Pitt Basketball Offseason Notes

The Pitt Panthers basketball season ended about 3 weeks ago in a 2nd round loss to Xavier in the NCAA tournament. That makes 9 straight NCAA tournaments for Pitt, and 0 Final Four appearances.

Pitt had a very good season, and you do have to give Jaime Dixon a lot of credit for getting the most out of the team this year. Pitt lost 4 starters from the 2009 Elite Eight team, including Levance Fields, Sam Young, and DeJuan Blair. We lost something like 60% of our scoring, 70% of our rebounding, and 50% of our assists. The expectations were not very high, but Pitt had another terrific season overall, coming in 2nd in the Big East regular season, and spending the entire season in the top 25, including cracking the top 10.

However, like is true with most of these Pitt teams, we tend to struggle in the tournament, and Jaime Dixon deserves some of the blame for that. I don't necessarily dislike Jaime Dixon, I just don't think he is really as good as the national media makes him out to be.

Next season, we should be solid again, as we always are. The only player we lose is shooting guard Jermaine Dixon. This will be a big loss, but we have the bodies to replace Dixon. Pitt has a solid group of 3 freshman coming in next year, all of whom are in the top 20 nationally at their respective positions. The only issue with the starting lineup next season is whether or not Travon Woodall is in it. Woodall right now is really the only true point guard on the team, and got better and better as the season went on. Ashton Gibbs can play PG, but is naturally a shooting guard. However, if you want Gilbert Brown to start, which he absolutely should, he needs to be at the small forward position. This means that Brad Wanamaker, who still continues to make the dumbest mistakes on the court, will be the starting 2.

Also, I would personally like to see Dante Taylor take over the starting power forward position for Nasir Robinson. Gary McGhee will be the starting center next year. I like Nasir Robinson, but he is more of a role player, who can be solid coming off the bench. If it were up to me, the starting lineup next year would be Ashton Gibbs at the point, Wanamker at the 2, Gilbert Brown at the 3, Taylor at power forward, and McGhee at center. I wouldn't mind Wanamker coming off the bench, and sliding Gibbs to the 2, and starting Travon Woodall at the point, however, Wanamaker is the best all-around player on the team, and really fills up the stat sheet. I also think that Jaime Dixon will continue to bring Dante Taylor off the bench, and start Robinson, which is a mistake. Look for redshirt freshman Talib Zanna to get some time this year and center, and freshman J.J. Moore should also see some time.

A lot of the success next year depends on how Dante Taylor does. Taylor was a 2009 McDonalds All-American who everyone expected big things from, and essentially did nothing last season. Taylor looked lost and lazy and like he didn't really want to play, but he did show flashes. So if he commits and puts in the work this offseason conditioning and in the weight room, he could be a big factor next year, which we definitely need.

DeJuan Blair Going Pro

Pittsburgh Panthers All-American DeJuan Blair has declared for the NBA Draft, and will not return to the Panthers next season. The fact that he declared for the NBA Draft was not surprising, as most players do to go to the pre-draft camps, and feel out where they will be drafted. If you do not hire any agent or representation, then you are allowed to pull your name out of the draft and return to school. DeJuan Blair has hired representation, leaving out the possibility of returning to school for next season. We pretty much knew this was going to happen, and is the right move for Blair, I just didn't want to believe it.

This all means that the Panthers lose four starters from last season, and lose their three best players. I still feel as if Pitt will be a tournament team come next season and will crack the top 25 at some point, but it will still be somewhat of a "rebuilding" year, and probably not up to the standards that Pitt basketball has been at these past eight seasons.

Let's take a look at how this leaves the team for next season.

PG: Blair leaving will not affect the guard position, you still will have Travon Woodall, the only true PG on the roster, and Gibbs in the mix at this position.

SG: Dixon, who will be the lone senior who plays next season will most likely get the start here, with Gibbs, and Wanamaker coming off the bench to knock down some 3's. Dixon really needs to take his game to the next level next season, and will need to average over 10 per game.

SF: Still probably Gilbert Brown's position, with Nasir Robinson getting some time here, and Wanamaker also. Look for incoming freshman Lamar Patterson to get some minutes also.

PF: With Blair come, Dante Taylor will definitely be a starter right away, and will be relied on to contribute right away. Taylor is Pitt's first McDonalds All-American since the 1980's, so let's hope he is ready to step in immediately. If Taylor plays well on the inside, Pitt should be better than people think.

C: This is a very interesting position going into next season. Gary McGhee is the only player on Pitt's current roster who can fill this position right now. However, McGhee did not have a good season last year, and should not be starting. I don't actually see McGhee starting, but he is a true center. J.J. Richardson, Dwight Miller, and incoming freshman Talib Zanna are also in the mix here.

Recruiting: With Blair leaving, the Panthers have an extra scholarship to give out now. ESPN's 31st ranked player coming in this season, Kyryl Natyazhko, a center, has narrowed his choices down to three school, with Pitt being one of the finalists. If he comes in, he could get some immediate time at center. Also, remember the name Will Coleman. Chose Memphis over Pitt in his recruiting, but may back out of his Memphis commitment with Calipari leaving, and re-open his recruitment.

It will be very tough to replace not only Blair, but also Sam Young, who will also be a first round pick, and Levance Fields. Pitt has established a basketball program, and thus a "down" year for this team right now will not hurt as much as people think. They will still be able to challenge in the top half of the Big East, and hopefully get in the top 25 at some point this season. In my opinion, this is still a tournament team this season.

