323 thoughts on “Louisville at Pitt Basketball Open Game Thread”

  3. They are playing the way they did when they played them even last time until they fell apart. Only now they seem to have confidence they can contend from the beginning.

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  4. Shame on any “fan” who lives within 50 miles of the Pete who is not here. This place would be crazy!

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  8. These kids are fun to watch. Regardless of the purists who expect perfection. Relax and enjoy!

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    1. I mostly agree Wolfe. But our guards make a lot of bad decisions. A lot. And we don’t appear to be interested in rebounding tonight.

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  9. Lots of bad officiating the last couple years. Means lots of unqualified refs. Like this crew. Mystery foul on X among a myriad of bad calls by these jokers.

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  11. The call on X wasn’t a foul. It was a warning for flopping. Next one is a foul.
    Pitt sure looks better when the shots fall. Still just as likely is a 0-16 run.

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    2. Are you watching the game, it was replayed several times, X did nothing, didn’t end up on the floor or touch the l-ville thug at all. Even the normally bias against Pitt announcers had to both agree, it was a BS call.

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  13. I think the X Johnson foul was over-ruled. Announcers said he only has one foul and I know he committed one earlier in the game??

    Guards still making dumb plays while driving to the hoop. Plus that weaving early in PITT possessions are not leaving enough time on the play clock to get off a good shot and not really doing anything but winding the clock down.

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  14. Pitt shooting much better this game. 55% from 3 and outshooting them from FG, 44 to 33 %
    Keep it up boys !!

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  16. psux has another sex scandal brewing – former player left the program under Franklin’s leadership because of some sexual acts performed by teammates. The former player is suing and claiming Jimmy knew.

    The key the nit escape is “former player”.

    From USA Today – University football coach James Franklin allegedly forced former player Isaiah Humphries out of the program after he reported violent, sexual hazing by other members of the team, according to a lawsuit filed Monday.

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  22. Game is there for the taking….but will we ?? They seem to be watching Mac Attack try to do it alone.

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  28. We didn’t take a good shot the last 5 minutes. And I don’t think they let Champagnie touch the ball the last 10 possessions. I don’t think Murphy took a shot either.

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  32. Pitt really struggling to score or even get off a good shot. 4 points in the last 6 minutes. Take a miracle now to win this game.

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  40. You get this same garbage with the refs in college football and the NFL as well. You just can’t create refs out of thin air to satisfy some %, that has to be met now. And that’s the fact, jack !

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  41. When refs become a major part of the game, its a problem. That said, the 30 year plan calls for a complete overhaul of the ACC refs in year 29. Get used to these clowns!

    That said we put up some awful looking shots that had no chance of going in. The best shot in the last few possessions was a shot that wasn’t a shot. It was a slap at a ball that went in miraculously.

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    1. Yeah it was a terrible call but pitt has nobody to blame but themselves for not closing that came out in the end .

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    2. Interesting that we can’t shoot worth a darn — but we go to OT with one of the best teams in the land… 😊

      Go Pitt.

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  42. That was absolutely the worst call I’ve ever seen. Not sure what else to say without really bad words

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  43. Bummer! A win would have been sweet.

    Be nice if officials only called what they actually see. Officials shouldn’t assume stuff…but they do.

    (Coach Capel just said that Louisville is one of the top teams and when Pitt is a better team, they will get the benefit of calls like Louisville did tonight…)

    Go Pitt.

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  44. Regardless of the terrible call by the refs – you can’t beat the #11 team when you only play 7 players for the 2nd game in 3 days.

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  45. The call on Brown was just horrible. Likely cost us the game. That said, I don’t think we took a good shot in the last ten minutes of the game and in 5 minutes of overtime. If you re watch it, on a number of possessions, the only two people to touch the ball were McGowens and Johnson. That’s street ball, not college basketball. When you have more turnovers than assists (which we did tonight, and likely have done multiple times this year), its tough to win. Earlier in the game, we had great ball movement and it wasn’t the “Trey and X Show”. I know that they are young, but it’s really getting tough to watch.

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  46. That Brown basket would have tied the score at 70-70 with 23 seconds left, if Pitt won, would have been the highlight of Terrell Brown’s career at Pitt (so far). Those 2 refs need fired, they also called the mystery foul on X, which effected the game as well. And they missed so many fouls on Mac Attack it wasn’t funny.

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  47. No single basket play costs a team a game. Still, as a coach, I would have got teed up there.
    On days after brutal losses like this i gave the team off from practice, but made them go to a movie or took em out to dinner. I always reminded them that losses, especially brutal ones, taught the best lessons and sure enough something we learned came back to help us later in the season.

    I thought Pitt tried way too Hard in OT. The traveling calls from our two ball hogs were fatal.

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  48. It seems the bench is getting shorter rather than longer as Pitt moves through ACC play. The younger players, except for Champagnie, are not developing. And is it me or is Victory Heights overly focused on administrative stuff such as medical facilities and compliance, rather than sports facilities like bigger venues and an outside track? Typical Pitt that goes administrative rather than giving the athletes what they need.

