2011-12 College Basketball Season Preview: Pittsburgh
Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, David Kay and Peter Christian of the The Sports Bank. Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Pittsburgh Panthers (Last Year: 28-6, 15-3 in Big East)
2011-12 Projected Depth Chart:
F/C: Dante Taylor (Jr)/Khem Birch (Fr)/Malcolm Gilbert (Fr)
F: Nasir Robinson (Sr)/Talib Zanna (So)
G/F: J.J. Moore (So)/Lamar Patterson (Jr)/Durand Johnson (Fr)
G: Ashton Gibbs (Sr)/Cameron Wright (Fr)/John Johnson (Fr)
PG: Travon Woodall (Jr)/Isaiah Epps (Fr)
Gone: SG-Brad Wanamaker, SF-Gilbert Brown, C-Gary McGhee, F-J.J. Richardson (transfer-Houston)
2011-12 Outlook:
Despite losing three starters, Jamie Dixon will have his Pittsburgh Panthers competing for a Big East Championship. That's just the way this team operates under him. Regardless of who returns or who is gone, Pittsburgh is going to be one of top teams in the conference.
The Panthers chances of repeating vastly improved with Ashton Gibbs' decision to come back for his senior year of college. In addition to being one of the most dangerous three-point shooters in the country, he will be counted on as the leader of this year's team. Gibbs will primarily play off the ball with Travon Woodall expected to step into the starting lineup and handle the point. Pittsburgh will miss Brad Wanamaker's versatility and toughness in the backcourt as they turn to a smaller duo of Woodall and Gibbs.
Cameron Wright and Isaiah Epps both redshirted last season but will likely step into reserve roles off the bench. Freshmen Durand Johnson and John Johnson will also compete for minutes on the wing. Dixon has never been afraid to redshirt a player and could elect to do so with one of the Johnson's since there won't be enough minutes to go around.
J.J. Moore and Lamar Patterson will replace Gilbert Brown's minutes at the three. Moore is similar to Brown in that he is long, athletic, and capable of shooting it from deep. Patterson brings a little more physicality to the wing while Durand Johnson could also see some playing time at the three.
Dixon loses a lot of size and strength in the middle with Gary McGhee graduating, but still has some big bodies inside. Dante Taylor doesn't possess the ideal height for a center but is a tank inside who loves his throw his body around. The addition of freshmen Khem Birch and Malcolm Gilbert gives the Panthers options behind Taylor as they perfectly Pittsburgh's style of play.
Birch has great length and athleticism, so should be an instant contributor as a shot blocker and rebounder though his offensive game is still very raw. Gilbert is also a rim protector on the defensive end and a little more physical than Birch but also is a work in progress as a scorer.
Nasir Robinson is recovering from a torn meniscus that could sideline him for the start of the season but will start in the frontcourt once he returns. At 6-foot-5, he is an undersized power forward but plays incredibly hard and is not afraid to mix it up down low. He can also play small forward if needed.
Talib Zanna offers more size up front and will start until Robinson gets to 100 percent. Zanna started 13 games last season so it will not be anything that will overwhelm him. He mainly makes his impact felt on the glass but also has a developing mid-range game.
The Panthers have a very weak non-conference schedule so we won't find out how good this team can be until Big East play rolls around. Their identity will once again be their toughness and hard-nosed play on the defensive end, which always seems to cause problems for their opponents, but hasn't gotten them over the hump and into the Final Four.
Player to Watch: Ashton Gibbs, G
There might not be a player in college basketball who comes off screens and can catch it and shoot it like Gibbs. He shot a scorching 49% from distance last season and might have to pick up his scoring load even more this season since Pittsburgh has some uncertainty as to who will score points this season.
Key Non-Conference Games: 11/16 vs. Long Beach State
12/3 at Tennessee (Big East/SEC Challenge)
12/10 vs. Oklahoma State (at Madison Square Garden)
Predicted Big East Finish: 3rd
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - June 20
2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 18
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 17
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
![]()
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
2 5 9
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Pittsburgh Panthers (Last Year: 28-6, 15-3 in Big East)
2011-12 Projected Depth Chart:
F/C: Dante Taylor (Jr)/Khem Birch (Fr)/Malcolm Gilbert (Fr)
F: Nasir Robinson (Sr)/Talib Zanna (So)
G/F: J.J. Moore (So)/Lamar Patterson (Jr)/Durand Johnson (Fr)
G: Ashton Gibbs (Sr)/Cameron Wright (Fr)/John Johnson (Fr)
PG: Travon Woodall (Jr)/Isaiah Epps (Fr)
Gone: SG-Brad Wanamaker, SF-Gilbert Brown, C-Gary McGhee, F-J.J. Richardson (transfer-Houston)
2011-12 Outlook:
Despite losing three starters, Jamie Dixon will have his Pittsburgh Panthers competing for a Big East Championship. That's just the way this team operates under him. Regardless of who returns or who is gone, Pittsburgh is going to be one of top teams in the conference.
The Panthers chances of repeating vastly improved with Ashton Gibbs' decision to come back for his senior year of college. In addition to being one of the most dangerous three-point shooters in the country, he will be counted on as the leader of this year's team. Gibbs will primarily play off the ball with Travon Woodall expected to step into the starting lineup and handle the point. Pittsburgh will miss Brad Wanamaker's versatility and toughness in the backcourt as they turn to a smaller duo of Woodall and Gibbs.
