It's about time someone from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recognized the amazing story developing right under their noses in Oakland. Ron Cook's column in the March 2 issue of the newspaper clearly puts into perspective the heroic year the Men's Panther basketball team has had. Injuries are certainly a part of the game and any critic could easily point to all the injuries other teams in the Big East (most notably the Louisville Cardinals) have suffered and yet still had even better seasons than Pitt.
But to truly appreciate what the Panthers have accomplished this season, one must take into account where this team stood heading into this season. Even if Mike Cook, Levance Fields, Austin Wallace and Cassin Diggs hadn't missed a ton of games the Panthers were still a very young and mostly inexperienced group of players that was going to have to fight their way to a 20+ win season and a bid to the NCAA tournament. The fact that the Panthers did win those 20+ games and likely extended their season beyond the Big East Tournament while not having the services of the players listed above for most (if not all) of the season is quite an accomplishment in itself.
And that accomplishment becomes even more amazing when one takes into account the fact that most of the players who didn't miss extended time were also playing through significant injuries themselves. Ronald Ramon, Keith Benjamin, DeJaun Blair and Gilbert Brown did a tremendous job keeping the Panthers competitive throughout Big East play despite suffering from a plethora of maladies that would have otherwise kept them out of the lineup if the team has anyone available to come of the bench and take their spots. And since there was no one experienced or capable enough, this valiant group of relatively inexperienced and young players themselves carried on despite their pain. And not only did they continue to play; they accomplished all of the goals expected of this year’s club even before the injuries racked their season.
So it's quite a success story for these young players, one that deserves all the accolades their fans can heap upon them. I'm sure some fans will continue to easily dismiss this team's accomplishments in light of their recent shooting and rebounding woes. And we all know many lament the defensive liabilities of this team compared to past editions. But the Dawg can't help being excited about the fact that these young players are getting valuable playing time for the future. And that will come in very handy when the Panthers make their playoff push this year and for the next few years to come. The future is bright for this program not only this year…but for seasons to come.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Shooting Bricks
The Dawg woke up this morning and was excited to find John Grupp's article on Pitt's recent shooting slump in the Pitt Post-Gazette. It's about time the panthers (and us as fans) get to the heart of the matter. The shooting, especially from beyond the arc, has been terrible all season. It certainly hasn't been acceptable since the start of conference play. It's been so bad I think all Pitt fans have been asking themselves if Gil Brown or Ronald Ramon will ever make a three pointer again. Or more importantly, will they ever decide to be more selective about taking shots until they do get back on track.
As Grupp wrote in his article, poor shooting leads directly to bad defense and rebounding. Even in the rough and tough grinding battles of the Big East, shots have to be made. There is only so many times the defense can answer the bell and make the stops necessary to keep a game close. Eventually bad shooting will doom any chance of victory no matter how valiant the defense plays. And the sad part about the slump is that Pitt's staple motion offense has been generating open looks at the basket. The shots are generally there but this team is inexplicably missing them, especially at the most critical moments during games.
But why are the Panthers missing these shots? Exhaustion and injury definitely deserve the lion's share of blame. Ramon and Benjamin have been fighting through injuries while also having the burden of playing more minutes than expected with Fields' injury and only freshman Bradley Wannamaker to back them up. Exhaustion is certainly a culprit for a young starter like DeJuan Blair as he makes his way through brutal conference play for the first time. And with Levance Fields shaking off the rust since his return three games ago it becomes painfully clear why the Panthers can't buy a bucket right now. And Pitt fans could only shiver when envisioning what the fate of this season would if Sam Young had not dramatically improved his outside shot from last year.
Unfortunately, the Panthers have no time to rest and get healthy. Jamie Dixon must find a balance to keep his top players fresh enough to finish off their shots, especially late in games. Pitt should be able to beat Cincinnati and DePaul at home with just their relentless defense...regardless of how well they shoot. But to lock down a spot in the NCAA tournament before they even travel to Madison Square Garden they must also win at least one of the two road games left on the schedule. And it's hard to envision the Panthers winning at West Virginia or Syracuse by defense alone. The must make shots or they will find themselves at the losing end of both road games and needing a deep run in the conference tournament to ensure their invitation to the big dance.