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  49. Capel III was smart by not getting teed up because we still had a chance. Once the last terrible shot was attempted and missed, i would have gotten teed up for sure. End game would still be the same. Teed up and early exit.

    It is true that the better, more aggressive team tends to get the calls, more often than not.

    Speaking of VH, there had to be at least 4 people in attendance.

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  50. I still enjoyed the game and it was much more than I expected.

    Agree with many of your comments.

    I am biased but we sure got the short end of the calls all night.

    Amazing that we can be this competitive with absolutely no inside game.

    The team plays really great defense with the exception of allowing far too many wide open threes.
    Louisville doesn’t miss many.

    The team is better when they spread the offense around. They needed to include Champ and Toney in the offense down the stretch. Even Brown’s medium range jumper is ok and he almost won the game in regulation. Also when Trey and X drive, someone needs to be ready to take a pass, so many missed opportunities. If that outlet is there is make the defender make a decision, but so many times no one is around. I almost wish that Murph would have taken that last long three, could have been a hero and we sure needed one.

    But the fact is that Capel’s men just took Louisville to overtime, which is along way from two years ago. In fact did Jamie ever beat Louisville?

    Champ had another excellent game, two bad they didn’t use his offense down the stretch, they need to work some plays for him. What a rebounder, he has a nose for the ball, and as I said before is a most valuable player. Toney looked pretty good tonight too.

    I just wish someone could light a fire under Brown. If I would have had his height I would have been a legend.
    He needs to get angry and punch someone in the mouth, figuratively of course. I would get Blair and Troutman to take him to the playground and toughen him up. Let him go one on one with those guys all summer.

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    1. Cory Alexander made a good comment about the wide open 3s – too often it was Champ leaving his guy to double in the post. Alexander said “trust the shot blocker, you can’t leave the shooters alone”. It happened quite a few times.

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  51. The bad call at the end hurt, but those are going to happen. The walking TOs in OT and regulation killed us. But this team battled with a far more talented team all night. It’s a loss but damn sure nothing for the fans to hang our heads about.

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  53. I was not at all surprised by the closeness of the game. You ardent fans go from game to game … they stunk on Sunday so they were going to stink on Tuesday, right?

    Once again …. this is a team almost entirely of underclassmen …. (1) they will be inconsistent (2) there is no upperclassman presence that can take charge, and (3) there is no big man that can be relied on in crunch time …. that the guards can feed in the low post.

    Yes it’s frustrating …. but this team was built entirely from scratch a year ago (except for Terrell Brown). Just think about that!

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  54. OT…the Fan morning show hosts discussing the latest psuX hazing story: “if true, Franklin should be fired and the football program shut down for 3 years”- Colin Dunlap.
    More to come I’m sure…

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    1. I dont disagree, but the NCAA no longer has the balls to shut down a program. Especially one as big as that one.

      Nitter spin doctors are surely hard at work already.

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      1. Great job B. It’s knowing when to hold em and knowing when to fold em. But there were others on here saying give the points and walk to the bank to collect. oops.

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  56. I don’t know, psu is making the NCAA look more foolish all the time. According to the accusations it doesn’t seem as if that cult-ure is very repentant?

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  57. Bad call or not we played a great game but still made a lot of mistakes, especially in the OT. X and Trey are still playing street ball at times. They look to shoot a bad shot rather than dish to the open man, We had several clean look while they were driving to the basket and just throwing up the ball hoping it would go in. I guess it’s part of the learning process.

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  58. Great News: Jimbo Covert now a Hall of Famer

    Bad News: So is Depeche Mode (actually I don’t have a clue what they sing)

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    1. Depeche Mode is a great group. Their song, “People are people”, could be the anthem for the Pitt POV. Ok, that’s a little strong. Maybe Sade’s (or Timmy Thomas) “Why can’t we live together?”.

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  59. Pitt now has 9 in Canton … tied with Mich. Only USC, ND and OSU have more. And Fitz, Revis and Donald are pretty sure bets IMO

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  62. OT: Back to football folks. It’s being reported V. Carter has entered the transfer portal. I’m sorry to hear that as I liked both V Carter and V Davis but IMO both were misused by Whipple last year. Too few passes to those RB’s coming out of the backfield were called.

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  63. On the way home last night, listening to the post game show, I heard how the shooting percentage was great in the first half, went down in the second and down further in the overtime. While a lot of this had to do with Louisville tightening up their defense, it also seemed to me in the second half Pitt was cycling on the perimeter, running clock and not really looking inside for an easy basket. Then with 5-7 seconds they would drive or force up a contested shot. Of course the travelling calls were killers as well. I’ve also noticed that too many steals are not resulting in baskets.

    Pitt always gets fewer easy baskets than it’s opponent, but it really seems that in the second half our guards stopped looking for any of the forwards inside. They also need to trust Champ more, I don’t remember him taking a three in the second half, same with Murph,although he seemed to cool down after a hot first half.

    We know that McGowens and Johnson’s drives are the strength of the offense, but they would be much more effective if they can dump the ball down for an easy basket once in a while. It just seems that none of the forwards are in position to take the pass when it is available.

