The 17-pooint point spread may have seen a bit high, but after a sluggish shooting (and at times defending) first 25 minutes Pitt put the Bulls in the ground. At the end of the week this will be viewed as another blowout win.
Aside from Victor Rudd, there doesn’t seem to be much to this USF team. Not sure what happened to the Anthony Collins that killed Pitt in two games last year, but I’m rather sure that wasn’t the same Anthony Collins. It also doesn’t hurt that outside of the same Rudd, there are no USF players that like to go inside to get rebounds. It’s something sad when you can shoot 6-23, yet only manage 3 offensive rebounds. Not surprisingly USF had no second chance points in the game.
The two big storylines post-game was Coach Dixon letting the players “freelance.”
The Panthers shot just 27 percent in the first half, and Dixon decided to change things on offense after the Bulls took their lead.
Dixon instructed his players to freelance instead of calling his set plays from the bench. The switch proved to be effective as the Panthers scored 38 points after halftime to pull away from the last-place Bulls.
“It was just, ‘Play basketball,’ ” Dixon said of his message to his players. “It was more of a freelance-type thing. Just getting ball moved from one side to the other. I just wanted them to play basketball. I don’t know if they felt confident in that initially.
“They saw the results and felt better about it. I thought we were too stationary and too easy to guard. It’s something we have done and can use going forward.”
Woodall said it was the first time Dixon gave his players freedom all season. Woodall said the previous time Dixon gave his players carte blanche was four years ago when he was a freshman.
Dixon disputed that, but it was clear the change helped the Panthers Wednesday night.
“Guys settled down and settled in,” Woodall said. “Coach let us go play. We just went out and played how we do in practice.
Apparently they needed that. It also says something about how confident Dixon was that Pitt could ultimately handle USF.
Somewhat surprisingly Dante Taylor had a good game in both styles. In the first half, as the rest of the team struggled, Taylor had six points and six rebounds. In the second half he kept it up and finished with a double-double.
“It feels real good,” Taylor said. “I’ve been working hard the last few weeks in practice, so I just tried to carry it over into these last few games. Especially to get that one, this being the second-to-last home game, I just tried to come out and play hard.”
It was the third time this season Taylor has scored in double figures but the first in 19 games, since a 16-point effort against North Florida on Dec. 8, and his first double-double of the season. Taylor was averaging 4.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 15.6 minutes.
“Yeah, I don’t know what that is,” USF coach Stan Heath said. “I was certainly hoping he’d get his four or five points a game and that was it. He had a good game. He’s a senior, and I’m sure he wants to finish his career on a high note, and that’s got to be pretty encouraging for Pitt to see that light bulb come on and have him turn on at the end of the year.
“That gives them a nice little plus on that front line.”
Considering all the crap Taylor has had to take over the years, it was great to see. You could see how happy his teammates were for him to get those numbers.
Just some quick thoughts from the game.
Pretty much know what kind of game/impact Steven Adams is going to have in the first two minutes of a game. If he picks up that early foul, he’s going to be limited.
Lamar Patterson is still in a funk. And when he gets in a funk, it isn’t just his shooting. His passes were off and he hesitates even more to take open shots.
Aside from Tray Woodall and Patterson, I involuntarily cringe when Pitt shoots a three.
I’ve taken to calling Trey Zeigler “Shark.” Like a shark, when he isn’t moving on offense he’s dead. Zeigler has to be moving with the ball or catch the ball while going. When he catches the ball on the perimeter standing still it is guaranteed he will just pass it and do nothing.
Is J.J. Moore showing some signs of life, or just teasing against a bad team?
I have no clue if Talib Zanna is snapping out of whatever funk he is in. There were signs of life. He seemed to have more energy. He didn’t take as many stupid shots, and he was as active on the glass as I’ve seen him in a while.
Practice shooting. Almost nothing but shooting all summer, James Robinson. Please. He’s now 19-73 (26.1%) in conference play. Not much better from outside at 5-21.
