Going to be a little tight getting back for the start of this game. The wife has insisted that we have to see The Force Awakens this weekend so she doesn’t have to keep avoiding doing anything on the internet. Not so worked up about spoilers and such, so I would have been fine waiting a few weeks and a not as crowded theater. So, to compromise we are taking the kids to a 9:30 am showing. Double bonus, no Pokemon on the tv this morning and no candy at the movies.
Anyways, the game is at noon on ESPNU.
Davidson is a pretty good team. As always for a team coached by Bob McKillop, they are smart and dangerous from outside.
Davidson (7-1) ranks 12th nationally in scoring (86.1 points per game) and is tied for 15th in 3-pointers (10.4 per game), with four players averaging double figures in scoring. However, the big question facing the Panthers (8-1): How do they stop dangerous junior Jack Gibbs?
Gibbs ranks second nationally in scoring, averaging 25.3 points, and shoots 54 percent — impressive numbers for a 6-foot backcourt player at the school Stephen Curry made famous. He scored a career-high 41 points in 29 minutes against Charlotte and 35 points in 35 minutes against Central Florida, shooting a combined 26 of 40 (including 8 of 16 3-pointers).
Gibbs has multiple 30-point games in each of the past two seasons, becoming the first Davidson player with multiple such games in a season since Curry in 2008-09.
Gibbs’ backcourt partner, senior Brian Sullivan, averages 17.6 points and has four games of 20 or more points. Sullivan ranks No. 2 nationally with 4.1 3-pointers per game.
“Gibbs is an NBA guard,” Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. “Sullivan has unbelievable range. They run some similar sets to ours. Hopefully that sticks with us. They’re definitely a hard team to guard.”
Size-wise, Pitt matches up with them well. They don’t have anyone who plays, that is over 6-9. Pitt will have rebounding opportunities. They have to convert them. Davidson is an uptempo team that is much better on offense than defense. Pitt, of course, will slow the pace and look for efficiency in the offense.
We will see how Davidson reacts to having their offense forced to go slower than they like.
Would love to see Ododa get more time. He is quicker and will be needed against the ACC teams. He does need to stop fouling.
In all, this PITT team is pretty good.
Nice showing of fans. Heading into the Garden Christmas week is no easy feat.
Starting to check twitters….
Juwann Winfree ?@OnlyOne_JW
Despite the many setbacks, I’ve been blessed,can now say I’ve officially committed to the Univ. of Pitt #GOPANTHERS
HTP!
Fills an immediate need. Well played Coach Duzzi!
@Upitt Any bitching about JR’s game today? I’ve seen your BS here before about him not being D1 material.
@Upitt Davidson was 7-1 entering today playing in your mancrush Archie Miller’s conference.
Just not a good day for your nonsense today Upitt. I understand why fantasy would be your focus. You’ll be back to complaining about basketball as soon as it fits your worldview.
Just call him Me. Predictable.
Bravo – JR. sucked last 3 years. This year as a senior he finally is playing better at hear. I hope he keeps it up against ACC competition.
Barvo – fantasy Football is my Focus? Me and 25M Americans.
I’m glad you love Dixon and his lack of doing anything last 5 years.
Hope he can enroll ASAP so he can participate in spring
In a more positive spin Narduzzi got a previous 4 Star. Issues or not I am estatic on that one buddy. 4 stars make me happy.
Nervous about being ranked before we start ACC play. We’ve got one more tasty cake until Syracuse.
4th 4-star JUCO brought in by new staff.
For a quick review,,,, “Wake me up when Dixon makes the Tourney. Or is in Top 3rd of ACC. Until that happens he isn’t earning his money.”
Where is the Steelers Defense???
Glad you are going to the game but family issues have that a priority over watching Pitt in person.
I was there last year were you?
Best post-game interview by Dixon I’ve seen.
Relaxed and not just dwelling on the sabre-metrics throughout. The first half of it was casual and intelligent and not his often repetitive almost mindless coach-speak.
you are correct, and i agree. i’m also pleased as punch where we are right now. this team does seem different this year…in a good way!
Nice to get 8 wins for football and that should have been the expectation.
Dont think many yelled but some did call you a Fool or Tool or Stool. Something like that 🙂
Hail to Pitt!
This week Pitt’s RPI is 7 and the RPI SOS is 11.
This week the AP has Pitt at #32 with 16 points.
The Coaches have Pitt at #28 with 34 points.
At the beginning of the season I expected a “bubble” team. Now I see a team that can win 11 or 12 conference games and be a solid 5 or 6 seed. If they catch a couple of bounces, even better.
I expect them to win the next 5 games, including Syracuse, GT and @ND.
