Lets Talk Some Pitt Hoops

Matt Aaron takes a closer look at the 2010-2011 Pittsburgh Panthers basketball team.

Last year Pitt was one of the nation’s biggest surprises, but this year Pitt headed into the 2010-2011 season with lofty expectations. A 25 win tournament team (despite another early exit) that returns four starters and a seemingly bottomless bench. Can Jamie Dixon finally lead the Panthers to the Final Four? While with a respectable sample size under their belt and only days away from the New Year, lets weigh the pros and cons of the kids from Oakland.

Pro: Two guards that you can’t guard.

Aston Gibbs is a superstar. He averages over 16 points a game. He has an assist/turnover ratio that is as good as Levance Field’s was. He can take it strong to the bucket, shoots 45% from beyond the arc and does not miss from the charity stripe. He dropped 24 at Texas and 21 against the 5^th ranked Huskies in front of the Oakland Zoo. When he is hot, he is certainly en fuego (all copywrite to Dan Patrick). He does not currently hold national recognition, but that will change come March.

Brad Wannamaker is the jack of all trades…and well, near master of all them. He has dismissed the notion that the loss of Jermaine Dixon’s defense will hinder this team in the long run. He can score, rebound, and pass, with a little bit of range for sugar on top. Both, his game and his face resemble that of Ron Artest (minus the rap cd and mental disorder). He primarily played the 3 last season, but has moved up to the 2 this year. That presents a physical challenge for other guards that most cannot handle. He is one of the most efficient shooters in the Big East as well. Wannamaker has scored at least 14 points 8 times this season, but has only attempted more than 8 shots twice.

Con: Lack of security a true PG can bring.

Gibbs usually starts as the point guard, but is a natural shooter. His ball safekeeping has been impressive to this point, but the challenge will only get thornier as he faces more suffocating competition. Teams like Georgetown and Villanova put a lot of pressure on the ball and Syracuse’s zone defense makes it tough to pass through. Travon Woodall gives the team 20 minutes a game as a true point which bumps Gibbs back to the 2. The only issue with Woodall is that he plays like many of the New York alums that preceded him at Pitt. Meaning he cannot shoot a lick. Even though Fields and Carl Krauser gave Pitt some exhilarating moments, the Panthers have not had a true, reliable point guard since Brandin Knight.

Pro: “Big” depth

Four different forwards play at least 16 minutes a game for Jamie Dixon, led by Gilbert Brown’s 25 a game. 3 other big men add solid minutes to put together a consummate 7 man rotation for the front court. Gary McGhee’s maturation and improvement over his four years has been a delight to watch. He is finally being a force underneath the basket and the hustle he showed against Connecticut put a rare smile to Coach Dixon’s face. Gilbert Brown has finally expanded his range and added a 3 point shot to his repertoire from the SF position. He has hit 2 or more tres 5 times this season. Solid minutes and contributions from youngsters, Dante Taylor, Talib Zanna, J.J. Moore and J.J. Richardson, are as sweet as candy, because it’s going to help now and later.

Con: Offensive consistency in the paint

Missing from close range has been a constant problem to this point of the season. It all falls on lack of concentration and patience underneath. McGhee is they only big right now who uses his body constantly to put him in good position for rebounds, so he is only one who can afford to miss bunnies. The more minutes the kids get, the better footwork they will have in the paint. There also is not a forward that can get his hands on the ball possession after possession to control the shot clock and the game. Gibbs and Wannamaker make up the primary scoring for this team (35 of the team’s 78 against UCONN) and a cold shooting night can become worrisome. The natural talent is there underneath; let’s see if it shines as we head into 2011.

What to expect?

Pitt is the best or second best team in the Big East. Syracuse led by a couple of guys who are 6-7 and 6-9 respectively, Kris Joseph and Rick Jackson, might hold the claim as the best Big East team (also are the best passing team in the league). This Pitt team has the formula of many previous squads sprinkled with some extra athleticism. Do not look too deep into the Huskies beat down at home, because UCONN is vastly overrated and will live and die by the play of Kemba Walker. That does not mean that Pitt won’t dominant legit contenders this season. This team is experienced and is very well coached. Their depth will be allow them to brush off the battle wounds that the Big East schedule will bring. Pitt plays Georgetown January 12^th and that will be a much better measuring stick for this team at the moment. Can this team be a Final Four dancer? In the tournament, there will be a game in which depth does not matter and one player must put the Panthers on his shoulders. Pitt’s Final Four chances will fall on the shoulders of Aston Gibb’s and whether or not he wants to leave a legendary legacy in Oakland.