    The trend line is still up, just not a straight line.

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    1. That’s the problem gc, we all know the strengths of Johnson and McGowens and so do the opposing teams. They know to collapse in the paint and not foul with only seconds remaining on the shot clock. That strategy is getting old and worn out!

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  64. Great news about Covert, always thought Ruben Brown was worthy as well, but not winning a Super Bowl and playing in Buffalo hurt his chances. No doubt Fitz is unanimous choice. Revis should get in. Donald with a few more great seasons. Shady is borderline, kind of faded this year.

    A little surprised by Carter, if Henry Parrish comes he won’t be missed, but his skill set is very similar to Davis, so maybe that is his reason for going. While Pitt has a number of just OK guys, really need a go to guy. I think Whipple’s use of all four guys hurt the development of any single guy, although injury was a factor.
    That and a poor blocking O-line.

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  65. Same Olde ACC
    You boys ready to head back to the Big East?
    I am.
    We all knew this crap would happen
    Pitt and other Northern schools will NEVER get a break in this Southern (Carolina) conference
    You wouldt be treated this bad in Texas thats for sure…unless youre an Aggie. 🙂

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  66. One observation about Trey and X, becoming better point guards is that they both play with their head down.

    Good point guards play with their head up looking to assist first.

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    1. thats like a soccer or hockey player with their head down. they teach you this stuff as a child. who taught these kids basketball. I’ll tell you NOBODY. They are used to selfish street ball. Capel wont be able to correct 19 years of bad habits. No coach can.

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        1. I am trying hard to sit and watch this team…but the constant aggressive pushing the ball deep to the hoop without any thought of looking for the open perimeter shooter drives me nuts..sometimes it works for a score or you draw a foul but a lot of times the X-man (and others)get their ass handed to them and the ball is then going quickly in the other direction…..undisciplined selfish play is what I see…

          Had to laugh at Hamilton getting called for traveling hile standing at the top of the key trying to make a pass with no pressure on him..can’t even keep a foot planted but they travel all the time with that “european” step- which is what I cal traveling but it is no more(I need a BB history/fundemantal lesson)
          Coach dan72..I am trying hard to enjoy this stuff but I haven’t watched BB since Oscar Robertson and John Havelichek played…Maybe it will happen- I did learn to like Canadian FB so it’s not impossible for me….BTW -FWIW they are pretty competitive so far…

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          1. I remember those days … problem was that while Havlicek and the Celtics were always on TV, Oscar and the Royals were not. Much of the time, there was just one NBA game per week on national TV

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  67. I repeat myself here just as X-Man and McGowens do all the time. Their drives to the hoop are like the Christopher Columbus voyage on the Santa Maria. They are not sure where they are going and certainly not sure what to do when they get there. Thus, I dub thy duo as the Santa Maria twins, Nina and Pinta

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  68. Champagnie is getting many rebounds but appears to be slacking on perimeter defense. It appears to be more structural than effort, but the perimeter defense must improve.

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  69. All good comments although the refs don’t discriminate because we are ex-big easters. So was Lewisville. I have one more comment on the game unless someone triggers me for another.

    To me, it seems that Pitt should have at least 1-2 plays per game that are designed and run to make an easy bucket. Obviously, you can’t do that on every possession, but I would have a certain number of “easy” basket plays that you have confidence in working 80% of the time for that one possession that keeps a game close or puts you in the lead (which also keeps the game close).

    Most coaches use them after timeouts so the players can achieve some immediate success. We should be able to pull the ball out when the fastbreak or numbers are against you and start a “play” from scratch. It’s not that they have 20 plays to choose from. Have 1 or 2 go to plays for critical situations and execute. That would make me feel better as an observer that Pitt actually gets it every once in awhile.

    Situational ball…..time place and circumstance is so critical to understanding and thinking through the strategies during a basketball game. Maybe i am just an old timer and expect more, but basic understandings of t,p&c is lacking.

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    1. I am a really old timer on this and also it’s high school but I always programmed the first two plays in each half.

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    2. This is an off year for the ACC in hoops and they want to protect the high ranking teams. Capel even alluded to this fact.

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  70. not surprised by V’lique …. thought he was underused. He ran hard and was one on only two RBs (V Davis) who can hit a home run, so to speak.

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  71. Way OT, but……..Matt Canada is back in Pittsburgh!!! As the Steelers QB coach. Maybe we can pay him after hours to work with Kenny?

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  72. On Canada I was hoping for Pitt to rehire him last year. And after watching Whipple call the plays last season I don’t think I was wrong on that call.

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  73. Irony …. Canada will now be Mason Rudolph’s coach. Also Big Ben’s (probably in title only) … the same position that Whipple occupied 15 years ago

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  74. The biggest lesson for me from this game is that they should take more short jumpers. They are often open when they begin a drive and I saw X, Trey, Toney and Murphy make one. They seem to feel it’s a drive to the basket or a three.

