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thewolverines24
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Legends Classic at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn. Tip is at 6 PM Eastern on ESPNU.
Pitt:
They're ranked outside the top 100 on KenPom and WVU blew them out by 25 in their second game of the year. Still, they have some quality transfers and a potential All-ACC big man in John Hugley. Hugley did not play against WVU. He is expected to play tonight.
Pitt finished 195th in the country per KenPom last season, with only the 243rd best offense. They couldn't shoot (46.7 eFG%) and couldn't hold onto the ball (21.2% turnover rate). They were effective crashing the offensive glass and rebounded 30.5% of their misses. They did get to the line 6th most in the country.
Defense finished 147th, but finished 250th or worse in eFG% defense and defensive turnover rate. They got bombed from 3 -- 330th in 3-point defensive volume and 323rd in accuracy.
The problems were obvious last year and head coach Jeff Capel did his best to find fixes in the portal.
The most damning stat through their first two games this season is that Pitt is attempting 28.4% of its shots at the rim (314th) and opponents are attempting 45% at the rim (308th).
There's no glaring mismatch positionally and it will be a good test for Bufkin against a stronger guard in Jamarius Burton. Jett will need to keep tabs on a good shooter in Greg Elliott.
Pitt will give extra possessions and scoring opportunities due to their propensity to turn the ball over. Have to take advantage of those.
Hit the open threes. Pitt gives up a ton of them. Knock them down!
Last, but not least, play through Hunter. This is as simple as it gets. Hugley is a good matchup, but he's returning for the first time after missing six weeks with a knee injury.
KenPom likes a 76-68 win for the Wolverines. Winner advances to the Thursday's title game against either VCU or Arizona State.
GO BLUE!
Pitt:
They're ranked outside the top 100 on KenPom and WVU blew them out by 25 in their second game of the year. Still, they have some quality transfers and a potential All-ACC big man in John Hugley. Hugley did not play against WVU. He is expected to play tonight.
Pitt finished 195th in the country per KenPom last season, with only the 243rd best offense. They couldn't shoot (46.7 eFG%) and couldn't hold onto the ball (21.2% turnover rate). They were effective crashing the offensive glass and rebounded 30.5% of their misses. They did get to the line 6th most in the country.
Defense finished 147th, but finished 250th or worse in eFG% defense and defensive turnover rate. They got bombed from 3 -- 330th in 3-point defensive volume and 323rd in accuracy.
The problems were obvious last year and head coach Jeff Capel did his best to find fixes in the portal.
The most damning stat through their first two games this season is that Pitt is attempting 28.4% of its shots at the rim (314th) and opponents are attempting 45% at the rim (308th).
There's no glaring mismatch positionally and it will be a good test for Bufkin against a stronger guard in Jamarius Burton. Jett will need to keep tabs on a good shooter in Greg Elliott.
Pitt will give extra possessions and scoring opportunities due to their propensity to turn the ball over. Have to take advantage of those.
Hit the open threes. Pitt gives up a ton of them. Knock them down!
Last, but not least, play through Hunter. This is as simple as it gets. Hugley is a good matchup, but he's returning for the first time after missing six weeks with a knee injury.
KenPom likes a 76-68 win for the Wolverines. Winner advances to the Thursday's title game against either VCU or Arizona State.
GO BLUE!
