For my first ever Pitt Panthers basketball credentials, I was given the task of covering the Pitt vs Maryland Eastern Shore game on January 2, 2016. Pitt came into the game riding high on their emotions with a recent most win over Syracuse. The team has gotten off to a 11-1 start this year behind the athletic bigs the team has. To the untrained eye this may look like a blowout on paper, but when the game, or should I say “first half” was all said and done the Pitt Panthers got a little more than they bargained for.
Being from West Virginia, I’ve heard a lot of groans on social media when it came time for me to cover a Pitt game. (Cough, cough, the Backyard Brawl, etc.) Given that the Backyard Brawl is not scheduled to start up until around 2022, the hate and discontent is still fresh in the mind of hardcore WVU fans. To say the least the Pitt facility is stunning. Nestled on a hill surrounded by the college atmosphere you find the Peterson Events Center where the Pitt Panthers conduct their business on game-days. Pitt recruits heavily within Pennsylvania having 7 students on their active roster from the state.
First, lets start with the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks which come out of the MEAC. They came into the game wearing what looked to be the UMass jersey’s of the Marcus Camby days. This team was very, very undersized coming into this game, but they made up for it with their heart, speed, hustle, and athleticism. Coming in with a record of 3-11 they may not look like much. That is until you look at their schedule. Having played Kansas State, Missouri, Georgetown, #1 Michigan St., and #6 Maryland already, they have faced a brutal schedule. With this schedule and being battle tested Pitt would be hard pressed to show them something they have yet to see. “Coach Collins”, during the press conference referred to their schedule as “brutal” and went on to say “we have only played 2 games out of 16 at home”. Coach Collins would go on to say that Pitt was “so long and athletic, and that they gave up too many second chance points” MES had a couple bigs that have the capability to dominate games. Bakari Copeland finished the first half shooting 7-12 with 16 points. Dominique Elliott had 8 points and 5 rebounds. Copeland is a 6’6″ Junior Guard who is athletic, and can score in the paint with ease. Pitt was able to shut him down the second half holding him to 7 points after a 16 point first half. Dominique Elliott would finish with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Elliott is a Senior Forward who was a preseason 1st team All MEAC. Pitt made the adjustments necessary to shut down MES in the 2nd half.
As I stated earlier, I believe Pitt came out underestimating the Hawks athleticism. Sitting at 11-1 and #1 in the ACC the Panthers are primed to make a deep run in the ACC tourney and Big Dance. The players that stood out to me were Sterling Smith, Michael Young, and Jamel Artis. Young, a 6’9″ Junior Forward, has an NBA body and looks ready to play at the next level. Having scored 14 points on the night, Young is a vocal leader on the court. Artis is a 6’7″ Junior Forward who also scored 14 on the night. Pitt as a whole hasn’t shot the three very well this year, but they make up for it with their second chance points, and overall taking care of the ball. Pitt also can score points in bunches, having averaged 72 points per game coming into this game. The score at the half was 39-33 Pitt. MES was outscored in the second half 53-25. When asked about what adjustments were made to gain a comfortable lead and shut down Bakari Copeland Alonzo Nelson-Ododa stated “basically we just put a body on him at all times”. I asked Coach Jamie Dixon what stood out to him on the scouting report about this team. “I think it was the changing defenses. We do not see that a lot.” Also Dixon said the “driving big guys stood out for Maryland Eastern Shore” Pitt would take charge the second half and go on to win the game 92-58. Pitt is now an eye popping 217-32 all time at the Petersen Events Center.
Thank you to everyone involved within the Pitt media relations crew Including Celeste Welsh. I look forward to coming back soon!
Written By: Joshua Petry
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