This is not what has been a “typical” Pitt basketball season just 8 games in. Only two games at the Pete through the second week of December. Three quality opponents faced in the non-con. Three losses in the non-con. So, while finals are happening and the team is off until Saturday, there is a chance to look at a few things regarding this team.

What the hell, I’ll steal borrow from Reed’s three positives and three negatives football thing for this one.

Negatives:

1. The Five spot on the floor has been a black hole at both ends. Jamie Dixon has taken some big swings at recruiting prominent, high ceiling big men in recent years. From Beejay Anya to Chris Opekba. Unfortunately, they have been mainly misses. This has left him trying to fill in the spot with JUCOs and transfers.

That hasn’t worked out so well other than momentary flashes like Uchebo had against Duquesne or Randall over Chaminade. That Tyrone Haughton still hasn’t seen the floor  — even for defensive reasons — does not bode well.

The team has played around with using a front court of  Mike Young, Jamel Artis and Sheldon Jeter. But only one of those three plays decent defense with any consistency. This leaves Pitt both small and very exploitable inside.

Sheldon Jeter not being up to speed defensively does not have me upset with him so much as reminding me once more why I was so upset when Vandy blocked his transfer and he had to got sit out a year at junior college. He would have sat out last year, but he would have been with the team. Practicing, learning. Getting ready. He’s this year’s Trey Zeigler.

2. The defense, overall. The myth of Pitt as a blue-collar, defensive team has been going far longer than the numbers say. Yet, this might be the year that finally buries it. This is not a good defensive team. They have flashes, but the default is that this is a very average team on defense.

The backcourt should be better than it is — even without Cam Wright. There is a decent amount of length in players like Artis, Jones and Robinson that should allow them to close faster on anyone deciding to shoot a three while keeping them in front to control penetration. Josh Newkirk doesn’t have size, but is quick. He should be able to play closer to deny the jump shot while keeping his man from penetrating off the dribble. At least that is the theory.

The reality is that they have been a step slow. Both in closing on a shooter or denying penetration far too frequently. Couple  that with a frontcourt that either lacks size. Or when the bigs are out there — don’t have the foot work to be well positioned to defend. And there are far too many drives to the basket for a lay-in or kick-out for an open look as the defense collapses inward.

3. Youth hurts. There’s a lot of minutes going to inexperienced players at the same time. That leads to a lot more mistakes and frustration on the court.

Positives:

1. Upside. One of the complaints about past Pitt teams is that they don’t seem to improve too much from the start of the season to the end. It’s the thing about teams that play a lot of upperclassmen. In-season improvement is limited when players have already started to hit their ceiling.

That isn’t the case this year. Two true freshmen — Ryan Luther and Cameron Johnson — are seeing significant minutes. They are not consistent, but the flashes they show are more than promising.

Sheldon Jeter is learning things on the fly, but he is a smart player and wants to make things work. He will improve.

Chris Jones and Jamel Artis frustrate the hell out of me frequently with their defense, but they are capable of being good defenders. It’s a matter of consistency of effort.

Mike Young is Pitt’s best player and he’s only a sophomore. James Robinson and Josh Newkirk have been working well as a tandem.

Then there is the fact that Cameron Wright has only played one minute the entire season. He provides more intensity on defense, and allows other players to be in a more natural role.

2. James Robinson and Mike Young. Without Cam Wright, Robinson is Pitt’s most experienced player and had to log the most minutes in this young season and so many young players. Years on the team, minutes and games plays. He’s been through the most. This season he has been forced to defend every opposing team’s best perimeter player in Wright’s absence. He is  the point guard and expected to shoulder a greater offensive load this season. That’s been a lot to carry.

I’ve been a little surprised to see the complaints of how he hasn’t improved or has regressed. That’s not the case. He’s doing far more now, than in his first two years. He has been far from perfect, but has definitely improved his overall game.

As for Mike Young, he has been solid inside. Leading scorer and rebounder. He’s a sophomore but as much of a team leader as Robinson and Wright.

3. Varied offense. For years the complaints about Pitt has been the lack of offensive firepower. That it dooms them later. Offensive potential is not the issue. From Jones and Newkirk on the perimeter. To Artis, Jeter, Johnson and Luther with the potential to stretch defenses. Mike Young inside. There’s a lot of potential.

Consistency and realizing it, are the things we are waiting to see.