Posted by Jordi

Guest post by Jordi Scrubbings of The Serious Tip

A few notes from Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh:

Considering Pittsburgh was number three in the nation, the Noles played well. That said, they should have won.

My seven take-aways from the game:

1) Please stop the turnovers. 18 more this game. I wonder what the highest wins to turnover ratio is. Has there ever been a team that won it all averaging more than 18 turnovers per game? If not, let’s go down the line. For example, let’s say hypothetically that the average team that at most turns the ball over 18 times a game has at most won 18 games a season. How many less turnovers equal one more average win? Let’s get some analytical folks to research that.

2) Secondary scoring threats – outside of Toney Douglas, everyone else came up short. Combined, the team shot less than 30%. Subtract Douglas’s stats and the team shot 25%. I know Pittsburgh is a good defensive team, but someone else has to make a basket.

3) This kinda goes with number 2, but is there a decent 3-point shooter on the team? Again subtracting Douglas, the Noles went 1 for 8 from beyond the arc. This team seems to lack the Isaiah Swann-like assassin that can hit the clutch three.

4) Credit Leonard Hamilton for recruiting size. Even though Pittsburgh’s Sam Young had 21 points, the Noles size is a great defensive asset. In a conference known for quick skilled guards, it is going to be interesting to see how the Seminole big men (Alabi, Reid, Singleton, etc) match up with some of the more famous bigs in the conference such as Tyler Hansborough.

5) Speaking of Ryan Reid, I love watching his hustle. I also think he is one of the best post players on the team. Unfortunately, his lack of offense frustrates me to no end. If he could shoot 60%, he would be dangerous. 40-something percent on the season and 1 for 5 against Pitt isn’t going to work. And don’t get me started on his 4 turnovers on Sunday.

6) Another guy I have high hopes for is Chris Singleton. That said, when a freshman goes 1 for 9 that should say something. Either he was pressing, or he needs to learn how to pass when he is not making his shot, or the coaches put too much confidence in him against that opponent. There was no reason for him to take that many shots when he wasn’t hitting.

7) Another strategic gripe I have was with the playcalling in the last two minutes. Far too many desperation threes.  The Noles never went for the easy two during the last 1:30, before their long-distance misses turned into Pitt rebounds and Pitt points.

Overall, like I said, I think the Noles could have won on Sunday. They played up to Pittsburgh’s level. The defense was awesome. They held the number 3 team in the nation to 33% shooting. But in order to get over the hump, out of the bubble, and into the NCAA Tournament they need to execute offensively just a little better.

The goal: 22 wins.

Current record: 11-2