Pitt looks for their first ACC road win at Louisville.  The Cardinals undoubtedly will be looking to avenge their upset loss at the Pete earlier this year.

Hail to Pitt!

Michaelangelo holds a degree in Travel Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a former staff writer for InPittsburgh Newsweekly, and currently resides near Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a Pitt fan since 1997 after he witnessed Pitt upset #22 Miami on Thursday night at Pitt Stadium.

122 thoughts on “Pitt Basketball: Pitt at Louisville Open Game Thread”

  4. The three freshmen off to a bad start.

    Did not realize the ville’s only ACC loss was Pitt and they are ranked 23rd.

    Go Pitt!

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      1. It’s too cold to golf, so I’m irritable. I hate travel calls (many on Pitt today) and guys not blocking out.

        They are hanging tough, that I will give them.

        But it’s hard to win in the ACC shooting 2-11 from the floor.

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  7. Three Pitt guys under the basket a one guard for the ville flies in for the offensive rebound and put back –

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  12. how about the UVa – ND game? It started at 1 and ended at 2:46. Just another reason to like Tony Bennett. UVa had 2 turnovers

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  15. As long as Ville does not go zone Pitt has a shot. They’ve outplayed L Ville and lead by 4 33-29 at the half.

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  26. This is the worst I’ve ever seen Pitt big men play. And McGowens is scared to death to shoot the ball. He’d rather turn it over than shoot.

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  28. Hall with negative yards in the first half of the Senior Bowl. Bad weekend for Pitt – wrestling team got pounded by VT last night 27-6

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  31. Not much of anything.

    I hate watching bad basketball – that was a tough watch. Up by 4 at the half with sloppy play – down by 18 with under 3 minutes to go – that’s a 22 point swing.

    In other words, bad basketball.

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    1. X gets triple teamed almost every time he touches the ball AND he still try’s to dribble behind his back – got stolen every time today.

      Bad basketball. There are at least two guys open when you are triple teamed – must have a vision for the court.

      Hard to watch…

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  33. I’ve been here for 15 years and I am still waiting to walk out a victor. I’ve done it in football a couple of times. Bball not once, even when we were #1 we lost. Next year is the year 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

  34. McGowans is clearly hurt. That was more than a black eye he got a few games ago. Many stitches. It doesn’t take much to throw a frosh off his game. Clearly not Pitt’s day, Pitt’s weekend or Pitt’s century! For the first time all season, this team is in serious trouble.

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  35. The guards are afraid to shoot the 3. Passed up good looks to drive into a crowd and get blocked. Brown didn’t show up. The opposition has figured this team out.

    Liked by 1 person

  36. Hall still with no positive yards but he has one tackle on a QB fumble. Lol

    Many ACC teams well represented in this Senior Bowl. Only one Pitt player…

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  37. You guys are a tough crowd. 😊

    I expected Pitt to be 0-7 in conference at this point with our first semi-realistic chance for a win against Clemson on Jan. 29th.

    So we’re way ahead of schedule in my book.

    When we get a half decent big man with some quick hops, then we will be the team making those dishes for all those easy baskets. Right now we have zero easy baskets!

    Remember: “Patience Not Patients…” 😊

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Should have picked up a big through grad transfers – many were available and Pitt has open scholarships. That was a poorly played game vs a team we previously beat.

      No excuses excepted for that bad basketball display. It was borderline “Stallings-esque” embarrassing.

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      2. Erie — wait a minute, this flawed Pitt team led the 23rd ranked team at the half at their place. I didn’t think this game was at all Stallings-esque…

        Me thinks you need a round of golf! But love your passion for Pitt! 👍

        Go Pitt.

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        1. The temperature may top 40 degrees tomorrow – I’ll probably layer up and give golf a shot.

          Worked all morning and was “jacked” up for a good basketball game. I saw the whole 1st half – even though we lead by 4, it was a poorly played half, nonetheless.

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  39. college basketball is at least an eight horse team.. PITT is lacking a couple horses right now. They could use an F’n monster inside right now that can move his feet. Brown might be that guy next year or the year after…. ??

