2009-2010 Pittsburgh College Basketball Predictions
2009-2010 Pittsburgh Predictions
2008-09 Record: (31-5, 15-3 Big 10)
Coach: Jamie Dixon (7th year, 162-146 at Pitt)
Assistants: Tom Herrion, Pat Sandle, Brandin Knight
Ret. Starters/Lost: 1/4
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Overview: Pittsburgh won 31 games and went to the Elite Eight, though that seems like a disappointment considering the talent they had. Well, most of that talent is gone as big man DeJuan Blair (15.7ppg, 12.3rpg) and wing Sam Young (19.2ppg) are off to the NBA, while Levance Fields (10.7ppg, 7.5apg) and F Tyrell Biggs 96.4ppg, 4.3rpg) have graduated. Jamie Dixon’s strong recruiting will have to pay off this season, but it’s impossible to replace a leader like Fields or a brute like Blair. Jermaine Dixon (6-3, 195) is the lone returning starter, who averaged 8.4ppg and 2apg, and will have to take on that leadership role. Sophomore Ashton Gibbs (6-2, 190) averaged 4.3ppg in a reserve role and shot 43.9 percent form beyond the arc. Junior Brad Wannamaker (5.8ppg, 6-4, 205) could start or come off the bench. Up front, the Panthers add a top 25 recruit in Dante Taylor (6-9, 235), a McDonald’s All-American, who will have to play right away. Junior Gilbert Brown (6-6, 200), who averaged 5.4ppg off the bench will be part of the rotation. Redshirt freshman Dwight Miller (6-8, 230), freshman Lamar Patterson (6-5, 220) and freshman J.J. Richardson (6-7, 235) will all vie for time in the rotation.
Outlook: Taylor is a big-time talent and will have to be one of the best freshmen in the Big East for the Panthers to have a chance to return to the tournament. They should be more athletic with more height, but you can’t beat experience and basketball IQ that last year’s team had.
This Big East conference prediction is courtesy of the ATS Sports Blog. If you are looking for winning college basketball betting picks be sure to choose ATS Consultants this year, A featured sports handicapping service on Touthouse.com
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