Preview
Is it too early to call a game in early January a "must win"? Maybe for the Pittsburgh Panthers, who have unexpectedly dropped two in a row to begin Big East play and needs to avoid the early season trap which sank its 2011-12 season, suffering its most losses in Big East play in 16 years.
On Saturday, Pitt stumbled at Rutgers, where the Scarlet Knights uncharacteristically outrebounded the Panthers 36-24, a season low for a team that expects to own the boards against its opponents. Rebounding and defense figures to be a key subplot in Tuesday's game at Georgetown, where Pittsburgh is traditionally tough on both versus the Hoyas, who rank near the bottom of the Big East in rebounds and have been held under 50 points three times this season, most recently in Saturday's 49-48 loss at Marquette.
Both teams feed on defense, with neither team allowing an average of more than 54.2 points per game this season. Georgetown hasn't scored more than 61 points versus the Panthers at Verizon Center since the 2002-03 season.
Pitt enters Tuesday's game nationally ranked in nine different categories, including scoring defense, rebound margin, and assist to turnover margin, the result of a fairly easy non-conference schedule. In its games with Cincinnati and Rutgers, the defense has been there but the offense has not.
This cast of Panthers may be unfamiliar to many Hoya fans, but senior Tray Woodall is the last of a line of great Pitt guards in Big East play. Woodall is in a slump after two games of Big East play, shooting just 30 percent. His assist numbers remains strong, but Pitt needs more offense from Woodall as its shooting guard situation remains unsettled. For the Rutgers game, coach Jamie Dixon opted to start sophomore Cameron Wright, who promptly went scoreless in 15 minutes. Freshman James Robinson, formerly of DeMatha Catholic HS, returns to the starting role despite a 1-6 effort against Rutgers and the ongoing adjustments that Big East play will present.
Pitt continues to be under-appreciated up front but with three starters capable of making things difficult on opponents. 6-5 Lamar Patterson is second on the team in assists but maintains a 9.9 scoring average, while big men Talib Zanna (13.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and Scott Adams (6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds) have been able to leverage height and bulk inside. Both could present trouble to Georgetown, but must avoid foul trouble. Off the bench, Pitt will look to 6-6 forward J.J. Moore (9.9 ppg, 14 points vs. Rutgers) and 6-9 senior Dante Taylor (4.7 ppg, 63% FG) to see plenty of action. The Panthers have only played five reserves this season and could play all of them Tuesday.
Pitt's major obstacles into Big East play have been outside shooting (22%) and rebounds, averaging just 28 per game. If Georgetown can contain Woodall and regain some defensive presence inside, they can control this game, but getting into a defensive stalemate with Pitt could prove costly. Pitt owns a remarkable +9.7 advantage on assists to turnovers and Georgetown must avoid the opportunities that will provide.
Other keys to the game:
A Fourth Option: Pitt's defensive sets figure to bottle up Nate Lubick and Mikael Hopkins? If not these two, who else steps up? Georgetown cannot win relying on three players.
Rebounds: Pitt has outrebounded opponents by an average of over eight per game and the Hoyas were outrebounded by nine vs. Marquette.
James Robinson: The former DeMatha guard has struggled over the past three games. Pitt needs a big game from him, especially if Woodall is contained.
Free Throws: Neither team is exceptional from the line, but a statistic to note: Pitt is undefeated this season when taking more free throws than its opponent (12-0), winless when they do not (0-3).
Is it too early to call a game in early January a "must win"? Maybe for the Pittsburgh Panthers, who have unexpectedly dropped two in a row to begin Big East play and needs to avoid the early season trap which sank its 2011-12 season, suffering its most losses in Big East play in 16 years.
On Saturday, Pitt stumbled at Rutgers, where the Scarlet Knights uncharacteristically outrebounded the Panthers 36-24, a season low for a team that expects to own the boards against its opponents. Rebounding and defense figures to be a key subplot in Tuesday's game at Georgetown, where Pittsburgh is traditionally tough on both versus the Hoyas, who rank near the bottom of the Big East in rebounds and have been held under 50 points three times this season, most recently in Saturday's 49-48 loss at Marquette.
Both teams feed on defense, with neither team allowing an average of more than 54.2 points per game this season. Georgetown hasn't scored more than 61 points versus the Panthers at Verizon Center since the 2002-03 season.
Pitt enters Tuesday's game nationally ranked in nine different categories, including scoring defense, rebound margin, and assist to turnover margin, the result of a fairly easy non-conference schedule. In its games with Cincinnati and Rutgers, the defense has been there but the offense has not.
This cast of Panthers may be unfamiliar to many Hoya fans, but senior Tray Woodall is the last of a line of great Pitt guards in Big East play. Woodall is in a slump after two games of Big East play, shooting just 30 percent. His assist numbers remains strong, but Pitt needs more offense from Woodall as its shooting guard situation remains unsettled. For the Rutgers game, coach Jamie Dixon opted to start sophomore Cameron Wright, who promptly went scoreless in 15 minutes. Freshman James Robinson, formerly of DeMatha Catholic HS, returns to the starting role despite a 1-6 effort against Rutgers and the ongoing adjustments that Big East play will present.
Pitt continues to be under-appreciated up front but with three starters capable of making things difficult on opponents. 6-5 Lamar Patterson is second on the team in assists but maintains a 9.9 scoring average, while big men Talib Zanna (13.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and Scott Adams (6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds) have been able to leverage height and bulk inside. Both could present trouble to Georgetown, but must avoid foul trouble. Off the bench, Pitt will look to 6-6 forward J.J. Moore (9.9 ppg, 14 points vs. Rutgers) and 6-9 senior Dante Taylor (4.7 ppg, 63% FG) to see plenty of action. The Panthers have only played five reserves this season and could play all of them Tuesday.
Pitt's major obstacles into Big East play have been outside shooting (22%) and rebounds, averaging just 28 per game. If Georgetown can contain Woodall and regain some defensive presence inside, they can control this game, but getting into a defensive stalemate with Pitt could prove costly. Pitt owns a remarkable +9.7 advantage on assists to turnovers and Georgetown must avoid the opportunities that will provide.
Other keys to the game:
A Fourth Option: Pitt's defensive sets figure to bottle up Nate Lubick and Mikael Hopkins? If not these two, who else steps up? Georgetown cannot win relying on three players.
Rebounds: Pitt has outrebounded opponents by an average of over eight per game and the Hoyas were outrebounded by nine vs. Marquette.
James Robinson: The former DeMatha guard has struggled over the past three games. Pitt needs a big game from him, especially if Woodall is contained.
Free Throws: Neither team is exceptional from the line, but a statistic to note: Pitt is undefeated this season when taking more free throws than its opponent (12-0), winless when they do not (0-3).