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  44. PITT basketball is the same as the football team. The BB program is not Duke or Kentucky and the football team is not Alabama or the other cheaters. Playing 3 freshmen at PITT is good but only for the future years…. not right now… The freshman players at the other schools have a heavier beard than I do and I’m 39 years old already… << I’m German, not much hair and liking it.

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  45. The hoopies played Lyke Pitt today and got clowned after having a 4 point lead towards the end of the first half.

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  47. Rick, too much snow fell here to get out golfing tomorrow. I’m looking into an indoor place to play with a monitor and simulator. I’m itching to play…

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    1. While I was out west on business last week, I played a little “customer” golf. As you know, I removed my 7 and 9 irons from my bag until Spring to honor the Pitt great #79 Fralic.

      So I came up on a par 3 that was a perfect 7 iron for me – I pulled out my 6 iron and pancaked a smooth swing – the wind knocked it down just right and the shot snuck up to the hole within 18 inches.

      I’ve never had a hole in one, but one of the guys in my foursome was a d-lineman for the Chargers in the mid to late 80’s (Terry Unrein). When I asked Terry if he ever played against Fralic, he said yes, and told me he was a beast among men in the NFL. Off the field, this former NFL player said Fralic was one of the nicest men he ever met.

      Terry was a class act as well.

      Liked by 3 people

      2. so you prefer pancaking a longer iron as opposed to choking up on one and taking a full, natural swing?

        (I really don’t care, in fact I’m glad for you, but just wanted to show off my golf knowledge even though I stink)

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  49. Erie, Bill Fralic was my wife’s “big brother” in high school. She says he is one if the nicest people she has ever met.
    I always heard to go one club stronger and swing smooth…must be true. Haha.

    Liked by 1 person

  50. Good stuff EE! I’ll add that PITT is the proverbial red-headed sports stepchild in the city. I honestly think that PITT needs to keep their relationship with the Steelers on the southside but break away with their own custom fit state of the art football stadium anywhere but Heinz. and I love my seats down on the north shore but… it just ain’t “A” PITT stadium!

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  51. One positive development I noticed over the last couple games is that McGowens no longer appears to be “embellishing” the contact he gets.

    I imagine the coaches told him that that kind of stuff can get him on the wrong side of the refs… This is Pitt, not Duke!

    Go Pitt!

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  52. It’s going to be a dicey spring waiting to see if Capel can land a grad transfer big or get kids to reclassify. Neither are ideal. Maybe Capel again pulls a few rabbits out of his hat.

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  53. Joe must be on the sauce….

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  54. Sticking with the theme of this BB thread.. I wonder what Xavier Johnson runs the 40 in? This young man has some extra gear that doesn’t really translate to a dash in basketball but he seems to me to be quick and very fast. At 6’3″ he could potentially make for a great wide receiver in the NFL? He’s going to be a very good BB player in college but I don’t know how he will transition over to the NBA.

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  55. Switching from the thread for a brief, brief.

    Remember Matt Alaimo, former Pitt verbal TE and teammate of Ken Pickett (I think) or Nick Patti? He is in the transfer portal and transferred from UCLA to Butgers. Things are soooo fluid with these athlete students any more. Of the over 2000 athlete students enrolled in the portal, zero have indicated they are truly transferring for academic reasons. The NCAA used to give them an easy out by having grad transfers do a little extra work to find a grad program that their current school didn’t offer, that their school of transfer into, does. What a mess.

    Plenty of talent to choose from. Plenty of problems too.

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  56. Here are the undecided TEs and OLs on the transfer portal as of 17 hours ago

    Undecided — TE
    Lou Dorsey, Illinois
    Christian Roberson, Mississippi State
    Eli Wolf, Tennessee
    Naseir Upshur, Florida State
    Chris Cunningham, Virginia Tech
    Kyle Penniston, Wisconsin
    Nakia Griffin-Stewart, Rutgers

    Undecided — OL
    Alex Gellerstedt, Penn State
    Zeke Martin, Illinois
    RJ Proctor, Virginia
    Drew Richmond, Tennessee
    Reuben Unije, Illinois
    T.J. McCoy, Florida
    Larry Boyd, Illinois
    Andrew Trainer, Illinois
    Jonah Jackson, Rutgers
    Parker Braun, Georgia Tech

    I don’t know how good (or bad) any of them are

    https://247sports.com/Article/NCAA-transfer-portal-names-players-destinations-127866941/

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  57. Reed put the pov into the transfer portal in 2018 as well, so who knows where it will all end….

