Too Late: Pitt Bandwagon Full After Beating of UConn
College Basketball February 17th. 2009, 9:00am
On the strength of DeJuan Blair’s 22 points and 23 rebounds -the greatest individual performance in the history of Pittsburgh basketball, so sayeth this man – the Panthers just leapfrogged the Huskies and Tar Heels to become the sexiest pick to win next months’s NCAA tournament. Regardless of what happens over the next three weeks, we’d guess that 80 percent of fans doing bracket challenges will have Pitt in the Final Four. With no NBA games last night, no NFL news, and nothing on TV, anyone remotely interested in college hoops was glued to a matchup of Top 5 teams.
Why wouldn’t you pick the team with the No. 1 RPI and No. 3 in Ken Pom? A feeble contrarian attempt after the jump …
- This was just Connecticut’s second game without its second leading scorer, and offense was difficult to come by for most of the game. We’ll wait for round three in the Big East tourney before concluding that Pitt is the better team than Connecticut (we’ve already conceded the regular season finale to the Panthers at home).
- Thabeet let the media hype get to his head after 25-20-9 against Seton Hall. He’s now been dominated on National TV twice: by Greg Monroe in December, and not Blair (23-22). No way he plays this poorly again.
- Calhoun botched it. He opened the game by trying to attack Blair with Thabeet, when he should have just played his game (which is Adrien down low). Such a rookie mistake from Mr. 798 wins. Pitt took the lead early and Connecticut was playing catch-up all night.
- As Michigan State proved last year in the tournament, you must rebound well and shoot the three well to beat defensive-minded Pitt, which limits possessions (unlike a UNC or Duke, which just relentlessly runs and jumps). Connecticut was slaughtered on the glass and shot only 29 percent from three. Louisville outrebounded Pitt in a win this year, and Villanova hit 40 percent from deep in its win – the kicker being that Blair was also saddled with foul problems in both losses.
- Has anyone thought of doubling Blair? How does he pass out of a double?
- The bench (three sophomores and two freshman) is inexperienced.
- The ol’ March mental block: Five NCAA tournament trips for Jamie Dixon. Two Sweet 16 losses, one second round defeat, and a first-round ouster. Does their physical brand of basketball not play well with the refs in March?
Physical Pitt proves to have answer for big, tall UConn (CBS Sports)
50 Responses to “Too Late: Pitt Bandwagon Full After Beating of UConn”
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February 17th, 2009 at 9:06 AM
That sound you heard was Thabeet’s draft stock crashing to the ground.
I would love to see a Blair-Griffin matchup in the Final Four.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:08 AM
How did Conn end up with the two biggest whiners in college basketball?
How any AD puts up with Calhoun and Geno is beyond me
February 17th, 2009 at 9:10 AM
so this year is the 5th?
February 17th, 2009 at 9:10 AM
How many titles have these guys won?
And Calhoun was right about the fourth foul on Thabeet. It was bogus. The game was incredibly physical and you make that call? Although, I thought UConn played better with Adrien matched up against Blair than Thabeet.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:12 AM
This would be epic. Griffin > Blair though.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:13 AM
Pitt with Blair is really tough. They have a really solid lineup that simply wins games. They were good in past years with Aaron Gray, but he wasn’t tough, and Blair is. I think that could be the difference that has Pitt advancing further in the tourney next year. How far, who knows. I still think UNC is probably the most balanced and talented team.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:16 AM
Sean UNC is a players ego away from imploding in the Tourney. I cant wait until Wayne Ellington makes it rain bricks. If Oklahoma gets a great bracket they could run the table.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:18 AM
I really like Oklahoma for the title.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Sam Young is the key guy. as bilas was saying last night, its hard to match up with that guy.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Tampa: I could totally see that happening, but they don’t rely on Ellington. Green can step up, Lawson, of course Hansbrough. They’ve got solid players at every position who have experience. No team is perfect, but UNC looks like the toughest to match up with, no doubt. Add to that the experience, and they are my favorite.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:21 AM
McCoy had 25 points last night. Fields was clutch down the stretch although I think he can lose a game for these guys. Blair is not the whole team.
