Game 7: Introducing the Camburglar: Pitt 84 Duquesne 67

Duquesne took an early 3-2 lead and Pitt went on a run, and everyone in the building thought we were in for another blowout.  But the Dukes settled down and went on a run of their own to take the lead.  The first half was back and forth and featured a lot of missed jump shots from Pitt.  They still led by 4 at the half, easily the smallest margin so far this season.  Duquesne hit their first 3 shots (all 3's) of the 2nd half to take a 44-41 lead, but then Pitt seized control.  Duquesne didn't score for 6 minutes.  They never got to within 8 points as Pitt's depth was too much for them.  Duquesne only played with 9 scholarship players due to injuries.

The Camburglar -

Who is the Camburglar? (h/t to BGW)

Those in attendance at the Consol Energy Center this afternoon saw the birth of a new criminal mastermind.  The Camburglar dominated the court from the opening tip.  He found Zanna underneath for the game's first bucket.  On the next possession he scored on a floater.  Twenty-five seconds he scored on a 3 point play.  By the time the game was 3 minutes in, the Camburglar had 7 points, 2 assists, a block, a steal, and a rebound.  Duquesne coach Jim Ferry was stunned.

The Camburglar finished with 20 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and is in line to be the villain in the next Avengers movie.

Grade:  A+ (MVP)

Lamar Patterson - If the Camburglar was the MVP of this game, Patterson was the runner-up.  He was all over the box score with 18 points 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals.  The rebounds, assists, and steals were all season highs.  He missed a few open jump shots, but still shot 50% for the game.  He's just so solid.

Grade:  A+

Talib Zanna - For the 3rd straight game, Zanna opened the scoring.  Duquesne forward Ovie Soko had his way with Zanna and Young.  They both fouled out and Soko attempted 20 free throws.  The good news for Pitt is that he only made 11 of them.  I worry about Pitt's interior defense.  Zanna isn't a center, but the Panthers don't have anyone else to protect the rim.  The good news is that the ACC isn't brimming with dominant big men.  He still managed 13 points.

Grade:  B-

Michael Young - Freshmen are going to have games like these.  There's nothing you can do about it.  Like Zanna, he was routinely beaten by Soko down low.  He missed all four of his shots and fouled out with 3 minutes left.

Grade:  D

James Robinson - Robinson had 9 assists.  He was also 0-6 from the field midway through the second half, and Duquesne had cut the lead to 62-54.  Durand found Robinson for a three.  Next possession Durand found Robinson in the corner for another jumper just inside the arc.  After a Duquesne miss, the roles switched and Robinson found Johnson for a lay-up in transition.  Pitt led 69-54 and it was over.

Grade:  A

Jamel Artis - He had 6 points and 4 rebounds, but nothing really stands out about his performance.

Grade:  B+

Durand Johnson - I can count three times in this game where Durand Johnson drove to the basket.  This makes me happy.  He only attempted three 3-pointers (made 1), and he had the two nice passes to Robinson in the second half.  I hope it's a sign of things to come.

Grade:  A-

Josh Newkirk - He made both of his two point attempts and missed both of his three point attempts.  That's all I remember.  He played 11 minutes.

Grade:  B

Chris Jones - He finished the scoring with a jumper in the final minute.

Grade:  B

Derrick Randall - The announcers said Randall was going to be a really good player.  I don't buy it.  He didn't attempt a shot and had 2 fouls in 6 minutes.  On the season Randall has committed 15 fouls in 69 minutes, or about a foul every 4 and a half minutes.  That is rivaling freshmen and sophomore year Gary McGhee.

Grade:  D

Pitt's next game is against Penn State on Tuesday in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.  Figures that the one opportunity Pitt has to play a marquee non-conference game, they decide to give them Penn State.  Ugh.  Anyway, that game will be on ESPNU so like 8 of you will get to watch.

Hail to Pitt,

J.O.