Well, USF doesn’t play well away from Florida. Pitt just isn’t playing well. Something has to give.
I’m probably going to be DVR delayed. Traveling back from visiting family. So, SilverPanther in NYC will be taking the reigns tonight.
Odd time,at 7pm but when Pitt gets to the ACC, there are those Sunday night games.
Everyone should know the rules by now. I’m a bit pressed for so time, hence brevity.
If you need to break the liveblog out from the site, Click Here.
Otherwise, just a little lower.
As a die hard fan, I would be happy to see Gibbs and Robinson in street clothes tonight. But there is a better chance of me seeing Elvis at the Pete tonight than Dixon even considering reducing their minutes.
Silver, please block any comments about Taylor playing the four spot?
Zanna is so weak it is unreal and the guards should buy a ticket.
Thank goodness for Jj or this would have been over long ago. This group should decline an NIT bid if it comes, watching them causes too much pain.
No adjustments made after the 1rst meeting with USF.
Except they’re worse !
Tray – 1/4, 1 assist, 3 TO
Johnson – 3/5 (2/3 3 pt), 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 TO
JJ Moore – 8/14 (1/4 3 pt), 3 reb, 1 steal, 2 TO
Nas – 4/10, 11 reb, 3 ast, 1 TO
time to try a different starting lineup for the rest of the season
A season sweep by USF ! And the games weren’t even really that close in the 2nd half.
Like I said before, give Epps & Wright their walking papers, we really need 5 new & good players for next year. (we got two so far)
This team stunk so bad against wvcc on Thursday I didn’t even wear my traditional Pitt hat to happy hour at the local watering hole on Friday. ( I chose my Pirates hat, if u can believe, haha)
They were worse from the box score today, if that’s possible.
Hope springs eternal was reason for Pirate’s hat, but it’s also coming into play with PITT now, especially football. Meh
With Adams, I figure he could provide an eight-to-ten point improvement in overall points per game for this team simply because he won’t get his shot blocked five to six times a game or miss three to four layups a game. If he gets a pass in the block or an offensive rebound, he will dunk it. Seriously, Zanna and Taylor’s physical weakness has cost this team eight to ten points per game. Adams will make up for that.
I would love to see Coach Dixon send Epps on his way (and perhaps Wright), bring in another guard (preferably Chris Jones) and if he can get a power forward like the JC kid from Cali (Young), this team can win 25 games again and make the tourney. Call me stupid, but I trust Jamie.
If they had recruited another McGhee, that should not be hard for a top program, 3 or 2 years ago Pitt could of had a legitimate center to a least bang inside and play defense (McGhee was no stud – and there were 50 or more of him they could have recruited).
Taylor might have been the talent he was in high school playing his natural position. Everyone mocks him cause he cannot play the 5. Anyone who plays basketball knows for many player gaining 20 pounds does more than cause physical problems for your body it severly reduces your quickness, and jumping ability.
After Dixon ruined his career I hope he allows him to go back to the 4 so he can drop the 20 pounds and if the skills he came to Pitt with are not completely eroded he will be be a 100 times more effective then Robinson who was a waste of a scholarship.
As for Gibbs if Pitt cannot find a guard to replace him from their current crop I would be shocked. Of the number of points he scores in a game you have to subtract 70% because of his presents on the floor. As for Woodall Robinson is a better ball player now than Woodall.
Woodall should be the 4th guard by Jan. I hope Dixon finally plays the best plays regardless of class standing and let them learn from experience so Pitt doe not comme in like a lion and out like a lamb next year.
Starting lineup Adams, Taylor,Moore, Robinson, Johnson.
This is a team that has, shockingly, quit on its coach, its fans, its tradition, its university, and itself.
This team will be better next year. And, no matter what, Hail to Pitt.
O.K. we all know that this team really stinks, however, the one thing that has been driving me bonkers is that it has quit on itself, coach and fans. Next year can’t come too soon.
It — along with the pathetic excuse for senior Division 1 basketball participants that are Nas and Gibbs — makes me want to wretch, repeatedly.
