Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh basketball preview:

#232 R.P.I. Virginia Tech @ #24 R.P.I. Pitt:

 

Pitt has won 281 games under coach Jamie Dixon in just about a decade of play. Competitively speaking, it would take coach J’s 26.76 years to get to 281 W’s at his current pace. Or in other words, coach Dixon is one of the less celebrated, more cerebral basketball minds in the game today. As Pitt has had tons of rebounding margin (+13.9), defense (12th best in ppg allowed at 60.3 points per game) and just enough offense to get by under coach Dixon for years.

 Pitt is ranked 22nd in the USA Today Coaches Poll and stands in at 19 up and a mere 4 down. Virginia Tech? Not so much; though at least we are a 22 point road dog out in Vegas for this trip to my hometown.

Pitt Backcourt: (returning starters=2 of 3)

  • Lamar Patterson: suffered such an excruciating ankle sprain as to be red-shirted for it, and you don’t get that one too often. God Bless! Beyond that, Lamar is a well-seasoned Swing (5-senior), who is very versatile on offense. Can play both S/F and 2-Guard; though his frame (6-5) seems more like a Two; said to have great court-vision and was on a few pre-season Atlantic Coast all-star lists; and Lamar’s numbers would seem to agree. Leading Pitt in scoring at 17.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, and also leading Pitt in assist at 4.4 dimes and in 3-point shooting (43%). Yah; I’d say that’s all-star meritorious indeed.
  • James Robinson: DeMatha hoops factory baller; epic assist:turnover ratio; glue for hands as ball security goes. Which is very unusual as Lindy’s describes him as a combo-G forced to play the Point. You get to read words like “winner” “leader” and “clutch” in association with Mister Robinson, no word yet on how he feels re: The Beatles. Though all of that is tall praise enough; and 7.9 ppg, 4 assist on 83% from the FT-line ain’t half bad either. Not real sure where this kid slots at the next level (SG or Pt.G) though he seems to possess overseas entry level attributes and that’s pretty fun/good work, if you can get it.
  • Cameron Wright: c-Town (Cleveland) native with a bit more size (6’5’’ 2o5 lbs.) than his Panther backcourt teammates. Much more of a pure penetrator with finishing skillz from 10’ inward in what is at least a semi-thin looking Pittsburgh backcourt by-the-bye. Cameron runs well, and is an explosive leaper with a slashing good game from the elbows. Wright is the best student on the team and that is always a feather in any Panther cap, he nets you 10.9 ppg though his ability to dial long-distance is limited at 23% per contest. Very much not the worst guy to sag a bit off of defensively speaking to try to stop him from getting into the lane where he will do work. Does lead Pitt in steals at 1.9 and is coach Dixon’s best backcourt stopper accordingly.

Pitt Frontcourt: (starters back=1 of 2)

  1. Michael Young: strong athlete, who is said to play the game with “a chip on his shoulder’. Nice old-school Kevin McHale jump-hook on the low-block. Young does need to expand himself outward to a true mid-range game. Said to be the “gem” of lasts year’s recruiting class and is already a nearly Pro’ looking 6’8’’ 248 lbs. Homegrown hometown hommie baller; who contributes virtually 6 ppg and 5 boards; with a delft touch; at least inside the key.
  2. Talib Zanna: 5th year senior, so experience is not a problem for this P/F. Has a history of shooting-shoulder problems, quad-lingual and how often do I get to type that? +4 right there in an erudite hurry. Second leading scorer (12.8 ppg) and leader in rebounding at 7.6 boards; and Talib (Nigerian name) also leads Pitt in blocks at .9 per; and in shooting at 59.1%. Said to have fire-breathing potential, that appears to have been snuffed out with the aforementioned shoulder ills; at least a scosche. Zanna plays much much better closer to the rim, truly comfortable down low, lower, lowest. Just like real estate, location is the key to his game, as you must deny this kid positioning in the paint at all costs. Tee Zee to the FT-line and a lot (143 FTA’s); though only 6o% at the same.  (READERS’s note: now listed as “PROBABLE” for the VT game, with a rolled ankle)

Durand Johnson (F) is done for the season with a blown A.c.l. and M.c.l. alike Godspeed @#5 and his recovery. As this kid was a pretty well-rounded Three (S/F) last year. As 8.8 ppg, 3.8 boards and you team leader in FT percentage (85%) is no small departure.

Pitt Bench: (depth=2)

  • Jamel Artis: so-called Point-Forward, with “limitless” talent. That’s some overthetop praise folks! Not sure I’m seeing that; tough I’m sure that’s what I’m being told. High b-ball Intelligence Quotient, high motor player, with a well rounded sill-set. So at least the point-F gloss does make some sense when viewed through that fundamentally sound prism. 4.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, and a senior year body as a rookie do not suck. Excellent transition player, although the book says his shot needs a bit of work.
  • Josh Newkirk: 3.3 ppg, 1.1 boards and yes, this is not a typo … 10% from the charity stripe off the pine; yikes! Smaller debut year Pt.G., who can penetrate, dish and defend; though pure shooting is clearly not his forte. Does lack strength and could be pushed off the spot by Wilson and company. Newkirk have a bit more overall range to his J than his FT work suggest; (i.e. more than 15’ as set-shots go). Does have potential every bit as he does need some work; gritty headstrong baller.

VT R.A.T.T. odds to upset Pitt @ Pitt ... are???

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Illation, conclusion (s) and OPT digits:


IN brief, Pitt is 6th best in fewest defensive rebounds allowed; so coach J’s boys need to be on the mark, ready set go for this one. As you need makers not shooters as you won’t be getting many second chance points in this one. Pitt is 12-2 at home and VT is 1 for the last year, less 4 days precisely- out on the road. You do the maths.

(95% confidence interval)
Virginia Tech
=47, Pitt=77

LETS GO!

Hokies!

 bourbonstreet**