I just don’t know.
It’s not that beating Buffalo is worse than losing to Duquesne. (Clearly, it isn’t.) It is just the way this game went down was oddly more disheartening. The loss to Duquesne was frustrating and created anger.
But this game. This game was disheartening.
To be up 26 points with under 4:30 left in the first half and end up with only a one point lead at 6:30 left in the entire game. That was some epic frittering.
When the opposing coach of a 4-4 MAC team is all but saying, “They supposed to be ACC?” after the game.
“I don’t know when we were down 26, but from that point on we pretty much outplayed them, and we felt like we could beat this team coming in even with [Jamel] Artis playing. We thought this was a winnable game, we just didn’t come out of the gate ready to play. …
“…I don’t think they are great defensively. They were obviously good enough to beat us tonight, but if they play their main guys many minutes they get into foul trouble. They are big and switch a lot on defense so I felt we could attack a lot of those switches, but it took us way too long to get used to all those switches. …”
Pitt Head Coach Kevin Stallings didn’t have a lot of positives to say.
Stallings has a theory that may explain how a team can go from being dominant in one half to nearly being dominated in the next half.
“I do think we have an older group,” he said, “that sometimes they are happy to hit the cruise control when they think they can as opposed to putting the throttle down and putting somebody out of their misery.
“Maybe that’s what we are. Maybe we are a good team defensively for 15 or 16 minutes. If that’s true, maybe we can make it 20 on Saturday and maybe we can make it 25 by the end next game.
“At some point, we are going to have to defend for 40 minutes.
“I wish I didn’t have to come in here and say that as many times as I have said it so far this season. I felt like our defense was getting better, and now that felt like a step back.”
And…
“What makes it all the more frustrating is we show stretches of where we are capable of being dominant,” Stallings said.
Finally…
Near the end of his postgame news conference, Stallings was asked if his team has good leadership. He paused several seconds before answering.
“I wouldn’t call it great,” he said. “I think it’s getting better. I think it’s a work in progress.
“I think they like each other just fine … but there’s another level of chemistry and togetherness that we need to get this group to achieve.”
All of which is unfortunately true and adds to the sense that this is going to be a long and painful season. Not necessarily a terrible season. But definitely not a good one.
There was balanced scoring in this game, but it all has to be cautioned with the question of whether players not named Young and Artis can do it in a consistent manner. Something we have really yet to see.
Artis was back from suspension and asked what he learned.
“It was difficult to watch the game against a school that we’ve beaten for so many years. It was a tough lesson. I learned that I’m pretty valuable to the team. There are other guys on the team that can step up and should have stepped up that night.”
Does it seem arrogant? Maybe. Do you wonder if whatever lesson that Stallings was trying to send him got through? Yes. Is he wrong? No. No, he is not.
What is apparent is that the previous coach could not recruit ACC talent…maybe not even MAC talent. He left Pitt without either a Point Guard r a Center. We have abuch of small forwards…..and that’s it. No wonder Stallings has them stand outside the perimeter and jack up threes against smaller opponents. It’s the only advantage Pitt has.
But, if this time next year comes and we have no ACC talent,then rip the hell out if Stallings and the incompetent arrogant AD that hired him!!!
On the football side, there is nice piece on Pitt recruit Tyler Sear’s home visit.
Wake me up when he is over.
Hard to understand how they look so good for a while, then can’t do anything right for long spells.
Not having guards or a center definitely the biggest problem.
Also adjusting to a new style of play.
Going to be a long season, and if Stallings doesn’t bring in guys capable of playing right away, a long few years.
You need great players and depth to compete in the ACC.
That is why Jamie left, he couldn’t get stars to come.
Will Barnes do any better? That is the big question.
With Artis forced to play point guard, ACC teams with real big men and guards are going to have a field day.
Talent wise this is a top 25 team. The experience factor should have thrust them into the Top 10 … but nope. This was the blue print for early Dixon era Pitt. Guys that stay 4 years and it clicks when they are seniors. It should have been the group that kickstarted Pitt after the post-Dante Taylor/Khem Birch lull, aka the Aston Gibb years.