Moore, not my favorite player admittedly(however if he keeps improving), is a fresh body and tonight he had the most points out of the SF position, ALL YEAR. Maybe the best game out that position ALL YEAR, since he got no other help, he scored almost half of the team’s points.
Question…..why did it take until game 28 for him to see extended minutes. Of course if they’re all going to stand around and watch him play, his 20 wouldn’t matter. But seriously, the 28th game of the year. This team has been offensively challenged other than the two fluke games when Woody was playing like Jerry West or the Big O.
At this point, let’s see who can play for next year. The NIT would just mean letting the upperclassmen get their minutes(and it’s the NIT, whoopee). And it’s prolly a stretch if they even finish above .500. Get some fresh bodies in there and see what we got ! Meaning Gilbert, Johnson, Moore, with Woody & see if Patterson can play the 4 or Sleepy.
Put Gibbs & Nas on the bench for the rest of the regular season, to rest up and such, and maybe they regain what they lost to make a run in the BE tourny.
HTP !
VEV !
Dixon screwed him and Birch saw the same thing coming, except birch would only have had to sacrifice one year not a career as Taylor has. The videos I have seen of Adams aginst the best centers in the country and Robinson deonstrate that neither of them are typical Pitt recruits, i.e., projects.
Robinson has been received better coaching in H.S., and I hope Dixon does not screw him up. Adams is an frek and if he can get some coaching and playing time by March he double/doubles should be another day at the office for him.
Dixon’s failure to recuit a center of even McGhee’s caliber destroyed this team. Adams will bail him out next year but even if he stays two years what then.
The center position is not the downfall of this team and Taylor has had problems adapting to playing at this level of play- regardless of what position he plays. No one has been screwed except the fans. Get over it.
Good thing we didn’t play Depaul twice, I can only imagine how embarrassing it would’ve been to get swept by them in both games too!!
This was bound to happen. You miss on a couple recruits, you get an unhappy kid that transfers, and then throw in a little injury and you get a shitty season.
I’m actually surprised we’ve been lucky that this is the first time it’s happened to Pitt over the last decade. We’ve actually been fortunate.
I believe even the mighty Tarheels and Huskies had down seasons and missed the tournament back in 2010-11.
Comment by dennis wagner 02.19.12 @ 9:17 pm
You know, you are spot on, more than likely dennis. I noticed when I started putting on weight, like 20 pounds, my jumping ability lessened, my knees started giving me problems, my back same thing. And I lost the quickness on defense I had. Never had much on offense as I was more a long distance shooter. Sleepy can hardly get up some games, getting shots blocked by guards and such. He has shown in limited touches he can shoot the rock.
Yes, since we know he can’t play the 5, would be nice to see him drop 20 pounds, and see if he can play his natural position, next year. Probably would have to help his knees and jumping ability. Hopefully it is not too late, if nothing else he seems like a nice kid who stays out of trouble. No reason to keep sticking a round peg in a square hole. You got Adams & Gilbert, two natural Centers for that position next year.
I also noticed that in 1994-95, Coach K’s 15th season and year after they went to the National Championship game (and 2 years after they won their second of back-to-back national championships, they went 13 and 18, finishing 9th in the ACC with a 2 and 14 record.
It happens. Pitt will be back. Hail to Pitt.
Some of you guys drink the kool aid, not me. Dixon will be untouchable next year, but not if we don’t transition well into the ACC
I can accept Pitt losing when there is effort and hustle but last night was a continuation of poor ball movement which turned into poor shots and no toughness under the boards. This team just wants to get the season over with and so do I.
So that makes me wonder, like maybe PITT’s ACC bid was contingent on PItt basketball having a few down years, so that the ACC folks would be more acceptable/agreeable, less apprehensive of only 1 really good team, Cuse and one mediocre team, us.
I know it sounds far fetched, but it’s not like we lost any NBA stars from last year’s team, which was what.. 30-5 and a #1 NCAA tournament seed. And this team plays such poor fundamental basketball, it belies belief. Did they all just suddenly forget how to play basketball?
When I was 40 at a 170 pounds I could still touch the rim, hang in the air and shot a jump shot.
