Panthers play same old song in win over Dukes
PITTSBURGH – It was the same old song for the Pittsburgh basketball team Wednesday night in its 59-45 victory over cross-town rival Duquesne. The Panthers were a little out of tune at the beginning, but recovered by hitting some high notes to preserve a winner. In their previous four games, all victories, the Panthers have followed roughly the same formula, a dilemma Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon explains as a combination of many factors.
“We’re mixing in a lot of young players with some veterans, so it’s taking us a while to find the perfect rhythm,” Dixon said. “It’s also early in the season, and we’re getting better each game, so I am pleased with the progress we’re making.”
Dixon has also been pointing out that even though the Panthers have been bigger and stronger than any team they have played to date, a trend that will continue through most of Pittsburgh’s pre-conference schedule, a size difference may be a hindrance at times.
“We have had a little trouble adjusting to the smaller, quicker lineups we have been facing,” Dixon said. “We need to continue working on our game from that aspect, especially on defense, an area we are nowhere close to performing where we need to be when the Big East starts.”
The Panthers have yet to put a complete game together, but have played good enough to keep a Top 25 ranking intact. They have now started out a season with a 5-0 record for the fourth consecutive year. Dixon feels the team should be ready by the time conference play begins on Jan. 6, which is at home against Virginia Tech.
“It’s hard to comment on why we’re not where we need to be right now,” Dixon said. “We need to improve our shooting, especially early in games, and we’re just working hard every day and trying to get better.”
Pitt has yet to find a rhythm on offense in the first half. Against Duquesne, Pitt shot only 33 percent in the first half. Jaron Brown missed all four of his shots, Julius Page missed five, and Carl Krauser missed four but scored nine points to pace the Panthers in the first half. Krauser is leading the team in scoring, averaging over 18 points a game.
“I’m not concerned with being a leading scorer, but I just do whatever I can to help the team win,” Krauser said. “I don’t care if it’s rebounding or playing defense, but right now, I’ve been called on to score.”
Page has been hampered this season with a sore ankle after injuring it in practice several weeks ago. He has been playing through the injury, but it has the potential to be nagging all year. In the second half against Duquesne, Page was grimacing as he ran down the court. His practice time has also been cut due to the injury, which has hurt his shooting touch. He is still second on the team in scoring, averaging over 14 points a game.
“It’s still stiff and it takes me a couple of minutes of playing for it to loosen up,” Page said of his ankle. “We need to get better on offense and especially on defense.”
Jaron Brown and Chevon Troutman are also averaging double-figures in scoring, although Brown only had five points against Duquesne and Troutman was held to seven.
“We need to do a better job getting the ball to Chevy because he only takes high-percentage shots,” Dixon said. “He focused on defense more than offense against Duquesne and also picked up two early fouls, which contributed to his low-scoring performance.”
The Panthers next game is against Penn State at the Peterson Events Center on Saturday afternoon. Last season, Pittsburgh enjoyed a perfect 16-0 record at home. The Panthers won’t have to play on the road until Jan. 10, when they visit Miami.