Pitt 65, Syracuse 61

Sorry, meant to reply. See post below. He wouldn't have been able to live up to the high standard set by Randall, in any event, though, right?

I still think so, but winning out the regular season is unlikely, I'm afraid. Seems like this team will probably slip up at least once between now and March 8th. But my view is that the country as a whole is mediocre, and if we are sitting at 11-7 (and especially if we win the first game at Greensboro), we'd be okay...

Assuming that they hold on in this game, precarious at the time of this post, I think that even if they go 3-1 the rest of the way, and win at least one postseason tournament game, that should be good enough. That would give them 21 wins.

From what I have read, Pitt had actually offered him first, along with WF and a number of MAC schools. I think he grew his senior year and Duke got on him, when they were looking at a team mate.

Neat prospect. Unknown, Canadian. Guess he would be considered a late bloomer like Cam Johnson. Had a growth spurt and got on everybody's radar late.

Think he has a better chance to play sooner at Pitt, but you're right. I wouldnt pass up a chance to play for Coach K.

One way or the other, looks like we'll be seeing him.

Unfortunately, a guy like this often falls between the cracks when he gets to Durham. It all depends what the kid wants out of life. My guess is that he won't see much playing time at Duke (although you never know), but he will get a degree from a great school and a good job and fan adulation if he comes in every so often and plays hard. Or he could probably play significant minutes at Pitt, WF, MAC school, etc. In general, when Duke brings in a kid from a less-heralded high school program who has not been playing major AAU ball since age 10, it doest go very well from a basketball perspective. Not a well-covered point, but there are a lot of transfers out of Duke when kids get there and learn they're not going to be used...

Agreed...Alexander sounds like the type of football recruit Narduzzi was known to get at Michigan State. 2 star player that everybody overlooked at first. Maybe has the talent to turn into a decent player.

They need to bring in a low post presence, for sure. Like I said last thread, beyond Young I dont know what the others guys bring, they havent played.

And im wondering if Pitt loses this game, do some of those guys get a few more minutes?

His best game, I thought...

I liked seeing Uchebo too, as JR eluded to...I dont know how effective Hack-a-Christmas was, because he played well, but him and Roberson got beat up all game.

Syracuse's short bench didnt help. Not having Cooney most of the game may have been their biggest problem.

Looking at Boeheims remaining schedule, not sure they were a lock for the tourney to begin with before this "self ban"

Not that I'm a naysayer, but why?

Dixon is a good coach, not a great one.

The senior and junior classes he has now have been very disappointing. The program is in danger of missing the NCAAs for the second time in 4 years. Of the ten times he has gone to the NCAAs hes lost to a lower seed 8 times. Im not going to get into recruiting, its been a mixed bag. But considering all the success of the last 12 years, I thought by now it would be in the Top 25 on a regular basis, not middling in the 40s. Especially entering year 3 of the ACC at the end of 2015.

It is quite possible this program plateau-ed in 2009, and is slowly returning to mediocrity.

Yes, the current team is young, but absolutely has a glut of wing shooters and no strong low post rebounders/defensive stalwarts. The PG play is nowhere near the level it was 5 years ago. The defense has declined steadily in the last 3 years...In 25 years of watching Pitt basketball ive said to myself many times "Cant wait to see that team in a year or two"....Only to watch it get knocked out in the 2nd round.

We'll see. I dont blame Jamie, yet. Not advocating firings. Just wondering about the assistants abilities to recruit and develop players right now. And i think thats fair.