Dixon ruined Taylor and Birch say the same train coming. Dixon’s style, treat everyone the same, and not move players from their comfortable positions is contrary to Conneticut and Syracuse.
This year may have been the end of an era. Adams was under the radar or we probably would not have got him. No 5 star strong forward will ever come to Pitt again. And most of the best big men in HS are 6,8 and 6,9 looking to hone their skills for the NBA.
At Pitt they may have to play center or sit their freshman year behind a player like Robinson who is not a D! player.
EMEL I am afraid we answered why Pitt will lay the egg rather than take the golden egg home.
No heart, no confidence, no defense, no will to win, minimal effort, no leadership.
I am not smart enough to tell you if this malaise will last, but I can tell you this, there is very little raw talent on this team heading into 2012-2013. In the past, that has not been that big a deal as Pitt has won with grit and a defense that would never give up.
Pitt can not make up for lack of effort with talent and I don’t carfe what freshman comes in. The challenge for Dixon will be to turn a losing mentality (which this team clearly has…they certainly expect to lose) into a winning one.
It is best to end this season without the pretense of an NIT or some other post season scrimmage…
Steve Blass had an easier time getting his head together than Jamie Dixon will have getting his players to think, and act, like winners.
I love Jamie, but he has lost the team. How has Moore been on the bench all year? This is the worst defensive team in the Big East. A true freshman guard kicked the crap out of us.
It is time to let the youngsters play. Bench the seniors.
As for Epps what has he done for alot of you to think he should hit the door. He is the only other point guard on this team. He moves the ball well, pushes it up the floor and made some nice passes last night when he was in the game. He is only a RS Freshman but here again he needsplaying time. Of course he is afraid to shoot because he may miss and get pulled. No one had an uglier shot last night than Collins from USF but he was their leading scorer.
As for Taylor I agree that he is totally out of positon and his knees are so bad that he cannot even jump. There is a huge difference in playing with your back to the basket as oppossed to straight up and it is something that some players cannot adapt to. Taylor and Zanna cannot play with their backs to the basket. That is the bottom line they will never be decent centers and should have never been put in that position. Look at how well Zanna played last year when he subed for Robinson in the early season. Wasn’t he the MVP in that one tournament. He is just not a center.
Just hope for better things next year and chaulk this up to a totally lost year in Pitt sports.
I do believe that he may be the most important piece on the current roster to build on next year but he has to do it night in and night out.
I would like to see more of him in the remaining games.
One thing does concern me, his allegiance to his players just because they’ve been there.
Maybe this is over blown??? I don’t know.
But if Adams and Robinson are as good as they say, they should be on the court immediately.
I see it all over the country, true freshman and redshirt freshman playing, and starting.
I hope Steven Adams doesn’t sit on the bench behind Malcolm Gilbert because he’s “raw”, “has a lot to learn”, and Malcolm has “worked hard”.
PLAY YOUR 5 BEST PLAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ll go to battle with JJ any day, he’s one guy that has had a great attitude and energy all year, even though his performances have been up and down. And to think some were worried about his attitude if he didn’t get enough minutes, etc. Ideally in my opinion he can make the leap and either start or get more minutes than Patterson, whose ceiling is limited.
It does happen, lots of freshman all over the country playing!!
I think Jamie took the aggressivenes out of JJ early in his career. It is hard to play your best hoops, especially when you play like JJ, when you know if you make a mistake you’re coming out. Jamie has him on the shortest leash.
Last night JJ hit a tough turnaround jumper. I thought Dixon’s head was going to explode. He was furious. He turned to Pat Sandle and started to go ballistic, then calmed down (maybe because JJ hit the shot). But it tells you that JJ drives Dixon nuts, and nothing he can do is right. That’s tough for a wing nut like JJ.
JJ is going to have to play a lot next year. There’s no question he will be one of the best five. Jamie needs to figure out how to get him to fit. It starts with looking to drive first and shoot only after he’s rolling…..
He needs to be a finisher. So if that means coming off the bench and playing with J. Robinson (who can get him opportunites going to the basket) next year, that’s fine. But he needs to get starter minutes in that role.