I think the Big East Tournament takes alot out of Dixon’s guys because of the physical brand of ball they play. They need to lose in the first round this year on purpose.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:21 AM
great game last night. Sam Young looked good last night
February 17th, 2009 at 9:23 AM
I meant Young had 25 points.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:23 AM
OU has beat one top 30 RPI team this year (utah)
Pitt has played 7 with 2 more to go.
Ditto for Conn.
Just don’t think OU is tested enough in that weak Big 12 this year. I can see OU getting worked by a team that applies strong defensive pressure on the perimeter (ie, anyone from the Big East).
February 17th, 2009 at 9:26 AM
Very valid point, I just think Griffin is one of about 3 or 4 players in the country that could carry his team on his back to the title.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:27 AM
I’m not sure about that – they don’t play on the East Coast.
/sincere
February 17th, 2009 at 9:28 AM
Pitt’s downfalls typically have the same theme. Foul trouble for the post players (whether it’s Blair or past players like Troutman, Taft, etc.), and teams that are quicker at the guard position/shoot 3’s well.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:29 AM
OU also relies heavily on the 3 which typically doesn’t bode well for their chances. But I might be looking for a repeat of last year where all four #1 seeds make it to the Final Four. I have a hard time justifying anybody else.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:31 AM
I think this is where OU has an advantage. The Big East teams are wearing down especially when the tourney gets here. The Big East is so Physical they cant compete When tourney time comes. Where the Acc plays a more run and gun finesse type of game but they have bigs so when they need to get physical they can.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:33 AM
The Big East is so Physical they cant compete When tourney time comes
3 titles in the past 10 years by Big East schools. Cant compete when tourney time comes?
February 17th, 2009 at 9:33 AM
Sort of fucked up my point by talking about the ACC,the Big 12 has a undefined game since it sucks. But OU is legit.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:35 AM
You’re joking, right? Maybe the 7 National Championships between the two of them might have something to do with it.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:37 AM
thing is, this just doesn’t happen anymore. melo had help in 03 from Warrick (NBA) and G-Mac
and if you look at the list, the true last ‘one man gang’ was Danny Manning 21 years ago
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/mayhem/history/yearbyyear
guard still rule in march
February 17th, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Irish 3 of 10? that’s not really dominant.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:39 AM
when the titles are rolling in, sure
February 17th, 2009 at 9:40 AM
Did i say dominant? you said they couldnt compete come tourney time
February 17th, 2009 at 9:47 AM
OK I see your point with the exception of the big 10 and pac 10. This thing is pretty much even. I just think thats a problem with all of J. Dixson’s teams.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Not on the OU bandwagon either, while I like Warren’s game and have followed him since HS, I just wouldn’t want to rely on him as a number two option for a whole tourney, and who has Blake is good don’t get me wrong, but he is racking up these double double against stiffs. Against a well balanced team with a physical big with decent feet, I think they will struggle. Maybe they make a final four run, I just think they will need to pull off more close games then the other #1’s.
Also, at the big lead and NSR I left work early yesterday and didn’t get to respond your points. At NSR how is rebound effieceny cherry picking stats, when talking rebounding the guy isn’t a dominating when he has at least 5 inches on everyone he plays against.
Also, in terms of the him in the NBA I could see 12 and 10, but for where he is going to get drafted I don’t think that is worth the value of a top 10 pick. The fact that Blair took it to him last night somewhat made my case, he is going to be seeing physical players like that 80 games a year. Also, I don’t know if I buy the he just started playing organized basketball, he is always going to be playing against guys that have played the game for much longer.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Great moment last night when they were coming back from commercial. UConn had just called timeout to stall Pitt’s momentum, and everyone had to dilly-dally around for a bit as Calhoun had the ref pulled aside and was whining about whatever. They cut to a shot of Dixon who looking directly at them with his arms crossed, laughing with a look on his face like “I can’t believe this guy”
February 17th, 2009 at 9:54 AM
@General, I don’t think it was me you were talking to yesterday.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:02 AM
NSR, you really think all 4 number ones. I would almost argue that since most teams have flaws that a couple hot teams that no one really expected could get in.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:04 AM
what about 4 BE teams
Conn
Pitt
WVU
Louisville
based on the latest
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology
conn, pitt, unc, wake
?
