Boston College was a solid team for the better part of the 2000s. They made 7 NCAA tournament appearances from 2001-2010 (including a Sweet 16 in 2006). They had very good players like Troy Bell, Craig Smith and Jared Dudley. All three had NBA careers and Dudley still plays for the Clippers. Recently, though, they haven't had much success. They already have 21 losses with three more games to play. Unlike Pitt, they actually tried to play people even though they suck. Their strength of schedule is 18th.
Pitt played an unbelievably sloppy game. They had 17 turnovers. I'm not sure if that's a season high, but it probably is. They also allowed the Eagles, particularly Olivier Hanlan, to drive right to the basket. When I say drive right, I mean actually to the right side. I don't think they went to the left side of the court the entire game. On the bright side, they out-rebounded the Eagles 33-18, shot 50% from the field and from deep, and made 79% of their free throws. Pitt seemed very capable of winning this game by 20+. They held double digit leads throughout the first and even held a 14 point advantage early in the second half. Unfortunately, Pitt has a habit of shutting down when they have a lead. We've seen it twice against Syracuse this year and a number of other times. When Pitt gets a second half, their offense changes. They stop attacking. Jim Boeheim even said that Pitt probably would have beaten his team if they continued to attack in the final 5 minutes of both Syracuse games. He's right.
View From the Zoo's Guide to Pitt's offense when they have a lead in the final minutes
1. If you're open in the first 30 seconds of the shot clock, don't shoot. We're trying to burn clock so we can get out of here with a win.
2. Make sure you have the ball 25 feet from the basket when the shot clock gets to five. This is a suitable time to begin running a play.
3. Set a pick for Lamar Patterson who is holding the ball 25 feet from the basket.
4. Lamar has the option to take a contested three-pointer or pass to James Robinson or Cameron Wright for an equally difficult three-pointer. Bonus points awarded if this results in a turnover and no shot attempted.
5. If the shot miraculously goes in, call time-out to set up your defense.
Without further adieu, here are the grades.
Lamar Patterson - He made 4-7 from three, but he didn't do much inside the arc (1-5 on 2pt field goals). As a whole, Pitt only had 10 three-point attempts, which is right where that number should be. They aren't an outside shooting team. His only two-point basket came on a great drive. I wish he would do more of that. He also had 5 turnovers, which is just disgraceful. It was an average night for Lamar.
Grade: C
Talib Zanna - Even when Zanna has a great game, he finds a way to miss opportunities. He shot 7-10 from the field and even made 7-8 free throws (started 6-6). It was Zanna's first 20+ point effort since the Clemson game, which was an eternity ago. When Zanna gets the ball down low, he never goes immediately up for the shot. He pump fakes every time. Dude, you are 6 feet 9 inches tall. If you go up and try to dunk it, they have to foul you. Why must every Pitt big man play below the rim? Sometimes the fake works and Zanna gets fouled, but he usually misses the shot or the free throws. He completed two three-point plays in this one so maybe I should just shut up. Boston College stinks, but if Zanna plays like this the rest of the way, Pitt will win out.
Grade: A
James Robinson - Robinson was invisible. He didn't turn the ball over (good), but he only had one shot attempt (a layup in the final minute which he missed). He also missed the front end of a one-and-one at the end of the game as well. Zero points in 33 minutes isn't gonna cut it.
Grade: C-
Cameron Wright - Wright shot the ball well (6-9) but he also had 4 turnovers. He had a nice put-back off a Zanna miss for Pitt's first points, and Patterson found him on a nice cut for a basket in the second half. He also blew a lay-up in transition, but Pitt retained possession when they were fouled going after the rebound.
Grade: B
Michael Young - He shot 1-5, and his only highlight was a sweet pass to Wright for a lay-up early in the second half. Wright is the best cutter Pitt has. He knows how to get open.
Grade: C
Jamel Artis - He had 7 points and was Pitt's only contributor off the bench. He even made his only three, but he turned the ball over three times, which is about two too many for a forward off the bench.
Grade: B-
Derrick Randall - He made a shot, which was nice.
Grade: B-
Chris Jones - He only played three minutes, but managed to have one turnover for his only contribution to the box score.
Grade: C
Josh Newkirk - Nuke Newkirk had a great drive to the basket for his only basket. He also had 3 assists versus 0 turnovers in his 22 minutes which is always nice.
Grade: B+
Pitt needed this win. It wasn't the prettiest, but they snapped the three-game slide. On Saturday, they face a Notre Dame team that's beaten them five times in a row. Pitt hasn't won against the Irish since 2009. Notre Dame is in the bottom third of the ACC, and their best player left the school in December due to academic reasons. However, Brey owns Dixon, and Pitt hasn't won at the Joyce Center since I was 15 freaking years old. I'll have to watch a replay of the game since I'll be at Pre-Cana until 3:30. Pitt will win because their luck has to turn around eventually.
Hail to Pitt,
J.O.
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