MrMonkey
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A quality Big East matchup tonight with Pittsburgh playing at Louisville. The Cards won both matchups in 2012. The Panthers are riding a 4 game winning streak as a fav. They playing quality ball at the moment using 10 men for most games. Louisville on the other hand have been beaten 3 straight times as a fav. and are in a team funk.
Pretty much even in stats comparison so no need to go over numbers although Pitt slightly better at putting the ball in the basket. Louisville will of course come at Pitt with constant pressing tactics. Pitt has had problems with pressure getting the ball in the front court but with multiple players being able to handle the ball, no one guy can be defensed.
Pitt has not only T Woodall but also L Patterson and J Robinson who can dish out the assists. The Cards rely heavily on P Siva to distribute the ball and R Smith contributes just as many turnovers as assists. Louisville probably has more players like Smith, Siva, Behanan, Blackshear, and Dieng who can go off for a big point night. Not one of them has done it of late on a consistent level.
Pitt on the other hand has progressed nicely along this season and has the depth of having players giving coach Dixon a solid effort night-in and night-out. Pitt this year is in the unfamiliar territory of IMO being under the radar of a quality team nationally. It is a confident Panther team and they have more than enough pieces to get it done tonight.
Woodall can match Siva and frosh big man Adams should hold is own against Dieng. Cards center played 39 minutes on Sat and team as a whole could be going through tired period? R Smith now coming off bench. Pitino tinkering with adjustments to get players going.
Of course the crowd could be the deciding factor on Louisville covering the spread. Hopefully Woodall keeps the rest of the team under composure to avoid getting off to a bad start. If so I believe this will be a back and forth game that either team can equally win.
Pretty much even in stats comparison so no need to go over numbers although Pitt slightly better at putting the ball in the basket. Louisville will of course come at Pitt with constant pressing tactics. Pitt has had problems with pressure getting the ball in the front court but with multiple players being able to handle the ball, no one guy can be defensed.
Pitt has not only T Woodall but also L Patterson and J Robinson who can dish out the assists. The Cards rely heavily on P Siva to distribute the ball and R Smith contributes just as many turnovers as assists. Louisville probably has more players like Smith, Siva, Behanan, Blackshear, and Dieng who can go off for a big point night. Not one of them has done it of late on a consistent level.
Pitt on the other hand has progressed nicely along this season and has the depth of having players giving coach Dixon a solid effort night-in and night-out. Pitt this year is in the unfamiliar territory of IMO being under the radar of a quality team nationally. It is a confident Panther team and they have more than enough pieces to get it done tonight.
Woodall can match Siva and frosh big man Adams should hold is own against Dieng. Cards center played 39 minutes on Sat and team as a whole could be going through tired period? R Smith now coming off bench. Pitino tinkering with adjustments to get players going.
Of course the crowd could be the deciding factor on Louisville covering the spread. Hopefully Woodall keeps the rest of the team under composure to avoid getting off to a bad start. If so I believe this will be a back and forth game that either team can equally win.
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