Can anyone explain what has happened to Pitt basketball?

[hoopsupstate]

Well, despite all their faults they continue to beat SU. It took a 40 footer by Ennis to beat them.

 

[Cheriehoop]

Makes me wonder how much effect his assistants had in Dixon's success at Pitt. Orlando Antigua left before the 2009 season for Memphis, )then Kentucky now HC at USF), Tom Herrion left before the 2010-2011 season FOR Marshall's HC job (now an ass't at GT) and then Patrick Sandle left for home at Loyola Marymount before the 2013-2014 season. These were 3 long time assistants and probably had a big effect on Pitt's record too.

 

[DoctorBombay]

Well, despite all their faults they continue to beat SU. It took a 40 footer by Ennis to beat them.

Meh... I never had much venom for Dixon or Pitt bball, more of an irritation than anything else. They were always good for an epic flameout in the Dance, but I always liked their hardnosed style and D. Also, they owned our 2-3 for a number of years...better than anyone else.
In any case- I sure LOVED this!

 

[OburgOrange]

Maybe he will ride off into the sunset with Doris Burke.

690West would not be happy !

 

[PeteCalvin]

I detest Pitt as much as anyone, but you know what .. looking at their rosters the last few years .. they did have talent. I agree they don't recruit on the same level we do .. but looking at their recent teams, they have had size inside and good guards. Dixon knows the ins and outs of the zone as well as any coach. And his kids play their as*es off. Do I hate their style? Of course. Do they get away with murder on defense? Absolutely. And I agree with the assessment that their NCAA performances have suffered because they can't run their clutch-and-grab nonsense with competent officials working the game.

But look at the guys they've had the last few years. In 2012-13, for example, they had Adams (7'0 now in the NBA) and Zana inside, with big combo guard/SF/s who could shoot (Woodall, Wright, Patterson). That year we lost by 10 in Pitt, although our defense was so good towards the end of that year (FF) that we beat Pitt easily in the BET. But it's not like that Pitt team didn't have talent.

Not much different with their 2013-14 team. They had Michael Young and Artis as forwards, Zana inside, and Jones, Patterson and Robinson outside (big, versatile combo players who could drive or shoot). That's been Dixon's Kryptonite against the zone .. dogged defense, rebounding and enough inside/outside scoring to prevent JB from packing in the zone.

Last year in the Dome (which was an epic Pitt-SU dog fight), I think we matched up a little better personnel-wise. They had no one to stop Rakim (20/12) inside, and Pitt definitely felt the loss of Zana and Adams, as they got outworked on the glass with Uchego and Young. Their forwards were still good (Artis and Young went for 30) and Jones killed us from outside. I think they got lucky with some amazingly poor calls towards the end of the game (along with assault and battery on Tyler Roberson). But the pattern's there ... pretty good players and the same strategy over and over.

Good post. To me, there is a distinct parallel between the 1988 John Thompson Olympic Team and the Pitt teams of the last few years. The teams were built around defense, rebounding, penetration, and inside scoring. Shooting was highly suspect and lacking. Scoring in general was a problem in 1988, and has been for Pitt. The '88 Olympic team had one pure shooter on it, Hersey Hawkins, and one streaky shooter in Dan Majerle. Two if you count Charles Smith. Hawkins was injured early in the games and never played.

Pitt has had zero outside scoring, and you need to have shooters in the ACC.

 

[Briancuse]

Well, despite all their faults they continue to beat SU. It took a 40 footer by Ennis to beat them.

And last year, with the worst team we have had in years, probably should have won both of those games.

 

[shermstheman]

I have much more respect for the late 80's early 90's Pitt teams with Jerome Lane, Sean Miller, Jason Matthews, Bobby Martin, Charles Smith, Rod Brookin and Darrel Porter. Those teams were good.

"Send it in Jerome!"

 

[reedny]

Good post. To me, there is a distinct parallel between the 1988 John Thompson Olympic Team and the Pitt teams of the last few years. The teams were built around defense, rebounding, penetration, and inside scoring. Shooting was highly suspect and lacking. Scoring in general was a problem in 1988, and has been for Pitt. The '88 Olympic team had one pure shooter on it, Hersey Hawkins, and one streaky shooter in Dan Majerle. Two if you count Charles Smith. Hawkins was injured early in the games and never played.

Pitt has had zero outside scoring, and you need to have shooters in the ACC.

And intimidation ... Both the old GT teams (with JT) and Pitt teams walked on the floor with the attitude: we're going to beat you to a pulp. In the BE, they had willing accomplices in the officials. Not as much in the ACC, although this past season's loss to Pitt was a low-point in college basketball officiating. Your statement about Pitt having one or two players who carried them (at least against us) also remains true. Three years ago, it was Woodhall and Patterson (Adams inside). Two years ago it was Patterson and Wright (Zana inside). And this past season it was Jones and Young/Artis. Both their forwards last year were built like pro tight ends -- 6-7 235-245. We did well on the glass (with Rak) but Young and Artis did damage inside and that opened it up for Jones to drop 5 x 3 pointers . What we needed against them was a little more beef in our front line and some bigger/better defending guards to get in Jones face (that and competent refs).

