent that can take a team a long way in the NCAA’s…if we make it. What a thrill it’s been to watch.

Comment by Dan 72 02.06.12 @ 6:37 pm

Great win! I hope all the fine folks that said they were “done watching this team” are sticking to their word… They don’t deserve to enjoy this… I’m glad I didn’t give up on Coach Dixon and this team… I’m glad I’m not a fair weather fan

Comment by Pitt2Cali 02.06.12 @ 6:48 pm

Justinian, just what my friend recommended. It may be that this new staff is perhaps a little too low key.

Comment by steve 02.06.12 @ 7:00 pm

We lose a coach all ready what the f k

Comment by FRANKCAN 02.06.12 @ 7:14 pm

Whoever pitt hires as their rb coach hes needs to have ties to nj or md. Those arent the most fertile areas but they always have top talent and theyre places where pitt has a reasonable chance of going in to and snatching some top recruits, unlike florida, louisiana, texas etc

Comment by Pk 02.06.12 @ 8:30 pm

Is Pitt in some sort of weird coaching Bermuda triangle??? Coaches come, coaches go without ever coaching a single game…

Comment by Coach Ditka 02.06.12 @ 8:38 pm

Assistant coaches are like high school crushes with a shorter life span. One out of 100 pan out.

Comment by SFPitt 02.06.12 @ 8:44 pm

I just found this on my Facebook page. Let’s get the vote out for the Zoo!!
Remember to vote for The Oakland Zoo as the Naismith Student Section of the Year. First round voting ends February 12: link to facebook.com

Comment by Annie 02.06.12 @ 8:53 pm

Uhmm, back to basketball. Every one knows that USF is no pushover this year, right? And they play very good defense? And Pitt has historically struggled there? Don’t be surprised if we lose this one….

Comment by velvil 02.06.12 @ 9:00 pm

@Dan72, oh yes, you’re right, Tray has found himself, and I’m sure he has accelerated a lot on his own, maybe found a confidence, something has definitely clicked for him.

I’m the same way with RB’s, “they won’t ever be able to replace (insert name)”.

Hey guys, not making light of losing the RB coach, but, minor!! He’ll get one. And as Chas’ new post suggests, maybe a guy with a different recruiting area, he was MAC/Big 10 area. I think we have that covered.

Comment by Dan 02.06.12 @ 10:30 pm

If some things fall their way, I think this team really has a strong chance of making the tournament and even winning a game or two. Every game from this point is winnable. But, IMO, several things have to happen.

First, Patterson has to be more consistent. Tray will not be able to carry this team on his shoulders every game, and Gibbs’ ability to score big is closely linked to Tray’s performance. Patterson will have to step up and contribute double digit scoring and more assists on drives to the hoop.

Zanna & Taylor cannot miss layups. The idea of a layup should be zapped from their brains. Everything within a few feet of the rim has to be a hard move with the intention to dunk. In close games, or even games with a comfortable lead, those misses can come back to haunt you. Villanova began to turn the game around in the second half after Taylor missed what should have been a dunk.

Late in the game, Gibbs cannot have the ball in his hands with the shot clock winding down, even if Woodall is not in the game (which, barring foul trouble, should not be the case). It happened again in the Nova game and the result, a turnover, was totally predictable.

Moore or Wright need to contribute more offensively. Not much, but 8-10 points b/w them per game would be huge. Heck, if Moore could just make one of the several open 3s he gets every game, that would be tremendous.

Really looking forward to this final stretch. Totally different than it’s been in recent memory, where this part of the season was more about whether this team would be a 1, 2, or 3 seed.

Comment by Carmen 02.07.12 @ 9:15 am

Cameron Wright is not ready to play a lot of minutes. He gets scared and I’m not sure what his shooting percent is but I know it’s poor since we began big east play. He’s a RS Freshman and needs some time for things to click but I don’t expect him to be the answer this year. It’s nice that he can come in and play hard on D and handle the ball a bit but don’t expect anything more than that for now.

I liked seeing Zanna & Taylor in the game at the same time. Naz needs a break every once in a while and I would prefer one of those guys comes in for him instead of Patterson.

I couldn’t agree more with Carmen about DUNKING. Taylor and Zanna both need to DUNK as often as possible as layups are not a given.

Comment by Tony in Harrisburg 02.07.12 @ 9:37 am

OK, so bracket predictions are really meaningless, but they do give fans something to talk about. In any case, this is the first one since the losing streak that I’ve seen Pitt listed as on the bubble – just missing out. Nice picture of Coach Dixon going nuts on the sideline to boot.

link to beyondthearc.nbcsports.com

I agree with Tony on Cam Wright – expecting much offense out of him at this point is probably wishful thinking. He missed a bunny towards the end of the Villanova game simply because of nerves. That being said, his rotation on defense has improved, and he is providing some rebounding from the 2/3 that is much needed. Because of that, he will continue to get spot duty and be valuable down the stretch.

USF is not a pushover, and road games in the Big East are never easy. That being said, Pitt needs to find a way to win tomorrow. No style points, just win…

Comment by Pantherman13 02.07.12 @ 10:24 am

Agree that Wright has some limitations at this time, but his defense has come around and he has shown some flashes on offense, particularly driving to the hoop. I agree that his PT will and should be limited, but one of the things that could put this team over the hump, so to speak, will be some kind offensive contributions from Moore and Wright. Perhaps that’s wishful thinking, but IMO, it will be necessary if this team is going to make it to the Big Dance.

Comment by Carmen 02.07.12 @ 11:20 am

I feel like watching Woodall, you get to see all the great parts of the past Pitt PGs rolled into one. He hits the big shots like Fields and Knight. He gets to the hoop and can score like Krauser. And he just has that swagger, like he knows he’s good, and he knows that you can’t stop him when he gets going. Listen we can say we need more of this or more of that from the other guys, but this is the reality. This team will go as far Tray can take them and who knows maybe that’s further than we’ve ever been.

Comment by Pitt Rob 02.07.12 @ 11:52 pm

[…] He got national player of the week honors to go with conference honors. The theme of this being Woodall’s team and the leader that I pointed out last week is now getting more […]


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