As Grupp wrote in his article, poor shooting leads directly to bad defense and rebounding. Even in the rough and tough grinding battles of the Big East, shots have to be made. There is only so many times the defense can answer the bell and make the stops necessary to keep a game close. Eventually bad shooting will doom any chance of victory no matter how valiant the defense plays. And the sad part about the slump is that Pitt's staple motion offense has been generating open looks at the basket. The shots are generally there but this team is inexplicably missing them, especially at the most critical moments during games.
But why are the Panthers missing these shots? Exhaustion and injury definitely deserve the lion's share of blame. Ramon and Benjamin have been fighting through injuries while also having the burden of playing more minutes than expected with Fields' injury and only freshman Bradley Wannamaker to back them up. Exhaustion is certainly a culprit for a young starter like DeJuan Blair as he makes his way through brutal conference play for the first time. And with Levance Fields shaking off the rust since his return three games ago it becomes painfully clear why the Panthers can't buy a bucket right now. And Pitt fans could only shiver when envisioning what the fate of this season would if Sam Young had not dramatically improved his outside shot from last year.
Unfortunately, the Panthers have no time to rest and get healthy. Jamie Dixon must find a balance to keep his top players fresh enough to finish off their shots, especially late in games. Pitt should be able to beat Cincinnati and DePaul at home with just their relentless defense...regardless of how well they shoot. But to lock down a spot in the NCAA tournament before they even travel to Madison Square Garden they must also win at least one of the two road games left on the schedule. And it's hard to envision the Panthers winning at West Virginia or Syracuse by defense alone. The must make shots or they will find themselves at the losing end of both road games and needing a deep run in the conference tournament to ensure their invitation to the big dance.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Talk, Talk, Talk
OK, I'll admit it. the Dawg started this not too long after Pitt lost their third straight game to the Louisville Cardinals at home. Nonetheless, the issue that has me burning right now has been doing so for some time now.
This team talks to much. Especially to the press.
And that's all fine and dandy when they are winning...which is exactly what they are NOT doing right now.
I now what many of you are thinking...this is a little too unfair. But I don't care. I'm ticked off and concerned right now. The last time Pitt had a team that even insinuated they would beat a team like Dejuan Blair did before he and his teammates went out and lost to Louisville was the 2005 version that fizzled down the stretch and exited both the the Big East and NCAA tournaments without a win.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the confidence and fire...but keep on the floor. It just seems like the natural reaction to losing by some players is to exude some sort of false confidence with the press. Maybe I appreciate the old school way, but until you are winning with ease, it's better to spare everyone the faux bravado and just put the energy into actually winning the game.
You see, what happens is that all the energy ends up being overextended into backing up boasts made in the papers. And it only gets worse at the losing continue. All of sudden knuckles become white and too much stock is put into reversing the losing trend instead of doing what is truly required to stop the losing...getting back to the basics. The Panthers are their absolutely best when they are grinding out every position on both ends of the court. This season has not been any different. Wins against Duke, Georgetown and the dreaded Mountaineers of West Virginia came because each possession was played with the utmost intensity and as if it was the last in a tie ball game.
Instead, the Panthers are now missing wide open jams and three points shots while also turning over the ball way too much while uncontested. This is not Pitt basketball. The Panthers might not recruit the highest rated players come out of high school. But they do recruit talented and smart basketball players who bring intensity to each possession as if its the last of the season. It might not be pretty, it's how this team wins a lot of games.
And when they forget that...they talk too much...and then lose too many games.
This team talks to much. Especially to the press.
And that's all fine and dandy when they are winning...which is exactly what they are NOT doing right now.
I now what many of you are thinking...this is a little too unfair. But I don't care. I'm ticked off and concerned right now. The last time Pitt had a team that even insinuated they would beat a team like Dejuan Blair did before he and his teammates went out and lost to Louisville was the 2005 version that fizzled down the stretch and exited both the the Big East and NCAA tournaments without a win.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the confidence and fire...but keep on the floor. It just seems like the natural reaction to losing by some players is to exude some sort of false confidence with the press. Maybe I appreciate the old school way, but until you are winning with ease, it's better to spare everyone the faux bravado and just put the energy into actually winning the game.
You see, what happens is that all the energy ends up being overextended into backing up boasts made in the papers. And it only gets worse at the losing continue. All of sudden knuckles become white and too much stock is put into reversing the losing trend instead of doing what is truly required to stop the losing...getting back to the basics. The Panthers are their absolutely best when they are grinding out every position on both ends of the court. This season has not been any different. Wins against Duke, Georgetown and the dreaded Mountaineers of West Virginia came because each possession was played with the utmost intensity and as if it was the last in a tie ball game.
