BleacherCoaches.com

Now I know there are some Panther naysayers on here who regularly attempt to minimize their accomplishments but dig this:
In advancing to the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in the past six seasons, Pitt becomes one of just five programs to have done so, joining Duke, Kansas, Texas and Connecticut.

Quite an accomplishment considering Pitt does not and has not attracted 5 Star talent in past 6/7 years (as compared to those other 4 programs mentioned + your NC's, Syracuses, etc...) they do it with more workman-like, lunchbox toting, tough kids....and the recruiting for '07 & '08 looks just fine!! Pitt BBall will continue prospering & making strides in the Tourney!!!

Another little known fact.....it took John Wooden 16 years to win his first national championship.

I have one response to this:

ARE YOU READY FOR EDDIEEEEEE?????

Pitt by 9 at UCLA


Heres an arguement on why i think Pitt can beat the Bruins.....In my mind Pitt has 7 sold players(33,31,2,4,14,23,22) and fi you take one of them away Pitt still has the ability to win (Pitt beat SHU on the road without Aaron Gray)

but UCLA you take away one of the 2 sensational guards(AA DC) i do not think they can win(WVU beat them at the WVU Coluisseum with out Collison)


So Pitt has to neautralize Collison and Affalo and they will win easier said then done!

If UCLA keys in on Gray....Ramon is arguabley the best shooter in the Sweet 16...Kendall hits the baseline J as well and and vice a versa If they key on Cook and Ramon ect. Then Aaron Gray at 7"0 will take it to the 6"8 Center for the Bruins


prediction......Panthers 68 Bruins 62


Student defeats the Teacher

Last Vegas odds I saw had UCLA by 15 points. That is horrible there is no way a sweet 16 game should have 15 point spread. Great motivation for pitt. Still see UCLA by 5 though.

As of 3:30 PM Wednesday, Vegas has the Panthers as a 3-point underdog.

Under Howland and Dixon, the Panthers seem to struggle against teams that apply full-court pressure or trapping styles. See examples of Louisville in the regular season and VCU in the tournamant.

Howland's defensive style remains the same as it was at Pitt. Half-court, shot-clock defense. What I mean by shot-clock defense is this the following. Neither Pitt or UCLA put great pressure on the basketball in the half-court. Their style is geared toward containing the dribbler and force everything away from the basket. They know they only have to contain the dribble penetration for 35 seconds until the shot clock expires. No need to pressure the ball as much as in high school basketball.

I could be wrong, but I don't see UCLA's half-court defense giving Pitt too much trouble. It will almost be like they are playing against themselves when they face this similar style. If Pitt is knocking down their open jump shots and Gray doesn't put up a 1 for 13 performance, Pitt has a great chance of winning this basketball game.

I like the Panthers in a close game (70-66)

hilltop,


That D will certainly give us trouble



but our D will give them trouble