A Quick Look at Pitt

Bumped. Thanks, KH.  --PB--

Pitt's current team (picked to finish 9th in the Big East) is certainly not the squad most of us last saw in last year's Elite 8.  Starters such as Levance Fields, Dejuan Blair, and Sam Young are all gone, taking with them sixty-something percent of last year's scoring.  Factor in Jermain Dixon's absence due to a foot injury and Gilbert Brown's suspension, and Pitt is missing eighty-something percent of last year's offensive production. 

What they do have is a good head coach in Jamie Dixon, who is known for fielding physical, defensive-minded teams designed to compete in the Big East.  Dixon coached the USA under-19 team to a gold medal in the off-season, where Pitt guard Ashton Gibbs (So - 16.7 ppg / 1.3 rpg) played regularly and looks to have developed into a nice option at the point.  He shoots well, especially from behind the arc, and seems to be doing a better job taking care of the ball. 

Brad Wanamaker (Jr, 12 ppg / 1.3 rpg), a 6-4 guard, is also back.  He too can hit the three (44% in BIg East play last yr), and plays good defense.  5-11 Travon Woodall (7.7 ppg / 3.7 rpg) is a redshirt freshman who is quick, can penetrate, score, and plays pretty physically for his size.  Don't know much about Chase Adams (Sr, 2.7 ppg / 1.7 rpg), other than that he is a 5-10 transfer who averaged 2.7 steals/gm last season.  Lamarr Patterson (Fr, 4.3 ppg / 1.7 rpg) is a 6-5 wing with good length, ball control and vision. 

Donte Taylor (Fr, 8 ppg / 7 rpg) is a McDonald's All American expected to make an impact early.  He's a 6-9 power forward, is a good post-up player, has some range and can run the floor.  Nasir Robinson (So, 10.3 ppg / 6 rpg) is versatile at 6-5, works hard on the boards and can get to the basket.  JJ Richardson (Fr) is a 6-7 high energy forward who has a nice touch and will look for blocks and rebounds when on the floor.

Gary McGhee (Jr, 6.7 ppg / 6.3 rpg) is the only player listed as a center.  6-10/250.  Pretty big, strong dude who is slow and has little range.  He has improved a lot the past couple years; he used to be good only for a couple minutes and some quick fouls.  Not sure how he'll match up against Pittman, but he won't score much unless he has the ball right under the basket.

As previously stated, Pitt will play some tough defense, will challenge the Longhorns for rebounds, but in the long run they probably do not have the talent, experience, or depth to pull off the upset.  Pitt is also subpar from the free throw line (58%).  Multiple Texas turnovers and some high percentage 3-point shooting by Pitt could keep the game close for a while, but Texas will likely pull away at some point.  It will be a good litmus test for both teams to see where their young players are (If I were a betting man, which I am,  I would say Texas' are farther along than Pitt's).