2011-12 Pitt Basketball Preview And Season Outlook

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jack_T_Jones]Jack T Jones
Jamie Dixon and his Pittsburgh basketball team experienced an extremely prosperous regular season in 2010-11. Despite playing a difficult Big East schedule the team ended up with a 15-3 record in conference play, which was good enough to give them first place in the league.
Pittsburgh beat UConn handily in the final regular season game, but lost to the Huskies by two points in the Big East tournament. Pitt didn't have much luck in the NCAA tourney either, getting beat in the second round to Butler by a single point. Ironically, those two teams then went on to meet in the national title game, with the Huskies cutting down the nets as national champions.
The 2011-12 edition of the Pitt Panthers will have only two starters returning. It won't be easy to replace the production of Brad Wanamaker, Gilbert Brown, or Gary McGhee, but coach Dixon has started a winning tradition and the program has a history of reloading when losing top players.
Backcourt
When you talk about Pittsburgh's backcourt play you have to start with Asthon Gibbs. Gibbs thought about entering his name in the NBA draft, but withdrew due to the uncertain labor situation. That proved to be a wise decision due to the owners locking out the players.
Last year he averaged 16.8 points per game on 49% 3-point shooting. If he can somehow improve upon those impressive numbers, his draft stock is only going to climb.
Travon Woodall will try to replace Brandon Wanamaker. Woodall is an excellent defender who is going to have to live up to the hype of being an excellent distributor. Woodall probably won't be the same threat to score that Wanamaker was, but if he can get the ball to his team mates they may be able to make up for the difference in scoring.
Also seeing time will be Cameron Wright, Durand Johnson, and John Johnson.
Frontcourt
Pitt's main losses came from the front court that will be devoid of Gilbert Brown and Gary McGhee. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh does get some stable players returning to go in addition to some exciting recruits.
Nasir Robinson will bring his expertise to the floor and will help bring along the newcomers. Last season he averaged just under 10 points and 4.9 rebounds each contest, but he should get more minutes this season.
Khem Birch was a McDonald's All-American and one of the most-wanted big men coming out of high school. Malcolm Gilber was also needed by a good deal of schools due to his rebounding and shot blocking talent.
Giving the Panthers with some additional minutes might be Dante Taylor, JJ Moore, and Talib Zanna.
Each year we offer our [http://www.collegebasketballfreepicks.com/pitt-basketball-preview/]Pittsburgh basketball predictions so you can get yourself ready to beat the [http://www.collegebasketballfreepicks.com/college-basketball-odds/]college basketball odds on their games.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?2011-12-Pitt-Basketball-Preview-And-Season-Outlook&id=6649777] 2011-12 Pitt Basketball Preview And Season Outlook