UDPride Discussion Forums    
     

Go Back   UDPride Discussion Forums > LATEST ARTICLES > UDPride Articles

UDPride Articles Published content from your UDPride staff

» Log in
User Name:

Password:

Not a member yet?
Register Now!
» Advertisement
Comment
 
Article Tools Display Modes
Pittsburgh Preview
Pittsburgh Preview
Published by Whacker
12-28-2007
Post Pittsburgh Preview

CNCINNATI (OH) – Dayton fans are “Flyered-up” for a marquee non-conference match-up this Saturday when the #6 Pitt Panthers (11-0) visit UD Arena.

Head coach Jamie Dixon, in his fifth season, has led the Panthers to four 20-win seasons, four NCAA appearances and two Sweet 16 trips. For the fifth consecutive season Dixon’s Panthers started the season 10-0. Under Dixon, the Panthers have come in like a lion, but too often exit the NCAA Tournament like a lamb.

After fattening up in November against the likes of Houston Baptist, NC A&T, Mississippi Valley St, Buffalo and Boston, Pitt has largely defined their non-conference season in December.

After beating an up-and-coming Duquesne squad on the road, they then snapped the Washington Huskies 31-game home winning streak against non-conference opponents. Against the Huskies in the first half, Pitt played their worst basketball of the season, but came back in the second half for a dramatic win.

"It was good to see our guys come together at the end," Dixon said. "When they kept making tough shots, we made plays, too. We made big plays. We grew up a lot today. Our young group grew up a lot today."

They went on to handle Oklahoma State at home by 17 and again flashed their tenacity beating the Duke Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden in overtime. Pitt tied a school record overcoming a 12-point halftime deficit proving they are a gritty team that does not panic.

"They took over that game with about 12 minutes to go in the second half with their persistent toughness," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "That's a trademark of their program. They wanted it more. In the second half they took over."

Dixon’s previous teams were built to excel in the half-court where they were usually bigger and stronger consistently out-rebounding teams and contesting shots. The commitment to defense remains, but the Panthers don’t have a player taller than 6’8” in their rotation. Dixon has his team playing faster on both ends and the players have embraced their new roles.

"It's fun to go up and down," said senior guard Mike Cook. "We share the ball. We create off the dribble. Last year the middle was clogged up because of Aaron. And that was a good thing. He was a great player. But this year the middle will be a lot more open. We have guys who will penetrate and score. It's a good opportunity to showcase ourselves."

Against Buffalo in the fifth game of the season, Pitt unveiled a new trapping defense that forced 25 turnovers. With a bevy of ball-handlers and team speed, the Panthers are able to create chaos in the open court with deflections and steals.

"It's exciting to play this way -- the alley-oops, the up-tempo, the quicker shots in possessions," junior point guard Levance Fields said. "We're playing better on defense, doing different things with traps and things like that.”

The Panthers continue to dominate the boards because of freshman DeJuan Blair (6-7 250). Blair is averaging a double-double scoring 12.1 points and pulling down 10.1 rebounds per game. Blair has excellent court awareness and good basketball instincts. He’s a load down in the low post, but is still quick enough to lead the team in blocked shots (19) and steals (25).

"DeJuan is a beast," Young said. "I have no words to describe him. It seems like he has magnetic hands. He's confident. He doesn't play like a freshman."

So far Blair has played his best against the best and in clutch situations. When the Panthers aren’t getting transition baskets, Blair makes things happen with hustle plays. He’s fluid in the post (57% from the floor) and tough to keep off of the offensive glass where he’s averaging nearly five boards a game.

Blair’s effectiveness as an offensive rebounder can be partially attributed to junior forward Sam Young (6-6 215). Young is a lethally efficient scorer averaging a team-best 17.7 points per game while shooting 56% from the field and 50% on three-point attempts. While he will turn it over when double-teamed, Blair is able to convert a lot of his misses into points rebounding from the weak side. Young led all Pitt scorers last year against Dayton with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting in just 19 minutes.