To answer your question, yes Moore is playing better. His D is really improving.
Zanna was AWOL on D. He did hustle for a couple of rebounds, including one that Patterson was in position to get but Zanna jumps over Lamar, knocks the ball out and lands hard on his hip. Just foolish.
Maybe this will be a turning point of sorts to unleash things — almost like when Brey/ND went to the “Burn” offense a few seasons ago because of injury, but then stuck to it due to its effectiveness. This would be sort of the “Bizarro Burn.”
There is still much to love about this team. Statistically, they may be the best defensive team ever, pretty amazing considering last year. They are a pretty good rebounding team. They are the deepest team ever.
The great Blair, Young, Fields team had no depth, in fact in their last game, no one else scored. This team is consistently getting scoring out of 8,9 or 10 guys every game.
This team can beat anyone, but on any given night if Woodall and Patterson are cold, they could lose to anyone.
They have a great road record which bodes well.
All the tourney losses that Cook brings up, time after time, are in the past and mean nothing to the players on this team.
This team is rated 23rd, all things considered, that is pretty good. I will be a little disappointed if we don’t make the sweet sixteen, anything over that is gravy.
This team should make any Pitt Panther Fan very proud in many ways.
Let’s hope they peak at the right time.
I can’t believe its almost bracket time already!
I have been an ardent critic of Dixon’s for this as every team we face has scouted us and knows every play off of every pass, usually 2 passes ahead. Kind of like the old Green Bay Packers sweep…you know it’s coming but you cannot stop it. Trust me, that wears on players after a while.
I have wanted Jamie to put in some “flex” sets like the pros/Maryland/Duke run as it gives better spacing all around… but nada so far.
You could see the “joy’ in the players faces in the second half when he lifted the restrictions and the look of bewilderment in S Fla as they had never seen Pitt run the “cuts” and screens they were freelancing.
Maybe ….just maybe…this is what we need to be successful in the tourney.
Until then, hat’s off to Jamie and the team. All wins are good wins….no matter what.
Hail to Pitt!
Has to mean a lot to Dante and his family.
This is the kind of thing that should not go unnoticed by recruits considering coming to Pitt.
Although!!! ACC , come look! PSU did something in basketball, make the offer!
*The crowd at the Pete was late arriving, sparse and very unenthusiastic.
*This Pitt team has been good at beating bad teams. SFU is a bad team.
*Hated seeing Stan Heath on the sideline, he’s been a thorn in Pitt’s side for years. Was very glad he didn’t have Trevor Hoffmann or Antonio Gates on his team last night.
*That Omogbehin is the biggest human being I have ever seen. He made Sleepy, standing next to him, look like a little kid.
*Most college basketball teams run set plays (sets) and some kind of motion (“freelance”) offense. Both have their place. Pitt runs a much higher percentage of sets than most. The good thing about running sets is that everyone knows what to do, you can practice them and they can be be executed even when you don’t have great individual players. The bad thing about sets is they stifle creativity (and sometimes energy) and OTHER TEAMS can scout them and know what you’re doing, it makes them easier to stop. I have never thought of this team as being similar to the Green Bay Packers of the ’60′s.
*I like that Pitt is going to more motion offense. They did a good job of spreading the floor and getting the ball to good spots in the second half. But don’t expect an epiphany. Pitt still doesn’t have guys who can consistently win one on one battles. They will need some structure to consistently get good shots.
*The best part about the “freelance” last night is that it indicates Jamie’s willingness to CHANGE. He has been way too rigid in the past. It shows major growth on his part.
*Watched the 14-0 run on ESPN3 this morning. No magic, a good 3/4 court pass from Robinson, two good open 3′s, two good offensive rebounds, and a lot of mistakes and misses by SFU.
*Is it just me, or do you guys see Patterson and Woodall getting consistently beat of the dribble? Drives me nuts.
