Dixon gets credit for top 10 team

College

Discussion

February 24, 2006

By DALE GRDNIC The Tribune-Democrat Fri Feb 24, 2006, 12:13 AM EST

PITTSBURGH — When Pitt was knocked out in the opening round of the Big East and NCAA tournaments to cap a dismal season-ending stretch, some wondered if coach Jamie Dixon would be around to complete his current contract.

Now, his supporters are talking contract extension. And why not?

Despite just two seniors – Carl Krauser and John DeGroat – in a 10-man rotation, No. 9 Pitt (20-4, 9-4) has recorded a school-record five straight 20-win seasons, including the past three under Dixon.

“He does a great job of getting people to play their very best,” junior center Aaron Gray said. “One of the reasons that we’re such a good team is that every day in practice is like a game situation. We go at each other very hard in practice, and that prepares us for the games.

“Everything we do, every drill, is competitive. We want to be successful and win at everything we do,” Gray said. “And the way he balances a nine-, 10-man rotation – not a lot of coaches could handle that. But he keeps everyone happy and focused on winning. Obviously, that balance is the key.”

Dixon deserves the credit for molding these Panthers, including mostly young and inexperienced players, into a winning unit. Along with the two seniors, Pitt uses juniors Gray, Antonio Graves and Levon Kendall, sophomores Ronald Ramon and Keith Benjamin, and freshmen Sam Young, Tyrell Biggs and Levance Fields in its 10-man rotation.

And even though they were unranked in the preseason, including being voted seventh by the coaches in the 16-team Big East, the Panthers are in the top 10 in both major rankings.

Dixon is 71-18 (.798) in his third season as the head coach. He is second among active coaches in winning percentage through Wednesday’s games. Gonzaga’s Mark Few (182-40) is first (.820), while North Carolina’s Roy Williams (487-122, .800); Wisconsin’s Bo Ryan (494-147, .771); and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski (746-247, .751) round out the top five.

“We’ve got great kids,” Dixon said, deflecting the credit. “It’s unique, I know, to play 10 guys in the rotation. But I said from the beginning that this would be the best thing for this team, and I think it certainly has come to fruition.”

Dixon deserves credit for recognizing this. And he likely has finally stepped out of the shadow of predecessor and mentor Ben Howland. The former coach guided Pitt to consecutive NCAA Sweet 16 appearances in his final seasons, but Dixon was 31-5, earned Big East coach of the year honors and a third straight Sweet 16 advancement as a rookie head coach.

Despite last year’s disappointing finish, Dixon has the Panthers back on track this season with primarily his own players. Only Krauser played under Howland.

Dixon’s Panthers play defense like those teams – maybe even better one-on-one – but they now are faster, more athletic and better shooters. They can score in transition or nail 3-pointers.

“I told all of those guys that I’m proud of the way that they’re stepping up,”Krauser said. “Heck, I’m proud of my team, period. They’ve really come together this season.”

And Dixon deserves the credit for that.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

College

College basketball in brief
A closer look at Thursday night's men's and women's college basketball games:

February 9, 2012
Penn State men absorb fifth straight loss
Penn State refused to be routed the first time No. 11 Michigan State had a chance to pull away for an easy victory.
The Nittany Lions, though, couldn’t stay consistent enough to keep their comeback hopes alive.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
South Florida rebounds with win over Pitt
South Florida’s Hugh Robertson combined a perfect night offensively with a stellar defensive performance that helped the Bulls rebound from their worst-ever Big East loss.
Robertson had a season-high 18 points and helped USF
(14-10, 7-4) hold Pittsburgh star Ashton Gibbs to a season-low four points in a 63-51 victory over the Panthers on Wednesday night. Augustus Gilchrist added 10 points for the Bulls, who lost by 30 points at Georgetown last weekend.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
Local sports in brief 2-9-2012
February 8, 2012
Michigan board gives go-ahead on Winter Classic
The University of Michigan Board of Regents on Wednesday authorized athletic director Dave Brandon to seek a contract with the NHL that would allow the league to hold next year’s Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium.

February 8, 2012
Pitt-Johnstown wrestlers dominate Seton Hill
Pat Pecora picked up his NCAA Division II record 498th career victory on Tuesday night, but just like almost every other one, he saw some things that his Pitt-Johnstown wrestling team could improve upon.

February 7, 2012
Happy Valley readies itself for a new brand of football under Bill O’Brien
White placards with a set of rules were affixed to the glass doors of the players’ entrance at the Penn State football building about the time Bill O’Brien agreed to become the school’s next football coach.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
Panthers win fourth consecutive game
Pittsburgh senior Ashton Gibbs is a happy man now that his backcourt mate, junior Tray Woodall, is back and healthy in the starting lineup. He’s almost as happy as Woodall, who recovered from a groin/abdominal strain to turn in one of his best performances of the season.

February 5, 2012 1 Photo
Panthers looking to extend winning streak
Even as the losses piled up, Pitt’s men’s basketball coach Jamie Dixon said his players never abandoned hope. That can be tough in the face of an eight-game losing streak stretching from December into January.

February 4, 2012
Nittany Lions drop 4th in a row
Bryce Cartwright has been in and out of Iowa’s starting lineup all season. Now the senior looks like he’s there to stay.
Cartwright, bothered with concussion-like symptoms earlier this season, scored 17 points to lead the Hawkeyes to a 77-64 victory over Penn State on Saturday.

February 4, 2012
More College Headlines

College

Search Results

Discussion

Dixon gets credit for top 10 team

Do you support Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed state budget for fiscal year 2012-13?

Contact Us