    Good game. Last time they were close until that bad call. This time they held together against a seasoned and talented team. Next year the big boys will come in and present the missing element: rebounding and inside offense

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      1. Hoping it is Brandon George in the middle. The Reynolds injury then subsequent mutual parting was a killer and so Pitt’s luck.

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        1. There is a redshirt soph I think they like to. Can’t remember his name

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          1. ^^ Mike, Wendel Davis and he could be a good one. B George will be good also. Reynolds leaving wasn’t so much mutual.

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            1. Yes that’s him. Wendell Davis

              I’m waiting for Chase Pine to put it all together. I often wonder what he’s got going on in between the ears…

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    2. The Pitt defense the last couple of weeks of the season left a lot to be desired. I’m glad all the big names are coming back but our run defense was very weak the last 4 games and I’m not sure why all of a sudden that was the case absent injuries. I think we are weak at MLB and we also don’t have any “big size” at the DT spots.—And on O we will need a miracle transformation come fall 2020 on the OL for me to have much confidence in not having to watch a repeat of 2019 on that side of the ball.

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  77. Gerry Dulac@gerrydulac
    The decision to hire former Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Canada as QB coach came from Rooney, who said it was important “finding someone who waas the right fit. Mike is comfortable knowing Matt from down the hall.”

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  78. MC isn’t coming back to PITT anytime, like …….. forever. They are looking for stability which is not the likes of “the roamer” The key here is that management needs to have some idea to consider and plan for the future, Canada the coach, does not fit the criteria. Plus Narduzzi holds big-time grudges.

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  79. Hey GC, with this new approach by the NCAA, I’m thinkin’ you and I should apply for another year of eligibility.

    😊

    Go Pitt.

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  80. Wanted to make a comment on officiating in the NCAA D1 Basketball. In general refs over- officiate basketball games, especially on TV in big games. Refs have huge egos. I still haven’t gotten over Pitt’s reach-in foul vs Butler. Never ever have I seen that called at any game HS or college! It was off a missed FT and handed the game to Butler. ACC refs are the worst and there is overwhelming evidence they are biased toward the southern teams. Last nights over the back call was right up
    there with the Butler call. I think we have better refs in HS Basketball in Maryland than they do at college NCAA level. Know why? Because half our refs are women…with no egos!!! And because they’re women, they call they game much cleaner. My 2 cents

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  81. Doesn’t Oh Canada seem like a mighty odd hire by the Steelers for a QB Coach?

    For some reason, I see Canada as more of a big picture offensive guy, while I thought a pro QB Coach would be more focused on the nitty-gritty of footwork and mechanics-type stuff…

    Just seem way odd to me.

    And why in the world didn’t the Terps keep Canada as Head Coach?? Mysterious doings…

    Go Pitt.

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    1. The OLineman’s unfortunate death lead to a house cleaning by the MD administration. Canada was the OC at the time of this happening.

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    1. Thanks JoeL and great video! Gettin me fired up already. Like to show the so called home town boys that left for what they thought were “greener” pastures and what the real “LOYAL” home town players can do. The Notre Dame game looms large!

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  83. Will BigBen be a good student for Oh Canada… that’s the million $ question… I can see all those shovel passes distributed among the offensive weapons… maybe with MC on the sideline JCstays healthy And re-gains the magic of 2016… one can dream…

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    1. My money is “hell no”. He’s known to be resistant to change and his favorite coordinators have been the ones who let him do what he wanted (Arians and Fichtner).

      I will believe that Ben is listening to someone else when I see a dropoff in empty set formations on 1st down in the red zone.

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  84. John, I got a chuckle out of that one. My hand stands are kind of rusty, about 50 years rusty. Plus the male anatomy doesn’t fit with the uneven parallel bars, since the men’s team is long gone. I bleed blue and gold but that only goes so far.

    I am really ecstatic about having Hamlin and Ford together again. Hamlin definitely deserved it after all those injury years.

    Hopefully they are both dedicated to making themselves and the team better.

    Something new for Pitt, we have had mostly good news for a while. Dare we hope for Henry Parrish who looks to be a real difference maker? Or a last minute offensive tackle or stud linebacker?

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  87. LOL John, I think all fans would explode, the yeah-sayers and the naysayers. I’m not sure which corner I’m in right now? Next season will tell the tell I suppose? << Thinking KP knocks our socks off.

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  90. ike —- did you see this tweet from Chris Dokish?

    “13 players from the WPIAL or City League went to the NFL Hall of Fame, and 7 of the 13 went to Pitt. None went to Penn State or West Virginia.”

    Pretty impressive!

    Maybe the locals should take their chances with the Fightin’ Pitt Panthers… 👍

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 6 people

    2. There’s money to be made with this harassment stuff whether whether sexual or hazing..like a cottage industry…geez..I had Jerry S as a coach when I was a 16 year old at FB camp in East Hickory….Hey Huff. how far back does the statute of limitation go…maybe we have ca$e here (kidding) but a.crazy world -ain’t it…….

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  92. You had me worried for awhile Hays. Was asking about you and heard nothing. How have you been?

    Got some inside scoop on Franklin from a very high up at the Dairy High School. He might be in some trouble…..especially after how usc handled their business in the last 24 hours!

