I believe the phrase after the last Clemson basketball game was “Well Pitt still can’t pass on Clemson”.  It was funny because it was true.  Well here is to hoping the long road of the ACC schedule has taught our young freshman a thing or two.  I sense it’s redemption time at the Pete.

Hail to Pitt!

 

Michaelangelo holds a degree in Travel Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a former staff writer for InPittsburgh Newsweekly, and currently resides near Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a Pitt fan since 1997 after he witnessed Pitt upset #22 Miami on Thursday night at Pitt Stadium.

131 thoughts on “Pitt Basketball: Pitt vs. Clemson Open Game Thread”

  1. Believe it or not, I think we have a chance to win tonight. Can Clem hit 14 3s again even though Reed is coming home I believe.

    Like

  2. Good job on the thread.

    I think it’s time for the Kool-Aid Crowd to stop throwing it ALL on the Players and start holding Capel’s “feet to the fire” as a Coach.

    It makes watching a little more interesting.

    Like

  3. I like Pitt tonight.

    Here’s my big foul shooting tip for any of you coaching ….you are free to use it. I’ve been paid money for it.

    Grip the ball same way every time.
    How.. you ask…?? Each ball has a nipple where it’s inflated. Put your shooting hand first finger on the nipple. Aim it on the rim center (I’ve literally put silver tape on the rim center). It takes right and left out of the shot!

    One less thing to worry about when legs are tired and the game is on the line. No stress!

    That’s it. Seems sophomoric and rec basketball -like but it works. It’s improved 10% – 25% shooting averages on every team game hats tried it.

    H2P. McGowan gets off the Schneid tonight!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Never met a successful coach that wasn’t detail oriented. John Woodens first lesson first practice was how to properly tie your shoes!

      Like

  7. Days without power or water left me drained…watching from home tonight. Have a good feeling but I’ve had them before.
    Cautiously optimistic…

    Like

  9. Capel …. stop trying to be a basketball coach and coach the team in front of you. You simply cannot permit these runs! You should be out of time outs right now. Damnit Pitt play some frickn basketball! Start your offense out higher near the half court line. Let X penetrate without the ball then get him the damn ball inside!!!

    Start coaching like you frickn care Capel.

    Like

  10. The jury is still out on McGowens. He looks worn out. This Pitt team is literally afraid to take a 3. How many good looks do they pass up?

    Like

  14. Bad defense aside, Clemson shooting almost 70% and PITT shots hitting the iron twice and rimming out. When the white kid from Clemson banked in a 3 pointer I knew another long night was about to happen..

    Like

    1. The basketball seasons for both the men’s and women’s teams can end soon enough.

      Go Pitt! (to next season…)

      Like

  18. Starting to get sick to my stomach. Being overmatched game after game is taking a toll on these kids. Objectively, this is no one’s fault. Capel has them been laying hard but can’t contain the turnovers and missed free throws. Hope we’re not seeing PTSD.

    Like

  23. Every defense has one rule vs Pitt. Don’t let X drive. They slough off 2-3 defenders on him …. note to x. Someone else is open.

    Like

  26. No answers for this team. One 3 in the half doesn’t cut it. Wilson-Frame is feeling pressure to score. X is out of control. The remaining players won’t shoot.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Halftime Post to Coach Jeff Capel… How about just trying N’Dir at Point and your BEST shooter Johnson at the TWO?

    What you’re doing now is just downright UGLY.

    Like

  30. PittofDreams. Mcgowens was two time ACC freshman of the week. He is in a major slump but you are jumping the gun on him not being ACC starter.

    Like

  32. I don’t know how any coach could coach a team that is so overmatched. They need to run and kick out for 3s in the second half if they are to have any chance at all. 5 buckets in the first half is a disgrace!

    Like

    2. POD — you realize McGowens is a freshman, right?

      Also, he’s made some remarkably athletic plays this season.

      Also, players tend to improve their shooting from year to year.

      I don’t know – you just seem to come down awfully hard on this freshman…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

    3. But he was a 4* – the other two freshmen are 3* recruits. I’m confused…

      I was fortunate to have missed this bad game tonight – out to dinner with old friends we haven’t seen in 30 years.

      Like

  34. This team is playing with zero confidence on offense other than JWF and X. What’s more frustrating is letting Clemson come out red hot again and not locking them down on defense

    Like

  35. Pitt has to be the easiest team in the ACC to play. They can drive the hoop- that’s it. No inside game and nothing beyond the arc. Just get back on defense and sag inside. Pitt will shoot 30% from the field.

