Published: February 24, 2006 12:12 am         

Dixon gets credit for top 10 team

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.

     

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