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  93. OT – The “way too early” preseason top 5 rankings for ACC FB does not have Pitt in it. UNC, Louisville and W_F made the top 5.

    For the national top 25, no sign of Pitt mentioned – my guess would be 50th.

    Pitt earned this “no mention” by losing 5 games to a rather easy schedule. Only one team ranked and we still lose 5.

    With the D we have coming back, we should win 10+ games. No one but Pitt fans see that right now. Right where we should be for this coming season – if Pitt is to rise above mediocrity this is the pivotal year.

    I guess not having a serviceable offensive tackle on the team right now gives our O a very low mark in the minds of many.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Kinda like 2016 when our offense scored about 40 pts/game, beat PSU and the team that would become National Champs, Clemson…and we won 6-7 games…….

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    4. EE I agree, but the lack of respect( not deserved) makes it harder to have a great season. If you start in the top 25 you just move up win after win.
      Hence the rigged system for the big names.
      go 4 and 0 and start at 23 you are at 16. lose and you are 24
      start 40 go 4 and 0 move to 25 and lose. gone and never seen again
      KMAN

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  94. https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2020/01/15/with-damar-hamlin-back-pitt-has-potential-defensive-juggernaut/

    However, this should make Panther Fans feel really good. Before last year we thought/hoped our defense would be good, then had doubts when Weaver and Camp went down. This year we know they will be good if not great.

    The offense should be better, just based on experience and having the same OC for a second year. Losing Ffrench is the only major loss, but there are guys waiting in the wings. The O-line will have one more year in the weight room and now have played together for a year. Help is on the way at tight end, fingers crossed.
    O-Tackle is the one huge question mark. Running game a second question mark.

    An easier OOC schedule helps to get off to a good start.

    HTP

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    1. All the pieces are there. Will Pitt seize the opportunity … or take this opportunity to show the world they are Same Old Pitt?

      Liked by 1 person

  95. Never saw a kick azz defense without kick azz linebacker(z)…can Pine or any of the youngsters step up?
    Hoping to ask Coach Bates at the LOI his thoughts…he’s a straight shooter.
    Speaking of straight shooter I saw that beside the 4 games Champaigne shot the 3 well he was 1-31 beyond the arc.

    Liked by 1 person

  96. ^ Fran as mentioned above, Michaelangelo suggested Wendel Davis to push Pine. I’m hoping Brandon George works his way into the mix as well. He’s more along the lines of S McKillop and Jerry O.

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  97. FWIW

    1) Poor Saleem … he was never meant to be a MLB but had to play there over half of his career due to injuries and other stuff (like Reynolds leaving). That, plus K Johnson seem to disappear down the stretch after an exemplary 1st half of the season.

    2) I think the defense began to read the press clippings about themselves

    These are my guesses why the defense faltered at the end.

    Nonetheless, in today’s football, offenses seem to rule. It should come to no surprise that LSU was 1st and Clemson 5th in Total Offense (UCF was 2nd). Pitt was 87th … but even worse was 112th in Scoring Offense. (LSU was 1st and Clemson was 3rd … UCF 5th and PSU 15th)

    If Pitt is going to win 9 or 10 next year, it will be the O gthat has to bring it to the next level

    I

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  98. In addition to the D reading their own press clippings, I am guessing that access to more film on the D later in the year gave OCs on opposing teams more insight for game planning. Bates may want to consider some schematic adjustments to keep folks off balance.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. maybe vs VT and BC …. but vs EMU, the DL was just being blown off the line. I don’t know how many times that on 3rd and short, EMU ran a QB sneak and not only gained the necessary one or two yards, but got four or five instead. That is focus!

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      2. imo wwb, those QB runs were more on the linebackers mostly and the offensive scheme. The worst part of that was PITT really never corrected the overplay on defense.

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  99. Just a couple comments.
    1- All the pieces are not there for the football team. We have no running game. Even with a more mature offensive line, I just don’t see a running offense with the backs we have. Other years you could see potential among the underclassmen. (It still pisses me Ollison wasn’t used much his junior year.) Right now we don”t have a division one back in the whole group. The rest of the team is fine. But we still need to recruit better in the future. Boston College and Rutgers will wipe our ass in the next few years. Just think about not getting Jurkovec for openers.

    2- Not happy with PITT’s Basketball coaching. I’m a metro NYC guy and as dumb as I am about BB just by osmosis you learn what good looks like. I just don’t like how Capel has the PITT team playing. Check out Rutgers, Seton Hall and even St. Johns. It reminds me of the guys playing at the Brooklyn, Hansen Place YMCA when I was a kid. I think he feels he has to play a individual game. He doesn’t have the “bigs” he needs right now. Don’t watch them any more.

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  100. OPG, IMO you’re being too negatives especially with Capel. Once again, last year he took over a team that was winless in the ACC, has only one holdover (T Brown) and is completely dependent on underclassmen. I don’t remember an instance where freshmen came in and there wasn’t a small handful of upperclassmen to at least provide some leadership. And it certainly didn’t occur under Dixon.

