Coverage from Pitt basketball media day

             Here are some of extra tidbits from media day at the Petersen Events Center that might not make it into the paper tomorrow…

 

            One program insider told me that Chase Adams might be a better shooter than Ashton Gibbs. That would be quite the feat considering Gibbs led the Big East in 3-point shooting percentage last season as a freshman. It also lends credence to what coach Jamie Dixon said about possibly playing all three point guards on the floor at the same time in some instances. If Adams is as accomplished a shooter as he appears to be the Panthers could be lethal from 3-point range. I think the only question is whether Adams, who is generously listed at 5 feet 10, can get his shot off against Big East-caliber competition. He was able to do it for three years at Centenary in the Summit League, but the Big East boasts longer and quicker athletes who contest every shot.

 

            Gilbert Brown is on schedule to return to the team Dec. 20 and is reportedly fulfilling all of the obligations of his academic suspension. Jamie Dixon has not minced his words with his disappointment concerning Brown, but he was confident that he will stay in shape and will be ready to step in without much of a problem in late December.

“With certain kids you worry about it more,” Dixon said. “I don’t think it will be as much of an issue. It’s not ideal, but I can’t worry about it. I can’t coach him. He’s going to be better for it. Every experience you have is an opportunity, and he has to be better for it. I think he will. He’s always been a good player. Maybe this will make him take another step in the right direction.”

 

            Dixon usually does not make a habit of praising freshmen for any reason much less before the first practice, but he did just that yesterday when he said this:

            “This will be the best four guys we ever brought in,” Dixon said. “I said that before with Sam, Levance and Tyrell. They lived up to that. This foursome is probably as good as we’ve had. They’re going to be good.”

 

            Other observations…

 

            Junior center Gary McGhee has changed his body. The once frumpy 6-10 McGhee looks trim and in shape. Now let’s see if it translates into better play. The Panthers need some of their young and inexperienced front line players to play well, and maybe McGhee is part of the answer.

 

            Gibbs also looks to be in better shape. Dixon said he is a changed player after his experiences at the FIBA world championships, says he has better quickness and mobility. At first glance today, you can see why. Gibbs was a great shooter last season, and Pitt will be better if he can stay in front of people more consistently on defense.

 

Posted Oct 15 2009, 05:33 PM by Ray Fittipaldo
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Comments

MN_Pittman wrote re: Coverage from Pitt basketball media day
on Fri, Oct 16 2009 9:35 AM

Thanks for the updates Ray!  I've been so focused on the football team I haven't really given the B-Ball team much thought yet.  I will say that I believe this team will probably have some struggles early on.  However, with the talent that JD has assembled, I would expect this team to come together in the second half of the season and make a push for the ncaa tourney. Pitt will probably be a bubble team, but I think they'll get in and make it back to the Sweet Sixteen.

Biglar wrote re: Coverage from Pitt basketball media day
on Fri, Oct 16 2009 3:33 PM

Ray, I enjoyed the article in today's paper and your extra comments in the blog.  This will be an interesting season for sure.  I did go to a couple of the summer league games and was impressed by how good Dwight  MIller looked.  He is strong, quick and athletic and I think he is going to surprise a lot of people this year.  

Woodall looks like he added a lot of muscle since last fall and played very well in the playoff game that I watched.

I realize that is was just a summer league game, but Brad Wannamaker was unstoppable in the game - probably scored over 30 from both outside and going to the basket.

All of the freshmen looked good.  Taylor is expected to be great.  Watch out for Patterson - a great shooter and passer.

I expect Zanna to redshirt and Richardson to play some this year.

If Adams can make the transition to the Big East Pitt could be very strong at guard this year.  He could be another X factor this year along with Miller.