Getting Defensive
Panthers Aim to Stifle Opponents
By Steve Flinn

Pitt basketball coach Ben Howland has said he "recruits to shoot."

Before arriving at Pitt three years ago, he led a Northern Arizona team that ranked number one in the country in three-point shooting and stood in the top two in field goal shooting percentage from 1994 to 1999.

"I try to recruit good shooters," Howland said. "You don't teach good kids how to shoot a basketball when they are freshmen and sophomores in college."

Yet, after defeating St. John's 77-54 in their Big East Conference opener in early January, Howland's first thoughts about the game were not that the Panthers outscored a good opponent by 23 points, but that his team played really good on defense.

That defense has been key in helping Pitt move close to securing at the very least an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament.

Before the start of this season, it was generally accepted that Howland's coaching philosophy was based on scoring points – lots of them. But his real coaching philosophy has come to the forefront this season.

"A shooting, run-and-gun attack really isn't the case," Howland said. "I believe strongly in being aggressive on the defensive end where we will try to force the action because good offense begins with defense creating opportunities."

Offense still plays an important part in his game plan, but nothing is as important to Howland as solid defense.

"I will tell you this, winning championships is all about defense," Howland said. "The best teams in the country, if you look every year at the Final Four, always play the best defense."

Rebounding is a huge key to defensive success, along with stopping the opponent's three-point shooting attack, holding the opponent's overall shooting percentage down, and forcing turnovers – which ultimately creates opportunities on offense.

The Panthers held 12 of their first 17 opponents below 60 points, including holding seven of those opponents below 22 points at halftime. For their efforts, they earned a top ranking nationally in fewest points allowed per game.

"Holding teams to below 40 percent from the field is something that is pretty consistent among Final Four teams," Howland said. "Having fine athletes, something this program has, will make for good defenders."

One of the best athletes on this year's team, sophomore Julius Page, is also the Panthers' best defender.

"I may have been more flashy as a freshman last year, but I am really concentrating on the fundamentals this season," Page said. "I really focus on playing strong defense every time down the floor and just let my offensive game come to me as a result."

The Panthers also outrebound nearly every team they play, no matter what height advantage their opponents may possess. Pitt has been ranked high nationally in defensive rebounding most of the season.

Redshirt sophomore guard Jaron Brown is generously listed at only 6-foot-4 inches, but pulls down numerous rebounds over much taller defenders and currently leads the team in the rebounding category.

"We have all been crashing the boards this year because we realize the importance of rebounding for our defensive efforts," Brown said. "I just have a knack of being in the right position so the ball seems to find me."

Howland's push for solid defense has rubbed off on the entire squad.

Even point guard Brandin Knight, who is the team's biggest offensive threat, realizes the importance of playing both sides of the floor.

"Of course I want to score, especially from behind the three-point line," Knight said, "but we realize scoring won't mean a whole lot without playing good defense."

Last season, the Panthers finished as the Big East's top defensive team, and have been at or near the top as the top defensive team in the country this season.

"I want our players to play smart because aggressive defense does not mean trying to steal every pass," Howland said. "We want to be known for being tough defensively and making opponents extend their offense."