    Like

  37. Stallings would have won at least 12 games this year
    I had Pitt pegged for 16-17 wins
    Why was Capel an assistant at Duke for so long?
    I think we are seeing why.

    Like

  38. Heather really needs to think about refunding money to anyone who attended this disgrace.

    Otherwise she is a thief.

    Like

  44. From my seat here at the Pete, I hope these posts are just frustration. As for me, I still love these kids and our coach. They’ll get better. In the meantime, I suggest you all submit your coaching applications to Heather and sit by your phones. I’m sure she didn’t know you were available.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I still think you deserve a refund for watching this crap show
      If you see Heather, tell her Tex says howdy

      Like

    2. Yeah farmers the takes are hot tonight. I would say it’s frustration. It is amazingly frustrating to watch this garbage though.

      Like

    1. This team is mentally whipped. They can’t make basic plays, like passes, close-in shots, and foul shots. A combo of 3 frosh playing so much, no inside game, weak rebounding, IMHO.

      We, and they, need to move on to next season…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  46. Pitt was again hopelessly outmatched but….. I’m seeing signs of coaching failures right and left.
    I don’t see practices so all I can judge is the travesty I see on the floor each night.

    Like

  50. And to add insult to injury Pitt is stuck with Andrew Filiponi as pregame spokes idiot A Cuse grad and probably the worst and most hated sports rep in the history of Pittsburgh! We must have suicidal tendencies!

    Like

  51. POD you were correct. Aton of blame on Capel coaching. Still, I’m glad we have him and better times ahead next year. Pitt will not win another game this year.

    Like

    1. So sorry I was right.

      For the life of me, I can’t understand why Capel with 3 head coaches on the bench doesn’t bring our center to the top of the post extended and run plays off of him. When you just line up man to man against the zone and pass around the perimeter,you’re just letting the defense dictate to you. Capel might say that by bringing out your center high, your taking away a rebounder….so what. And another thing…you can’t pass into the low blocks when their are 2-3 defenders on our man. 11 turnovers on that stupidity tonight. Nor can you drive to the basket when two tall athletic big men are there waiting for you. 7 turnovers on that tonight.

      Capel has to stop coaching this team like it has no deficiencies!!!!

      Liked by 2 people

  53. Basketball aside for the moment… I have a request for M.

    Any chance of an article tomorrow on one Qadree Ollison… or Quadree as I like to call him?

    Personally, I see Ollison as maybe the MOST underrated Pitt Running Back ever. Friday, he takes to the field in Indianapolis as the SOLE Pitt Invitee to the NFL Combine.

    Nothing major. Something simple will do.

    Might make for interesting reading.

    Like

  54. An interesting Bizzaro World fact: Pitt’s FB team would play a better, closer game right now against the PSU FB team than the BB team would against PSU’s BB team.

    Like

  55. Current state of Pitt basketball – right now coach Capel has three players on his roster that he recruited that will hopefully be with the team as SO’s next season. There are two more recruits that have verbally committed (not yet signed) that will be trueFR next season.

    That will be one tired starting five, unless offseason conditioning becomes a top notch priority by the players and coaches.

    On the bench there could be Brown, Davis, Ellison, Chukwuka and Aikin, Jr., if they stay with the program.

    Folks, there is still much work to be done to improve upon Stallings’ two year record, IMO.

    March Madness used to be a great entertainment value in my life – now that Pitt will be absent yet another year (which is maddening in it’s own right), I drift further away from even paying much attention. Now the FBI scandal could gain some NCAA BB entertainment value for me, but I’m afraid Pitt BB might not sniff the NIT until Capel’s 3rd year and supposedly X-man’s last in a Panther uniform.

    Bring on Spring golf – I need entertained…

    Liked by 3 people

      1. On one hand, Narduzzi has done a periodic spring practice countdown on his twitter since Feb 18th when there were 17 days left (and highlighted DE Weaver.)

        On the other hand, I cannot find the spring FB schedule anywhere on the Pitt web site. It may be there but I can’t locate it. I do know that the spring game date was announced back in January.

        BTW, HCPN did reply to DiPaola

        Pat Narduzzi@CoachDuzzPittFB
        Pat Narduzzi Retweeted Jerry DiPaola

        Yes sir Jerry!!!

        Like

  57. I always prefer to look at the bright side of things. Pitt shot 75% from the foul line, That’s all I got

    Like

  58. I watch every game. Fortunately, I had a commitment last night and was unable to tune in. Capel is going into a shoot out carrying a water pistol. He just does not have the combination of talent or size to compete. It’s clear that the team plays hard and has done so all year. Dan72 has made some very astute observations as have others. There have been some coaching missteps, but mostly our problem is lack of talent. One thing that does perplex me: the playing time of Trey McGowens. I understand he’s a freshman, and will make freshman mistakes. But he has become such a liability on offense, that it’s difficult to justify his playing time.

