Pitt vs. Duke

[konjo78]

Pitt looked overwhelmed and got beat at their own game. Definitely a smack in the face to the panthers.... This was their chance to show on National TV that they are a top ranked team. Instead we saw a team who probably won't even be a top 25 team next week....

[El-Moldo]

Sounds a little harsh, don't you think? Until about 12 minutes to go, it was quite a game. Once the Panthers fell behind by 6, the game got away from them. Don't understand the smack in the face thing. What did the Duke coach say afterward? He would have had the best opinion of what happened.

[konjo78]

It's not harsh. Pitt got beat up at their own game. Duke out rebounded them in both defensive rebounds and offensive.. A slap in the face may be a wake up call. That's all. Even one of the last possessions duke ran down the clock and still got an open 3 with no time on the clock....

[Nets77]

Defense let them down. In the second half I counted 8 times that Duke scored off an inbound play on their end of the floor, a couple for 3's. You can't let that happen, some of those were just too easy. Also, I thought Hood did an excellent job on Patterson, took him out of his games. Someone else needs to be able to step up, when that happens. Still definitely a Top 25 team.

[abpk2903]

I thought going down the stretch that the first team to break off a little run and take a multi possession lead would win. Both teams were playing a game that seemed to rely on a possession by possession offense that was able to be patient and take quality shots. As soon as Pitt was forced into a faster paced offense and increased ball pressure on defense, Duke took it to them. Both teams are still growing and the season is young. I guess it's better for Pitt to lose this one that a potential rematch in mid to late March.

This was the 1st time I've watched a large portion of a Pitt game since they played PSU. If it makes you Panther fans feel any better, they look a lot better and much more physical.

Look on the bright side, you're not PSU basketball fans...

[S Cube]

Konjo, how was Pitt beat at their own game? Pitt got beat by Duke sinking like twenty 3-pointers. Pitt isn't a 3-point shooting team, so it's not they got beat "at their own game."

Pitt got exposed big time in the second half. As abpk mentioned, I'm glad it happened now instead of tourney time. This loss should help Pitt in the long run.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Pitt just played poor defense, and Duke shot very well. I think if the teams were to meet again, Pitt could keep it closer or win. Pitt wasn't exposed entirely, but Duke came in with a legendary coach who had a great game plan. Hood took Patterson out, but Lamar seemed over anxious at times.

Duke owned out of bound plays, it came down to bad Pitt defense. How often does Pitt get exposed like that? Hardly ever. When Pitt loses games, its usually low scoring games where the team takes the shot clock down every possession like what Cincinnati did and what Notre Dame usually does. Not often will you see a team drop 80 on Pitt and the Panthers aren't able to keep up.



Virginia is an intriguing game, because they play a "pack line" defense. They really pack it in, and will dare Pitt to shoot. Again, Pitt needs to get out and run a little more.

[konjo78]

Konjo, how was Pitt beat at their own game? Pitt got beat by Duke sinking like twenty 3-pointers. Pitt isn't a 3-point shooting team, so it's not they got beat "at their own game."

Pitt got exposed big time in the second half. As abpk mentioned, I'm glad it happened now instead of tourney time. This loss should help Pitt in the long run.

I will give you that duke did hit multiple 3s and that is not Pitts game but what duke did do that really won them that game is out rebound pittsburgh, especially on the offensive rebound comparison. Pitt is used to winning the rebound battle as their way to winning, especially offensive boards... How many offensive boards lead to an open 3 for duke last night??? Thats what i meant by got beat at their own game. Duke used 2nd chance opportunities to win, the style pitt uses.