2015-16 College Hoops Thread

[Dickie Dunn]

right, that uva team is having a helluva time winning with that defense first basektaball

Who else? UVA is the exception to the norm at this point and it's a strategy that's been built in the past 7 years with Tony Bennett re-building the program. We'll see if it sticks as their recruiting classes continually improve.

[NAN]

Word on the paysite on Pantherlair is that this is the first time where the Dixon is gone rumors may be true.

Says he lost all leverage here, is sick of the criticism, and wants a fresh start.

What criticism? The local media treats him with kid gloves.

From Pitt fans.

[beerman]

right, that uva team is having a helluva time winning with that defense first basektaball

It's not impossible to win that way but the margin for error is much smaller imo than a team that doesn't slow it down as much. I think Virginia will ultimately get to the Final Four this year, especially after the bottom part of that bracket fell apart.

However, as of this morning Virginia's dominate defense the last three years hasn't given them any more success than Dixon/Pitt's great defenses got in the tourney.

2014 lost in the Sweet 16
2015 lost in the Second Round
2016 ???

I'm indifferent to Pitt but what always drove me nuts about some of the really good teams they had and UVA right now is that they could still be excellent defenses without stalling so much offensively. More importantly some of those Pitt teams and these Virginia teams had people who could've done more offensively if they were allowed too, they had enough talent offensively that they shouldn't need to play keep away and shorten the game offensively as a main strategy.

[NAN]

I was about to respond with what beerman just posted.

Things might be different this year, but the last 2 years these great defensive teams for UVA have not showed much in March, just like Pitt.

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

DD seemed to imply that a defense first attitude wouldnt' fly in the ACC. he didn't mention anything about NCAA results.

With that said, it isn't like pitt has played a defense first brand of baksetball anyway; this defense stunk.

[NAN]

Gotcha.

[Viva la Ben]

Is Jamie Dixon gone already?

Yes
The answer was YES

[Orlando Penguin]

I was about to respond with what beerman just posted.

Things might be different this year, but the last 2 years these great defensive teams for UVA have not showed much in March, just like Pitt.

Virginia's problem is that they just don't have that big offensive threat after Brogdon. I like the way they play but if they get down 6-8 points to a good team (like they did against Carolina in the ACC title game), they're not coming back from that. Iowa State has the scorers where if they can get up 6-8 points in the 2nd half, they'll be able to maintain it...but only if they decide they want to play defense, something that is often just an option in Cyclones games.

[NAN]

I was about to respond with what beerman just posted.

Things might be different this year, but the last 2 years these great defensive teams for UVA have not showed much in March, just like Pitt.

Virginia's problem is that they just don't have that big offensive threat after Brogdon. I like the way they play but if they get down 6-8 points to a good team (like they did against Carolina in the ACC title game), they're not coming back from that. Iowa State has the scorers where if they can get up 6-8 points in the 2nd half, they'll be able to maintain it...but only if they decide they want to play defense, something that is often just an option in Cyclones games.

Exactly. Just like Pitt. Typically the offensive guys that can do that go to teams that have more uptempo, less defensive oriented type of style.

[Rocco]

Difference is UVA is actually good defensively.

[LITT]

lol at oregons last possession

[dodint]

That sound coming from Chicago is Gonzaga choking away their tournament.

[Freddy Rumsen]

https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/ ... 3846775808

[Freddy Rumsen]

https://twitter.com/ChrisDokish/status/ ... 0636281860

[slappybrown]

https://twitter.com/mattsteinbrink/stat ... 9365305345

[shafnutz05]

Is Villanova for real?

Also, Ed DeChellis to Pitt e3

[Rocco]

Seth Greenberg will look good on Pitt's bench next year.

[Rocco]

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status ... 4494746624

[shafnutz05]

Hire a coach from Vanderbilt, what could go wrong?

[slappybrown]

*googles Kevin Stallings*

*first three results are Vandy denying that he was fired two days ago*

*goes back to football two deep spring roster*

[Dickie Dunn]

Sigh. Damn it. Jamie Dixon, I am sorry for every horrible thing I ever said about you. Please come back.

Stallings is also the coach that refused to release Sheldon Jeter from his scholarship so he could transfer from Vandy. Sure he'll be thrilled by this move. I would rather take a flier on Brandin Knight. Please let some influential booster tell Barnes "hell no".

[Freddy Rumsen]

Hiring Stallings is like hiring will muschamp

[Dickie Dunn]

Jeter seems pleased with the news.

https://twitter.com/JonBlaze_21/status/ ... 9416043520

[slappybrown]

https://twitter.com/pittpantherblog/sta ... 3627475969

Fartnoise

[Rocco]

Stallings was reasonably successful early on but has a checkered tourney history, has been at his current job for a long time and in need of a change and had things trending downward. Pitt basically broke up with a girl to date someone who looks exactly like their ex.