And one more thing on Gibbs…did anyone else cringe last night when Gibbs again drove the middle, only to be tied up and lose posession?
He has made a habit of that…
Last but not least…as bad as this Pitt team is, when you cannot score, every defensive mistake looms large…think we lose the next three and end this nightmare.
Center: Adams
Forwards: Moore, Patterson
Guards: J Johnson, Robinson
Offense: Run pick and roll with Adams and Robinson. Adams showed me more pick and roll ability in the HS game in Ambridge than I have seen in 10 years of centers at Pitt. He has really good hands and an ability to finish at the rim. Robinson has a great handle. If they over play Adams on the roll, Robinson can get free and create for the others. Johnson can knock down the open three. Moore can to the rim and Patterson can also knock down the open shot or get to the basket.
This group should also take care of the ball, none of those guys are turnover prone.
Defense: Adams will be a force in the middle. He can clean up a lot of mistakes. Patterson can bump with a PF in the lane, especially with Adams there to help. Robinson can gaurd the bigger gaurd, Johnson is likely to be able to stay in front of a quick guard. And Moore has the athletic ability to stay with most SF’s.
Rebounding: Robinson is an exceptional rebounder for a gaurd. Johnson is quick enough to get to loose ones. Adams will attract a lot of attention. Patterson and Moore can both board.
There will be enough size and athleticism in that five at 7′, 6’5″, 6’5″, 6’3″ and 6’1″.
Zanna, Woodall, and Gilbert will be big contributors too(a couple of them should even start). The rest (Taylor, Epps, Wright, D. Johnson) should have to fight for scraps.
Yeah, I don’t put a ton of stock in Youtube highlight videos. I could look good playing YMCA pickup b-ball if you shot enough footage of the few good plays I made and edited out that other 99% of me screwing up!!
I do think that Taylor was always more comfortable at the 4 though, since day 1. Birch, the supposed power forward, was actually coming along at the 5 when he quit. I thought that would give us a good chance to try Taylor back where he belonged, cut back Robinson’s minutes, and give us some real size in the frontcourt.
Wow… nothing has gone right this year.
I know it sounds like an excuse, but I really think Birch quitting hurt this team, as much and possibly more than Woodall’s injury.
Remember the early loss to LBSU, then we started playing Khem more and the team came around. Actually was winning handily for awhile after Woodall was injured, and he was only going to keep improving.
Oh well, I just want this nightmare to end.
He’ll be a senior and a guy that’s worked his entire career earning his spot. Dixon just will not giv that up to a freshman no matter how good that freshman may be.
Besides, we have no idea how Robinson will translate to D1A ball. I’m optimistic. There will nonetheless be an adjustment period, and he won’t be ready to start point until at earliest mid-year. At which point it will be too late to disrupt whatever system is inplace then with Woodall at PG.
On Moore: He’s shown the most consistent effort of anyone on the floor the past 5 games. Not to say guys like Patterson, Woodall, Nas, Wright or Johnson have half-assed it. But Moore hasn’t really taken plays off or lost focus where as each of the guys above have.
I’m surprised to write that sentence as anyone it to read it but its true. He’s looked worse than he actually has been, only because he’s not found his outside shot yet. Everything else is more or less in place. He just needs to find is shot and/or have a clear message as to what his role is so he can get into a groove. He’s only a Sophomore. His career trajectory is going the right direction. Its a good thing (maybe the only good thing of the last few games).
Alos that shot that pissed Dixon off last night — I could be wrong but I don’t think Moore had any choice but to shoot it that way when he did. It had to happen. The clock was running. So if Dixon was pissed about it, it means Dixon just unjustifiably hates Moore and is looking for reasons to be upset.
I’m a huge Dixon fan — but there is a flaw in the coach-player dynamic here and I think its more Dixon than Moore. (imagine if he treated Gibbs the same way. Gibbs would be getting 10 minutes a game for how poor his decisions and lackadaisical his effort has been).
Nonetheless, the future remains bright I believe, so long as Dixon does indeed play his best players in their optimal positions next year. (I support the “let Dante play PF” movement on here….especially if he starts adjusting that way now.)
