Inside dominance helps Panthers tame Tigers

Defense and rebounding. That’s what Pitt has built its recent success on, and that’s what… Defense and rebounding. That’s what Pitt has built its recent success on, and that’s what helped the Panthers dispose of their toughest opponent so far this season.

Pitt went inside early and often to take advantage of a smaller, less-physical Memphis team in the Panthers’ 70-51 victory Tuesday night.

Sophomore Chris Taft and senior Chevon Troutman led the way for the Panthers, who held a significant edge in points in the paint and a 51-35 rebounding edge over the Tigers, who typically try to run a fast-break offense, unlike Pitt’s grind-it-out physical style.

Taft finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds while Troutman poured in 12 points. The duo combined for 17 rebounds and numerous second-chance opportunities for the Panthers via offensive rebounds.

“We just pounded the glass,” Taft said after the game.

“We just wanted to come out here and show people that we’re a physical team,” point guard Carl Krauser added.

At the 16:53 mark of the first half, a missed shot by Troutman was tipped up in the air and grabbed by Taft, despite being surrounded by two Tigers. He then went up strong and buried a short jumper while being fouled. He made the free throw to give Pitt an early eight-point lead.

On the Panthers’ next possession, Troutman took an entry pass and drew a foul on Memphis forward Duane Erwin, his second foul in only four minutes of play. The senior hit both his free throws to extend Pitt’s advantage.

Pitt quickly scored again when Krauser found a streaking Taft for a layup. Another Taft score put the Panthers ahead 17-3 and caused Memphis coach John Calipari to become irate with his team and to be tagged with a technical foul.

Troutman, Krauser and Aaron Gray all drew fouls on Erwin in the ensuing minutes, and suddenly one of the Tigers’ leading big men was saddled with four fouls without even 10 minutes having gone by. With Erwin on the bench, the Panthers extended their lead to 29-10 and never looked back, coasting to the 19-point victory.

“They were banging too. That’s why there were a lot fouls on them, too,” head coach Jamie Dixon said in reference to the 17 first-half fouls committed by the Tigers.

Controlling the post play and drawing fouls also helped the Panthers gain a considerable advantage at the free-throw line. Pitt hit 60 percent of its free throws, going 25 for 42 on the night. Krauser himself took 18 free throws, hitting 15 of them throughout the game. The Tigers as a team only attempted 17 free throws.

The lack of a major inside presence hurt the Tigers for most of the night as they allowed the Panthers to control the ball, the clock and, essentially, the game.

“We really emphasized rebounding this week, and I thought we played well against a very good team,” Dixon said.

Pitt’s inside control also frustrated the Tiger offense, limiting the fast-break opportunities they usually thrive on. Tiger guards Rodney Carney and Sean Banks were starting to try to create every shot on their own since their team was having difficulty playing the half-court set against the aggressive Panthers. Banks was seven-for-19 and Carney was four-for-16 in the loss, the tandem combining for only 29 points.

What the Panthers did was force a team that likes to play an up-tempo style to play the slow, half-court game that Pitt loves to play, the game that has propelled them to be a national power.