    I agree that the OL recruiting has to improve .. a no-brainer

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    1. ^^ Problems with the O-Line? This is what happens when you change offensive coordinators every year or so. See Georgia Tech. Schematic changes in philosophy retards growth for a unit such as the blockers and what they were recruited to do, who protect the QB and pave the way for the runners. The very reason I advocate for continuity constantly. << See what I did there? To me, it’s no wonder the offensive suffered as much last year. Let’s hope improvement is on the way next year. Whipple’s face didn’t turn purple because he called the wrong play. The play wasn’t executed the way it was designed.

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  101. O Tackle? Yeah, it’d be great to get a good one, but 1st things 1st. How ’bout an S&C Coach in place before LOI Day. Luv to have one, now that 🎵” the boys are back in town” 🎶.

    That’s your cue, Ike

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  102. RB is shaping up to be the major problem area going into Fall camp. I can see a scenario where the other offensive weaknesses, including OL and TE, can get better, but for RB it looks bleak unless you count on incoming Freshmen to help out, which is not a formula for success.

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  103. Incoming freshman RB’s are exactly the place a talented recruit can play early. I really like the NY recruit coming in early and I like V Davis as well. But i’m not sure either will have a decent OL blocking for them come fall.

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  104. It is certainly not a given that the OL will improve, just hoping that the combination of returning experienced players and the continuity with the returning offensive staff will produce better results.

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  105. PSN reporting the entire Strength and Conditioning staff at Pitt has left the team. Andrews left first followed by 3 others. PSN did not report were the other 3 were going at this time. Whatever I don’t like the sound of this news. It does suggest something is just not right in “river city”. Ike I think its time for you check with your insider contacts at Pitt to get their reactions.

    Like

    2. This was a mutual departure and there could be an exciting name to surface. Stay tuned. We may well could be surprised.

      Like

  107. Congrats to Jimbo Covert making the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

    I had a business trip to Chicago in the spring of 1983 . On my flight to O’Hare Airport, I noticed two guys sitting in front of me who looked like Pitt football players. I was pretty sure the one guy was Tim Lewis and the other big guy I thought might be Covert. The big guy stood up to help someone with their baggage and I noticed that “Jimbo” was scrolled on his leather belt.

    The next week, Jimbo was picked #6 overall in the NFL draft by the Chi Bears. Lewis went #11 to the Packers. Both beating out their bud Danny Boy who went #27 to the Dolphins.

    I guess before the draft, the Bears and Packers wanted to see their picks up close one more time before making the pick.

    Liked by 1 person

  108. Agree let’s see who gets hired. He was by all accounts a great guy but this team was destroyed in the 2nd half of most games, died in the last 3, and certainly never physically dominated any team (most notably Ohio and EMU). So – good guy or not, this team was out of shape and not physically assertive.

    Now, some of that is just plain and simple we have inferior athletes. Look how much Ford sticks out from the crowd and, other than Ffrench, we looked no more strong or athletic than Ohio.

    So I’m all for replacing the S&C guy

    Liked by 3 people

  112. Another comment. Victory Heights doesn’t seem to include an outdoor track. Plus the picture of the indoor track doesn’t appear banked! 300 meters seems OK for indoors. Though I’m having trouble buying into the track people being happy with this arrangement. Give them an outdoor track! We used to send PITT track people to the Olympics.

    Like

    2. Track already runs indoors at Fitzgerald. They didn’t need indoors. They needed outdoors. And a field. Shows me pitt is not serious about track AND field.

      Fact. Runners inside Fitzgerald were colliding with volleyball players and others. Very dangerous. But they still needed outdoors first.

      And they build girls lacrosse a brand new field when they can share with soccer. Ridiculous.

      I don’t give my money to Stupid.

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      1. Great to see at least a couple of people interested in the track team. I didn’t think anyone would respond to my comment. But I’ll repeat what I have been saying for a while. Minor sports are important to both the rep of the University and to the scholar athlete. It was important to me while at PITT. (There was men’s Gymnastics back then.) I think Heather shares the same belief. There must be an innovative (inexpensive) way of adding an outdoor track and field. Be creative. How about as a roof of a building. Extend the track with outwings if necessary. Grass field on top would keep the ecology people happy.

        Seriously what major university doesn’t have an outdoor track?

        I need to vent a personal reason why I am so interested in PITT’s track. As a high school sophomore, my grandson received about 26 letters from colleges interested in him for track. PITT was the 1st letter and in honor of his grandfather he and his dad made a trip out to Pittsburgh for the invited tour. He was treated well and was was impressed with the coaches and the team members.

        Unfortunately, my grandson, died about 11 months later from an aggressive cancer. PITT was the only school he was able to visit. However my feelings for the track team will always be warm.

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        1. I’ll go to bed thinking about this tragic story Old Pitt Grad. I’m an ongoing cancer survive-r and can’t imagine losing a grandchild. My condolences from the bottom of my heart sir.

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  113. Aaron Donald has never needed a strength coach busting his balls and chops to lift weights to achieve where he or anyone else strives to rise to. However, some young athletes do. The most important job of any coach in any field is recognizing who needs pushed and who needs hugged.