*Patterson has to get more aggressive on offense.
*Pitt still has a chance to get the double bye. Three things ALL need to happen:
1)They need to win out – likely.
2)They need ND to lose at Louisville and at Marquette – possible.
3) And need Syracuse to lose one more – possible.
I’d say 25% chance.
*I see no evidence, either from this team or past Dixon coached teams, to indicate that they are getting hot at the right time. Anyone who thinks otherwise is irrationally optimistic. As a fan that’s ok.
*Past team’s performance is relevant to this team, for one HUGE reason, the coach. College hoops is still a coaches game.
I would not.
Pitt will be heavy favorites in at least four (Nova home, DePaul, 1st round BE, 1st round NCAA). Other than that where do they get a win?
Zeigler is totally out of it, but Zanna was into it! He even posted up for a little shot in the paint and grabbed rebounds.
Two things: when is the last time anyone saw a fast break in college hoops. Next, what were Adams and the official discussing?
I dont hate the idea of Sean Miller being here to coach..but he has had great recruiting classes recently and has still underachieved
I submit that regardless of this seasons outcome this team will have (a) far exceeded preseason expectations (b) provided a tremendous amount of seasoning to the underclassmen. Now we have calibrated our expectations of Adams, Moore, Zanna, Wright, Johnson, Robinson moving forward. JD’s an orthodox man in his basketball metaphysics (but this season is he starting to show an desire or a willingness or a confidence to expand his beliefs?) – like the style or not hes doing everything he knows how to increase our statistical probability. h2p
However, lately, it’s back to a few steps forward and a couple back … although he is no doubt improved from earlier in the year.
While his inconsistency is undertandable being his lack of experience, the only player on this team with any measure of consistency is Woodall. IMO Patterson is the big enigma … he can be the catalyst but for whatever reason he seems to be reluctant to take charge.
I also think that Robinson hurts this offense. He rarely penetrates any more and as noted by Chas, his shooting is pathetic. The only reason he is playing so much is his defense, but if Wright’s defense is comparable, I’d rather see him playing with Tray at 1.
Since the Georgetown game, this was the 1st time Pitt truly out-physicalled* the opponent.
Fitzpatrick was a match-up nightmare (shooting over Zanna, driving on Adams) and Rudd made some circus shots (you’ll have that) and USF missed some open shots (you’ll have that too). But Pitt’s Man-to-Man D may been the best it’s been all year.
I disagree that Pitt’s offense was bad for 25 minutes. They were driving to the paint and drawing fouls and wearing USF down. It may have not been a “work of art”, but it got Fitzpatrick into foul trouble and opened more options.
Funniest play of the night:
Adams makes a spin-move on the giant. And all Omogbehin could do was reach across Adams’ waist. But with very little effort the giant stopped Adams in his tracks.
I believe that this was exactly the type of game that Pitt will have to win in an early round of the NCAA.
*Is out-physicalled a word?
4.5 sounds about right. I would rather see 2 wins in the NCAA and give the game at MSG.
If used more the offensive production would increase. How many centers in the country can shot 40 to 50% from 20 ft. out and beat guards from half court on a fast break.
Offensively he is still learning although he gets little or no help from his teammates or confidence in him from his coach.
That said it is obvious Taylor is better than Zanna but on Adams worst day Taylor is not close to Adams (look at the records this year-last year).
Adams does not get the creit or playing time he deserves. To improve he ought to consider going one and done this program has not restricted him for sake of early season wins rather than help his confidence which is all he needs.
Taylor was also on the floor just about the entire 16-0 run in the 2nd half, thus your post above was inaccurate .. at least for last night’s game.
Adams right now is WAY too inconsistent to be considered as the go-to guy for every game
Although i’m not so sarcastic about PSU going to the ACC, I have commented a few times about that. (obviously their BBall wouldn’t be that attractive to the ACC though)
We have the Z-Men.
