On the Hardwood: Five Observations From Jimmy V Classic
What went down at The Garden
Posted on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 9:00 AM1. PITT WON'T MAKE THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
Quicklygone are the days of Levance Fields, Sam Young and DeJuan Blair – and itlooks like it might be a while before they return.
ThePanthers were easily beaten by an undermanned Indiana team, 74-64, on Tuesday night at MSG and don't have the looks of a team that will compete in the top half of the rugged Big East. Other than sharpshooter Ashton Gibbs, who netted 25 against the Hoosiers, Jamie Dixon's team looks like it lacks upper echelon, Big East talent.
2. TOM CREAN'S PERSONALITY
Tom Crean looked like he could sell water to a well when he walked off the floor late Tuesday night at the World's Most Famous Arena. Pumping his fist, shaking hands with Indiana fans, and hugging anyone who would extend their arms, you got the feeling Crean had been waiting for a moment like this since he took over in Bloomington.
The roster still has a ways to go, in terms of its overall talent, but Indiana has a quality guard in Verdell Jones III, as well a trait that is always synonymous with Crean's teams: They play extremely hard.
3. GREG MONROE'S POTENTIAL
There isn't a lot of nastiness in Monroe's diet, but against Butler on Tuesday, it didn't matter. The 6-foot-10 sophomore scored 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the Hoyas' 72-65 win over the Bulldogs, dominating the way most thought he would when he arrived on campus a year ago.
Skilled and precise, Monroe showed flashes of what he can do, but he still needs to be more consistent if JT3's team is to be a player in the Big East.
4. JASON CLARK'S ABILITY
I know he only scored nine points, but I love Clark's ability to get baskets. A lanky athlete with great range, Clark could a sleeper for the Hoyas in hopes to replace the departed Jessie Sapp.
5. GORDON HAYWARD IS A LOTTERY PICK
Hayward missed two timely three-pointers that would have gotten Butler back into the game late in the second half, but he still showed flashes of his overall repertoire.
With great hands and a developing body, NBA scouts all over MSG claimed to love this tougher version of current Indiana Pacer Mike Dunleavy.
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