[JNixonParticipant]

 13: Pitt Panthers

Frontcourt- Pitt always has big bodies down low who play physical, and this year will be no different with a lot of experience coming back. They lose probably the best post defender in the Big East in Gary McGhee to graduation, which hurts some,  and they also lose Gilbert Brown,  a wing  who was arguably the most talented guy on the team (also inconsistent though) but they talent in the fold. The PF spot has Sr. Nasir Robinson returning as their starter, and the developing talent Jr. Dante Taylor figuring to make a push for extended time as a possible starter in Gary McGhee’s stead. Robinson is only 6’5, but he is feisty and competitive, and has a wide 230 lb body. He is quietly a nice passer, and he has an understanding of how to carve out space down low for himself, but has enough quickness to take slower PF’s off the bounce. Still, he isn’t exactly a good talent offensively and his size limits his effectiveness a bit around the rim when contested. He’s also a mediocre rebounder and one-on-one post defender due to his limited size. Still, the Sr. is the most trusted frontline guy on the team and a blue collar guy. PF/C Taylor was a bit too raw to have a huge impact for the 2^nd straight year, but he’s improved by a bit each season, physically and with his skill. He shows some intriguing flashes of being able to use his strength and length around the rim, and at 6’9 245 he’s got an impressive frame and has put on about 30 lbs since he’s been at Pitt. Taylor is a nice physical presence with interesting raw talent, but he needs to polish his skill-set to take his game to the NBA level, where he clearly has the potential to play. He has abandoned his iffy jumper a good bit since his Fr. year, but his back to basket game was not really good enough for him to really produce at a high level last year. One or both will have to come together for him to be the tantalizing prospect he could be, as will his D, which is still not quite up to par for a Jamie Dixon-style big. I doubt it’ll all come together by next year, but I do think he will play extended time (around 22-25 mpg) and produce. The frontline rotation will include touted Fr. Khem Birch, Soph. JJ Moore, and rSoph. Talib Zanna and Lamar Patterson.  The 6’9 215 Birch is a long, athletic shot-blocker right now. He really runs the floor well and is a quick leaping big man. He’s is a terribly raw offensive player though, and struggles with physical bigs due to his underdeveloped frame. He will have to get stronger to be able to compete in the Big East slate, as the Big East isn’t kind to raw bigs, especially raw, skinny bigs. He will be in the rotation though, as a rim protector. The 6’6 205 SF Moore is a very good athlete who’s in store for time next season. He scored very well in limited chances last year behind Wannamaker and Brown. He shows a functional jumper, and a nice 1^st step when driving the lane. He needs to improve his left hand dribble though, and to work on his D, but he should emerge next year. I look for him to start on the wing. The 6’9 230 Zanna started the season strong and even got some minor mention in scouting circles before the Big East slate. He’s a good athlete with nice strength, who is developing offensively. He shows flashes of a post game and face-up game, but it hasn’t come together yet. He plays with great passion and energy. The 6’5 230 Patterson is a physical, gritty wing with all-around skills. He needs to get better with his shot and to work on polishing his game, but he’s promising. He’s a typical Pitt wing player and he played solid D last year. This group has nice depth and its share of top-end talent too. Look for them to look good next year, particularly if Taylor develops.

Backcourt- Brad Wanamaker was the MVP of the team last year. He wasn’t athletic or a physical marvel, but he was a worker and overachiever with probably the best all-around game in the nation. Tough loss. They have a weapon though. I’m a huge fan of Ashton Gibbs lol. He goes about 6’2 190, but man. The guy is phenomenal shooter, who should leave Pitt with all kinds of 3-point and FT records. He can nail shots off the bounce, with a hand in face, is deadly spotting up, and he also comes through in the clutch and makes big shots. He possesses a super quick release and plays with a lot of confidence and swag on the floor. The Sr. never is rattled. He was allowed to be a starting PG last season, and he showed he has the ability to set up an offense without making mistakes while still running off screens when he gave the ball up. He’s not a pure PG at all though, but he’s also not a typical tweener. Gibbs declared for the draft, and got feedback on what he needs to do to be an effective NBA player. This off-season he’s taken heed. He’s worked on plyometrics (he’s been a mediocre or below average athlete), getting better handling the ball (mediocre handle), and continuing to show he has adequate instincts for the PG spot (has been a tweener guard in the past). Gibbs has looked quicker and shown better instincts and in the Summer League games at Pitt this summer, and will look to learn more after being . He is once again a legit All-American candidate for next year and a potential Big East P.O.Y candidate. Beside him will be the 5’11 190 rJr. caretaker Travon Woodall, who could either start or play extended minutes off the bench for the 3^rd straight year. Woodall, an energetic guard, is a sound playmaker who looks to make his teammates better and in solid position to score, and plays pesky D. He has nice quickness and is effective in the drive and dish, but he won’t look to score much unless he gets a clear slashing lane.  He’s an OK shooter who only shoots when left open really. The backup PG depth will be a battle between rFr. Isaiah Epps and Fr. John Johnson. Epps is a quick 6’2 185 guard. He’s shifty with the ball, is a confident shooter and has a future as a Big East lead guard. The southpaw needs to work on his D, but he’s put on about 20 lbs since HS to better compete next year. The 6’1 175 Johnson is a thin combo guard who looks for his own shots and is a potentially good scorer. He needs to work on his D and to get more strength. He probably won’t play much behind the guards and Moore., but he has upside. He reminds of Malcolm Delaney who just left Virginia Tech, but he’ll need time to be nearly as good. Moore will play some at the SG spot, as will Gibbs. With Gibbs looking like an All-American candidate, Woodall making plays for everyone, and Moore factoring as a swingman, this group should be pretty good.

Overview- Jamie Dixon is a solid coach who fields tough teams who defend and play unselfishly, and with this Pitt team he has all of that, and they have some veteran leadership too. I think Gibbs could push for 20 ppg next year, and I think Dante Taylor will continue to develop. I think Pitt has the depth to get to the Sweet 16 after the ugly, ugly way last year ended.

 

[providencefriars1Participant]

I was thinking earlier if Dixon might consider starting Nasir Robinson at the 3 or at least playing him there for a little bit so they could work Taylor, Zanna, and Birch in more. He has the best perimeter skills of the 4.

[providencefriars1Participant]

I was thinking earlier if Dixon might consider starting Nasir Robinson at the 3 or at least playing him there for a little bit so they could work Taylor, Zanna, and Birch in more. He has the best perimeter skills of the 4.

[JNixonParticipant]

 Ehhh….there’s no rush to move Robinson to the 3 spot, where he’d be much less effective, make way for raw guys like Zanna and Birch.

[JNixonParticipant]

 Ehhh….there’s no rush to move Robinson to the 3 spot, where he’d be much less effective, make way for raw guys like Zanna and Birch.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

I agree Pitt will be formible once again..But 13 is a little too high for them…I say more in the 15 to 20 range this year…

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

I agree Pitt will be formible once again..But 13 is a little too high for them…I say more in the 15 to 20 range this year…

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Khem Birch reminds me of former Pitt player Chris Taft…Taft had alot of physical and athletic tools,but seemed too laid back and didnt have a great feel for the game…Hopefully Birch will learn from the mistakes Taft made and work on his weaknesses……

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Khem Birch reminds me of former Pitt player Chris Taft…Taft had alot of physical and athletic tools,but seemed too laid back and didnt have a great feel for the game…Hopefully Birch will learn from the mistakes Taft made and work on his weaknesses……

[Author]

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