    Anyone notice that the PITT football players didn’t have as much of a problem with their footage and slippage this past year? I did, figure that one out guys and gals. << Narduzzi putting the last pieces of the puzzle together. Yes, it’s taken him awhile.

    Liked by 2 people

  114. Big weekend for incoming football recruits this UNC home game. If anyone can skedaddle down to the Pete and make some noise would be great. Scooter signing autographs at Primanti’s for a small fee. (like a drink or two) 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  117. When do we get a D1 hockey team??? just ordered my son a hockey sweater for his birthday ….get the refrigeration system in the Pete or Fitzgerald.. flood the baseball field in winter for outdoor hockey… great college spectator sport… Kick it off next year in conjunction with the “Frozen4” being played in the Burgh… sign me up!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The club jerseys can be bought

      Pitt really should start raising money for men and women’s hockey. They can rent a rink for games until they raise funds for that MPC which hockey will call home

      Did anyone ask heather about that nhl feasibility study that included pitt and four other schools? Why is it feasible at every school but Pitt?

      I’d donate money to start a D1 program. They’d probably get more donors than the ten they got for Victory Heights.

      Like

  118. Biggie, I got Scooter a Pitt club hockey sweater…he wore it to the Louisville hoop game loss.
    I bet I dont see it again. Haha.

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  119. Disappointing loss by the Pitt women’s BB team tonight at Clemson. Ended up losing in OT.

    Pitt played decent for 3 quarters then went ice cold in the 4th Q and in OT. Pitt scored only 5 points in the 4th Q. Ouch.

    Pitt finished the game with three key players having four fouls…

    Here’s a scary stat: Pitt made 22 field goals — and missed a staggering 56 shots. Later in the game, most of Pitt’s shots were coming up short — need more depth (which is on the way…).

    A painful learning experience for the ladies. Hope they can stay positive thru this tough season…

    Go Pitt.

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    1. Sounds like they are much improved from The last couple of years performance. Competitive! They will see themselves getting closer to victory every time they compete in a game. Program is up ticking!

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  120. From the comments by POVers, this Victory Heights plan doesn’t seem very well thought. out. They need to redesign the entire facility group to put in an outside track and prioritize the the other needs. If soccer and lacrosse can share facilities then they should rethink it and free up resources for other needs.

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  121. OT way way way off topic but it seems like Antonio Brown is fixen to box some YouTube knucklehead to make some money they both have squandered away. Just what AB needs, a few more punches to that soft and damaged brain of his. Can’t someone save this nut from himself, not as if I really care?

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  123. So, we have FB recruits coming in this weekend — and just our luck, the weather is going to be crappy with snow and rain…

    But we may get a break because in the preliminary list of visiting recruits on PSN, they all were either local or from the Philly area….

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  124. wish I could recall where I saw it, but the rendition I saw of all the projects going on in Oakland -including Victory Heights- had an outdoor track as one of the highlighted new additions. I will keep looking to find it.

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  125. PSN article with title of “Lyke, Pitt set to Unveil Plans for Victory Heights” had this listed in it’s point by point description of what was to happen….
    ….”New 400-meter outdoor track to be built on the terrace below the Cost Center where the spots dome currently sits.”

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  126. I may be wrong, but I don’t think the outdoor track is part of phase one. That could be one reason it doesn’t show up on the recent renditions released by Pitt. The article where I saw the rendition with the track included was one that showed all of the Oakland upgrades including those by UPMC.

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      1. Thanks Jamers –

        There was no rendering but there was text referencing a 400 meter outdoor track.

        The fact that it was left of this past weeks presentation makes me wonder why…

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  128. Things that got delayed or may never happen are the outdoor track, razing of Fitzgerald, renovations for swimming at trees, demo of cost center and some other minor stuff.

    Their priorities were that 3500 seat venue for 3 programs, the work out building…they have a fancy name for it, the indoor track and band building, the lacrosse field. All these things won’t be ready for another three to four years.

    And they are using debt to finance the projects in hopes that future donations will pay it off. Or it will be a tax on Pitts future…nerdballs words not mine. I just think that’s arse backwards. Donations should always come first. Debt is paid off via revenues.

    I don’t like Pitts priorities. Track deserves an outdoor venue or why even have a program. Swimming is in need of major renovations. Lacrosse doesn’t need a single purpose field.

    25 years after the demo of pitt stadium the leaders at pitt are hypocrites. They said razing pitt stadium would create green space. Now they’re putting a building on it. They said pitt stadium was single purpose. Now they’re building a lacrosse only facility on precious land. They said the stadium was too costly to maintain. Yet 70 year old Fitzgerald and trees aren’t being demolished.

    The administration is worse than a government agency.

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  129. Tx, you didn’t think phase one was going to get done either. Stay patient, Heather is the type of AD that gets things done.

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      1. Victory Heights was estimated at $200 million. Now the price tag is over $250. And there will be cost over runs. And the bill covers half of the original plan. It’s been massively scaled back. Moreover they are debt financing it. Borrowing against future generations. Atom man said it would be a tax on our future. He can go back to government and play with his measuring kits.