I liked last night that the announcers were not afraid to get on the Pitt kids for the lack of effort and sloppy play, too often that has gone unsaid.
The next pass Trey throws to the other team should get him a seat next to Dixon, and Naz should join him when he starts his spinaroody crap before a turnover or blocked shot.
If you don’t go the games you don’t see the introductions. This is the first Pitt team I have seen that acts like they don’t want to play. They just walk out, no jumping around, high fives or any enthusiasm at all.
Gibbs was told he needed to improve his ball handling and driving so he worked hard to do this but he just doesn’t have the talent and this took away from what he can do, shoot.
We don’t have finishers. Last night we had 1 less offensive rebound but 10 less points as a result. Note; we lost by 9.
Taylor can only be a 4, Moore at the 3,Johnson backing up Tray at he 2 or playing the 2 when he gives our new point guard a spell. While most all of our problems eminate from lack of play under the basket, Adams can only help. Still cannot get over teams driving our middle whether we are in zone or man. Either defense, it’s inexcusable in any basketball game.
That said, he’s apparantly a phenomal pure shooter, but lacks the dribble-driving that the position calls for.
I think its conceivable for him to play a SG. And it may be a good idea. Consider: Our SFs may be our brightest spot (of returning players) with the highest upside. It’ll be hard for Durand to steal minutes from Moore or Patterson.
Also, one thing that seems a problem to me is the lack of length in our back court, which seems to have opened up 3pt shooting against in a bad way. I’d like to see our back court get a little longer. D. Johnson would do that.
The idea of John Johnson and Woodall as our back court is not pretty. The ave height would be 6ft even (Woodall 5’11″, J.Johnson 6’1″, both measurements exaggerate their height).
D Johnson is apparently not a great ball handler either, which could be hidden if everyone else is in natural positions and he’s just coming off screens like Gibbs did in his hey day.
He can take Cam Wrights minutes. Dixon will have an issue at SG next year, between J.Johnson, D. Johnson and C. Wright, depending on if he needs quickness, length, offense or defense.
In any case, I D Johnson being this years Cam Wright in terms of amount and type of minutes.
Not sure who Durand can guard at this point. He is not strong enough to guard three’s and not quick enough to defend two’s.
Entertaining, ehhh, when you win, doesn’t really matter. If you go 27-5, it’s pretty entertaining.
Our system may not be that entertaining, but, I don’t know, watching Fields, Young and Blair, pretty entertaining every night.
Winning makes everything palatable!!
- robert foster
This is great news. Its widely believed, especially by dokish, that pitt has the inside track and that if they match the effort given by ohio state, pitt will most likely get him. It appears pitts doing that. I hope it pays off.
Comment by Pitt Rob 02.20.12 @ 8:15 pm
Calm down Pitt Rob, take a valium or a strong drink on the rocks. No women drinks. haha (just kidding dude) Your reasoning is filled with “ifs” which means a lot of question marks. We had DeJuan Blair, Sam Young & LeVance Fields all coming back in 2008, the Elite 8 year. They weren’t if’s, they were all proven commodities.
Same thing in 1988 with proven players, Charles Smith, Jerome Lane & Demetrious Gore & Rod Brookin. All proven commodities.
Same thing in 1974 with proven players, Billy Knight, Mickey Martin, Keith Starr, Jim Bolla, Kirk Bruce & Tom Richards. This team won 22 straight games and is probably PITT’s best team ever. IMO As Billy Knight was PITT’s best Pro player ever, no question.
Now who is coming back from this year’s team to be on next year’s team. Dante Taylor, Talib Zanna, Travon Woodall, Johnson (2), Moore, Gilbert, Patterson. None of those players other than Woodall is a proven commodity and he’s very loose with the ball, so where exactly do you play him.
He’s a turnover machine at PG.
What the more likely scenario is; they begin unranked and work their way into the Top 25 by the middle of January. Provided Adams & Robinson & who ever else (and there better be a couple else’s) are immediate impact players. Because with what they got now, it ain’t(emphasis) happening.
Veritas et Virtus !
