[JNixonParticipant]

#4: Pitt Panthers

Frontcourt- Pitt always has big bodies down low who play physical, and this year will be no different with all the same players returning. The C spot is a sure spot for them, with 6’10 255 Gary McGhee (7 ppg, 7 rpg, 1.7. bpg, 62% FG) as their starter. McGhee is a very physical and one of the better post defensive presences out there. He really makes it hard for his guy to score down low with his frame and intimidation factor. He’s not going to score much down low as he has little post game, and he’s only average on the glass, but he’s a role-player who does his job well. He’s starting to get minor recognized in scouting circles too. The PF spot also has talent, with Nasir Robinson returning as their starter and the raw talent (but lazy?) Soph. Dante Taylor figuring to make a push for extended time as a possible starter. Robinson was more ready to play than Taylor last year, despite being less talented than the former Mickey D’s AA. Robinson is only 6’5, but he is very hard-nosed and he competes. He rebounds and plays D, is a surprisingly nice passer, and he has some quickness and athleticism to finish around the rim in short spurts. Still, he isn’t exactly a good talent offensively and his size limits his effectiveness a bit around the rim when contested. PF/C Taylor was a bit too raw to have a huge impact last year, but he looks like a bet to improve by a bit next year. He showed intriguing flashes of being able to face-up and create off the dribble well for a guy who goes about 6’9 245. Taylor is a big body with nice 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 was not really a good enough shooter yet to settle for some of the shots he does, and his back to basket game was not really good enough for him to function exclusively like that either. One or both will have to come together for him to be the tantalizing prospect he could be, as will his D, which is not up to par for a Jamie Dixon-style big. I doubt it’ll all come together my next year, but I do think he will push Robinson a bunch next year and play extended time (around 20-22 mpg) even if he doesn’t beat him out. The SF/off-guard spot is manned by 6’4 215 Brad Wannamaker, the consummate college role-player. Wannamaker does some of everything, and was probably the MVP of the team last year after seeing true extended minutes for the 1st time in his career. Wannamaker is probably the best passer on the team (4.7 apg/2.7 to’s), has played as many as 3 positions (SG/SF/PF) for Pitt, can defend very sound, and he picks his spots well. Wannamaker has a knack for generally making the right places. He’s not the most naturally talented player or the most physically gifted player, but there seriously may not be a more sound or better all-around player in the Big East. He’s VERY underrated as a college player. They also have a top 6th man in the Big East (and possible NBA prospect?) in Gilbert Brown. Brown, to me, is the one of the 2 most talented players on their roster (Dante Taylor being the 1st). Brown is a very good athlete with a nice jump shot who can play off the ball well and he’s a nice transition player. Still, he is inconsistent, a shaky ball-handler, and he’s not exactly a good defender either, especially for a guy with his tools. He is in A LOT of ways similar to Durrell Summers of Michigan State, for what that’s worth. The 6th man role he plays is perfect for him IMO. This group has great role-players and they have their share of great top-end talent too. Look for them to look great next year, particularly if Taylor develops as I expect.

Backcourt- I’m a fan of Ashton Gibbs (15.7 ppg, 39% from 3/the field) lol. He goes about 6’0 or 6’1, and he’s a SG in a PG’s body, but he’s a strong shooter. He can nail shots off the bounce, with a hand in face, deadly spotting up, and he also comes through in the clutch. Too bad he’s extremely one-dimensional, otherwise he’d be a legit prospect. A below average athlete, Gibbs is a poor ball-handler for a guy that’s 6’0 so he rarely creates his own shots at this level, and he’s not likely to pass the ball. He puts in some effort to defend, but he’s not at more than an average level. Still, Gibbs is a legit All-American candidate for next year and a potential Big East P.O.Y candidate. Beside him will be 5’11 190 caretaker Travon Woodall. Woodall is a sound playmaker who makes his teammates better and in solid position to score, and plays extremely sound 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 and he’s not a good or confident shooter either, with range that is shaky past an 18 footer. Wannamaker and Brown will also see time in the SG spots. With Gibbs looking like an All-American candidate, Woodall making plays for everyone, and Brown and Wannamaker seeing time at the guard spots, this unit has some very nice pieces.

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, plus the added experience that comes with not losing anyone with real importance to the team. I look for Pitt to be a Final 4 team next year.

[jas225Participant]

Good write up on my Pitt Panthers.
From what i have seen is Gary improved vastly again as he did over last summer and has greatly improved his rebounding. He is getting off the ground and swatting a good amount of shots. And his post game now includes either hand baby hooks.
Travon has been somewhat of a disappointment bc he didnt improve much over the summer. There are whispers that freshman Isaiah Epps might take some of his time. And Ashton can play the point too.
Other freshmen jj moore is said to get some time in the rotation.
Redshirt Talib Zanna(6’9″) is getting a lot of praise because he has an incredible skill set at the PF or C.
lamar Patterson ended up redshirting last year due to injury and he should play some at the 2 and 3… i’ve even heard he is being considered to play the 4 because Jamie Dixon likes having his undersized PF these days.
Gil brown is poised for a breakout year.
it will be interesting as to who will be in the starting lineup because there are 7 players who are and have been starters..
Woodall, Gibbs, Wannamaker, Brown, Robinson, Mcghee, and Taylor.