    Good luck Mike!!

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  58. Sticking with the FB conversation switch –

    My take on the upcoming draft – Pitt may get shut out – our SR’s may end up as undrafted FA’s, but very few will get drafted, if any.

    My take on the talent left on the roster – D will be strong for the 2-deep and the O will be average for the starters and slightly above average for the back-ups (lacking CFB experience).

    My take on the probability of Pitt winning 10 + games in 2019 – higher than preseason 2016.

    Switching to golf – I have a 1pm tee time – no sun, but the temperature is rising (37 now – 42 projected at tee time).

    MM – do you play golf?

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  59. EE, if you were playing golf in Latrobe you would have to use an orange golf ball and not to expect to get a good roll from the fairways.

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    1. Mark – MD has a few DB’s in the portal, but not much else. Locksley must have been a player favorite when hired.

      Rumor last night was that Pitt had a grad transfer on campus for a visit and that a commitment would follow. Crickets…then again, AD was named the FSS NFL Player of the Year and neither of the Pittsburgh rags nor the Pitt marketing department mentioned a word of it.

      Continuing to reel backwards since 1982…

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  61. A quote from Coach Huggins following the Eers loss to Tenn. made me smile.

    Talking about how his team normally takes pride in playing defense, Coach said:

    “This group’s pretty much made me a liar.”

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  62. Narduzzi seems to have a complete disdain for the transfer portal. Based on recent reporting, he doesn’t seem to think he should spend much time on it, saying that it takes too much time to weed them all out. Isn’t that what a Recruiting Coordinator is supposed to do, especially in January and February? With that attitude, is he really committed to filling the gaps in his lineup for next year?

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  63. Can’t you just “beam-up” players once they’ve entered the transfer portal?

    Where’s Scottie when you need him?

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  64. Narduzzi’s comment to the Trib the other day about the transfer portal “It’s become really a mess. I don’t know if I’d say it’s good, bad; it’s free agency. It just gives kids a way to find a different place if things don’t go perfectly. I really don’t like it at all.”

    This is despite that only one of his players is in the portal … back-up kicker Jake Scanlon. (maybe more important, also the holder. You may remember in the 1st half of the PSU game when Scanlon was out.)

    It is free agency in a sense. The players can now go out and see what offers come their way, and either accept them, or stay … provided of course, the school takes them back.

    I think what will be most interesting is to see how many players return tp their schools, and if many are told to hit the pike. I’m sure it depends on how talented the players are and how badly needed he is needed.

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  65. I do not care if the kids that can contribute to make our FB team better come from a portal, grade school, off the street or alley, etc.

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  66. To me, it represents a second opportunity to recruit players that fill needs that were not addressed in the high school recruiting process. Or to fill gaps caused by players leaving or flunking out. I don’t get it that when Narduzzi has some obvious slots to fill he passes on this opportunity. They have, maybe, 10 assistant coaches to work on this?

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  67. I recall that Narduzzi also once said that if high school commitments don’t sign on the early day in December, then he wonders just how committed they are to Pitt. He has such an arrogant attitude you would think that this is Alabama and the players are lined up to come here. Any wonder the local coaches don’t particularly like him?

    1. I disagree. When a player commits to a school, Pitt or otherwise, he should be expected to sign there come LOI day. If not, why commit in the first place?

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  68. I can see a point from both sides of “The Portal” << is that even possible? Anyways:

    One side, the players side.. Coaching staff changes, promises broken, and a young man being away from home for the first time can really play with the mind. Among other factors. These kids are coddled throughout their lives and reality is still in their distant future. BUT! is sitting out a season for transferring really that harsh of a penalty?