    Like

    1. I agree. I cannot believe N’Dir didn’t see action until late in the first quarter to replace Johnson. I didn’t watch all of the 2nd half but don’t recall N’Dir and Johnson on the court together. I actually believe this is a better offensive lineup …. but no doubt McGowens is the best defensive guard

      Like

  59. I’m wondering what if any effect games like last night has on Pitt’s recruiting …. both FB and BB. Last night, there were a handful of FB recruits and a 2020 4* basketball recruit in attendance. While the Zoo did its usual fine job, I noticed a lot of empty seats in the first level,

    Remember, on Devonshire’s only visit to Kentucky, he saw UK play Kansas in front of at least 23,500 at Rupp Arena … and they beat Kansas. I’m sure this experience didn’t hurt Kentucky’s chances one bit

    Liked by 2 people

  60. Well with Pitt playing BB as it has recently it can’t help on recruiting except for the fact that many if not all recruits can see the real possibility of early playing time.

    Liked by 1 person

  61. hey ike, you were worried yesterday about Pitt FB not having an open schollie with the addition of the TE transfer. “LB Anthony McKee has decided to graduate and not play out his fifth year of eligibility for the Panthers” per PSN

    so there you go. and if Pitt gets any more transfer or JUCOs. then another 5th player who has earned a degree many just “decide” to leave

    Like

    1. Would also explain why they signed that two-star linebacker late in the signing period

      Like

  62. Last night, Maryland was getting crushed by Penn State down 25 second half, when Md Coach Turgeon pulled the starting five and played the B team for 7 minutes. Those that know my posts know that I’ve called for Capel to do this several times. I’ve come to the conclusion that Capel is trying to Coach this team like it’s a regular normal NCAA D1 team. It’s not! It’s our “boys of limited talent” vs men!

    I go back to last nights opening 16-2 run by Clemson. As a coach, you can’t let that happen. Use ALL you time outs, change defenses, allow your team to clear their heads. But Capel let it go on and for the fifth game in a row the game was over by halftime. This is not a normal team. Stop coaching like it is. Winning is the best lesson you can teach!

    Liked by 2 people

  63. FYI, this is Pitt’s annual “Day of Giving.” I know, I know, that doesn’t go over well with many of you (unless maybe there was a place to donate for a stadium)… But if anyone is interested in making a donation to Pitt, this is a good time to do it. Here’s the web site:

    https://www.pittdayofgiving.com/pages/home-59

    I donated (modestly) to the Engineering School and to the Baseball Team Championship Fund. Both Civil Engineering and playing on the baseball team helped enrich my life.

    Still probably going to donate something to the Football Team Fund since I get a lot of entertainment from my Panthers…

    Hail to Pitt.

    Like

    1. BTW, the short video on the Pitt “Day of Giving” web site is nicely done.

      I kept looking for Richman – I’m sure he’s in there somewhere!

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  64. Dan, if Pitt had a Senior laden team and they were slacking I’d say sit them all day long. But with Freshmen I’m not sure that is the best strategy when they are down by 25 in the first half. Confidence is everything with young players, and Capel needs to find a strategy to help them build some confidence.

    Like

  65. I see where with McKee moving on, Phil Campbell is being tried at the Star LB spot.

    Sounds good to me. Not sure Phil has the quickness you’d like to see at safety.

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  66. Dan and thank you for all your great contributions on the POV, especially with your basketball knowledge… PRICELESS! In theory, I get that you’re saying the 3 freshmen have played enough games at PITT by now that it would make them more like established players with experience but we cannot forget that all 3 should still be in high school right this very minute. That’s a big hurdle to jump at that age.

    Liked by 2 people

  67. Sometimes as a leader/coach, you need to change the juju. When things start off bad, I have suggested that the coach take a timeout and go back to the locker room with the team, leaving an assistant coach out on the floor. At the expiration of the first timeout, the assistant calls the next time out and so on until you have used all 5 or six timeouts in the first half.

    At that point, you bring the team back on the court. If you play your time wisely, you will have a 6-10 minute cool down period for you to address your team but more importantly, it takes the other team out of its rhythm…..hopefully. It’s a reset for your team in the locker room as you chew them out a bit.. Obviously you need to know your team and be able to determine if they just weren’t ready or were just not good enough, or the other team is just on fire. This strategy would be interesting if your team came out flat or the other team came out smoking hot.

