It has been several years since Miami went out and made the great hire of Jim Larranaga. So even though they have been a good team for a few years, it still seems strange to think of them as a top-15 team (kind of like everyone else felt about Pitt 15 years ago).
This is a 7pm game on ESPNU.
The Hurricanes have a very efficient offense and a solid defense. They have only lost once at home this year. Let’s see… to Northeastern? Okay, that screams fluke. Other than that they have 3 other losses which all came on the road (Clemson, Virginia and NC St.).
They have strong guard play led by Ja’Quan Newton and Sheldon McClellan. Newton actually comes off the bench, but when the sophomore is out there, he is a guy that scores.
Like Pitt, they shoot free throws well and get to the line. Angel Rodgriguez, their starting point guard has been really bad from beyond the arc, but has become even more dangerous driving to the hoop. Both in terms of converting and getting to the free throw line.
Nope, Upitt, Lock was all you get tonight!
I hope not…
Perhaps he could of boxed out Rodrigiz on that last tip in since JR had missed his.
Anyway, you guys missed a good NCIS….
Still, this is why you have to have asst coaches you trust, listen too and have a rapoire with. When was the last time Dixon even talked to an assistant during the game. My assistants saved many games during the years I coached and much like in my business career, I gave them all the credit when we won and none of the blame when we lost.
With that handle I’m guessing you’re another old timer like me…welcome to the board.
Other than that I could buy your logic if this game was an isolated anomaly… But it’s the norm and has been for years now. Coaching success is teaching and imparting detail
and having a plan that players buy into. We’ve seen none of that from Jamie.
In his first year, I thought he was the prototypical collegiate point guard that was going to stay 4 years (because of no NBA potential) and lead a team deep in the tournament. Think Khalid El-Amin or Levance Fields. 4 years later, and I have no confidence that he could even lead a team deep in the NIT. Pitt’s struggles are do in part to poor guard play overall, and JR is the face of the guards given his 4-years as the starting point guard.
While everybody keeps parroting the assist/turnover ratio, the reality is that he does not threaten opposing defenses due to his poor shooting, inability to create his own shot deep in the shot clock, and most importantly lack of penetration. You can have success with a point guard that does not shoot the ball well, but that lack of shooting must be offset by an ability to break down a defense with dribble penetration. JR shoots only 33.3% from behind the arc, and he is very limited athletically when it comes to ACC level guards. While he commits few turnovers in the half court set, Pitt’s offense often finds itself deep in the shot clock because they just throw the ball around the perimeter and settle for low percentage shots.
Furthermore, JR is defensive liability when it comes to the top tier teams in the conference. Annually, I comment on how bad Pitt’s guard play is in the ACC, and it is the same story this year. Tons of 3s and 4s on the roster, but no 1s and 2s to compete with the upper tier of the ACC. You cannot go deep in the postseason without good guards, so I never had any enthusiasm about this squad.
His A/T ratio is great because he doesn’t feed the ball inside, he never takes any chances with his passes and only passes the ball on the perimeter.
I’m sure he works hard and is a very fine man and a credit to the university….but he’s a stiff as a div. 1 PG in a Power 5 conference. Nothing personal…
Robinson 27.5
Artis 32.4
Young 47.3
Jeter 40.6
Smith 40.0
Luther 59.1
Wilson 27.8
Jones 40.0
Johnson 17.6
Maia 28.6