 

[pearl31]

 

[AZOrange]

What is "the best thing I ever could've hoped for"?

 

[reedny]

And last year, with the worst team we have had in years, probably should have won both of those games.

Last year we lost (close game, poor officiating), but 2 years ago we swept them. Grant, Fair, Rakim and Ennis were too balanced for Patterson and Zana to overcome.

 

[HoustonCuse]

What is "the best thing I ever could've hoped for"?

Skynet to become self aware - nuke Pittsburgh - then be deactivated by hackers?

 

[Dave85]

I thought when they were added from the Big East they would have been a great basketball addition, but apparently Jamie Dixon is having all kinds of trouble recruiting top talent to Pitt, which is keeping them in the middle of the ACC. It doesn't seem like it would be that hard to recruit to Pittsburgh. Am I wrong about that? I have never been there, but it seems like inner city kids would love it.

They have two upper classmen PGs. They may be tough for us to beat without a center.

 

[Dave85]

Skynet to become self aware - nuke Pittsburgh - then be deactivated by hackers?

Hold on there John Wayne, I have a lot Steelers on my fantasy football team!

 

[PeteCalvin]

Chevy "illegal screen" Troutman

That guy never set a NON-moving pick. He had the moving pick down to a science.

 

[Rage4CUSE]

Chevy "illegal screen" Troutman

That guy never set a NON-moving pick. He had the moving pick down to a science.

For me, when watching nba games I have to just not pay attention to moving screens. Because the amount in just one game is staggering.

 

[jgeorge322]

Makes me wonder how much effect his assistants had in Dixon's success at Pitt. Orlando Antigua left before the 2009 season for Memphis, )then Kentucky now HC at USF), Tom Herrion left before the 2010-2011 season FOR Marshall's HC job (now an ass't at GT) and then Patrick Sandle left for home at Loyola Marymount before the 2013-2014 season. These were 3 long time assistants and probably had a big effect on Pitt's record too.

Dont forget slice...

 

[Rocco]

Wait, who?

(love the grad assistant in this pic - forgot his name)

 

[RF2044]

Wait, who?

(love the grad assistant in this pic - forgot his name)

Such a fitting ending. What most probably DON'T remember is that we had a one point lead erased with only a few seconds, when the refs called a completely bogus foul on us, sending Pitt to the line with only scant seconds left seemingly for an undeserved win. They made both, giving them the lead late and setting up Ennis's heroics.

Can't stand Pitt, their coach, their players, or their style of play. If officials merely called that moving screen they get away with every game, all game long, they wouldn't be nearly as effective.

 

[Briancuse]

Wait, who?

(love the grad assistant in this pic - forgot his name)

This pic looks vaguely familiar

 

[SoBeCuse]

Agreed with most takes here. I recall many here wondering how Pitt would do with the transition to ACC hoops. It was a consensus opinion that Dixon would have to adjust in both his recruiting and defensive style to have top 3rd type of success. It seems recruiting has taken a huge hit and if you read the Pitt board there is some grumbling that Dixon has completely given up on really going after top talent because he doesn't want to deal with the hassle or lose kids after a couple seasons. He did get a few highly rated kids (Birch) then didn't play them and they transferred. As far as defense its been a combination of being in the ACC and the NCAA at least attempting to stop allowing the defense to hinder the movement of players both on and off the ball. Unfortunately for Pitt hindering the movement of offensive players is exactly what their defense is based on. When you cannot play lock down defense and do not posses the offensive talent to outscore teams you aren't going to be a major player.

BTW this decline started about 2/3 seasons before they left the BE.

They sure seem to be some of the better teams always equipped to handle the zone. Their fundamentals seem pretty good. They just haven't had the athletes and shooters as of late. Although, it would've been interesting if Steven Adams stuck around a few years. The zone caters to Pitt as well. Slows them down, lets them be methodical, blocking out problems, etc.

 

[SoBeCuse]

Such a fitting ending. What most probably DON'T remember is that we had a one point lead erased with only a few seconds, when the refs called a completely bogus foul on us, sending Pitt to the line with only scant seconds left seemingly for an undeserved win. They made both, giving them the lead late and setting up Ennis's heroics.

Can't stand Pitt, their coach, their players, or their style of play. If officials merely called that moving screen they get away with every game, all game long, they wouldn't be nearly as effective.

Very true. We have to play fair however in regards to moving screens. Keita set some of the most moving screens regularly I've ever seen. Syracuse generally doesn't screen very well and move on many of them, imo. Of course you could say this about at least 75% of all NCAA teams.

 

[RF2044]

Very true. We have to play fair however in regards to moving screens. Keita set some of the most moving screens regularly I've ever seen. Syracuse generally doesn't screen very well and move on many of them, imo. Of course you could say this about at least 75% of all NCAA teams.

And he got frequently whistled for them--unlike Pitt.

Drives me nuts.

 

[dollarbill44]

Well, despite all their faults they continue to beat SU. It took a 40 footer by Ennis to beat them.

That was actually the 2nd time we beat them that year...