I got more into that game than I expected. I was trying to be mellow about it. Not take it too seriously. Just try and observe players, but mid-way through the first half I was shouting at the TV, fired-up up about the game and really wanting Pitt to win. It had nothing to do with last year. It was simply that I was watching Pitt play a competitive game and I wanted my team to get the win. I hope I never lose that kind of reaction.
This was a gritty win for Pitt. One that had a plenty working against them. On the road, bad shooting, iffy officiating, defensive breakdowns. Unlike a lot of games this year, though, Pitt got to the other side with a win.
Yes, it helped that Butler was hideous at the free throw line, but that sort of balanced out the one-way officiating. That aspect was extremely frustrating that Butler players could just throw themselves at Pitt inside and toss the ball in the air — and draw foul calls. Pitt players were standing straight, arms straight. And the foul would still be called. I don’t blame the Butler team for doing it all game. I blame the officials for giving them the reason to keep doing it.
It wasn’t pretty at times. Gibbs could not hit anything in the first half (0-6), and barely tried to shoot in the second half (0-2) — and did not attempt a single 3-point shot in the game. In the second half, you could see that the rest of the team was not even looking to get him the ball. There was a sullenness about him. I don’t know if it is still frustration at the season, or being in the CBI (some people who attended the first couple CBI games at the Pete have indicated that Gibbs had looked disinterested). It was disappointing, to be polite.
Pitt stayed in the game in the first half, mainly behind J.J. Moore with a little help from Talib Zanna and Cameron Wright. Zanna’s improved play in the CBI — combined with yet another spurt of Dante Taylor playing no defense (which led to his 2 quick fouls) — led to Zanna getting the start in the second half. Zanna finished the game with 15 points and 8 rebounds. While he is still not good on defense, he could at least keep up with Smith and avoid the dumb fouls from being late getting to defensive position.
Taylor simply could not handle a mobile big man with range. Butler’s Andrew Smith moved around the court. In general, Pitt struggled with it. In the second half, Pitt did a lot more of having Nas, Patterson and Moore on the court together to stay with the constant motion of Butler’s offense.
It did seem that the poor shooting would doom Pitt in the second half. Then Lamar Patterson really stepped up. During the season, there was some question about his play late in the game. Questions about how he responded to the pressure. He hasn’t answered them well. This time, though, he was huge.
In the final 2:11 of regulation, he had a steal and 5 of the 6 points — including a clutch 3 — to tie the game and send it to OT. In OT he had 5 more points, an assist, a block and rebound. Woodall also stepped up in the final minute — after a frustrating first 39 — and in overtime. Along with Moore, the three of them appear to be taking the reins of this team for next year. They are going to be counted on to be leaders on this team, and they seem to be ready to embrace it. (I hope.)
Now it’s on to the CBI Championship series (PDF). A 3-game set that has Pitt playing Washington State. Pitt will travel to Pullman for the first game on Monday night at 10 pm eastern on HDNet. The next game and third if necessary, will be at the Pete at 7pm on Wednesday and Friday. If Pitt wins, the trophy can go right into storage. Only to be brought out as a reminder to the players at the start of next season — this is not the goal.
– it doesnt mean we’re playing for the “120th best team in the country”, because due to the selection process half the NCAA tourny field is worse than Pitt, and same with the NIT. (granted we’re stil only like 65th best team, but whatever)
– more importantly, its still matters to me that Pitt wins, whatever game it is playing. And it apparently still matters to all the guys playing on our tam next year. Its says a lot that these young guys are coming out after the kick-in-the-balls season we just had and are still playing hard. To get a championship will do alot for these kids psychologically.
— so all the smarmy, jaded Pitt “fans” who are holding their nose when talking about this tournament and saying we shouldn’t even bother playing in the CBI, as has been said before: Its not about you. This is a building block for the future.
ladies and gentlemen, i present the results:
only once coach in the entire NCAA is worse in march than Jamie, and that is a man who has never won a game…
I will argue that he has OVER-performed in the regular season and has gotten Pitt higher seeds than they would have without his coaching. There no doubt were a number of under-performing post-seasons. But that number is inflated due to the regular season over-performances.