Chris Jones looked like a Wannamaker/Patterson throw back … nope. Artis looked like a future Sam Young … nope. Michael Young was an exciting new type of skill player Pitt never had … he turned into a slightly better Dante Taylor. Jeter was the new Biggs/Troutman … nope.
I just really don’t get it. It looks like an old Pitt team but without chemistry and court smarts and toughness and most importantly of all … leadership.
Maybe they all played too soon and really needed that redshirt year the old Pitt teams had. Maybe the Pitt way (leadership) that was traditionally handed down wasn’t there from the post-Wanamaker years. Something fell off the rails somewhere and we’re stuck with the Helter Skelter group we have now.
It’s frustrating as hell for us fans. I can’t imagine what it’s like for the coaches. I’m sure they saw the same things I saw when coming in … yet here we are.
Tony – Dixon had the same problem and that’s never a problem he had with any other group. It’s way more than coaching. This is cultural problem that has creeped into the program with this group of kids. All these guys leaving will suck for next year but be good for the long term. Very poor on the floor leadership.
I personally believe this program will be much better off once these upperclassmen graduate and move on. That’s not to discredit their effort and contributions.
This team has a real problem though. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is but you can see it and sense the attitude. Honestly, it seems to me that Artis may be the biggest culprit. It’s like these guys think they are playing like NBA players or something with the swag and attitude sometimes when in all reality we have a pretty average at best team.
We will be better in 2118? How could that be possible?
Other than Luther, I see nothing in the under class men to get excited about.
Neither guard can throw the ball into the ocean and that’s all we have apparently. C Manigualt sees the court for less than 5 minutes a game.
Kithcart (Stat line) 5 of 18 from the field – 1 for 10 from 3 – 2 of 12 from the charity stripe and yet he averages 14 minutes a game???? He has played 129 minutes and has 13 points for the season.
Milligan a Jr. can shoot but he rides the bench.
Sorry I’m done bitching/venting about BB this season. I’m upset because I believe it’s going to be a long painful season and that we have a retread coach who is here to cash his checks until he is shown the door 2 to 3 years down the road to retirement.
Maybe next time we get an up and coming coach hired that can relate to the kids that are here.
I blame Barnes for this mess as this was his doing. Hopefully Stallings takes Barnes with him on the way out of town.
Oh and Stallings Sucks at playing guitar. link to youtube.com
There now I’m done for the season.
There is some talent here, but the guard situation is horrible and there better be some ready to play infusion for next year or BC will be out of the cellar!
Stallings is coaching a mishmash of talent he didn’t recruit. Next year will not be better. It will be much much worse as there is not much replacing the current 4 seniors.
Luther? Really? Not Cam Johnson?
Everything I’ve read has stated that this coaching staff has much better connections with the 2018 recruiting class. The way the cycle was at Vandy, they did not have a whole lot going on with the 2017 group.
Pitt basketball is in a rebuilding phase without a knockout class coming in next year. That means we’re on at least a few year rebuild.
Be prepared. Like football, there are no quick fixes after we lose 4/5 of our starting lineup. There is no point in panicking over the state of the program because it’s in complete tear down mode once this season ends.
I’d expect a few kids to move on after the season, opening up some spots … most likely to be filled by grad transfers so the staff can go all in on the 2018 class.
But when you can’t recruit a big man or guards in five years you are going to hit the wall. Robinson, the only decent guard in five years and he had serious limitations. When was the last time we had a guard that could shoot, drive or pass with any skill?
Our last real big man was Adams for one year. Barnes needs three years of solid classes to compete in the ACC.
I just don’t see it happening.
I think we would be worse off – cause the players basically said it themselves when he left. Our program is a mess. That is not Stallings fault. I don’t think there is much that can be done this year honestly.
Having said that, I will be on fire angry if we lose to the Peds on Saturday!
gc, like Johnson too. Jeter is disappointing. Let’s face it, Artis and Young are the team. Jones, I love the Jersey kid, but he is not quite what we needed.
Dixon and his staff sure did a poor job recruiting the last few yrs.