    Desperate measures are sometimes needed to flip the juju…. Dean Smith used to use his second team and substitute all of them for the starters. He typically game them a four point cushion. If they could keep the 4 point cushion, they stayed in. Those defenders busted their respective tails on defense so they could play more minutes. Another fine strategy that gets the attention of the starters.

    Or, just lose!

    Like

    1. the difference between Dean Smith at UNC and Jeff Capel at Pitt is that Smith’s 2nd team usually had two or three 4-stars and the others were 3-stars.

      Here is Pitt’s 2nd team: Chukwuko, N’Dir, Ellison, Davis and George, There may be two 3-stars there … not sure

      Like

  71. 2018: 0 conference wins
    2019: 2 conference wins
    At this pace of growth, we should make the tourney by the time my one year old is ready to drive.
    Hail To PItt

    Here is a haiku following the five, seven, five syllable format.

    Capel looks tired.
    No all-Americans here.
    Pitt job a mistake?

    Liked by 1 person

  72. I sense there is some discontent with Capel among POVers at this point. Is there a feeling developing that he is not up to the job of rebuilding this team? Could ANY coach do more with the existing talent and maturity of the current team? Last night there were almost all Seniors and transfers playing for Clemson. Can we really blame Capel for this disparity in age, maturity and physicality?

    Liked by 3 people

    1. VOR – good question. I’m sure there’s growing discontent with Capel because the team has not given many glimmers of hope in recent weeks, aside from their tenacity. And frankly, any coach in any sport at any school who is getting paid a hefty sum should anticipate high expectations. That said, I don’t think most reasonable posters are dissatisfied with Capel just yet, in fact the vast majority I suspect are huge supporters of him, and for good reason, he’s got an excellent reputation and he’s been here for less than a year- so there’s that.

      A lot of the discussion with this team focuses, understandably, on certain skill sets of the players (or lack thereof) and strategy, utilization of players, improvement of individual players, etc., but I think maybe the most important element of this team right now is intangible. It just takes just a little spark and things come together quickly in a given game, or conversely a poor decision or two or even some bad luck and the team heads in the other direction. So I think there’s more to this losing streak than just X’s & O’s.

      I’m pleased we have Capel and look forward to the future. That said, he could really use a few more players to close out this class (love the two that committed so far).

      Liked by 2 people

  73. As far as pulling the starters for the second team listed above, the POV all stars could give them a game…Biggie, you still got that jump hook?

    Liked by 1 person

  74. expectations
    most thought at least 4 ACC wins…not 2
    most thought improvement over the course of the year…not an 11 game losing streak
    many now are being reminded of KS

    talent on this team couldnt win in the Colonial
    there are maybe 3 players that are ACC worthy

    Like

  76. Capel is going to put to test the claim made by card-holding members of the Kool-Aid Crowd that “the Pete” is a place that attracts BIG-TIME Talent.

    That’s what he is going to need to COMPETE.

    Personally, I am rooting for Capel to get it. Record-setting LOSING streaks are just too painful to watch.

    Like

    1. POD — When has The Pete ever attracted BIG TIME talent?

      I think we can recruit in BB without the big handicaps that the FB team has to deal with, but even when we were riding high, I don’t remember us attracting big time BB talent.

      I still think Coach Capel will eventually bring in better players than we’ve seen in a long time – like since Billy Knight and Charles Smith…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  77. lastrow…my vertical has diminished and is now about 2 inches,,,can’t even touch the bottom of the net! Mt fat hoids me back……..a$$ and age…………I have watched more basketball this year than I have the last 20 combined…IMO, it’s not a pretty game to watch and even uglier when we lose all the time….I wonder how these kids would do playing by the 1969 rules….

    One thing that I have consistently enjoyed is dan72’s commentary and coaching clinic…much appreciated….makes me miss BillyPacker….H2P on this annual day of giving !!!

    Liked by 2 people

  78. remember, there has been a big bailout of Pitt players the pats 2 years …. not only Cam Johnson and Ryan Luther were the 2 big names, but with the exception of Wilson-Frame, 4 of last year’s top 5 scorers bailed.

    It’s not that they were great players but aside from Wilson-Frame and the 3 freshmen, none of the other players on this roster are ACC caliber … not to mention there s very little height. It is no coincidence that the opposing big men this year looks like All-ACC against us.

