Offensive Numbers Down in Conference Play for Pittsburgh Forward Talib Zanna

By Paul Seaver
Charles LeClaire-USA Today Sports

Last weekend, Pittsburgh forward Talib Zanna scored 11 points in the Panthers’ 62-52 victory over Cincinnati. That double-digit offensive output however, was the first time that Zanna had scored more than ten points in a game since Jan. 8.

This may come as a surprise statistic for Zanna, especially considering he had scored in double-figures in 11 of the team’s first 16 games this year.

The demise in Zanna’s offensive production over the course of the past six weeks may be accredited to the toughness of the Big East forwards, but ironically enough, despite the decrease in Zanna’s numbers, the Panthers are heading into the weekend having won seven of their past eight games overall.

It is an interesting trend and one that Zanna hopes to snap out of soon. Pittsburgh can obviously be a much more dangerous team with Zanna’s increased production, even despite the off-setting trend that they have had as of late as a team.

As Pittsburgh continues to surge up the national rankings, they have positioned themselves in a unique spot heading into the second half of February. The top of the Big East conference has become quiet the enigma as a number of teams are still vying at the potential of a regular season crown. Pittsburgh in fact, is one of them.

The Panthers will make a Saturday trip to Marquette for a game that holds huge implications atop the conference for each. In addition, Pittsburgh is out to avenge an earlier season loss at home to the Golden Eagles.

It will be interesting to see if Zanna can be productive on the offensive end on Saturday and finish in double-figures offensively for the second consecutive game.

 

Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS

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