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4-1-Zoo: Gibbs' Return An All-Around Good Choice

PITTSBURGH —Ashton Gibbs decided to return to Pitt for his senior season on Saturday, firmly cementing Pitt as a national contender again in 2011-12.

Greet that opening sentence with whatever sarcasm you like, but having Gibbs in Pitt's lineup is going to be a benefit for both his development as a player and the Panthers' chances at a Big East title, Final Four appearance and national championship.

Sure, Pitt has had a fair helping of NCAA Tournament disappointments — the most recent of which still leaving a bad taste in the mouths of Panther fans. And Ashton Gibbs hasn't had much of a positive effect on the Panthers' tournament woes, being a starter on teams bounced from the second round of the 'Big Dance' each of the last two seasons.

But Gibbs' decision to stay at Pitt for his senior season means the Panthers will once again possess one of the best shooters in not only the Big East, but also the country. And with a player that is capable of scoring 30 points on any given night, Pitt will once again be a strong contender for a Big East championship and possible Final Four appearance.

With Gibbs in the lineup, I imagine this will be the starting five next year:

PG — Travon Woodall
SG — Ashton Gibbs
F — Khem Birch
F — Nasir Robinson
F — Dante Taylor

Without Gibbs, it would be a complete guessing game for the guard spot opposite Woodall. Freshmen are almost always a non-factor for considerable playing time in Jamie Dixon's system — aside from Birch, who looks like the type of play-making freshman we've not seen in Oakland.

So rule out any incoming talent. Of the other guards returning, J.J. Moore or Lamar Patterson would probably be the two options to replace Gibbs, but both have a complete lack of experience with just one season (and few minutes, at that) of experience in the Big East.

The Panthers and Jamie Dixon avoid tough decisions and potential holes in the lineup with Gibbs' return. He will again step in as the primary scorer and take attention away from players like Woodall, Moore and Patterson.

And with that target on his back he can prove his worth to NBA Scouts. Already the Big East's Most Improved Player and a First-Team All Big East selection, Gibbs has very attractive areas to his game.

What he can improve on, though, is his ability to create off the dribble — something he'll have to be good at given his size and how it translates to the NBA — and his defensive play. Gibbs has proven he can use the offseason to become a better player — just look at his 16.8 points per game and 49 percent shooting success from 3-point range last year.

He's got one more chance to make the NBA a reality and in doing so he'll make the 2011-12 Panthers another team full of potential.

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Chris Gates | Area 4-1-Zoo Blog
Twitter.com/Chris_Gates
Chris.Gates@cbsradio.com

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