Pitt jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, but after that the score remained very close for 30 minutes. No team led by more than 3 points for a 20 minute stretch. Jabari Parker flat out dominated Pitt in the first half. In the second half, it was 3 pointer after 3 pointer after 3 pointer after 3 pointer from Duke. The Blue Devils made 13-25 from long range. Andre Dawkins basically couldn't miss. I say basically because he did in fact miss one three point attempt. Unfortunately, he made 6 others.
Duke making three pointers shouldn't really be a surprise. They shoot over 40% as a team, but Pitt lost the game when Lamar Patterson couldn't get anything going against Rodney Hood. Patterson only shot 4-14 and had only 1 assist vs 5 turnovers. This loss was a good indication of where exactly this Pitt team is. The Syracuse close loss had people thinking that maybe this team was a better team than their schedule indicated. The Cincinnati loss continues to look better since the Bearcats now seemingly can't lose and have won 13 in a row now (a streak that started with Pitt). However, Pitt was familiar with both of those teams. Duke was the first unfamiliar elite team that Pitt played and they were run out of the building in the second half. All this adds up to about a 7th seed for Pitt and a tough bet to make it out of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
I'll still probably pick them to win it all.
It's time for grades.
Lamar Patterson - Easily Patterson's worst game of the season. He was completely shut down. This game officially ended any hope of Patterson being an All-American. He'll have to settle for first-team All ACC, maybe. Normally when Patterson has an off shooting night, he makes up for it with his passing. It didn't happen on Monday night. He only had one basket in the first half and 6 of his second half points came when Duke had already built a double digit lead.
Grade: D
Talib Zanna - He had a double double and made 7-10 from the line, which is good for him. He also only shot 2-7 from the field. The only play I remember was a nice offensive rebound and putback he had to tie the score at 34 on Pitt's first second half possession.
Grade: B-
Cameron Wright - Wright hit a three and a couple mid-range jumpers.
Grade: B-
Michael Young - He had 9 points and 7 rebounds, but was abused by Parker all game.
Grade: C
James Robinson - No matter how Pitt performs, Robinson is always solid. He had 10 points and 5 assists versus 0 turnovers. He did have a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds of the first half with two free throws, but he missed the front end of the one and one. Pitt eventually did tie the game on Zanna's putback to start the half, but had Robinson made those free throws, Pitt would've taken a lead on that. They did tie it a few times early in the second half, but they could never break through.
Grade: A-
Jamel Artis - He had two huge first half threes. That's about it.
Grade: B-
Josh Newkirk - He made a jumpshot.
Grade: B-
Chris Jones - He too, made a jumpshot.
Grade: B-
Derrick Randall - He missed a shot.
Grade: C
Pitt plays Virginia in approximately 2 hours. I'll be in attendance. It's a must win.
Hail to Pitt,
J.O.
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