[jas225Participant]

Good write up on my Pitt Panthers.
From what i have seen is Gary improved vastly again as he did over last summer and has greatly improved his rebounding. He is getting off the ground and swatting a good amount of shots. And his post game now includes either hand baby hooks.
Travon has been somewhat of a disappointment bc he didnt improve much over the summer. There are whispers that freshman Isaiah Epps might take some of his time. And Ashton can play the point too.
Other freshmen jj moore is said to get some time in the rotation.
Redshirt Talib Zanna(6’9″) is getting a lot of praise because he has an incredible skill set at the PF or C.
lamar Patterson ended up redshirting last year due to injury and he should play some at the 2 and 3… i’ve even heard he is being considered to play the 4 because Jamie Dixon likes having his undersized PF these days.
Gil brown is poised for a breakout year.
it will be interesting as to who will be in the starting lineup because there are 7 players who are and have been starters..
Woodall, Gibbs, Wannamaker, Brown, Robinson, Mcghee, and Taylor.

[JNixonParticipant]

I think the lineup will be:

PG: Travon Woodall
SG: Ashton Gibbs
OG/SF: Brad Wannamaker
PF: Nasir Robinson
C: Gary McGhee

Extended Time off the bench: Gilbert Brown, Dante Taylor

[JNixonParticipant]

I think the lineup will be:

PG: Travon Woodall
SG: Ashton Gibbs
OG/SF: Brad Wannamaker
PF: Nasir Robinson
C: Gary McGhee

Extended Time off the bench: Gilbert Brown, Dante Taylor

[jas225Participant]

i could easily see it that way but i think brown needs to start.

[jas225Participant]

i could easily see it that way but i think brown needs to start.

[JNixonParticipant]

I don’t. I think he’s better off the bench, especially since Wannamaker provides more than he does. Brown is more naturally talented and athletic than Wannamaker, but he’s not a better overall player. Wannamaker is arguably the Most valuable player on Pitt, while Brown is one of the more inconsistent players

[JNixonParticipant]

I don’t. I think he’s better off the bench, especially since Wannamaker provides more than he does. Brown is more naturally talented and athletic than Wannamaker, but he’s not a better overall player. Wannamaker is arguably the Most valuable player on Pitt, while Brown is one of the more inconsistent players

[jas225Participant]

I am not saying Wannamaker is the odd man out in the starting rotation, he definitely needs starter minutes as well. And i know starting isnt such a big deal bc you can still play starter minutes off the bench. But Brown came off the bench because of his ineligibility and suspension early in the season. coming off the bench was the reason he was inconsistent. He couldnt get into any type of rythym. He started a lot of games the year before and he was an integral part to that elite 8 team. I think starting brown will be the best way to get the best production from him.

[jas225Participant]

I am not saying Wannamaker is the odd man out in the starting rotation, he definitely needs starter minutes as well. And i know starting isnt such a big deal bc you can still play starter minutes off the bench. But Brown came off the bench because of his ineligibility and suspension early in the season. coming off the bench was the reason he was inconsistent. He couldnt get into any type of rythym. He started a lot of games the year before and he was an integral part to that elite 8 team. I think starting brown will be the best way to get the best production from him.

[Da1potParticipant]

I love how Pitt looks next year and Brown is an interesting NBA prospect because of his athleticism. This is a classic example of a very good college team with no top nba prospects.

[Da1potParticipant]

I love how Pitt looks next year and Brown is an interesting NBA prospect because of his athleticism. This is a classic example of a very good college team with no top nba prospects.

[JNixonParticipant]

Gilbert Brown has never been a consistent player really. I think it would be wise if they just let him come off the bench. Wannamaker is a better starter than bench player, and it makes no sense to bring the most valuable player on your team off the bench to start an inconsistent player.

[JNixonParticipant]

Gilbert Brown has never been a consistent player really. I think it would be wise if they just let him come off the bench. Wannamaker is a better starter than bench player, and it makes no sense to bring the most valuable player on your team off the bench to start an inconsistent player.

[jas225Participant]

I agree about Wannamaker, he needs to start. Never said he shouldn’t. Obviously we have divergent opinions about Brown. We’ll see what Jamie Dixon decides to do and hopefully Pitt will have a successful season with their high expectations.
Jamie Dixon is a great coach and a great guy, and I fully trust in his decisions.

[jas225Participant]

I agree about Wannamaker, he needs to start. Never said he shouldn’t. Obviously we have divergent opinions about Brown. We’ll see what Jamie Dixon decides to do and hopefully Pitt will have a successful season with their high expectations.
Jamie Dixon is a great coach and a great guy, and I fully trust in his decisions.

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