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March 1, 2016

Breaking Through

Filed under: Basketball — Chas @ 8:48 am

You can make the case that Pitt had been getting closer to a big win. The Miami game. Louisville last week. Those games were within grasp. Just that awful mix of inconsistency on offense and weak defense, that all but had Jamie Dixon publicly questioning his team’s mental make-up. Still, the big win had been elusive.

They had good wins — at ND (the only loss ND had at the Joyce Center all season) and sweeping Syracuse. Only one “bad” loss — the home decimation to NC State.

But so many of the losses were plain demoralizing because they weren’t close. Whether by the end — Virginia and at Louisville — or throughout — at Clemson and at UNC — they were losses that gave no sense of hope. No real, “we can build on this,” feeling.

So coming out on Senior Day and absolutely overwhelming Duke in all facets of the game was unexpected, but oh, so needed. For Dixon. For James Robinson and his teammates. For the fans.

I wondered how the team would respond to missing the opportunity against Louisville — who is now the only team Pitt hasn’t beaten as a conference foe since joining the ACC. They gave limited effort against UNC after Miami. This time they responded.

Chris Jones missed double figures with nine points, but grabbed a game-high eight rebounds in his fifth consecutive start.

“The Louisville loss stung,” Jones said about the Panthers’ 67-60 setback against the No. 11 Cardinals on Wednesday. “We had an angry practice the next day. Guys really took another step in buying in.”

One win doesn’t change things. Honestly, they could easily lose the next two. VT is a much better team at home (beating Virginia and close losses to UNC and Louisville), and Buzz Williams coached teams tend to do well against Pitt. GT has actually somewhat surged with home wins over ND and Clemson last week.

And it’s not like there aren’t the defensive issues have gone away. I had to check several box scores to be sure it wasn’t a typo to realize that Mike Young only played 17 minutes on Sunday — because of his defensive effort. Something that led to not starting at UNC. Has had coaches and former players trying to get through to him.

Long after the Petersen Events Center emptied on Tuesday night, [Tray] Woodall and assistant coach Brandon Knight pulled Young aside for an impromptu pep talk. The two links to Pitt’s recent past and perhaps the most important player in the Panthers’ uneven present huddled for more than half an hour. When it was over, Woodall took to Twitter to offer a reminder and maybe hope.

”Passion,” Woodall tweeted, followed by another that said simply ”Panther Pride.”

Young only played 5 minutes in the second half. He had those emphatic dunks to start the half, but got pulled and never saw the court again. Even when Duke got the game down to 10 points with nearly 10 minutes left.

Young has been the Panthers best offensive player but Dixon has been trying to send some not so subtle messages in recent weeks that he needs to buy in on the defensive end fully and become a much more consistent rebounder and physical presence. It has been a season-long struggle between player and coach and we saw him get benched to start the North Carolina game and we’ve seen Ryan Luther slowly but surely play more minutes every night. And like I wrote in my last post — the team is better defensively when Maia is in the game despite his physical limitations (meaning, he is a little undersized for a center and he isn’t a high level athlete). The message sent here by Dixon (Jeter played 24 minutes, Luther played 24 minutes and Maia played 14) is pretty simple — “we just won a really big game with other guys leading the way….” Young has a good head on his shoulders and I’d expect he will respond to this the right and that’s a good thing because if he does what Robinson has done — take his game to another level, the sky is the limit for this Pitt team. Pitt needs Mike Young to take the next step from being a good player who is really productive, to a guy who is a great player. He has the ability to do that and Jamie has been pushing hard to bring it out of him.

It’s a bit disturbing that the struggles to reach Mike Young are still ongoing. More worrisome is that it is becoming more open this late in the season. And no, Mike Young is not a cancer. Nor is he the only issue on this team. But he is one of Pitt’s best players. He’s a junior who should be a team leader. And he seems to be struggling to meet those standards.





Reed,

Magnet please if still available. Thanks.

Comment by longsufferingpittfan 03.02.16 @ 10:51 am

@pittman4ever..your very welcome..glad you enjoy the Pitt script magnet..it was fun having them made and giving them away to the Pitt faithful..the lady who does company car magnets for my business made them for me..I picked out the colors and she took the script right off an internet picture..might do it again next football season…H2P

Comment by BigB 03.02.16 @ 11:09 am

@tacocat, hey, I’m good with that.

Have a fun, crazy one for a game.

Just hoping we don’t look a mess every week.

I believe that may be where we’re heading though. I remember someone released something last year.

They got pounded saying it wasn’t correct, but the jist was there was going to be 9 different combos.

Allthough, come to think of it, they could pretty much make that many with what we have now.

No big deal, the ship has sailed, hopefully we look good, and least we got Pitt script back.