The 1974 team only had one true star, Bily Knight but they played the phenomenal amoeba defense and had played several years together, so they were very tight as a group. Had they not had to play eventual National Champion NC State on virtually their home court in NC, they would have made the Final 4 and quite possibly won it.
Taylor looks like a shell of a player right now. I seriously wonder if he will transfer. I know he’s going to be a senior and I guess he’d have to sit out, but seems to me a fresh start at a smaller school where he would be given a shot at PF might be in order.
As others have said, a juco transfer at PF seems like an absolute necessity.
Moore can make a big leap next year, but he needs to do a few things. First, he must shore up his mechanics. Fails to get set on the jumper too often, feet all over the place. Great to see him driving, but once he gets in the lane, he is expecting contact and shying away from it, fading instead attacking the rim. He got the fouls, but some of those could have been and one if he goes at the rim strong. And he’ll have to improve his D, although that’s gotten better.
I have no idea what happened to Patterson. He and Sleepy must be eating from the same cereal bowl or something.
every single team Howland put on the court had an identity… that is the sign of a good coach
can someone please explain how Dixon has coached this team in any way? They are so awful and do not play with consistency or intensity on defense…
Admittedly, Dixon does need to adjust things a little. If it aint broke don’t fix it, and it wasn’t until about 10 games in this year when the whole thing fell apart.
Biggest problem here is one that started a few years back – we didn’t have an actual center. Not one that fits our scheme. The scheme didn’t change and we tried to shoe-horn Taylor into the role, hurting both the PF and the C position. But this is turning around. We have at least 3 more years of decent to very good Centers (Adams/Gilbert).
PF will absolutely benefit from a good center and we have the parts — if not Zanna, then Moore/Patterson and maybe even Taylor.
I think we can basically stay the course re – personnel and be much better next year.
Not to diminish Howland as a coach, because it’s obvious he is exceptional in many areas. More to reinforce the idea that this type of slide happens even to renowned programs and high profile coaches. It’s been an awful season, but let’s see (hopefully not) one or two more before shoving everyone out the door.
Adams will help and we all have to pray he stays more than one year, but his play, like any freshman’s, will be uneven and Pitt will be lucky to get 10-12 pts and 8 boards a night out of him.
Anyone thinking Woodall is going to play the 2 guard is nuts. He’s going to start at PG and be the same sub-par PG he is now, physically overmatched almost every night in the Big East.
Moore will score 12-14 ppg and Patterson will distribute, but every minute they’re on the floor is a minute you give up on defense, because Patterson’s too slow and unathletic to play any and Moore is too clueless to play any.
There’s no answer at shooting guard. There just isn’t one on the roster, which is simply amazing. Maybe Durand Johnson will come out of nowhere, but I just don’t see it happening.
The game will look much faster to James Robinson and he’ll get backup minutes at the point and help as the season progresses and John Johnson will play some backup minutes at SG and maybe provide some bench scoring.
Taylor and Zanna will both continue to stink. Unfortunately, given Dixon’s system, they’ll both continue to get minutes,either subbing for Adams or playing the four. Mark McCarroll or Jaime Peterson or Chad Varga would be better and maybe some of you remember how bad they were. maybe Gilbert redshirts in order to come back with more eligibility after Adams leaves.
The whole thing is a clusterf___. The roster needs an overhaul. This is not a one year lapse.
If we can figure out how to use them. haha
I really don’t want to see 7 footer Steve Adams chasing around players on the perimeter, lightyears away from the hoop. And then getting caught on a ball screen trying to guard a much quicker player.
Still trying to figure out why Gilbert’s redshirt was burned, since he hardly played in the part of the season he should have, the non-con. And I believe he had played a total of 5 minutes thru late December. I don’t see how you can now redshirt him next year since that means Sleepy or Zanna are the back up centers. No thanks.
But we have two strong recruits coming so far, we also need a real PF and a good SG and another good player. So 2 current players need shown the door.
Nice knowing ya Isiah & Cameron. Or get a pell grant and walk on.
If all else fails we can always put another new roof on The Pete ! Maybe buy a charter jet for our trips to ACC country !
