bearcat jeff
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- Feb 24, 2010
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Again, I'm really looking forward to this game. UC has lost 6 in a row to Pitt but I believe they have a legit shot at winning this game.
First of all this isn't the same dominating Pitt team of the past few years. They are lead Ashton Gibbs who scores at a clip of 16.9 ppg. Forward Nasir Robinson gives them good balance by scoring 12.5 ppg and pulling down 6 plus boards. Pitt moves the ball very well are 12th nationally in assists per game. This enables them to shoot the ball well and they do so at over 48% from the field and 36% from behind the arc. They rebound the ball well and rank in the top 30 in that category.
Gibbs and Robinson both play 30 or more minutes a game. After them the Pathers do a lot of shuffling of players and spltting time. Travon Woodall is not 100% and some believe he may have returned too early from injury. Gibbs is not as good playing at the point. This could certainly benefit the Bearcats but Lamar Patterson is a very capable substitute on the wing at both the 2/3.
For the Bearcats to win they have to do 3 things. First of all they have to guard the perimeter and not allow the Panthers to get open shots from the three or they'll knock them down. Part of this is also to pressure the ball and not give easy passing lanes for entry passes and cutters. Nasir Robinson has shot 1 three all year long and Dante Taylor is a big body in the post at 6'9 and 240 lbs.. UC has to make it difficult for the guards to get the ball in the post.
Secondly, UC has to play well on the perimeter. Pitt will run off long rebounds and on the outlet. Driving and kicking will create space and allow the Bearcats to step into their shots. When they do this they shoot their best. You can't go 3 -20 behind the arc and win this game when you know Pitt will hit 6 or more. Pitt shoots about 32% of it's shots from behind the 3 point line. Turnovers would kill the Bearcats in this game. They have to take care of the ball. The Pitt guards and forwards can finish off the break. Make your passes strong and sure. It's no secret that Pitt will apply strong on ball pressure.
Lastly, UC has to continue to team rebound. Size wise UC actually will match up fairly well with Pitt. When Taylor is in the game Gaines needs to be on the floor. While Gaines will give away weight, his strength and athleticism should be a good equalizer and help him to rebound the ball. The Panthers are taller on the wings but Parker, Kilpatrick and Dixon give Cincinnati a very good trio of rebounding guards. Rebounding will come down to position and desire. Taylor is a good positional rebounder. JJ and Kelvin have to use their speed to beat the Pitt bigs to the right spots.
I like the fact that Cincinnati enters this game immediately following the victtory over the Sooners. It was a good warm up for how a game can be decided in the BEast. Their confidence is on a very high level and they have now bought in and seen the results of hard work and effort on the court. that said we know Jamie Dixon teams play hard and that he will draw up a game plan that his players will execute. Cincinnati has to play loose but disciplined basketball to win this game. Jackson and Gaines cannot have a defensive meltdown and not be able to stay on the court. Dixon will have Taylor exploit the interior and he has the guards to make that happen.
This is going to be another close, hard fought game and I like UC's chances to win it. I'm going to predict a game in the 60's that the Bearcats win 69-64 to start conference play 1-0 and set the stage for the return of Yancy and Mbodji.
First of all this isn't the same dominating Pitt team of the past few years. They are lead Ashton Gibbs who scores at a clip of 16.9 ppg. Forward Nasir Robinson gives them good balance by scoring 12.5 ppg and pulling down 6 plus boards. Pitt moves the ball very well are 12th nationally in assists per game. This enables them to shoot the ball well and they do so at over 48% from the field and 36% from behind the arc. They rebound the ball well and rank in the top 30 in that category.
Gibbs and Robinson both play 30 or more minutes a game. After them the Pathers do a lot of shuffling of players and spltting time. Travon Woodall is not 100% and some believe he may have returned too early from injury. Gibbs is not as good playing at the point. This could certainly benefit the Bearcats but Lamar Patterson is a very capable substitute on the wing at both the 2/3.
For the Bearcats to win they have to do 3 things. First of all they have to guard the perimeter and not allow the Panthers to get open shots from the three or they'll knock them down. Part of this is also to pressure the ball and not give easy passing lanes for entry passes and cutters. Nasir Robinson has shot 1 three all year long and Dante Taylor is a big body in the post at 6'9 and 240 lbs.. UC has to make it difficult for the guards to get the ball in the post.
Secondly, UC has to play well on the perimeter. Pitt will run off long rebounds and on the outlet. Driving and kicking will create space and allow the Bearcats to step into their shots. When they do this they shoot their best. You can't go 3 -20 behind the arc and win this game when you know Pitt will hit 6 or more. Pitt shoots about 32% of it's shots from behind the 3 point line. Turnovers would kill the Bearcats in this game. They have to take care of the ball. The Pitt guards and forwards can finish off the break. Make your passes strong and sure. It's no secret that Pitt will apply strong on ball pressure.
Lastly, UC has to continue to team rebound. Size wise UC actually will match up fairly well with Pitt. When Taylor is in the game Gaines needs to be on the floor. While Gaines will give away weight, his strength and athleticism should be a good equalizer and help him to rebound the ball. The Panthers are taller on the wings but Parker, Kilpatrick and Dixon give Cincinnati a very good trio of rebounding guards. Rebounding will come down to position and desire. Taylor is a good positional rebounder. JJ and Kelvin have to use their speed to beat the Pitt bigs to the right spots.
I like the fact that Cincinnati enters this game immediately following the victtory over the Sooners. It was a good warm up for how a game can be decided in the BEast. Their confidence is on a very high level and they have now bought in and seen the results of hard work and effort on the court. that said we know Jamie Dixon teams play hard and that he will draw up a game plan that his players will execute. Cincinnati has to play loose but disciplined basketball to win this game. Jackson and Gaines cannot have a defensive meltdown and not be able to stay on the court. Dixon will have Taylor exploit the interior and he has the guards to make that happen.
This is going to be another close, hard fought game and I like UC's chances to win it. I'm going to predict a game in the 60's that the Bearcats win 69-64 to start conference play 1-0 and set the stage for the return of Yancy and Mbodji.
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