    Liked by 1 person

  79. from Backo PG story about pre-spring work-outs

    Brian Batko@BrianBatko
    Pitt football’s second-to-last pre-spring ball workout this morning had a lot of sweating, plenty of trash-talking, wars-o-tugging and I even saw a little bit of puking. All in the name of earning yourself a gold shirt, or at least not a black one:

    Liked by 2 people

  80. I donned the “III” moniker because I believe he will do well if he stays long enough and is allowed to play the game of recruiting. I think coaches will look at the Sean Miller case very closely to determine if they should play the game. The NCAA will make a strong statement with any decision.

    Changes are coming in the NCAA.

    Like

  81. Thank goodness the PITT basketball team lost AGAIN last night. I was just beginning to think the interest on the POV was starting to dwindle. I’m in total agreement with BigB, Dan and Huff bring the proper perspective of this team without all the hysteria. Thanks guys! .. ike

    Like

  82. Today at the NFL Combine… Pitt’s SOLE Invitee got measured.

    Qadree Ollison

    6-1 228 lbs… Arms 31-1/2… Hands 9 5/8.

    Comparing to Conner

    6-1 233 lbs… Arms 31 1/4… Hands 9 7/8

    *Keep in mind Ollison probably dropped some weight getting ready for the 40.

    Like

  84. the other day here, Cam Bright’s name was mentioned. In an article today on PSN, it appears that Idowu’s successor may be Cam (RS soph) or Phil Campbell.(RS JR)

    I assume the MLB (Wiirigins) will be between Reynold and Pine (both RS Jrs), and possibly Tucker (RS So) who saw some action last year. The other OLB (Zeise) will be Blackwell (RS Sr) backed up by Davis (RS Fr) who saw a little PT as a frosh in ’18. Pine may be an option here also.

    Like

  86. I am highly aggravated watching the garbage from our bball team lately. But I still have faith in capel. One caveat is that I am now realizing the rebuild is going to take longer than I had hoped or previously thought.

    Liked by 2 people

  88. here is an interesting article on how much revenue each B10 team gets and how much each spends. Rutgers and Maryland has the lowest revenue @ $98M. Of course, OSU rakes in the most @ $205M followed by Mich $196M, the Dairy School @ $165m and Wisc @ $152M

    Don’t know what Pitt rakes in but assume it’s much less than Rutgers

    https://www.cleveland.com/expo/sports/g66l-2019/02/fe41453aed9228/spending-on-sports-up-sharply-in-big-ten-in-20172018-see-schoolbyschool-details-for-ohio-state-michigan-others.html

    Like

      1. many of these schools subsidize their athletic programs
        its not sustainable to raid the general fund of millions each year
        either schools will be forced to raise prices, eliminate programs or raise student fees

        last I saw, Pitt subsidized sports by roughly $7M annually
        so unless Pitt can find ways to increase revenues, Pitt will not be able to spend at existing levels

        the biggest schools are able to generate a profit each year that is used for bigger budgets, the addition of new programs and scholies, and investment in facilities

        thats why there will be a schism in sports
        schools will not be able to outrun their deficit spending

        as i stated before, certain football programs will become the minor league for the NFL. Maybe about 30-40 schools. Those schools with the most popular brands.

        Like

    2. I believe roughly $80M across all programs
      Not sure what they classify as revenue though
      ticket sales, concessions, parking, merchandise, licensing, 3rd party fees, naming rights

      in many of these comparisons, athletic donations are considered revenue
      not sure how Pitt treats its $27M ACC annual check

      The B10 check is larger. I think Rutgers gets $35M for being the whipping boy. B10 Network brings in extra money per school as well.

      Pitt will not be able to spend and invest properly in their programs unless they increase revenues. Higher attendance and donations are the 2 primary ways.

      Pitt has a small fanbase and few wealthy boosters. But, these constraints can be solved over time or at least be less of a hindrance.

      Like

    1. One of JD’s downfalls, oddly enough, was Steven Adams. JD obviously figured Adams would stay for 2 years. That was mistake Number 2 with Adams.

      Mistake numero uno with SA was not letting him touch the ball – unless he got a rebound. A decent center was never going to come to Pitt after SA never saw the ball.

      Yes, SA was rough, that’s why you feed him the ball a handful of times a half during the cupcake games. Let him learn on the job. Did not happen. Instead SA learned how to set screens in those games.

      Other schools could show any center recruit how many times Pitt fed the ball to their raw but athletic center and tell any center recruit he better not go to Pitt.

      And after Adams, they didn’t.

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  91. While you ponder that thought… back to the NFL Combine where Pitt’s SOLE Invitee just finished the Bench Press.

    Qadree Ollison 19 Reps

    Compares to Conner’s 20 Reps… LeSean McCoy’s 22 Reps… and Le’Veon Bell’s 24 Reps.

    Like

Comments are closed.