For all the deserved mockery the CBI gets, is there anyone that doesn’t want Pitt to win? Is there anyone so full of bile that they don’t want Nasir Robinson, Ashton Gibbs and Nick Rivers to have their final game at the Pete end in victory? I hope not.
The big takeaway so far in the CBI has been seeing other players take advantage of this post-season exhibition time. Coach Dixon has given them minutes and encouraged them to be more aggressive. Whether you buy into this being a potential springboard or helping them for next year, the players have bought into it.
“They weren’t as confident during the season,” Patterson said, “but I feel they’re gaining confidence right now. That’s going to help us going into next year.”
This wasn’t the tournament Pitt had hoped to play in, but since the Panthers are here, they’re trying to use it as a boost for next season.
“I think we’re getting them in a situation that will help us down the road,” Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. “It’s great to see them emerge.”
The Panthers want to finish this season with a win, too.
“I didn’t try to think about it (possibly) being my last game,” said senior Nasir Robinson, who scored 10 points. “I just wanted to keep fighting for my team.”
With this the third game in 5 days, there won’t be many surprises from either team. At this point, both teams know what the other will want to do.
“It’s an opportunity for our guys to compete and get some experience and to challenge themselves in a little different way,” Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. “It will be interesting to see how everyone responds playing a team for the third time in a row.”
By now, each team has a firm grasp of how the other likes to play. They have identified the top scoring threats. They know their favorite sets and plays and what situations that are used.
It’s probably the reason Pitt held Washington State to 20 points in the first half Wednesday, the fewest number of points allowed by the Panthers in a half this season.
And it’s probably the same reason the Panthers managed to make just two field goals in the final 10 minutes. The finale tonight could be similarly low scoring.
“It’s different, but I think it’s fun,” Washington State coach Ken Bone said. “It’s unique. You have to change some things, but you don’t want to change too much. It’s kind of fun for a coach and I would imagine the players.”
I expect both sides to be very aggressive in trying to limit 3-point shots. Neither side is particularly strong inside on offense. Pitt has a slight edge, in the paint. That is, however, negated by Washington State’s Reggie Moore who has killed Pitt by driving to the basket and forcing the refs to make calls.
This is a game where Pitt will need J.J. Moore to attack the basket. He spent the first two games on the perimeter. While WSU’s scouting report on Moore undoubtedly mentions his athleticism and ability to drive, they simply haven’t seen him do it. I think he could take advantage of that — if he’s willing to take the contact.
I really hope the seniors play well tonight. It’s been a rough year for them.
I believe they will NOT win, and it will be a perfect microcosm of Pitt sports. Always a letdown in the end.
Hail to Pitt [as a sad tuba plays in the background]
Certainly not interested in the radio broadcast…
link to wpts.pitt.edu
Wishful thinking. But PITT turns something bad into something good is well beyond my expectations (athletically).
The athletic department might have at least streamed the game, IMO.
Attendance at the Pete tonight, anyone?
I count 14 of us here. (We are certainly 35yrs minimum with likely child or two.)
Forget champagne; whenever Pitt hits the field in nearly anything (specifically FB), I’m not waiting to uncork the bottle at game’s end (least of which champagne).
I prepare before the game at hand — not too early, but about 5 mins prior to start of contest; it helps to temper whatever the expectation.
Of course, I do not suggest or necessarily condone this. But born 1970 & binging from 1983 fwd, this behavior is difficult to correct.
Hail to Pitt. G’night to the faithful.
42 sucks! 3.5 year old (ugh). Heading to bed again.
From the TV, I would say that the attendance was 6500.
Looking at the box score, I think its safe to say that Epps is gone – no pt at all with Gibbs out. Taylor only played 9 minutes and Nassir chucked another 3.
Can’t wait till Adams and Robinson get here.
I was not a fan of Pitt paying to play in the CBI tournament but if it helps returning player’s gain more confidence in their game, it was worth the investment.
I just received Pitt’s Annual Fund Drive letter yesterday, today I feel a little better sending in my 2012 contribution. HTP!
All of the players deserve credit for their desire to play in this tournament. We leave this basketball season with lots of questions and lots of hope that things will be better later this year.
All that being said the CBI tournament itself has to be regarded as nothing more than a glorified summer camp in Greentree. The referreeing in the Pitt games is the absolute worst I have ever seen.
Although it seemed that the calls went against Pitt the calls were absolutely horrible against both teams. If you haven’t seen the flagrant foul against John Johnston google WSU foul Pitt.
The Pitt players and coaches deserve a ton of credit for their sportsmanship.
Better to win than lose.
Finally learned how to use Zanna offensively.
Patterson was most valuable.
Moore gives us a little hope.
Woodall getting better.
Birch still a moron.
Still, no Pitt like defense.
Everyone glad this season is finally over.