By the way, doing my part, besides the season tickets, we just got an extra 3 game pack this morning for some newbie family members to get them involved.

Got them Villanova for the opener, PSU of course, and picked GT as the third.

Va Tech is a Thurs, would be difficult for them, and kept them out of the cold in Nov to get them initiiated!

H2P!

Comment by Dan 03.02.16 @ 11:40 am

Now, I just got an email saying I have to wait till April 4th? Girl on phone said I’m in. Maybe she put me on a list?

Don’t like online chat’s, time for the phone.

Comment by Dan 03.02.16 @ 11:42 am

On uniforms..new uniforms I bet will be cool..but I still say for PSU game they should come out the tunnel in their late 70’s early 80’s throwback uniforms…that will get crowd fired up.

Looking at ACC site; tonight’s game isn’t even on the ACC Network…If it was WTAE would have the rights and would show on their Digital Station.

About the Gold BB uniforms..I always wondered if that made a difference against all the gold in the Oakland Zoo for opposing players…maybe losing a player out of corner of eye etc.

Comment by milobloom 03.02.16 @ 11:49 am

From my experience you should take nothing for granted when dealing with the Pitt ticket office. Until you get a confirmation email your order status is in question.

Comment by dinosaur 71 03.02.16 @ 11:52 am

@Big B, also thanks for your efforts. We owe you a libation. When I see your blog name I am reminded of a former Pitt OL that I had cases with over the years the late Ray Radacovich – truly a BIG guy. God rest his soul.

Comment by rkb 03.02.16 @ 12:06 pm

dinosaur… agree 110%

Comment by wbb 03.02.16 @ 12:14 pm

Also agree with dinosaur on ticket office….they are always nice and pleasant when on the phone but double check.

@Dan..sure it wasn’t March 4…that is last day for renewals…then they can open those seats up to public…Great job on the extra package…I have a feeling I won’t be getting any extra PSU tickets in Club with the way ticket sales are going…upper upper deck may be all that is left after the season tickets and packages sold.

Comment by milobloom 03.02.16 @ 12:23 pm

@dinosaur, ya, I called. Online chats I’m no good with. I’m somewhat tech savvy too, but sometimes the waiting around for a response, me not being able to respond in a timely manner.

Anyhow, called. Leah at Pitt ticket office was absolutely EXCELLENT!!

Yes, season ticket holders can get an extra 3 game package, and do not have to wait till April.

They get beat up a lot, so when there is good, they deserve credit. Leah, fantastic.

Comment by Dan 03.02.16 @ 12:25 pm

@milo, yep. Kind of my fault. That email was in response to another question I asked last night.

All good, they did a good job today!!

Comment by Dan 03.02.16 @ 12:26 pm

I actually like the gold bball jerseys…I think it’s a neat effect how they almost blend into the court. With the Zoo in the background, it creates a cool atmosphere in my opinion. It’s going to be wild to see a big ole Pitt script logo on the Pete’s floor. Can’t wait for that.

And I’m okay with the current color scheme for football jerseys, but we should definitely be doing at least 1 throwback uniform game every year.

Comment by VictoryLites 03.02.16 @ 12:30 pm

link to footballscoop.com

Pitt: Former Rutgers defensive line coach Jim Panagos is joining the Pitt staff as a defensive consultant source tells FootballScoop. Panagos was the FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year in 2009 while at Central Florida.

Comment by NickC 03.02.16 @ 12:36 pm

Looks like Barnes left a fair amount of loose cash around for Narduzzi to be able to hire another body with a defensive consultant title attached.

Comment by Jrnpitt 03.02.16 @ 12:52 pm

In my experience the ticket office folks have always been friendly and helpful. Problem is with follow thru. Most recent case I ordered bowl tix. I was given my seat numbers over the phone. A week later they had no record of my order. They made it right in the end and I am thankful for that.

But as Ron Reagan said, trust but verify.

Comment by Dinosaur 71 03.02.16 @ 12:57 pm

I had an urologist who had no beside manner but successfully removed a cancerous bladder tumor. I of course have no problem with courtesy, but always prefer competence.

Comment by wbb 03.02.16 @ 1:07 pm

Fortunately I have a 17 inch laptop and the picture is great but hope Comcast comes thru ok.

Comment by Frank MD 03.02.16 @ 1:14 pm

@ rkb..you are most welcome and will take you up on the toddy if we ever meet at a FB game. I was able to attend 4 Pitt games this year while living in North Carolina and had the pleasue of having beers with Reed and a few other Blatherites in Annapolis..Question:Ray Radacovich any relation to the former PSU and NFL coach Dan Radacovich?

