After missing the NCAA Tournament and a disappointing season, Pitt wasn’t getting much attention for the following year. Not much of a mention in the assorted way too early top-25 predictions. Even Pitt’s top recruit, Steven Adams, was overshadowed by the various undecided and reclassifying top recruits.
Still, there has been some more buzz picking up as the summer starts its long stretch.
Steven Adams is noted for his potential as a defender in a list of shot blockers.
Yes, another freshman on the list. Another guy who hasn’t competed in a collegiate game yet. But I think Davis’ success last season means these youngsters earn early credit on potential alone. This 7-footer has been a beast on the AAU and prep circuits. The standout from New Zealand also has international experience. So he’ll be a young veteran for a Pitt team that needs his physical presence inside. Adams has the athleticism to be a great shot-blocker at this level.
But it was the NCAA waiver that allows Trey Zeigler to start for Pitt this season. Suddenly both Zeigler and Adams become top Big East players to watch this season.
Now there is some thought that it is time to reconsider Pitt.
But whatever the reasoning behind it, the news is entirely welcome news for Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon, who will now reload his backcourt immediately after a disappointing 2012 season and the loss of senior guard and longtime scoring leader Ashton Gibbs. Dixon can slot Zeigler, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, in the backcourt alongside point guard Tray Woodall, who missed much of 2012 due to injury but consistently improved his play as he became full strength later in the season. Meanwhile, freshman point guard James Robinson — the No. 4-ranked player at the position in the class of 2012 — should provide a solid third option at point guard.
Pitt’s backcourt will need to take on the lion’s share of scoring production at the very least, because the frontcourt may still be a year or two away.
But if that frontcourt does come together…
If Adams and a new-look Pitt frontcourt can excel immediately, then Pittsburgh’s goal of returning to the NCAA tournament should be little more than a boring expectation. If all goes well, the ceiling should be much higher; this team could compete with Louisville and Syracuse at the top of the Big East. And it will be fascinating to see Zeigler — a talented player asked to do everything for a team that ranked No. 270 in KenPom at the end of 2012 — competing in a big-time conference with talented players around him. That alone could improve his play considerably.
We will see how quickly Zeigler can acclimate himself to Pitt and his teammates. The downside to him not having a year to sit, is that he doesn’t get to just practice with the team and become part of things. He’s going to be a key player right away.
Finally in an expansipocolypse related story, Pitt gets a couple mentions for basketball rivalries that should continue as non-cons in the future.
Pittsburgh-West Virginia: West Virginia is off to the Big 12. Pitt is joining the Cuse in the ACC. At risk is a rivalry dubbed the Backyard Brawl, one of the few contests in the country that means as much on the gridiron as the hardwood, and vice versa. The basketball rivalry was first played in 1905, and it retains some of the most intense fan environments in the country — especially when things kick off in the ever-rowdy burgh of Morgantown, W.Va.
Pittsburgh-Villanova: Folks my age or younger might not remember it, but this intrastate rivalry existed prior to the formation of Big East, when the schools were members of the long-forgotten Eastern Eight Conference. The Pittsburgh-Philly dynamic has burned on since, highlighted by moments like the schools’ mutual recruitment of forward Doug West in the 1980s, or Nova guard Scottie Reynolds’ last-second shot to beat Pitt in the 2009 Elite Eight.
Not sure if the Pitt-Nova game will happen too often. I would like it, but I’m not sure how eager Villanova would be to give Pitt opportunities to recruit in Philly.
Temple might be very keen on getting a bigname like PITT annually and in taking that game AWAY from Villimanilli at the same time.
As for the hoopies and their drunk for a coach and their trash fans, I could care less if we EVER play them again.
And, Chas, great stuff these last 2 articles. Thanks.
Hail to Pitt
Does Jamie continue his annual quest for bunnies? I think he learned last year that losing to better than average mid majors did little to help Pitt. Translation. Pitt will play a tougher out of conference schedule (ala Duke), in years to come.
Besides the rivalries with UConn, and many Big East teams we played in big games, were in a big way because of when we played them in the season. Not sure how much weight they’ll carry in November/December. And this is why I’m not too worked up about any non-conf game. Nov/Dec just doesnt matter much and its the only time we can do it. Its sad, to me,. I’ll miss games against almost the entire Big East (G-town, Nova, Uconn the most).
How about adding Penn State just to try and poke whatever embers are left of that rivalry. Beat them up every year in hoops, establish the connection between the fanbase again, and see what happens? I dont think it will or could happen anytime soon but it could be a way to spear head our way back to the rivalry.
Watching the video of this game no objective analyst could not say Adams is on another level compared to Nolens and the same can be said when he played against Twarsk. He can face the basket put the ball on the floor and shot neither of the other two can do that.
I am setting myself up for being meat thrown to the lions but I disagree as do the statistics with Woodall’s performance at the end of the year. Woodall built his stats up before his injury against a weak non-conference schedule.
Granted he was hurt but who isn’t at this level to some degree. In big east play with the exception of the Providence and W.Va. game Woodall agveraged about 35 minutes a game averaged under 10 points, FGM % 31% ratio 1.5 assist to 1.2 turnovers. My biggest concern is among the returning players Woodall level of confidence that far exceeds his skill level.
Based on ability and college level experience my opinion, only mine, is more importance to team success as I see it now:
1. Adams
2. Zeigler
3. Moore
4. Taylor (playing forward at 225 lbs.)
A team like this has untested talent, Moore and Adams, a new proven player in a new system, a player in a new position that desperately needs to start out fast and regain his confidence.
The PG for this team has to be steady subordinate himself and lead the team and be a player who is difficult to rattle and can keep the players in the game. Someone who wants to be part of the team not use the players as a supporting cast. Age is often no indication of maturity and certainly skill in athletics.
PG Robinson
He is overmatched at this level beccause of his size, lack of ballhandling skills, that led to numerous turnovers. The above problems lead to him losing his starting job as a senior in high school.