I’m scratching my head, why? Chas, this is your expertise, maybe you can give us some enlightenment.
I don’t buy Metro NYC kids don’t want to play in the ACC. They are all over the Conference.
PITT was a major player in BB for over a 12 yr. period. ACC should have helped if anything. Kids should have been lined up to play for us.
I hate to wait for Stallings’ 6 yr. contract to end to try again. We need a big time Metro area recruiter. Maybe an Uber Asst., co-head coach, or future guaranteed position. I’m reaching here.
gc I must disagree with Artis being “forced” to play point guard – he wants to because that is where superstars as he thinks he is play. He is a cancer and typical of the attitude of these losers. I must disagree with your take on ARtis comments Chas The comments reflect his me first, I’m the best attitude he poisons this team with. Did he learn that he let the team down with his behavior, no he learned that others did not step up to cover his selfish behavior that lead to his benching
Abe Lincoln told the story of the highway man who attempted to rob the victim and when the victim wouldnt pay the highway man shoot and killed him. The highway man stated “see now you made me kill you.” Artis – its everyone’s fault that he has a bad attitude – Dixon, teammates. Cut the cancer out.
This not a challenge to you rkb. I really want to know.
Artis may not be the best team leader, but he is no cancer. He may actually be a decent point guard by the end of the year if he plays within his abilities.
To answer your question, NO. Had Dixon remained it would be worse. But with him gone Barnes fills the villian role and Stallings the scapegoat.
This team barely scored two dozen pontsxagainst Wisconsin. It lacks heart and it lacks a PG and center.
3 of the necessities of a winner are missing.
Dixon gave up here.
I can’t tell you if Stallings will succeed or not, but he might have the most difficult job in college basketball.
Stallings was supposed to be coaching these guys up and allowing them to play to their strengths.
I do agree that Dixon failed to recruit guards that could shoot. On the other hand lots of hand wringing when Maverick Rowan reopened and he hasn’t proven to be much of a shooter yet. Mustapha Heron thus far has done well.
Still wondering about the article in the PG a few months ago which reported that Stallings had adjusted Damon Wilson’s shot and it was so much better now.
Nick…are you Relative of Dixon? Why don’t you learn something about basketball before you further embarrass yourself touting Dixon and running down Stallings.
Maybe Pitt should run the “hook and lateral” play you say Nova ran to beat Pitt in the last few seconds of the NCAA. If you would like, I can actually explain that play to you and why the only defense that will work against it, requires a tall agile forward posted under the opposite basket, foul line extended.
Argue with knowledge and facts. Not prejudice and innuendo.
OTHER…. than that no one wants to play defense, offensive rebound or drive to the hoop, other than on the rare occasion.
They care so little for the new coach, they don’t care if they impress him or not since the first game that had to go into Double OT.
But since there is no bench, the players know Stallings has few or no options.
Worst Pitt bench since, sheesh I don’t know when, the mid to late 90’s ? Maybe way back to the late ’60’s.
Timing is everything and Dixon skedaddled at exactly the right moment (for him).
This edition of Pitt hoops is clearly a transitional year. The D
will never remind us of the days of Howland the JD. Pitt
will win most of its remaining non`con games however the
real test is Jan….brutal ACC schedule. I’m thinking NIT.
What is to blame for this sad state of affairs?
1. Dixon’s inability to recruit quality guards and a center, you really don’t need to go any further than that.
Whether Stallings is good enough to coach in the ACC remains to be seen. First he has to recruit enough quality players at all positions which also remains to be seen.
While we all get frustrated with the play of the individual players, for the most part that really isn’t fair. I don’t buy, the their not trying or they don’t want to play defense or do the dirty work. Face it, overall, they just don’t have the skills to overcome their individual deficits and lack of guards and a big man. Young and Artis are the only guys that would get meaningful minutes on most ACC teams.
Johnson would probably come off the bench for his 3 point shot, but the others would be glued to the bench if they even made the team. They are all required to do too much because of the personnel deficits.
