Pitt cracks the top 25 of this preseason poll

Wednesday, 31 October 2012 11:59

Written by Ray Fittipaldo

Pitt is not ranked in the AP top 25 to start the season for only the second time in the past seven years. But the Panthers are ranked according to one popular college basketball web site.

Ken Pomeroy, who runs the site kenpom.com, has Pitt ranked No. 22 in the nation. The Panthers are the fourth Big East team in his top 25 behind No. 7 Syracuse, No. 8 Louisville and No. 17 Notre Dame.

Pomeroy has four Big 10 teams in his top five – Ohio State, Indiana, Michigan State and Wisconsin. They all trail Kentucky of the SEC, which he ranks No. 1. Pomeroy also has Michigan at No. 12. The Wolverines are a possible opponent for Pitt in the preseason N.I.T.

Pomeroy projects Pitt’s offensive efficiency at 15^th in the nation and its defensive efficiency at 42^nd.

Pitt finished 63^rd in Pomeroy’s end of season rankings last year. The Panthers were the 24^th most efficient offensive team in the country and 297^th in defensive efficiency.

No wonder coach Jamie Dixon is stressing defense this season.

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tigerpaul, October 31, 2012 - 03:57 PM

I like how Dixon is setting the tone with defense. I thought the Panthers played solid 'D' against IUP for the most part. The players need to understand that defense comes first, and that they'll only play if they get after it on defense.

We gave up way too many easy hoops last year and had to fight and claw for every point we scored. That's why we went 5-13 in the BE. Better defense (with hopefully more weapons on offense) should result in a better team, but we'll see.

+1