Cant see the spread sheet — its a pay site (you know a free way in) — but i would guess if you adjusted the numbers for over-achieving seasons (say against pre-season rankings) Dixon is probably middle of-the-pack for guys with 12+ NCAA tourny games to their name.
Hey let;s knock Duke. Pitts under achievement is bad, but we never have losses that are so dramatically bad as Duke’s (twice in past 10yrs Duke lost to a team at least 8 seeds below them, 4 times to a team at least 5 seeds below them). Closest we come was the 2nd round loss to Bradley (a team that also beat #4 Kansas).
Also, in addition to the 4 dramatic upsets above, a #1 seed Duke lost to a #5 seed in 2002 and 2005; in 2006 #1 duke lost to a #4 seed. Lost to lower seeds in two other years. Thats 9 out of 10 yrs losing to lower seeds. 6 of those years to seeds at least 4 seeds below them.
We can do a lot of things with stats. Let’s use them to knock d-bags like Duke. Nout our own coach.
Any chance someone in the Pitt athletic dept is ordering a CBI Finals 2012 banner right now for the Pete???
Playing Washington State at 10 PM Monday (Mar 26), followed by game #2 at the Pete Wednesday (Mar 28) at 7 PM and game #3, if needed, also at the Pete at 7 PM on Friday (Mar 31).
TV is HDNet
Some positives (last night and this whole CBI nonsense):
Patterson/Moore – both have stepped up and led the team. As juniors, they will be counted on BIG TIME next year. This past month or so has given us a glimmer of hope that they’re capable. They also played well together, they may be the two best players on the team next year, they can’t share a position.
Defense – They have played better defense recently. Next year with a true defensive presence in the middle and with five guys actually trying (bye bye Gibbs) they might actually get back to playing decent D.
Bad Woodall – no problem. Like it or not, Tray is going to be an important player next season. But Pitt has to be able to rise above his inconsistent play. Last night they got very little out of him and were still able to win (see Moore/Patterson). That hasn’t happened much this season. When Woodall was bad, Pitt has mostly lost.
Zanna/Wright – Again, like it or not, Pitt needs them both to play well next year. Zanna appears to be a good compliment to Adams. He was a great garbage man last night. With other teams focusing on Adams, Zanna should have more opportunities. He could easily be a 10/10 guy next season. Wright continues to improve on defense, he is limiting his dumb turnovers and improving his shot selection (and percentage). Could be a decent role player.
Dixon – Made some adjustments???? He had his guards/forwards switching the high ball screens, he hadn’t really done that much all year and it seemed to bother Butler. He also went with a TINY lineup for most of the late second half with Nas playing the 5. Nas did a good job pushing Smith and then got help when he made his post moves. Questioned it at the time, but it worked.
But anytime Jamie goes outside the box, it makes me happy.
And yes – IT IS ABOUT ME!
They did beat Stanford and played Washington and Cal fairly tough, though. Even with an average performance, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was over on Wednesday with us cutting down the nets at the Pete (snicker).
I know Duke’s been more successful, by the way. But again, as has been said many times on this site, it took Coach K took 11 years to get to his first final four and 16yrs to get a Nat’l title. Don’t think anyone can say Coach K’s first 9 yrs were much better than Dixon’s. In fact Dixon has a better overall and tourny record in his 1st 9yrs than Coack K did in his (pretty sure about this fact last fact).
Not making a particular argument here. Just some perspective for the cynics out there.
Also big news in Storrs — Oriaki is apparantly transferring from UConn. UConn is screwed next year in light of this and everything else (senior departures, NBA draftees, the sanctions and their failure to get out of the Big East).
Epps goes bye bye, and that makes room for the 4th recruit (i think.)
It’s not normally what Pitt does and can sometimes lead to smaller guards defending big men down low or vice versa. Ask Gary McGhee about switching to cover Kemba Walker last year.
