Jamie Dixon preached defense after a high scoring overtime win over Wake Forest, and on Saturday he got just that. Pitt held Syracuse to a season low 52 points en route to a dominating 14 point win.
Recap:
It was no secret the Panthers needed a win, after losing four of their last six games. However, at the start of the game it was ‘Cuse who looked in desperate need of a victory. The Orange’s Michael Gbinije and Trevor Cooney both hit threes to put them up by eight in the first four minutes. Pitt was led by James Robinson, as he hit several first half threes to keep them in it. It was not until Cameron Johnson’s three pointer with 7:41 remaining in the half that the Panthers finally took a lead. The momentum from the big shot carried them to a 30-22 lead with two minutes to play. But before half Syracuse’s Tyler Lydon made two threes, part of his 13 first half points, to cut that Panther lead to just two.
The second half was nip and tuck to start with no team leading by more than six in the first 10 minutes. It looked like the game would come down to the final couple possessions, until, with the game tied at 45, Jamel Artis drilled a top of key three. Following the three Pitt’s Chris Jones would hit two free throws and Ryan Luther made a corner two. The seven-point lead with less than four minutes to play only continued to grow from there. Michael Young dunked one off a Luther pass, and then an and-one lay-up by Artis gave the Panthers a nine-point cushion they would not surrender.
Artis led the Panthers with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Robinson was the only other Panther player in double figures, with 13.
Positives:
Back to Back- Pitt has not won back-to-back games since early January when they beat Georgia Tech and Notre Dame. Since then the team has struggled mightily to get a head of steam going. Hopefully, beating rival ‘Cuse finally does that.
Michael Young Rebounding- Young may lead the team in rebounding, at seven a game, but some games he is not aggressive on the glass. Saturday he hauled in game high 13 rebounds, which is exactly what this team needs.
Jamel Artis- Scoring 17 of his 21 points in the second half is impressive. However, more impressive was the fact that he had 11 rebounds. He was in attack mode and it truly showed.
Negatives:
Sterling Smith- Floor spacing is why he gets playing time. If Smith cannot make threes he is hurting the team. Against the Orange he had three wide-open looks, all of which he failed to convert.
Turnovers- 14 turnovers may not seem like a crazy high number, but it kills this Pitt offense. The offense already struggles at times to score and with turnovers it only adds to the difficulty. The whole offensive attack is predicated on not turning it over.
Getting to the Line- The amount of offensive rebounds this team grabbed, 14, should have led to more trips to the charity stripe. However, the team attempted just 15, most of which came at the end of the game.
Offensive Grade: B
Jamie Dixon’s offensive game plan was obvious throughout the game, slow down the pace. It was a deliberate attack that was intent on using all 30 seconds of the shot clock. The strategy worked well, because ‘Cuse only goes seven deep and was tired on offense due to long defensive possessions. As well, the Panthers did an excellent job of attacking the glass.
Defensive Grade: A-
Defense won this game, and it is about time that happened. Only one game ago did Wake Forest get whatever they wanted on offense. Not Saturday though, as the Orange were regularly forced into tough shots. They finished under 40% from the field and 30% from three. It was a great effort all around.
Coaching Grade: B
Dixon used Luther well down the stretch and having Johnson come in the first half to provide shooting was great. Also, whatever he said to his guys to play defense finally worked. The team stepped up and played with the right level of desperation.
Up Next:
Pitt looks to avenge a 59-41 loss at Louisville on Wednesday February 24th at the Peterson Events Center.