Instead, the Panthers are now missing wide open jams and three points shots while also turning over the ball way too much while uncontested. This is not Pitt basketball. The Panthers might not recruit the highest rated players come out of high school. But they do recruit talented and smart basketball players who bring intensity to each possession as if its the last of the season. It might not be pretty, it's how this team wins a lot of games.
And when they forget that...they talk too much...and then lose too many games.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Bubble Woes
The Dawg has to admit, I'm finally a little worried about the Pitt Panthers making the NCAA tournament.
The last two double digit losses on the road to Marquette and Notre Dame were disconcerting not only because of the point differentials, but also because of the nature of them. Pitt seemed to literally lay down in the 2nd half with absolutely no answer for when the momentum swung their opponent's way. The last time a Dixon coached team displayed this characteristic they were bowing out of the NCAA tournament in the first round against the likes of Pacific University. I'm not ready to predict a similar ending to this season, but I'm certainly worried enough about it to mention it in this column.
One man gives me hope, and every Pitt fan knows who I'm talking about. The General, The Blue Devil Slayer, the Hero of Madison Square Garden...whatever you call him, he is without a doubt the true leader of this team. Sure Levance Fields has already been back...in fact he played significant minutes in both of the losses that now have me concerned about the Panthers in the first place. But he isn't truly back...not yet. Maybe he will arrive tomorrow against Louisville, maybe later next week. But when he does I do believe the Panthers will go on a run that leads them deep into the Big East and NCAA tournaments.
Pitt might seem lost right now, but they have also proven they have the talent and determination to play with the best in the nation. With a confident Fields the Panthers will be a very deadly opponent in the post season. Very rarely does the team that dominates all season long win the NCAA basketball championship. Last year Florida was the favorite from beginning to end. But the year before they weren't even mentioned as one of the true contenders for the title before they shocked Villanova in the Elite Eight and overwhelmed George Mason and UCLA to win it all.
So there is a lot to be gained, but a leader must emerge as soon as tomorrow if Pitt wants to end the season the way they started it...by beating the best college basketball has to offer.
The last two double digit losses on the road to Marquette and Notre Dame were disconcerting not only because of the point differentials, but also because of the nature of them. Pitt seemed to literally lay down in the 2nd half with absolutely no answer for when the momentum swung their opponent's way. The last time a Dixon coached team displayed this characteristic they were bowing out of the NCAA tournament in the first round against the likes of Pacific University. I'm not ready to predict a similar ending to this season, but I'm certainly worried enough about it to mention it in this column.
One man gives me hope, and every Pitt fan knows who I'm talking about. The General, The Blue Devil Slayer, the Hero of Madison Square Garden...whatever you call him, he is without a doubt the true leader of this team. Sure Levance Fields has already been back...in fact he played significant minutes in both of the losses that now have me concerned about the Panthers in the first place. But he isn't truly back...not yet. Maybe he will arrive tomorrow against Louisville, maybe later next week. But when he does I do believe the Panthers will go on a run that leads them deep into the Big East and NCAA tournaments.
Pitt might seem lost right now, but they have also proven they have the talent and determination to play with the best in the nation. With a confident Fields the Panthers will be a very deadly opponent in the post season. Very rarely does the team that dominates all season long win the NCAA basketball championship. Last year Florida was the favorite from beginning to end. But the year before they weren't even mentioned as one of the true contenders for the title before they shocked Villanova in the Elite Eight and overwhelmed George Mason and UCLA to win it all.
So there is a lot to be gained, but a leader must emerge as soon as tomorrow if Pitt wants to end the season the way they started it...by beating the best college basketball has to offer.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Pitt vs Michigan State: The First Real Test of the Season
Despite a Michigan State fans comments on a Panther Digest thread regarding Pitt's performance the first two weeks compared to MSU's, the Panthers indeed have a great chance for a marquee win against the Spartans this weekend. Just because Pitt didn't run up the scores and stats in the 2nd half of their first two games doesn't mean that the Panthers didn't easily win both games. The purpose of the game is to beat your opponent. And Pitt did that convincingly the first two games of their young season, despite losing three of their most valuable players going into the season already.
