BleacherCoaches.com

Jamie Dixon is Pitt Basketball. I've questioned him in the past, but never will again. These past 3 seasons have been excellent, exciting, and just down right good basketball. He can win with the most talented teams, he can win with young teams, and he can without a star player. More and more people are starting to notice. Bob Knight, the biggest Pitt fan on ESPN always proclaims his appreciation for Pitt and did so last week. Duke Vitale even declared Pitt a Final 4 caliber team. And its hard not to.

The guard play has been phenomenal this year. A lot can be said for having experienced guards, a lot more can be said for having GOOD experienced guards. Gibbs has unlimited range. He has handled the team well for not being a true PG. Wannamaker is versatile. Once one of his limitations, ball handling, has now become a strength. He can run this team, and leads it in assists. He can flat out do anything. Gotta love how he plays. He was once out of control guard that was a shaky shooter, to a team leader who can make big shots and dish the rock. And his progression is a true testament to the Pitt program. Dixon can make you an average two guard to a versatile guard that can play 3 positions and be productive. Brown is still inconsistent. But when he's on, Pitt is a Final 4 team. IF he's not, you can expect a loss prior to Houston this year. He is one of the best athletes in College Basketball, and is likely one of the few Pitt players that has an ounce of NBA potential.


Dixon gets this team to play well. And they aren't overly talented. I'd be willing to say based off of talent, Pitt probably has the least talented starting 4 and 5 in the Top 25. But Dixon gets the most out of those two then any other coach. Robinson is a 6-5 Power Forward with limited range, and an obvious lack of height. Gary McGhee is a big slow guy that transformed himself from 13th man to a Big East center that can D up anyone in the league.


You have to love how Pitt is playing this year, outside of the little hickup against the hot shooting fight Bruce Pearl's, the are #1 ranked team in the country. Not that it matters, But it just shows, Dixon can have a team ranked #1 with guys like Blair, Young and Fields, but also guys like Gibbs, Mcghee and Wannamaker.


The guy can flat out coach. And I'm sorry I ever doubted him 4-5 years ago. He needs to get the lifetime contract from Pitt right after the season.

Enjoy the high level of play and winning now in January, because come March like Marchs of the past it will come to a drastic end.

Yeah I agree. Its fun while it lasts though. But Jamie will get a Natty Championship soon. I do believe that.

this year could very easily be the year jamie wins it all, or at least finally gets to the final 4

Strange, but yes it looks like they have a serious shot this year. They have a great team.

I'd say the top 10 contenders for the tite will be.........

1. Duke- I'd say still odds on favorite....With Singler and Smith they have 2 proven leaders that have won one before, although Back to Back is no easy task. They have the right role players in the Plumlee's,Curry, and Dawkins to go with the 2 superstars. Plus you add in Kyrie Irving, the best player I've seen this year, they are loaded top to bottom. They should win the ACC no problem, and shouldn't lose more than 2 games for the remainder of the year.

2. Kansas- I'd put them in the 2 spot. They are also loaded with depth. The Morris twins are two legit big men, and are dynamic. Selby is a one, and done guard with a lot of poise. Throw in the 3-4 experienced guards they have. They can easily pull it off.

3. Ohio State- again the common theme is a stud freshmen. Sullinger is a beast and the type of player you can ride for a while. Then the experienced guards like Diebler and Lighty. They are the class of the Big Ten, and do well in tournament atmospheres. Buckeyes have as a good of shot as any.

4. Pitt- I do feel as though they are the best team in the best conference. It can definitely hurt you. They're gonna get beat up through the grueling schedule. 2 games with Nova and 2 with WVU remain ahead. But starting 3 seniors and 2 juniors can never hurt.

5. Villanova- Has definitely one of the most talented teams in the country. And a go to guard in Fisher. They can put up the points.

6. Texas- little surprise here, but I like their size. Barnes is a terrific coach and is somewhat overlooked, but have really picked it up over the past few weeks.

7. Syracuse- The zone makes them a tough team, and who knows what happens if their leading scorer played against Pitt? But Joseph and Jardine is a tough 1-2 punch, and both can really score.

8. Purdue- No Hummel hurts, but at least it happened pre season. They've adapted and Johnson and Moore is a great inside-out combo.

9. Missouri- they up and down pace is good for them. Denmon and Bowers are really good players, and Ratliffe is a good inside presence.

10. Michigan State- yes, yes I know their struggles, but this is a typical Izzo team. They play a tough non league schedule and get beat up and down, but come March they become an incredibly dangerous 5 seed or so. I wouldn't want to see them in my part of the bracket. Lucas Summers and Green are all tough. They've been to like 6 of the past 12 Final 4's. It's no coincidence.

5 teams that will make an argument....
1. UConn, I don't see much outside of Kemba, but Kemba is in the race for Player of the Year.
2. Texas A&M, off to a great start, Big game against Texas tonight.
3. Kentucky, Don't count out Coach Cal and the kids. They can play.
4. BYU, The Jimmer can carry you pretty far. New age Steph Curry
5. SD State, hey they are still undefeated.

Good stuff, Crimson. I have to admit I agree with almost all of that. I'd stick UCONN in the top 10 over Missouri just due to Kemba Walker. It should be another great tournament this year.