Why:
Adams is by far the most dominant player coming into college. He is the best center (the only top center who is both an offensive and defensive force). Because of his position he is more valuable than the 6’8″ forward rated number 1 or Anthony Thomas 2012 AP player of the year. Actually in the college game I would take Adams over L.James as a college player.
Next is Robinson a highly touted guard playing at the highest level of high school baskeball for the 3 years he started. More importantly unlike forwards (Taylor, etc.)guards who have the athletic skills to compete at D1 level and dominant in high school more usually succeed.
Summary: Robinson is aa PG who is capable of scoring 20 a game despite the high level of competition but he plays with two top 30 players so he has moved from 2G to point. He can score but most importantly he can run an offense something Woodall cannot do. He is also 6’3″ and although not quick enough to make the NBA tough enough and focused enough to be a defensive stopper on the perimeter.
Basketball is an inside outside game. Dixon has struck gold. With the best player in college in the post at 7ft. nasty defender and rebounder and an athletic 7 footer not seen since David Robinson the bar just jumped from 101 to 10 or under.
Robinson will run the show. This will eliminate turnovers and making sure the ball starts with Adams inside. Hopefully Jamie will repress his misgotten loyalties to players like Woodall and his overinflated estimation of his skills and the teams reliance on him,like Gibbs,Fields and Krasuer, and religated to his rightful position of 2nd team.
With Robinson in the backcourt as a legitimate scoring threat Wright can play the 2G for a lock down perimeter defense. For more offense and height and hopefully improved defense Patterson at the 2.
Moore learns to just go to the hoop because he has Adams to open a lane for a truck and still take 3’s to keep defense off Adams.
Zanna and Taylor do not have to improve just be garbage men. Taylor could excel in this position by providing tough inside defense and rebounding.
Zanna and Taylor can spell Adams at center but hopefully Gilbert will get the chances because he needs to court time because Adams will be the #1 draft pick in 2013 if he decides to go.
I have seen Adams on video against the top 3 rated centers in the country and it was not that he out played them in the game statistically it is that he has skills none of them have. The only reason he is not rated the #1 player for 2012 is he has only been in the U.S. since this summer. The NBA scouts rate him the best.
I think its also important to note that Tra went for 65 points, 15, rebounds, 42 assists and 10 turnovers in the 5 games of the tournament. That is a great sign as well.
I cannot wonder after watching Gibbs act up this season and knowing simply by watching his game that Woodall is a prima donna that their may have been some irch said about jealousy.
Regardless whether you love Jamie or not the blame falls on him for the loss of Birch for two reasons. One unlike all the top coaches in the country start their best players regardless if they are freshman. They realize they will learn only by playing and the power-puff ono-conference games help their confidence and allow them to grow if they are not hooked everytime they make a mistake. God forbid he does the same to Adams.
Second you think he would learn from his past mistakes and not play a high level recuit or any player in a position he never played before in his career and is not suited to play.
Finally why didn’t he recruit a center in 3 years after McGhee. If he had good chance the streak of NCAA tournaments would not have ended.
He is incredibly lucking that Adams played in New Zealand = the only place he could have recruiited a player of his quality (no one else knew about him). Adams will save the program next year but when he leaves after next year what happens.
1. “unlike all the top coaches in the country start their best players regardless if they are freshman.”
This view is pure BS and has been debunked numerous times by numerous fans. When a player is good enough, freshman or not, he either starts or gets starters minutes under Dixon. There are several examples at Pitt in addition to Blair that support this.
2. “you think he would . . . not play a high level recruit or any player in a position he never played before in his career and is not suited to play.”
Playing someone in a position they didn’t play in high school/AAU is very commonly done by most college coaches. Many kids play positions in high school that are not the best position for them to play in college. Sam Young, for example, played center in high school.
Also, coaches cannot always play a guy at the position he is best suited for if there is a greater need at another position and the guy is the best option available to fill the gap. Coaches have to get the best mix of players from their available roster on the floor to maximize their chances of winning. Quite often this means playing some guys at other than their best or ideal position. If this doesn’t suit some immature, confused and/or spoiled kid then it is good riddance. Coaches need to do what’s best for the entire team not treat some guy or guys differently. It’s a team sport.
Birch’s departure is Birch’s fault. He was a brat with no patience and no integrity. I get that recruits get the short end of the bargaining chip versus the colleges/coaches they sign up with. But (i) this logic applies only for recruits who aren’t going to go pro because after all these kids are going to leave early and make millions of dollars for playings sports for screw ’em; and (ii) Dixon and Pitt don’t really screw over their recruits llike other schools. Anyway, Birch was and is a petulant brat. Dixon really couldn’t have done anything about it without alienating his entire team.
But its really frustating he left because imagine the front court next year if he stayed. Sheesh. Easily BE champtionship contenders, maybe even Nat’l title contenders.
(and how stupid is that of him….he’d be one the of the best 2 players on a nat’l title contender, and be going pro the following year. Now he’s playing for UNLV and getting no advantage other than the warm weather).