On a positive note we have seen some good play at the beginning of the Maryland and Buffalo games, maybe they can build on that. They are learning a new way of playing which takes time and practice. I do think Artis will get better at point guard, one key to any possible success this year.
But Stallings need to find some guys that can play and fast.
He left Pitt with an empty cupboard. After this year, Stallings has to start essentially from scratch. Jamie would have been in the same position and he knew that.
We have Jamie to than for a lot of great basketball, but he left the program in shambles.
Maybe HCGS has them, but we sure dontbhear about them.
I honestly don’t think he had a clue what he was getting into…the personalities and entitlements. I agree somewhat with rkb on the seemingly cancerous characteristics of a few players. That doesn’t just go away – they either learn a hard lesson or they leave. Given the current landscape of our program, them leaving would leave us facing possibly an 0-? season in the ACC.
So tell me, what can coach do in this short amount of time to make this team “great”?
He can’t work magic and somehow change all of these guys personalities and attitudes.
If he can somehow survive the next 2 years, I think he could actually do decent here. But heck, most of you have written him off after 10 games.
If you failed to recruit guards who can score and the only center you recruited has knees that end up in the ER after 5 minutes, exactly what did Dixon get right?
So throw blame around all you want. But that is the problem here. Period. You need to talent and a fire. You can;t be great with one but not the other.
At first, when Young got BLOWN BY on a fast break, in the opponents paint, by a Buf player who scored on him, I got angry. But then I realized: this is who he is.
It is what they all are.
My biggest concern with Stallings is his history- history repeats itself. He’s a solid coach that really wasn’t able to take advantage of playing in a sucky conference, albeit with supposed academic limitations that tied him down. Presumably. I for one will be happy to root for his success at Pitt, but I find it difficult to tune in to a soft, passionless team, its just bad viewing. Not saying I won’t watch, but it’s tough to be too invested at this point. Right now the best games in town are Pitt Football and the Pens; at one time it was Pitt basketball, and I look forward to their return.
Some on their forums say Coach Drew was stuck with very little talent and that the cupboard left devoid of ability by a clueless, washed up outgoing coach.
Their talent went to the NBA in 2016 (Wade Baldwin IV) and our talent got a year older.
but not many were fans of this hire including myself and how it all went down in particular
but it was anyone but coach dixon for me
Go out and get a Charley Smith and a Jerome Lane.
Pitt was in a far worse plus in the middle ’80’s in a basketball conference that had just put 3 of 4 teams in the Final 4. And was dominated by the powerhouse Georgetown & St. John’s teams and very good Boston College, Villanova, Seton Hall (would be in Final 4 in ’89) and Syracuse teams.
Pitt went from 6-10 in the BigEast as an also-ran to 12-4 and BigEast Regular Season Champions in one short year.
All while playing at ancient Fitzgerald Fieldhouse.
GO OUT and RECRUIT SOME STUDS !
Stallings, after a lifetime coaching, should have contacts all over the place and in AAU.
Now, let’s discuss Pinstriping!
I opened the wallet (and no moths) and my two sons and two grandsons are GOING including the pregrame at Billy’s Sports Bar. My two sons look like me, so before you hit them for some 50 yr old grudge, look for a much older version.
I wonder it anybody is still alive. I already lost Ralph Cappy.
Knees kept him out of the pros.
For sure they can play when they want to – just rewatch the Maryland game! BUT, when they feel the opponent is beneath them i.e. Duquesne, they have no interest or desire. These kids have the attitude that they can just show up and beat a team like the Dukes. Wow, what a Jeckel and Hyde group of players!!!!
Listening to Stallings after the game, his philosophy is totally different to what we are used too. He would rather give up the two points inside and defend the three point shot.
This also requires us to take and make lots of threes. When you make 3 of 22 you are going to lose.
This is why you see Young and Jeter on the perimeter and not doing the dirty work. Jamie stressed rebounding, Stallings stresses defending the three.
I like the concept of “local” Bowls. Much easier to get to. I heard last yr the Annapolis trip was a winner. Everybody had a ball. Should be the same this yr.
I have grandsons 19 and 17. The older one is a Freshman At Rutgers. It beats PSU.
