Did the long layoff hurt Pitt?

Tuesday, 01 January 2013 10:28

Written by Ray Fittipaldo

No Pitt players or coaches pointed to the eight-day layoff over Christmas as a reason for the poor performance against Cincinnati Monday afternoon. But Bearcats guard Cashmere Wright hinted that it was a major reason in the Bearcats’ ability to wear down the Panthers in the second half of Monday’s 70-61 loss at the Petersen Events Center.

“After those long breaks it’s hard to play to your full potential, especially when someone is coming at you for full throttle for 40 minutes,” Wright said afterward.

Pitt played Kennesaw State Dec. 23 and then had three days off before reporting back to campus. The players were to report back to late on Dec. 26, but at least two players had travel problems and could not get back until Dec. 27, when the Panthers began preparations for Cincinnati.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, did not have a break over Christmas. The Bearcats played a home game against New Mexico Dec. 27, and although they lost, the game ensured they wouldn’t be out of game shape for the Dec. 31 Big East opener.

“The whole game plan was to wear them down,” Wright said.

Dixon has allowed players to go home for a few days in previous years. In others, he’s had them stay on campus when games were scheduled before the New Year’s holiday.

In this instance, against a team that thrives on wearing teams down, the long layoff certainly appeared to work against the Panthers.