And they’re both giving me the Zzzzzzzzzz’s.
As in putting me to sleep.
Actually we reached the 40% plateau in FG shooting. Quite the accomplishment.
And they were lights out in the last 15 minutes and even hotter than that when they needed some points to cover. lol
I have no clue how this team is going to finish, as it’s a team full of Gilbert Browns. It’s amazing that Jaimie has any hair left. 
Penn St. killed Pitt’s RPI.
And we could not expect DePaul to help…
Pitt’s RPI dropped from 37 to 41
Tonite’s games that could help Pitt’s seeding:
Mount St. Mary’s (NR) over Monmouth (Should be close)
Detroit (+5) over Temple
Kennesaw State (NR) over Stetson (long shot)
North Florida (NR) over Northern Kentucky (Should be close)
Everywhere from now on,,,,then…
Must wear Gold/Yellow if they sit in the Upper Deck.
You will NOT be ALLOWED up there wearing any other color. lol
Screw Ped State…whoops I better not say that too loud. They might find that a tantalizing offer. haha
Lower Bowl of Heinz is sold out.
EVERYONE from now on,,……
(that reads better imo)
Yep. Beating ‘Nova could help, but not DePaul.
Pitt Dad:
BPI factors in score. “How the played” more than “Who they played”.
Need to beat some quality teams in the BE Tourney to move it up some.
Selection committee needs to use Kenpom and forget about RPI…..
Can’t remember his name though.
Gheorghe Muresan….
Dude was 7’7″ and 315 lbs.
Actually he was Romanian
There is also the gray seats (2nd level0 if you can afford them
Maybe ….just maybe…this is what we need to be successful in the tourney.
Comment by Dan 72 02.28.13 @ 10:17 am
Agree wholeheartedly Dan72….since PITT has been running the same sets for the last decade, we are pretty easy to scout.
Therefore we need to add some new wrinkles to the old standbys. Makes you much harder to scout and creates a little doubt in teams, as they’re not quite sure,,,what PITT is doing. As you said, USF was like…..WTF in the 2nd half.
That is just enough of an edge to get you past some of these teams in the NCAA’s they we lose by a couple points/mistakes.
Perhaps a gimmick defense you can use occasionally is in order as well. Just to throw the opponent off stride. These are things other teams throw at us, it’s time we reverse that !
And I don’t know if Dixon told them to do it, but did you notice that the guards were picking up, lightly, full court here and there? It’s not much, but given Dixon’s conservative nature, even that is something to be happy with.
Despite some misses inside, I was very pleased to see Moore get to the rack. I saw some hints of confidence there and hoping it will carry over into this last part of the season. If Moore started becoming a stronger contributor, the whole ball game changes. I’m not holding my breath, just sayin’…
I cannot belive they will wear them into the tourny. Wow, just wow, talk about murdering brand identity. Whats up with the zebra-tiger stripes!?! I’m glad we switched to Nike right now.
re: not being able to get tix, go to Stubhub bro. You can get tix for anything, money talks and you know what walks.
Also, you’ve referenced ‘Scottie Pippen’ multiple times in Blather. It’s Scottie Reynolds. Can’t tell if that’s an honest mistake or your being sarcastic. Drives me kinda nuts, sorry. His name is in my “Disappoinment Hall of Fame” along with Francisco Cabrera, David Volek, Barry Goheen, 48-14, etc etc. unfortunately that list gets longer as I get older. HTP.
That about covers it. Got any Pepto on you???
is ranking all 125 major head coaching jobs
were school is at history the field it plays
on etc etc.
for 2013 penn state is ranked number 14
wvu is ranked number 25
pitt is ranked number 31
ASU is ranked number 39
so pitt did well out of 125 number 31
and ranked higher then asu.
so for you who say this is not a destination job
you can take that talk back and stuff it.
p.s. I googled the spelling, I couldn’t remember either! LOL
here is just some of the schools pitt was rated
better than
maryland number 46
iowa 32
missouri 36
north carolina state 42
boston college 68
so i dont want to hear that pitt is a bad place to coach not when you are rated better then thoes schools
That’s ok, “Bonds will throw him out”!!! LOL
@FRANKCAN, good link, good article.