Pitt Panthers - Looking Ahead to Next Season

The college basketball season came to an end yesterday, so I wanted to address what my Pittsburgh Panthers lineup might look like for next season. The Panthers finally made it past the Sweet 16 this season, however lost to Villanova in the Elite 8 in what might have been the best game on the tournament…. or worst from my prospective.

The team coming back for Pitt next season will not be as highly touted or ranked to start the season as this year’s team. We lose Sam Young, Levance Fields, and Tyrell Biggs. Young and Fields are virtually impossible to replace, and thus next season may be a down season for the Panthers. The good thing is that Pitt has established themselves as a solid basketball program, and right now, a “down” season would mean being around 20th in the nation, and 4th or 5th in the Big East, and still making the tournament. It is tough to hang year-in, year-out with the big dogs in the Big East, Syracuse, UConn, Georgetown, Louisville, and Villanova, who consistently get the best high school players in the nation.

That being said, Pitt has its first McDonalds All-American since the 1980s coming in next season in the form of Dante Taylor. Taylor is a 6’10” power forward from Maryland, who had 15 points and 6 boards in the McDonalds All-American game. Joining Taylor are 2 other elite prospects, small forward Lamar Patterson, and center Talib Zanna. Pitt also figures to get a contribution from point guard Travon Woodall, who played at the beginning of the season, then sat out to redshirt.

The biggest question mark for next season will be whether or not All-American DeJuan Blair returns to the team. If Blair is projected to be a lottery pick, as much as it pains me to say it, he should enter the draft. But most mock draft’s I have seen have him going in the 13-23 range of the draft. That makes for a tough decision. First round picks are guaranteed, so it may be the right thing for Blair to enter the draft; however he could also come back next season, be a beast, and improve his draft stock. Blair is actually from Pittsburgh, and he wants to bring this Pitt team a championship. Blair will most likely test the waters, go to some pre-draft workouts, and see how he does. I want nothing but the best for Blair in his professional career, but as a die hard Pitt fan, I want DeJuan Blair back with the Panthers next season.

If DeJuan Blair is back with the Panthers next season, the lineup should look something like this—

PG: Travon Woodall may very well get the start here. He is the only true point guard on the roster, but doesn’t have much experience. Whether he starts on not, Woodall is still a guy who Pitt expects a lot out of, he was an elite product out of high school. The Panthers could also start Dixon here if they wanted Wanamaker to start at SG, or start Gibbs here, who is also more of a SG. I expect the first game starter at PG to be Gibbs. Remember the name Isaiah Epps, who is a top 10 PG coming to Pitt in 2010.

SG: Jermaine Dixon will be the starter here next season, and will be the lone senior in the starting lineup. Dixon has shown the ability to shoot well, and score double digits, but was terrible in the tournament. Dixon will need to elevate him game, both on his three-point shooting, and on driving the ball to the hole. Gibbs, and Wanamaker can both play this position also.

SF: This will be the toughest spot to fill as it is vacated by All-American Sam Young. Gilbert Brown will be the starter here next season, and Brown was probably the best bench player for the Panthers this past season. Brown is extremely athletic, has an improving shot, and a tremendous upside. He will also be counted on to start scoring in the double digits.

PF: If Blair returns, he will shift over to his more natural power forward position. This may be a good thing for him, as scouts will get to see him at the position he will play in the pros. Okay, maybe I’m grasping, but please come back DeJuan! We all know Blair is a beast, and we will be getting a double-double out of him almost every night. If he comes back, he may be one of the favorites for player of the year, and could average around 20 and 12 a game.

C: Dante Taylor, who is also more of a power forward will start immediately at center, as he is 3 inches taller than Blair. Taylor is one of the top incoming freshman this season, and if Blair comes back, look for Pitt to go into the paint a lot, where Blair and Taylor should be able to do some damage.

Bench: Brad Wanamaker improved a lot this past season, but in my opinion is not a starter. He still makes way too many mistakes, and can’t handle the ball well. He is good in transition, and is a good guy coming off the bench. Ashton Gibbs may get the start at PG, but if he doesn’t, he will be a good guy coming off the bench to give instant offense, as he is the best three-point shooter on the team. Nasir Robinson will look to have his role increased, and with Gilbert Brown stepping into the Sam Young role, Robinson should step into the Gilbert Brown role. Increased playing time, and hopefully Robinson will look more comfortable out there. Also coming off the bench will be big man Gary McGhee, freshman big man Talib Zanna, and freshman small forward Lamar Patterson.

If DeJuan Blair does not come back next season, which is a definite possibility, the lineup could look something like this—

PG: Remains Woodall, Gibbs, possibly Dixon.
SG: Dixon, with Gibbs, Wanamaker in the mix
SF: Brown
PF: This may be a position you have to go small at. You could insert Gilbert Brown here, and even though he isn’t a PF, play 3 guards among Woodall, Wanamaker, Gibbs, Dixon, and then Brown at the PF spot. This probably isn’t the best idea. This should be freshman Dante Taylor.
C: Could be another freshman here, Talib Zanna, or could be Gary McGhee if he improves in the offseason.

Bottom line – We need to hope Blair returns to Pitt next season. Maybe if I say this enough, he will come back. I can hope.

All in all, with an established program, Pitt should be in the tournament for a 9th straight season next year, and should compete with the best in the Big East, even if they are not as good as this season. As we saw from Villanova, it is all about getting hot at the right time. I want to thank Sam Young, and Levance Fields for their great four years with the program, and wish them nothing but the best going forward. Again, next season relies significantly on DeJuan Blair coming back, which as I stated before, I am not too confident about. So in what will be a common theme of Pitt fans this offseason – Please come back DeJuan!!!!!!!