A closer analysis show that Pitt has a much better chance to beat MSU this year. Mainly because of the stronger balance they have on both sides of the ball. On offense, the Panthers are much more balanced with a two prong RB attack. Stephens-Howling is much more dangerous to opposing defenses when they are forced to also focus on LeSean McCoy. The Panthers also has outstanding playmakers at WR and TE. The big question for the offense is the line play. It got a little better against Grambling, but it needs to protect the relatively new QB in Kevan Smith enough and give all of Pitt's playmakers a little bit of room and time to make plays. Fortunately, Pitt's tremdeously talented playmakers will not need as much time as they did last year to make those plays.
On defense, even with losing Mustakas, the Panthers are much faster and stronger on the line. More importantly, the linebackers, as a complete unit, are much better this year. McKillop is faster than Blades and Murray and Gunn are much better tacklers. Dickerson is an X factor playmaker that the Spartans offensive line will have to account for when he's on the field. So I don't expect teams to run roughshod on Pitt this year. Doesn't mean teams won't be successful running against them, but you will probably not see many opposing teams racking up 300+ yards on the ground with regularity as too many did last year. The defensive backs, as a group, are also better this year. Thatcher and Phillips are healthy and Cox will not be picked on as much now that he isn't playing opposite the best CB in the league. Berry and Gary might not be the shut down corners that Revis was yet, but they cover well and are opportunistic when given the chance.
Most importantly, MSU does not run the same offensive style they did last year. If the Panthers have shown anything, they do stack up much better against the pro style offense Dantonio employs than the option offense that MSU and other teams were so effective in running against the Panthers the last few years. Pitt only lost two games last year to a traditional pro style offense (Louisville Rutgers). All the remaining teams used sort of option (MSU, WVU, USF) or spread (UCONN) offense to wear and run the thin defense down. I would suggest that both Louisville and Rutgers last were far superior to MSU this year and Rutgers was still a very close game.
So all in all, I think on paper Pitt has a great chance to win this game. I'm not predicting a win since the game is on the road at a difficult place to play. But I will not be surprised if either Pitt won the game or lost it. It certainly is not the lost course some here might predict it is. I will only be disappointed if Pitt doesn't make the game competitive for four quarters.
A closer analysis show that Pitt has a much better chance to beat MSU this year. Mainly because of the stronger balance they have on both sides of the ball. On offense, the Panthers are much more balanced with a two prong RB attack. Stephens-Howling is much more dangerous to opposing defenses when they are forced to also focus on LeSean McCoy. The Panthers also has outstanding playmakers at WR and TE. The big question for the offense is the line play. It got a little better against Grambling, but it needs to protect the relatively new QB in Kevan Smith enough and give all of Pitt's playmakers a little bit of room and time to make plays. Fortunately, Pitt's tremdeously talented playmakers will not need as much time as they did last year to make those plays.
On defense, even with losing Mustakas, the Panthers are much faster and stronger on the line. More importantly, the linebackers, as a complete unit, are much better this year. McKillop is faster than Blades and Murray and Gunn are much better tacklers. Dickerson is an X factor playmaker that the Spartans offensive line will have to account for when he's on the field. So I don't expect teams to run roughshod on Pitt this year. Doesn't mean teams won't be successful running against them, but you will probably not see many opposing teams racking up 300+ yards on the ground with regularity as too many did last year. The defensive backs, as a group, are also better this year. Thatcher and Phillips are healthy and Cox will not be picked on as much now that he isn't playing opposite the best CB in the league. Berry and Gary might not be the shut down corners that Revis was yet, but they cover well and are opportunistic when given the chance.
Most importantly, MSU does not run the same offensive style they did last year. If the Panthers have shown anything, they do stack up much better against the pro style offense Dantonio employs than the option offense that MSU and other teams were so effective in running against the Panthers the last few years. Pitt only lost two games last year to a traditional pro style offense (Louisville Rutgers). All the remaining teams used sort of option (MSU, WVU, USF) or spread (UCONN) offense to wear and run the thin defense down. I would suggest that both Louisville and Rutgers last were far superior to MSU this year and Rutgers was still a very close game.
So all in all, I think on paper Pitt has a great chance to win this game. I'm not predicting a win since the game is on the road at a difficult place to play. But I will not be surprised if either Pitt won the game or lost it. It certainly is not the lost course some here might predict it is. I will only be disappointed if Pitt doesn't make the game competitive for four quarters.
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