Comments on Cracked Sidewalks: Brilliant coaching by Tom Crean carries the day

Maybe I am in the minority here, but I think some ...

2007-01-22T09:14:45.798-06:00

Maybe I am in the minority here, but I think some of the blame goes to DJ here -- and credit to Pitt's defense too.

When Gray was out of the game late, the Panthers played their best defense of the afternoon. MU's high picks were much less effective, so our guards could not create the openings they did earlier in the game. Yet there were at least two (three?) occassions late where DJ had a mismatch on the perimeter (remember that awful three when he shot it over Vanilla Ice?) that he failed to recognize -- and settled for a 'J' over a drive. MU still had good matchups late but Pitt's look was different -- perhaps the guys on the floor were slow to recognize it.

I agree TC outcoached Dixon, except for the last 5...

2007-01-22T09:08:10.104-06:00

I agree TC outcoached Dixon, except for the last 5 minutes of regulation time. That is about the time MU went to the prevent offense. MU suddenly lost the groove they were in and as a result lost the lead. Hopefully, TC learns a lesson from that.

NY Warrior... I love the blog and read it daily. ...

2007-01-21T23:15:53.281-06:00

NY Warrior...

I love the blog and read it daily. Outside of the 17 assists thing, I love all the content and how quickly you're able to update your game information.

Keep up the good work!

Your posting on Crean and his coaching VERSUS Pitt...

2007-01-21T22:50:41.155-06:00

Your posting on Crean and his coaching VERSUS Pitt going away from Gray speaks volumes of how pathetic and lazy of a broadcaster Billy Packer is. As my previous comments suggested, I despise Packer. He is the anti-Christ of basketball announcers.

Throughout the game, he never gave MU credit for it's D or the fact that Gray couldn't stop the high screen. They (the CBS team) basically relied on Sports Illustrated Big East preview for their knowledge.

I could go on and on about that game. Heaven help me get my stereo hooked up through my speakers so I can listen to Homer broadcast games w/the mute button on Packer and company.

God I miss Al doing games for CBS.

ok - - I broke down and just edited the piece. th...

2007-01-21T21:55:11.155-06:00

ok - - I broke down and just edited the piece. thanks for the feedback

fair enough. I should have said 'only mustered an...

2007-01-21T21:03:38.967-06:00

fair enough. I should have said 'only mustered an A/TO ratio of 1:1, far below their NCAA leading average of yada yada yada'

"The normally sure-handed Panthers, who lead the n...

2007-01-21T21:01:59.960-06:00

"The normally sure-handed Panthers, who lead the nation in A/TO ratio, turned the ball over 17 times against MU's pressure and only mustered 17 assists. Pitt was averaging only 11 turnovers per game prior to today's loss."

Only mustered 17 assist?? Notching 17 assists in any college basketball game is a pretty good stat, and 17 assist on 23 made field goals is excellent.

I agree that MU's holding Pitt to a 1.0:1.0 A/TO ratio is exceptional and a big factor in the victory, but let's not slight Pitt's offensive efficiency by criticizing the fact that they only recorded 17 assists.