February 17th, 2009 at 10:11 AM
@General, I agree it’s not likely to happen. But I think there’s some real separation between UConn, Pitt, OU, NC and the rest of the field. That’s not to say Louisville or Mich St. or UCLA couldn’t make it. But the top four seem to be by far the most complete teams in the country. Flawed maybe, but they are all pretty balanced.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Oklahoma = Texas from two years ago. One player teams that will get beat early in the tourney by any team with two or more players that can score. Would expect Oklahoma to lose in the sweet 16.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:29 AM
I think Zeller pulls his redshirt and plays this year and will give UNC a huge boost, watched him play a couple times in HS and have always been impressed with his game, think he will make unc tough to beat. (Side note I hope his kid brother grows a few more inches and Crean doesn’t let him leave the state, which sounds like is a good possibility)
@ the big lead I am not a fan of Wake because of their lack of a shooter and I am still not sure if Evans running the point for ‘Ville will work come tourney time. Next year when ‘Ville gets Silva they are going to be tough.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:32 AM
There is no Evans on the Louisville roster General
February 17th, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Who is Evans?
February 17th, 2009 at 10:46 AM
half the clowns on here have no clue what they are talking about
February 17th, 2009 at 10:51 AM
He must be talking about Tyreke Evans. Who plays for Memphis.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:52 AM
I am still not sure if Evans running the point for ‘Ville will work come tourney time.
Who is Evans?
Bob Evans. He lives down on the farm.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Then he’d be much more likely to play for UK than UofL.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:41 AM
sorry I wrote evans instead of williams, point being the ville has no point guard and I don’t know if I buy the point forward thing in the tourney.
@Mafia, would glady pick games against you for cash any day of the week.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:58 AM
First off, look at Uconn’s last 4 games. Their offense has not been very good. To call this an isolated instance is not looking at the whole picture. Someone hit this on the head but I think the difference between this Pitt team and the others is that Blair is beastly inside. Gray was soft, Taft was a bust and when Pitt was making those runs with Howland they were much more guard oriented running things through Brandin Knight.
I truly believe this year will be different because they have that inside prescence to stop long FG droughts unlike past years and their perimeter defense is excellent. Of course the tourney is about matchups so if they run into a 3 point shooting bonanza they could be in trouble.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:08 PM
much agreed with the last part RS, their eFG has been down the last 5 or so games.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Mafia, would glady pick games against you for cash any day of the week.
what do you have in mind choke?
February 17th, 2009 at 12:37 PM
pick some online book, we might have to go on the closing line, 2 week period or something like that pick x amount of games a day or week. We could settle up with paypal/ or some sort of check, hell we can mail them to the big lead and he can send the winner there’s and rip up the other, or if you happen to be going to vegas for the first week of the tourney by chance settle there. Let me know your thoughts but I would gladly open this up to more people.
Doesn’t Matchbook or some site like that allow for these competitions?
February 17th, 2009 at 12:41 PM
not a bad idea. How bout we do something for the brackets in March instead? get more people
February 17th, 2009 at 1:30 PM
sounds like a plan, I would almost propose a new tweak on the brackets though, maybe pick against the spread every game, point per game something like that, not your typical somewhat blind luck pick the whole bracket. Don’t get me wrong I love them but not really a true test of skill, seeing as some girl picking on mascots and if a friend went there usually finds there way into the money.
Didn’t mean to call you out before, but I just mixed up players, I don’t comment on things I know nothing about, that is why I stick to CBB.
February 17th, 2009 at 1:33 PM
im used to being called out. no big deal. let me know come March
February 17th, 2009 at 3:11 PM
will do, I will look into matchbook because I think that might be the best way to faciliate this, or I think there is a tracking feature covers via wagerline.