Cameron Wright and Isaiah Epps both redshirted last season but will likely step into reserve roles off the bench. Freshmen Durand Johnson and John Johnson will also compete for minutes on the wing. Dixon has never been afraid to redshirt a player and could elect to do so with one of the Johnson's since there won't be enough minutes to go around.
J.J. Moore and Lamar Patterson will replace Gilbert Brown's minutes at the three. Moore is similar to Brown in that he is long, athletic, and capable of shooting it from deep. Patterson brings a little more physicality to the wing while Durand Johnson could also see some playing time at the three.
Dixon loses a lot of size and strength in the middle with Gary McGhee graduating, but still has some big bodies inside. Dante Taylor doesn't possess the ideal height for a center but is a tank inside who loves his throw his body around. The addition of freshmen Khem Birch and Malcolm Gilbert gives the Panthers options behind Taylor as they perfectly Pittsburgh's style of play.
Birch has great length and athleticism, so should be an instant contributor as a shot blocker and rebounder though his offensive game is still very raw. Gilbert is also a rim protector on the defensive end and a little more physical than Birch but also is a work in progress as a scorer.
Nasir Robinson is recovering from a torn meniscus that could sideline him for the start of the season but will start in the frontcourt once he returns. At 6-foot-5, he is an undersized power forward but plays incredibly hard and is not afraid to mix it up down low. He can also play small forward if needed.
Talib Zanna offers more size up front and will start until Robinson gets to 100 percent. Zanna started 13 games last season so it will not be anything that will overwhelm him. He mainly makes his impact felt on the glass but also has a developing mid-range game.
The Panthers have a very weak non-conference schedule so we won't find out how good this team can be until Big East play rolls around. Their identity will once again be their toughness and hard-nosed play on the defensive end, which always seems to cause problems for their opponents, but hasn't gotten them over the hump and into the Final Four.
Player to Watch: Ashton Gibbs, G
There might not be a player in college basketball who comes off screens and can catch it and shoot it like Gibbs. He shot a scorching 49% from distance last season and might have to pick up his scoring load even more this season since Pittsburgh has some uncertainty as to who will score points this season.
Key Non-Conference Games:
Predicted Big East Finish: 3rd
|
Pharme592
02-28-2013
07:56 am
xxx.xxx.xxx4.67
(total posts: 1)
 7
 6
Very nice site!
Pharmd902
02-28-2013
07:56 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.168
(total posts: 1)
6
6
Very nice site! cheap cialis http://opeaixy.com/qsqvtsa/4.html
Pharma360
02-28-2013
07:55 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.241
(total posts: 1)
6
7
Hello! baagdac interesting baagdac site! I'm really like it! Very, very baagdac good!
Pharmk864
02-28-2013
07:55 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.208
(total posts: 1)
6
6
Very nice site!
Pharme431
02-28-2013
07:55 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.197
(total posts: 1)
6
6
Very nice site! cheap cialis http://opeaixy.com/qsqvtsa/4.html
Pharmd808
02-28-2013
07:55 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.173
(total posts: 1)
7
6
Hello! bdecege interesting bdecege site! I'm really like it! Very, very bdecege good!
Pharmf533
02-13-2013
03:42 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.252
(total posts: 1)
7
6
Very nice site!
Pharmk791
02-13-2013
03:42 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx6.30
(total posts: 1)
7
6
Very nice site! cheap cialis http://apeoixy.com/xqqvta/4.html
Pharmg749
02-13-2013
03:42 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.109
(total posts: 1)
6
6
Hello! ekdgbcf interesting ekdgbcf site! I'm really like it! Very, very ekdgbcf good!
Lottie
12-06-2012
06:55 am
xxx.xxx.xxx2.12
(total posts: 3)
6
6
Your story was really informative, thakns!
Maud
12-04-2012
01:24 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx2.12
(total posts: 3)
7
7
I love these articles. How many words can a wrosdmith smith?
Elmira
12-04-2012
11:51 am
xxx.xxx.xxx2.12
(total posts: 3)
7
7
Holy shizint, this is so cool thank you.
Ito
11-10-2012
09:56 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.190
(total posts: 1)
9
15
LT313beats / nothing like londaig up on LB's (converting them to DE) on fast WR, CB, HB. My teams have so much speed on both side the ball it's crazy my drafting has started that trend in our league load up on speed
Anjana
11-10-2012
06:24 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx3.90
(total posts: 1)
8
18
misswhitedaisy / Have you happened to run into Michael Bolt? 97 SPD QB. yeah QB! he tears up any dsfenee and A potential. If you like fast RB the best are lemarcus taylor 97 SPD A potential, leron james 97 SPD A potential Ozzie Jones 99 SPD A potential but he cant break a tackle. The best WR hands down IMO is Aundrey Bender 6'3 99 SPD 99 JMP.
Guess what
11-08-2012
05:39 am
xxx.xxx.xxx70.1
(total posts: 1)
7
20
Steve Adams is going to be a BEAST! New Zealand represent!
|
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - June 20
2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 18
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 17
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
2 5 9
Leave a comment