While Pitt was completely dominating No. 15 Duke on Sunday to the delight of a large crowd at Petersen Events Center, some Panthers fans had to be asking themselves, ‘Where has this team been all season?’
Pitt earned its first win over a ranked team in impressive fashion 76-62 by absolutely hammering the Blue Devils with a 19-rebound advantage and never allowing Duke to establish anything resembling offense in the paint.
Pitt earned its first win over a ranked team in impressive fashion 76-62 by absolutely hammering the Blue Devils with a 19-rebound advantage and never allowing Duke to establish anything resembling offense in the paint.
The Panthers already were thought to be one of the final major conference teams into the NCAA Tournament, but they couldn’t afford more losses, especially an ugly setback. By the midway point of the second half, that wasn’t a concern. Behind 17 points from Jamel Artis, 14 from senior James Robinson and a strong 11 points and six rebounds off the bench from Sheldon Jeter, Pitt ran away with the kind of easy victory rarely seen against any Duke team.
Pitt had been 0-6 against ranked opponents prior to Sunday, but the Panthers had collected six wins against the RPI top-100 and did not have a bad loss on its resume. Adding a win over Duke should solidify the Panthers as a tournament team, assuming they finish the season strong on the road at Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech.
If Pitt played as well as it did on senior day more often, it might be in the mix near the top of the ACC standings and more concerned with seeding issues than simply making the tournament. Of course, the Panthers don’t get to play every game against a Duke team that played uncharacteristically poor defense and lacks a consistent post presence.
If Pitt played as well as it did on senior day more often, it might be in the mix near the top of the ACC standings and more concerned with seeding issues than simply making the tournament. Of course, the Panthers don’t get to play every game against a Duke team that played uncharacteristically poor defense and lacks a consistent post presence.
At one point late in the game, the Panthers had as many offensive rebounds (16) as Duke had total rebounds. Pitt finished with a ridiculous 39-20 rebounding advantage, highlighting how desperate Duke is to get Amile Jefferson back before tournament time.
The Blue Devils often made it easy on Pitt by settling for the 3-point shot. Duke made 11 of 32 attempts from behind the arc, but made just seven of 16 two-point shots. Marshall Plumlee had a double-double in a win over Florida State on Thursday and disappeared Sunday after getting two fouls in the first half. He finished the game with zero points and two rebounds in 28 minutes.
Duke was left to play a five-guard lineup for long stretches with freshman Brandon Ingram serving as the big man. Four months into his freshman season Duke forward Chase Jeter remains ineffective.
The Blue Devils often made it easy on Pitt by settling for the 3-point shot. Duke made 11 of 32 attempts from behind the arc, but made just seven of 16 two-point shots. Marshall Plumlee had a double-double in a win over Florida State on Thursday and disappeared Sunday after getting two fouls in the first half. He finished the game with zero points and two rebounds in 28 minutes.
Duke was left to play a five-guard lineup for long stretches with freshman Brandon Ingram serving as the big man. Four months into his freshman season Duke forward Chase Jeter remains ineffective.
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