Comment by BigB 03.02.16 @ 2:11 pm

wbb, I was told the same thing by a physician friend, when I commented about a doctor I was seeing about a disc. He said when someone is operating a millimeter from your spinal column, don’t worry about his bedside manner.

Comment by Justinian 03.02.16 @ 2:15 pm

Frank MD, here in Cleveland, I have to see a small handful of games via 17″ computer … and it’s not that bad (guess I’m used to it.)

In fact, I watched the Louisville game last week via laptop.

Comment by wbb 03.02.16 @ 2:26 pm

@Frank MD and wbb – watching ESPN3 via ROKU on my 55″ TV has been so much better than when I used to watch on my laptop.

Well worth it.

H2P!!!

Comment by Pitt Dad 03.02.16 @ 2:50 pm

Pitt Dad, my next TV purchase will be a smart TV. right now I have a 37″ Vizio HD which I have had since 08 and content with.

Of course .. who knows what will be available a year or 2 from now

Comment by wbb 03.02.16 @ 2:56 pm

Pitt Dad – I’m with you. The ROKU changed everything, I used to watch on my PC.

Wbb – In relation to the discussion, what advantages are you looking to get with a smart tv? I don’t know much about them.

Comment by 1618mt 03.02.16 @ 3:07 pm

@wbb – I’m a bit of a Neanderthal (or maybe paranoid). I’d rather have an overachieving TV than a smart one, preferably without a camera. I don’t want my TV watching me.

Comment by Pitt Dad 03.02.16 @ 3:08 pm

Line on tonight’s game with a huge move to Pitt favored by 5. Who knows what that really means.

Pitt girls BBall with a huge upset I the ACC tourney over UNC in OT (sorry UPitt)

Comment by Dan 72 03.02.16 @ 3:47 pm

Pitt Dad, no joke, earlier this month Samsung advised customers not to talk private information in front of their new smart TVs. That’s literally out of 1984! Orwell wasn’t writing in jest, Humanity!

Comment by tacocat 03.02.16 @ 3:48 pm

Not involved in conversation, but a question I see to me anyhow…….

Is ROKU for SmartTV’s, or can you use it on a contemporary tv of the last 1-8 years.

I mean like a flat panel type tv.

Comment by Dan 03.02.16 @ 3:57 pm

I have a 55″ Samsung LED TV, but I made sure it wasn’t a smart TV. I have my own build PC with a 24″ screen for that.

Comment by Jackagain 03.02.16 @ 3:59 pm

I use a HDMI cable to hook up PC to TV. Usually have good resolution due to internet provider.

Only problem is that I have to find the remote that came with the TV to adjust the feed to the 46″ screen.

Comment by PITT-cocks Fan 03.02.16 @ 4:02 pm

@Dan – as long as your TV has an HDMI port – and most of the recent vintage flat panels have one – you can use the ROKU stick which is the easiest to use and cheapest version. The trick is having an AVAILABLE port.

If you want faster speed for gaming, etc., you’ll want one of the boxes.

Comment by Pitt Dad 03.02.16 @ 4:03 pm

Not advertising for ROKU over some other means of getting internet over your TV, I just found it the cheapest and easiest way to go.

link to roku.com

I get my ESPN3, Netflix, Amazon Prime, the grandkids get some content and we’re all good.

Comment by Pitt Dad 03.02.16 @ 4:05 pm

We have nothing to worry about…

link to ixquick-proxy.com

Comment by Jackagain 03.02.16 @ 4:41 pm

For those who are not google-phobic, Chromecast is also another option. $35, easy to install. Stream whatever is on your laptop to your TV.

Comment by dinosaur 71 03.02.16 @ 4:43 pm

@jackagain – my work computer blocked that website faster and more emphatically than Michael Young rejected Chase Jeter’s shot.

Comment by Pitt Dad 03.02.16 @ 4:47 pm

I just stream the game from my laptop or phone using my Chromecast.

Comment by Pittastic 03.02.16 @ 4:53 pm

@Pitt Dad, thank you.

And one more if you don’t mind. This isn’t a monthly fee type thing. Buy it and that’s it. I realize if you purchase something, but like ESPN3, buy it once and forget it?

Comment by Dan 03.02.16 @ 5:09 pm

Sorry, just saw your link thanks. Probably will answer my question.

Comment by Dan 03.02.16 @ 5:10 pm

@Dan – Some of the services – Netflix, Hulu, etc. – require a monthly subscription. ESPN3 is generally free if offered through your cable/satellite provider.

Comment by Pitt Dad 03.02.16 @ 5:40 pm

Pitt Dad, it was just a pic of Buzz Williams & Curly Howard side by side.

Comment by Jackagain 03.02.16 @ 9:35 pm

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