Junior small forward Mike Cook (6-4 220) was lost for the season after suffering an injury in the Duke game. Cook was a steadying influence having started 48 consecutive games and averaged 10 points per game. Cook will be missed for his ability to get to the basket and make something happen especially when a play broke down.

"This team never has been based around one person," Young said. "I think we have a lot of people who can step up on any given day.”

Freshman Gilbert Brown (6-6 190) is the most likely candidate to step up. Brown has proven he can score when given the minutes, and gets by on his physical tools for defense and rebounding. Like most freshmen, he’s susceptible to mental break downs and will get caught out of position. Still, from a pure production stand point, Brown is a more than capable sub.

Senior guard Ronald Ramon (6-1 180) is a competent shooter who makes good decisions. He won’t create his own shoot, but will knock them down when left open.

Junior point guard Levance Fields (5-10 195) sets the tone at both ends of the court for the Panthers. Whether it’s harassing his counter part on defense or getting Pitt into their half-court on offense, Fields is invaluable for his on-court leadership. Dixon doesn’t have a decent back-up behind Fields, but Fields has demonstrated he can handle a heavier workload.

Fields averages 11.8 points per game, is a strong finisher around the rim and sports a nifty pull-up jumper. Improbably Fields hit the game-winning three-pointer against Duke despite connecting on only 30% of his tree-point attempts for the season. Against Dayton last year Fields tallied 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting.

Senior guard Keith Benjamin (6-2 190) is usually the first reserve off the bench for starting shooting guard Ronald Ramon and is making the most of his opportunity.

"In the past we were more of a patient team," said Benjamin. "But now coach Dixon is putting onus on the guards to get out there and make the game better. That benefits me more, the things I like to do."

Benjamin can provide a spark on offense, but is getting more consistent minutes because of his defense.

"Keith's biggest thing is his defense," Dixon said. "He's become a guy that we use as an example as far as doing things right. It's really clicking with him this year. His leadership has been great.”

At Pitt last season Dayton received a reality check. The Flyers looked lost on defense allowing the Panthers to shoot 57% from the floor. When Pitt did occasionally miss, Dayton got killed on the boards getting out-rebounded 45-22. Seven-footer, Aaron Gray, was held to just 5 points, but pulled down 15 rebounds.

Rebounding will again be a decisive factor in the outcome. Since both teams play excellent defense, second chance points will be even more important. While Pitt is out-rebounding their opponents by 11, if the Flyers can neutralize Blair they will have a decided advantage. Unfortunately, no team has figured out how exactly to do that yet.

Dayton wants to force Pitt to get their points in the half-court and force a slower tempo.

Senior guard Ronald Ramon said the past few teams Pitt has faced have done a better job than previous opponents of not allowing the Panthers to score in transition. And the Panthers have not executed well in their half-court offense.

"I think teams are starting to focus on the fact that we're trying to run," Ramon said. "They've stopped pressing us because that opens up the court a lot more. They try to make us run our offense and pressure the first catch."

The Flyers have established they can defend inside the arc, but give up too many open treys. Beyond Young and Ramon, the Panthers are a streaky perimeter team. How well Pitt shoots from behind the arc is crucial.

This has all the makings of a trap game for the Panthers; a hostile environment on the road after one of the biggest wins in Pitt history. If the Flyers can hold their own on the boards and Pitt doesn’t torch them from behind the three-point arc, Brian Roberts and the home crowd would be tough for the Panthers to overcome in a close game.
Article Tools
  #1  
By Chris R on 12-28-2007, 12:21 AM
well done whacker. i feel like i know pitt better than I do duquesne now.
Reply With Quote
Comment

Article Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.1

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:49 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.6
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement System V2.6 By   Branden

Article powered by GARS 2.1.8m ©2005-2006

     
 
Copyright 1996-2012 UDPride.com. All Rights Reserved.