So, I managed to make sure I have the day off on New Years. Unfortunately, I could not swing getting free today. Instead, it is complete DVR-delay and avoiding all media until I can get home and watch.
Cinci is coming off their first loss of the season. An ugly game that saw them lose to New Mexico.
The Bearcats play good defense, but their offense is not exactly reliable. Especially against better teams. Where they are especially good is on the offensive glass. One of the best in the country at getting second chances off of misses.
Considering the emphasis Coach Dixon places on rebounding, this should be a battle inside.
This one has raw talent but needs a lot of refinement. Jamie is not a coach that will adjust a lot to the talent. He makes them adjust to him.
That’s just the way it is at Pitt. Maybe Jamie’s formula doesn’t work anymore…or it hasn’t worked to get us past the NCAA 16 to this point.
But it is HIS way. I think in another 2 years, we will have a final decision on if it’s the right way.
Great observation. You may have summed it all up with the following “Jamie is not a coach that will adjust a lot to the talent. He makes them adjust to him.”
I think that you are correct in stating that time will be the ultimate judge on this approach.
The grass is always greener till its not.
On a side note: Watching FSU prepare for the Orange Bowl. Love the tradition of the seminole and the horse. Can’t wait to watch a game in Tallahassee in the coming years.
It is wierd rooting for the ACC though. Anyone else feel the same?
Let’s see how things go against Rutgers on Saturday.
Actually, I think Pitt will win. But, we’ll see.
Unfortunately JDix’s style in his heart is stifling defense and shortening the game on offense. Perhaps he’s taken the Pittsburgh, blue collar, three yards and a cloud of dust a little too literally.
I think he was pretty flexible when Blair and Sam Young were here. And he’s made some minor adjustments on defense.
I also think Jim Boeheim and his 900 wins would have a little something to say about adapting systems to players at least on defense.
Syracuse plays both ends equally, very agressive. Seems we are getting better talent but the results are the same.
Time for the old dog to learn some new tricks.
May need some innovation on offense to overcome the deficiency. But D is still the key.
Offense stagnated in the 2nd half when we needed a three-point threat, which we don’t have and this may be our biggest flaw this year. A little more JJ Moore may have helped attack more. But no 3pt threat makes it harder to attack, unable to keep D’s too honest.
Also, Adams getting in foul trouble early was a big problem (and at least 2 of the calls were super-weak ACC type calls. Qeu sera sera). But this was really the only poin after the first 5 minutes that swung the game from us up about 4-7 to us down 7. The rest of the game as tit for tat.
Not a huge disappointment, as there were many reasons that Cinncy had some edge (rebounding form the New Mex game, being very experienced and very talented, Pitt being inexperienced, coming off a week long break etc). Let’s see what happens the 3 games.
Cam Wright looked great, aggressive on O and D.
Ziegler was downright terrible.
Moore needs to be on the floor more. If Patterson isn’t going to step up, then give Moore the opportunity. I’d rather see him taking some ill-advised shots and trying to create than watch Patterson just move the ball around the perimeter as if it’s going to magically find it’s way into the twine.
I appreciate that Dixon wants to control tempo, run the offense, make the extra pass. But his offensive style does, for the most part, breed a passive mindset. Attack the rim is only a consideration in the context of rebounding.
How they respond on Saturday will be telling.
Otherwise, I agree that the state is not representing its citizens
A big win, against SEC Ole Miss, would set the tone for spring ball and going into the ACC.
Yep, even a 6-6 SEC, still an SEC, would be a big tone setter!
HTP!!
Should never have been agreed to by Penn State or allowed by the State of Pennsylvania.
Now, in retrospect… the Governor is moving to try and keep the money in State?
What a bunch of crap.
Instead, maybe the State should issue a legal challgent to the levying of the fines altogether?
But this would leave open PSU to additional NCAA sanctions that are proably more appropriate and legally well-grounded.
Good chance to see what they have. Saw their two leading scorers are their guards. Eli Something and Myles Mack who is only 5-9 or so, so I would imagine Myles gotta be super quick.
They also have a couple of 6-9 250 lb. bangers.
Teams with good guards give this team problems.
Let’s see if we can put the clamps on them.
Cuse is a game or so removed from losing to Temple at home. I think the conference is going to be a little down this year(regardless of who is ranked where right now), so for us that’s a good thing.
Is anyone going to the Sayonara Sunseri Bowl ??
Turns out the State of Pennsylvania is issuing a legal challenge to the fines altogether and not just trying to keep the money in-State.
This is exactly what should be done, as I mentioned in my comment.
Remains to be seen if it opens Penn State up to the possibility of stiffer sanctions should the fines be thrown out.
Maybe the possibility of further sanctions is what O’Brien might be using as an excuse to open the door to consideration of other offers including the NFL.
PSU joined a voluntary organization and there is no recognizable “protected class” (race, age, etc…) to which PSU belongs that would be targeted for discriminatory practices.
Pay up Pedophile Protectors….now, you will have to pay AND air dirty laundry again.
Could not happen to a better group of assholes (truly, that is the correct anatomical part).
Pennsylvania suing to have ALL sanctions and fines lifted including ban on bowl games.
Well that’s what you do when you sue. You ask for the world with the goal being a compromise.
I thought the goal of a lawsuit was to ask for the world but have the jury award you the universe? 🙂
We’re looking forward to hosting and meeting you. Thanks for participating!
HAIL TO PITT!
It was 39-20 at Half. Now 64-36.
Is this good or bad for us ?
Looks like any confidence Butgers had should be history after this beatdown.
All(99.5% of em)of these pols are spineless slugs.
I hate PSU and all the stuff that took place and the cover up, but I’m also a PA tax payer. So if Corbett’s suit will ensure that the fine is spent in PA, then I’m all for it! I’d hate for my tax money to go to the NCAA. The govt wastes enough of my money already!
The it will be up to Pitt to maintain the perfect record
By not accepting the sanctions. Penn St may end up in NAIA. ?
L-Ville does the BigEast-ACC proud. Handily beats the supposed great #3 Florida. L-ville was about to put another 7 on the board to get to 40. Mercifully the game ended for the Gators. lol
As I posted the other week, the SEC is overrated.
Only 3-3 in Bowl games.
Sure Alabama could win the NC, still won’t effect the fact the SEC is overrated.
Both the much maligned BigEast and ACC have better bowl records than the SEC and of course that blowhard league we all love to ridicule the Little 10 or L1G.
surely you know we NEVER would have recruited anyone who would have actually been so superior to Sir Tino that we would have recruited him.
That my friend was never going to happen 😉
Emel, as much as I love to find fault with SEC and Big Ten etc using Bowl records don’t really tell the tale…these are meaningless games for some and Super Bowls for others and when those two collide we see a result like last night…..
Louisville had everything to play for since probably half their team is from Florida and were probably not looked at by Florida in High School. Florida was there for the player gift bag and the parties.
Something not right going on. Even BCS rankings biased by voter polls.
Now if Pitt can just finish up the season the same way, it will be all good. Perfect Pitt Saturday trifecta would be beating Old Miss and Rutgers and Boyd announcing that he is becoming a Panther. Yeah baby!