    Second side, the school and head coaching side. There is a verbal agreement between the two parties. That is an education and the players participation with the team they agreed to be a part of for four year. Goes back to.. Do the players commit to the coach or the school? Let’s not forget the education, room and board and many other perks that come with playing in a D-1 football program. Food, money, jobs…. etc

    The third wheel here.. Many forget that scholarships are year to year.. That’s understood by the players ahead of time.. Point here is… Do we know which players in the “portal” are actually there are their own or were nudged there by their coach?

    My summation and take on this all: If a player and coach agree it’s time for a young student athlete to move on then so be. Let the player go and transfer in his best interest with no loss of eligibility. BUT! We also have to remember, all the time and money to recruit the same young man in the first place.There is an actual contract in place.

    This will have to be resolved in the courts eventually and who will benefit the greatest? Probably the sports agents.

    The portal is fine and all.. Just make the transfers sit out a year if there isn’t a justifiable circumstance…. and the rules for justifiable have to be tighten up a good bit! .. . ..ike

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  69. VoR, I agree completely. If HCPN is not aware that Pitt is generally not most 4 and 5* players 1st choice, then he needs a serious reality check. The transfer portal is Pitt’s best chance to get a second bite of the apple and offer the players a chance to play as a Panther who previously snubbed Pitt.

    His attitude is more appropriate if his recruiting class in the top 20 every year, not where he is in the middle or bottom of the pack. His comments are non-sensical.

    How much time does it take to look at the portal for the players that you were previously seriously interested in, and if the are interested in a transfer reach out and ask again if Pitt may be It. Is he too stupid to realize how important Milan and Mack were to his team last year to not appreciate the benefits of transfers to teams like Pitt? WTF

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  70. VoR @ 3:46. I’m thinking you get Narduzzi more than you realize? As I mentioned above… PITT doesn’t have the luxury to be swinging and missing on recruits like Alabama is afforded.. Not to mention Alabama doesn’t have many swings and misses. Years of time and money closes the window for PITT and schools like PITT considering recruits. Who do you think has a tougher time recruiting 5 star football players, PITT or Alabama?

    This is the one part that PITT fans cannot grasp… PITT has much less prestige, less atmosphere and way way way less money to recruit players.. It just don’t come easy for schools like PITT! Narduzzi may very well be arrogant, he does often come off that way but he’s right on this occasion. You either want to play for PITT or I just do not have the time and money to waste on you. < Not a bad mantra when considering the bigger picture.

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  71. Taxing? Narduzzi is the one who allowed Millen and Mack the luxury to play at PITT…. I think he understands more than most give him credit for. It’s his personal opinion. I agree with it.

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  73. Narduzzi fooled around wasting time and money way to long with Sanders, Wade and other WPIAL players, fool me once…. then I recruit Florida players. Camody is another one, cut this kid loose as well… It’s all about the resources.

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  74. ike, my point is that Alabama has its pick of recruits, whereas Pitt is still trying to get a couple of 4 stars each year. Unless you are Alabama, Clemson or some other top programs, if you give a 4 star player an ultimatum that he must sign by a certain date he will say goodbye to you. Saying publicly that it is my way or the highway pushes a kid who is on the fence away. As for transfers, Taxing is right. Pitt should already be familiar with many of the names on the list, and the Sr. transfers can play right away. Pitt would have been screwed without Millen last year.

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  75. I think you guys should look at Coach Duzz’s actions, and always take his comments with a grain of salt.

    Coach Duzz has been very aggressive with bringing in transfers who he thought would help the team. Ask Reed, who is not a fan of transfers…

    Some transfers have helped, some have not. Just like recruiting, in general.

    If Duzz thinks someone will make Pitt a better team, he will do his best to get them here, IMHO…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

  76. as I wrote above …. when a player commits to a school, Pitt or otherwise, he should be expected to sign there come LOI day. If not, why commit in the first place?

    as far as considering transfers from other schools, who’s to say that Pitt is not trying to get anyone? It certainly hasn’t been hesitant to do so in past years.

