Gerald Henderson is the only one who can withstand some of the quick, athletic guards they'll face in the East region like Balbay, Darren Collison or Villanova's guards once they advance. They have decent-to-good athletes but they are also not real strong and also very young. John Shire will get cooked by quick guards. They're post defense is also pretty average, like you mention.
As for our matchup against Tennessee, its funny to see that both sides (the forums) are "scared" of each other. Personally, I think if our guards can outplay their guards we might have a chance (especially James Anderson) because otherwise they have too much depth and size on us. But also don't assume we don't have the talent (especially our guards) to handle Tennessee either. Like Doug Gottlieb said last night on Sportscenter, we have THREE former high school All-Americans (2 McDonalds, and 1 Jordan-who's coming off our bench I might add) Whoever wins out of our matchup I think can put a fight or possibly an upset against Pitt. Nothing against Pitt, but other than Dejuan Blair, Young, or Fields, there don't any other reliable threats. Pitt is a beast but he's just a more agile and freakishly strong version of Tyler Hansbourough. He is prone to fouls and can be at a disadvantage against more athletic/taller PF/C's.
Anyone know if they've posted schedules yet for Sat/Sun games? I'm trying to figure out when a Tex/Duke matchup would be if they make it through the first round.
Couldn't you use this puzzling "no outside threats" argument if you took away the best three players from any major team? I don't understand the logic in that. Every major college basketball program has quality role players and so does Pitt. You are WAY off in your assessment that Blair struggles against taller or more athletic players or is at a disadvantage against them. You can ask the NBA lottery picks like Thabeet or Monroe. You can ask conference conference powers Harangody, Devin Ebanks or whoever. It doesn't matter -- he's chewed them all up. What I can agree with is that he's foul prone. If you want the honest assessment of somebody very familiar with Pitt here it is: they are probably the best team in the nation. That being said, I don't think they're going to win. Not because they're upset-prone or anything like that it's just they only go as far as Blair can carry them. Blair is the college basketball equivalent of Dwight Howard. An absolute athletic freak, man-child, man among boys, whatever you want to call him. He's every bit as good as advertised. The problem? College basketball referees aren't used to officiating aggressive, physical players like that. I can sense it now: some naive officiating crew is going to play it by the book, get him into foul trouble and consequently Pitt's going to lose at some point. That's how Louisville beat them (in a game Pitt controlled about 85% of), that's how Villanova tripped them up and that's how Providence surprised everybody. Simply stated: I think Pitt's a lock to get to the Sweet 16, possibly the Elite 8. This team is better than any previous Sweet 16-and-done team you're used to, however due to my sneaking suspicions of the Blair foul situation I have a hard time picking them to go any further than that.
LOL Dejuan Blair is a nimble and strong athlete, but he is no "athletic freak." Trust me, as an OSU fan I can tell you that Blake is truly an "athletic freak," and while Blair is a beast, he's nowhere near Blake's level of athleticism or quickness. Interestingly enough, Pitt and OSU have a little history too, especially back in 2004, when we defeated you in thehttp://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?replayId=2335 (Of course, your Big Three did not play back then). Nothing against Blair, but he dominates with his strength, motor, relative nimble feet, skills, and IQ; however no one with objectiveness will call him an "athletic freak." Also, I never said that Pitt doesn't have good role players, just not any other players that is as good or dangerous as those three. Pretty much everyone team in the tourney is like this-they have 2-3 notable players + role players, doesn't mean they have terrible players. With all of this said, I agree that Pitt is a lock for the Sweet 16, but they are not invincible, just like any other thing, despite their talent and seed.
I agree that teams are going to gameplan for Pitt by having their guards just drive into the paint and run into Blair, trying to draw the foul. I don't think it will be enough though. Fields is nails; the most savvy and heady player in the country, and my bet is that he will step his game up if/when Blair does get in foul trouble. Every team has faults if you squint hard enough. But I feel like Pitt's faults are less than UNC's (defense), Louisville's (Sosa sucking and Clark having brain-farts at the end of games), and UConn's (lack of veteran NBA talent with the loss of Dyson). Pitt has all the personnel and talent, weapons and toughness on both ends. They have the ingredients of an NCAA champion, period. I know who I'm putting my money on this year.
I don't recall comparing Blair to Griffin and your idea of dissecting Pitt by taking away their three best players then judging them didn't make any sense. Other than that, we're in agreement. Am I overselling Blair by calling him an "athletic freak"? Perhaps, a little. I could just remove the "athletic" part and the label is much more appropriate. Still, he's a very good athlete by college standards who's game stands out in a number of ways.
That Blake Griffin reference was purely for comparison, and as an example of a true "freak" athlete. Exhibit A:
the official Tourney Flow Chart http://www.gunaxin.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/march_madness_flow_chart.png
nah, have faith. They have a solid group of kids who have been there before... they may have lost Joey D but they have other boys that will step up.
Memphis got lucky. I was hoping for the upset even though I picked them to win the first and second round. Still can't believe BYU got bent over like they did. That was just sad. Pitt will take home the trophy.
If you picked Memphis to lose in the 3rd round (like me) then of course you were rooting for them to go down today. Most people have them going a lot further than that giving us a huge advantage. Woulda been nice, but I don't think the game was ever in doubt in my mind.
OK, here it is! My final 4! Michigan St., U. Conn. Florida St., UNC Hope no one died laughing themselves to death! Michigan St. over UNC for the trophy!!! That otta get some one!
