OK, It's that time of year again. Ready for the Big East schedule to start and time to see where folks think Pitt basketball will end up this year. Vote below
Gotta ask it.... so far more than half of the responders think Pitt will be at least sweet 16 with some saying Final 4? What gives you hope that a team that didn't even make the NIT last year will all of the sudden improve to a potential Final 4 team in one year? I'm looking forward to getting back to the Dance, but I think anyone who's looking at Final 4 potential is delusional. Just my thoughts. Hope I'm dead wrong. I guess we'll see once the Conference play starts.
VCU did that's why I can see someone thinking that. VCU won the CBI and then made it the final four, so it is possible, just not likely. The fact that Pitt is 153rd in rebounding right now, worries me.
Pitt has moved from 153rd to 123rd in rebounding over the past couple games. Althought that may not be close to past team performances and expectations, there are some good reasons for this. First, they are 344th in possessions (60.7 per game) so there are just not as many opprtunities for a rebound. Only a few team have less possesions and some teams have about 90 possessions per game. Second of all, the Panthers shooting percentage from the field is 51.8% - third highest in NCAA. This also reduces rebounding opportunities. But if we look at the rebounding percentage per game, Pitt ranks 3rd with 58.7 percent of all loose balls landing in Panther hands. I like that. It tells a lot more than the rebounds per game stat.
There are a few other stats that fall into that category (because of minimal possessions). The Panthers are: a. 50th in points per game at 70.8. b. 112th in blocks (4.1 per game) c . 143rd in steals at 7.3 per game d. 271st in points from 3-pointers 14.7 All of these statistics would probably look a lot better with 75 or 80 possessions in lieu of 61.
Pitt has made 16.7% of thier points from the free throw line which is 291st. Potentially, this team needs to get inside and draw a few more fouls / get a little more aggressive.
Other areas the Panthers are excelling (NCAA ranking): a. Assists per game - 19.6 (1st) b. Turnovers per game - 9.3 (1st) c. Asst-to-turnover ratio - 2.107 (1st) d. Opponents points per game - 51.2 (1st) e. Offensive efficiency (points per possession) - 1.242 (1st) f. Average scoring margin - 24.3 (2nd) g. Points from 2-pointers - 47.3 (4th) While these stats are all really good, the competition has been 'soft'. The sole exception in that weak schedule was a 3rd ranked Michigan Wolverine team (which the Panthers led most of the game and ended up losing by 5).
What really baffles me is only getting 60.7 possessions per game. I really figured this to be a running team and this stat indicates the slow down deliberate offensive team we have seen. I figured with the additionof Adams - who reportedly runs like a gazelole - we would be seeing a much faster Pitt Panther team! Just about all these guys can run well. But it dioesn't appear this team operates that way.
I hope the Panthers will open some eyes and be one of the bigger NCAA surprises, but it is too soon to tell. The real test starts December 31st against Cincinnati. I think this team has an opportunity to be a real winner.
While these stats are all really good, the competition has been 'soft'.
That is an understatement. The last 2 teams Pitt has played were ranked 270th something and 344th in the SOS (Strength Of Schedule) department, let alone about the same RPI. They played #2 Michigan good and would of done wonders for their ranking and RPI if they could of pulled it out. But I don't think we'll know how good this team is until they get into conference play. Should be interesting.....
I see what Doo-da is saying, but I am still concerned that when Pitt goes up against BE talent, that we're going to have a lot of trouble. Especially, with certain teams (Louisville and G-town). We'll get to see if Pitt is legimately back on 12/31/2012 when they play Cinncy.
Nice analysis, DaMan. Jamie has them playng extremely efficiently at the moment. I am also hoping for more steals and running from them in BE play. I'd think they'd have to be a more running team if JJMoore is going to play power forward.
Take a look at the Pitt non-conference schedule statistics again (with national ranking in parenthesis): a. Assists per game - 19.6 (1st) b. Turnovers per game - 9.3 (1st) c. Asst-to-turnover ratio - 2.107 (1st) d. Opponents points per game - 51.2 (1st) e. Offensive efficiency (points per possession) - 1.242 (1st) f. Average scoring margin - 24.3 (2nd) g. Points from 2-pointers - 47.3 (4th)
When considering that the Panthers have just about the fewest possessions per game in the NCAA (60.7), a, b, and c are phenominal achievements - even against wimpy competition. Put a thru g together and it appears the Panthers are doing the things Dixon is asking them to do very well. But, again .... against wimpy competition.
While I don't think the Panthers will have exactly the same success in conference play, I believe habit and repetition are formulas for success. Aristotle once said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit."
Dead philosophers aside, what I would like to see is this team flying up and down the court. Pitt has the horses for a faster game. I think with two very reliable ballhandlers and lots of good legs, the mindset to get the fast break in motion whenever possible should be in every players' head when the Panthers are on defense.
I can only trust that Dixon knows better. We certainly can't argue this seasons' results to date.
Enough with the scrimmages. The real season starts in a few days. December 31. Cincinnati Bearcats. Our house. Be there!
The last post in this thread was posted prior to Big east play. Now Pitt has 11 of those games under their belts. I would be interested in seeing how this affects your view of this team and how they'll finish the season.
Being real, I would vote for one win or possibly sweet 16 this year. But this is a potentially dangerous match-up to just about any team in college basketball. The Panthers have the potential to be unbeatable in any game. Best examples: the Georgetown and Syracuse games (probably the 2 best wins). And the Providence 'murder' was another.
True, but Doo-dah, at the same time depending on the matchup Pitt can easily get upset. I think that one win would suffice, however, looking at the projections, Pitt goes up against Maryland. Not sure want kinda team Maryland has but certain types of teams give Pitt troubles.
An atheletic Pressing team (Louisville type) Usually beats Pitt. Or a hot shooting ouside shot team (Butler) Or a team that has length (Xavier)
If pitt plays any team like these, (I am going off of past NCAA loses on the last two). Then Pitt gets eliminated early.
Now, I could see this Pittsburgh team also suprising some teams, maybe an IU or Michigan, depending on shooting that night. Watching the hoosiers play Illinois the other night, They really remind me of the 2008 Pitt team, exceptional offense but not a team that can shut you down defensively.
What Pitt has going for them:
Offensive Effecency Defense Rebonding Depth
What Pitt has going against them: Length on the parameter Lack of a go to scorer FT shooting.
i agree with the last two post. Its all going to depend on who they get matched up with. This team can beat any team in the tournament, but can also lose to any team in the tournament, as we've seen in the past. One thing for certian is that they must improve on their free throws. On their 3 pt loss to louisville they were 3-12 from the line; thats a whole different game if they were, lets say, 8-12 from the line. The poor ft percentage will kill them in the end. I dont know how dixons practices are ran, but he better be working on free throws every day.
This win was proof this team is for year. We are so used to having " experienced " teams that we forget this isn't the nba....young teams win all the time. It's all about getting hot towards that final stretch, which is exactly what this young squad is doing. Even when they weren't playing their best yet, they still made it a close game with Michigan..and other early losses. Adams is improving every game. Robinson shows a ton of confidence and doing the things a solid pg does( they mention him being 4th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio). To go along with the guys who do have experience. This was a statement win for sure, we won't be sneaking up on anyone from hear on out. My prediction entering the tourney....#4 seed