    I believe you’re missing the point here. In the past, when a player decides to transfer ,,,, he transfers. Now, he can test the waters and see who is after them, and then return to the school if he doesn’t like any of the offers. Many of these guys may not even be serious about transferring unless a certain school comes after them, meaning there is a lot of time and effort being wasted. Not to mention the strain it puts on the relationship between the school and the player of he stays

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    1. Also, an athlete student can use the portal to force a conversation with a head coach about future playing time as in, I will not go through with new school if I get some assurances of playing time. It’s akin to accepting a new job offer and telling your boss. Sometimes boss gives you some assurances of how things will go down if you stay and sometimes they tell you best of luck. Must be prepared for both if you go to the portal.

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  78. On the transfer flip side,
    None of the 4-stars who bolted last year made much of an impact at their step-down schools.
    Lots of ways to interpret that.

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  80. according to Michigan bio, Ulizio started 6 games for UM as a junior but was second unit as a senior. He is 6
    6’5 291lbs and apparently is a grad transfer and can play ASAP

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    1. apparently he is graduating from UM in the spring and will transfer to Pitt. He played HS at West Chester OH, but his parents are from Beaver County

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  83. Played High at Lakota East, in OH. I’m pretty sure Pitt has another player from there, maybe Sibley?

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    1. Actually, looked at Pitt’s roster. The player from Lakota West in West Chester , OH already on the roster is freshman DL Tyler Bentley.

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  84. Sibley is from Akron. MacVittie, Bertke amd Flowers are from north of Cincy but don’t believe they played at Lakota. Looking at current roster, Kyle Nunn and Shane Roy are from Western OH but not sure of the HS

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  85. Pitt recruited him back in 2015 and offered
    He’s a 2 star
    Somehow Harbaugh gave him an offer
    At least he is big and has experience

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  86. Ulizio seems like a good idea for both sides. Didn’t start a lot of games for Mich State so there is a lot of questions about how good he can be. That’s honest enough. Another question, how does this hurt PITT? Millin worked out so you never know unless you try it. Think about it this way…… He’s a free agent trying to prove himself like he’s holding onto his dear NFL aspirations. A little incentive I suppose?

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  87. Hope Michigan has a Trees-Hall-Equivalent where he can lift.
    Doubt Coach-can’t-beat-OSU will allow him to use the football facilities.

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  89. This new guy looks like a Steffano clone…..hope not! If you are going through the portal as a 5th year OL, there is a weakness to your game. I think he is a run blocker and not much of a pass blocker. Just saying.

    He started at Mich for 6 games when they relied more on the run. When they went more pass, he didn’t keep his position. I think there was a worry about him keeping up his weight too. Sick for most of his sophomore year. Also, coach Drevno from mich had something good to say about him in 2017, saying he was physical. After his first start against florida, Ulizio sad “needs to brush up on my pass protection and run blocking”.

    He had offers from Kentucky, Cincinnati, Youngstown State, Akron and Ball State, but chose to commit to Connecticut. He then changed his mind and went to Michigan late.

    There you have it.

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  90. Pitt might two more grad transfers, both from Rutgers. A tight end and a guard with 16 starts under his belt.

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  91. Not saying Steffano was terrible, but the point again is that if your guys on the team aren’t starting after 3-4 years on the line, you have a recruiting problem. The only time you bring in a transfer is if your current guys aren’t good enough. This wasn’t for depth, but i wish it was. Go offer some 2020 OL and go get Paris Johnson!

    I hope he wins the outland trophy, heisman trophy, and rimington award…..

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  92. nate, if true then the TE is Nakia Griffin-Stewart and the OT is Jonah Jackson. G-S started as RS soph and had 11 catches, but only had 2 catches this past year as a part-timer. Jackson, however, started the last 2 years and made honorable mention B12 this year. I just saw an article that said Jackson was the OL MVP for Rutgers …. damning by faint praise?

    Both were All-Academic B12 which I’m sure why PN is so interested

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  95. Fingers crossed on the new OT.

    And sure hoping we can bring in Devonshire to finish up the freshmen part of the class.

    Seems to be taking a long time for LOI-Day-Part II to get here…

    Go Pitt.

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