Pitt has what UC wants-Bill Koch

[bearcat jeff]

“Cincinnati was pretty much as close to a death penalty situation as there was as far as players returning,” said Pitt coach Jamie Dixon. “And they were making a move to a much stronger conference that was getting even stronger. Those things have to be pointed out.”

Pitt has been the most consistently successful team in the nation’s most challenging conference over the past 10 seasons.

During that time the Panthers have led the league in overall winning percentage (265-67, .798), conference winning percentage (117-42, .736) and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (nine).

To reach that level of success, Dixon said, a program must replace good players with more good players, have balanced recruiting classes, recruit players from winning programs and yes, have a little luck.

It also helps when the players take ownership in the program’s success.
“I think our freshmen learn pretty quick and our seniors become the leaders, the coaches, the motivators often times,” said Dixon, who’s in his eighth year as head coach. “I think that’s a big part of it.”
Dixon warns that getting to the tournament is only half the battle. Returning year after year is even more challenging.

“You see teams do it once or twice, get good, have some seniors and win some games,” Dixon said. “Only a few teams have been to the tournament as many times as we have. And you have to factor in the conference that we play in. I don’t think there’s any comparison to what we’re going against night after night.”

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110204/SPT0101/302040070

 

[swg]

Having shooters seem to help as well.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Well he says you have to replace good players with more good players. Jamie Dixon has done a very good job recruiting to his system. They get players that fir well into what they do. He gets tough team guys.

 

[swg]

You also need different types of players for different roles. For awhile, it seemed as if 2/3 of our players were similiar in size and athleticism (but without the consistent shot).

I say this because it pains me to watch a game where UC can't get anything going inside, and watch the team hoist up 15-30 3's. UC is rarely going to win those games against good foes. If Butler and ND can find shooters, why not Mick?

 

[bearcat jeff]

Mick recruits similiar to Bob Huggins. He recruits look athletes. Huggins said he knew UC wasn't going to get the best players to come to Clifton, so he said "what if we get more good players" then the other teams to wear them down. It seems like Mick has adopted the same philosophy.

Also, it isn't that Mick hasn't found a shooter and recruited them. He hasn't been able to sign them. He recruited Hoffarber at Minnesota for one. I don't think this team will not fully evolve till some real shooters are found. You have to have guys that can shoot. From mid-range and long range.

 

[psax889906]

Having shooters seem to help as well.

You mean having good players helps a team win?!!! Stunning!!!


In all seriousness, Dixon brings up the point many of us have realized looking back at the extremely difficult transition- none of the players in the last four recruiting classes have had experienced upperclassmen to look up to and learn from.

The perspective I look at it from is: How good could a player like Deonta Vaughn have been if he played under Steve Logan for two years before becoming the man?