Going to the ACC can only help with that image too!!
That is, as long as it stays the ACC.
Things are good at Pitt at this time. Real good!
it was to happen monday but nothing yet.
http://www.nba.com/spurs/features/121121_rodriguez_blair
Doesn’t Pitt need linebackers?
He turned out to be a really good LB (believe 1st or 2nd team All BE) and you may recall made an interception vs Pitt this past season. Saddler’s cousin
is a better place to be a coach then 8 of the big 10
14 schools,
it is a better place to coach then 7 of the acc
14 schools
so dont say pitt should have trouble geting coachs
pitt is a great place to be a coach in football.
it is like a brother you are mad at you still want to know how he is and what is happening.
i fell bad for them just 2 million a year
and it might have been us thank god for the acc.
One of the things that has annoyed me in the past is that the ticket office always wants you to renew the season ticket that you have. Even if you want to upgrade them. When tickets become availible they tell they can’t guarantee you tickets anywhere.
I was at the Cincinnatti game, in the lower level endzone corner and dispite the outcome of the game, I liked those seats better.
Detroit, North Florida & Kennessaw Mountain all lost. blah
However at 10-6 in the conf. if we can win out, we look good for the Double Bye.
Notre Dame has Marquette, St. John’s & Louisville
Cuse has L-ville, DePaul & Georgetown
L-ville has Cuse, Cincy & ND
Marquette & G-Town have lesser schedules & appear set to get the Double Bye.
As far as the NCAA tourney is concerned, I too agree that Pitt will win the first round game. After that, it is a crapshoot and it all depends on match-ups. Great guard play usually is the differentiating factor. Pitt has had some very solid guards, but not great guards since Vonteego.
up the yellow seats.
that every one hates seeing on tv just say to
your self you are doing it for the greater good
of pitt.
and is not 7th heaven a good place for praying
for a win closer to the football gods and all that
Sleeves on basketball uniforms, reminds me of when Point Park College’s uni’s were like that.
Very bush league.
In fact the cut of men’s uniforms today are almost exactly the same cut as the women’s uniforms. Unisex uniforms. That’s a yucky trend.
Morphing the sex’s is not a good idea. Visit Walmart on a Sat. afternoon and you’ll get a taste. lol
Last night Durand Durand came in and hit a key 3, then played some stellar D.
Like it or not, it is too late to go to a 7 or 8 rotation. Next year Durand will replace Woodall as the legit outside threat.
Mount St. Mary’s beat Monmouth 77-63.
If you remember we beat them in the very first game of the year….80-48.
They are currently 10-7 (15-13) in 6th place in the NEC.
Go Mounties….lol
Interesting stat Pitt Dad, yes anyone can beat anyone. Look at Illinois & Minny beating Indiana.
USF beating Georgetown, and this is the hum dinger, TCU who scored 9 points in a half last week, beating #4 Kansas. Don’t need to offer any more examples at this point.
So we get a break or two in the Dance, who knows.
I’m not going to expect much, therefore I won’t be disappointed.
It’s like going to a wedding reception when you’re single.
Hail To Pitt!
There is no doubt that when Pitt and Syracuse join next season (and Louisville in 2014) that the lofty status that Duke and UNC enjoy with ESPN (Vitale and Co.) will finally be challenged.
Dixon had a slightly different version in the postgame radio interview of what he told the team. He didn’t say anything about “freelance.”
He said that the players had been grinding it out on defense during the first half and then taking quick shots on offence. At half time he told them to be more patient on offence and pass it around before taking a shot. As a result, he said, they took better shots, and also they disrupted the USF tempo, so that USF became less patient on offence during the second half.