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        1. But a $700M on campus stadium? I don’t see why not. Come on Tex, you’re better than this.

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          1. A 700 million facility would house football, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, wrestling, hockey

            And be used to host big time NCAA events. And be used 365 days a year. And be used for more than just sports

            The multiple revenue streams would pay off the debt. Not the students.

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            1. Unless it was a very expensive domed stadium it would be used 6 times a year and a few more times for concerts (maybe, due to parking and Heinz Field being a better alternative.)

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        1. They need a compliance person

          And it’s a step up in overall athletics.

          They would pay her over one million, more than doubling her pay

          She is building her resume for the big ten

          Pitt will thank her by naming the new compliance building after her.

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  130. On Victory Heights – go back to Mike’s previous article & click on “continue reading” & scroll down. (Or click on “comment” & scroll up.) Either way there is a section on athletics including a map with facilities. Fitzgerald is to be eventually torn down & to be used for, at this time, for some future need.

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    1. Eventually may never happen. They need money for the demo and then any new construction. They are way over budget for even the first two phases they are going to take on debt. They are treating this as a government project and not a business. Or maybe they are Rooney like and genius by having future students pay for it. Students are on the hook if Pitt defaults or can’t raise enough donations. Atom counter said that it’s a tax on our future.

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  131. from a non-alum, Pitt POV remains a rough crowd (at least some of you) …

    You ask for a long range plan for Pitt athletics … and you get one but still you moan and groan

    You are concerned about being last in the Director’s Cup … and then obvious progress is made and you still moan and groan

    You replace an delapidated OCS which looked like a war zone underneath the stands and replace with a basketball facility that is admired by all ….and you now play at an NFL stadium that is more accessible to most attendees but you moan and groan

    True story: I was at my relatives in New Jersey this past Thanksgiving and was unable to watch the tourney final when Pitt beat Northwestern by 13 points. So I decided to get an update by viewing the POV on my iPhone, and I laughed out loud when I saw more negative comments than positive (go back and look). Pitt which was the laughingstock of NCAA basketball just 2 years ago just beat a B12 and B10 team to win a tourney …. ands you moan and groan

    Liked by 10 people

    1. I’ve said before, when we win, we were lucky or the other team was crap. When we lose, our coaches suck. It’s not the fans fault for not supporting our teams by showing up or writing a check, It is Heather and all past administrations.

      While there is a grain of truth in all of that, too many seem to be so single minded and locked into their position that they can not enjoy anything positive when it happens.

      Being critical of all things Pitt is more important than finding enjoyment when something actually goes well.

      Like dogging Tyler Boyd by saying he is no Larry Fitzgerald.

      Liked by 6 people

      1. exactly, in the case I listed above (beating Northwestern by 13), the complaint was ‘style points’. It didn’t matter Pitt won by 13, it was that they didn’t look good doing it.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Remember the complaints about Jamie ball being so boring and not making it very far in the dance.

          All he did was win. His style was Big East Centric and didn’t translate because he lacked enough quality players, especially guards. But routinely beating Georgetown, Syracuse, UConn, and Villanova wasn’t enough.

          He did sell out the Pete, and made fans so jaded that they are coming back slowly even though Capel’s men are really fun to watch and root for. Of course Stallings emptied the Pete completely, so not all on Jamie.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. He just lost to the hoopies by over 40 points. He was garbage by the time he left here. The pedos were out recruiting him. I would rather have Stallings than him right now.

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      2. and I’ve said this before…. a couple times. If you don’t like the situation or even a specific person or thing, you just aren’t to Lyke anything they do. Making it hard to see any good or give credit. I’m sure glad that’s not the way I walk around life. I have enough real problems to deal with.

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    2. I’m negatively perceived because I criticize constructively. No media bozo asked why can’t lacrosse just can’t share the field with soccer since land is precious. Why does lacrosse deserve a single purpose field

      Why is track still without outdoors. That should have been top priority and phase one

      Don’t you see the hypocrisy and irony that Pitt is using as justifications this time. I printed out three things that run counter to what pitt said 25 years ago

      Nobody asks tough questions and pitt gets a free pass. I guess I’m the enemy of pitt.

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    3. Nobody complaining asked for a ridiculous thirty year plan. We asked for an immediate plan. Future to me is literally next minute. A five year plan is more than sufficient given rapid changes in technology and climate.

      Pitt swung and missed on this one. I am glad that volleyball gets new digs and athletes get a new work out place. And band gets their place. I see positives. But not for nearly $300 million. I guess that’s what happens when it’s not your money.

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  132. There is going to be some kind of light show at the Pete on Saturday. We have been asked to download an app on our phones to participate. Hopefully it is not some kind of mind-control thing. Unless they are conditioning UNC turn the ball over.

    Also I like the 50/50s that Pitt now does at each game to raise money for the program, a painless way to fund raise.

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          1. Like I’ll remember.

            The rehab is going well. Tougher than I thought it would be. 122 degrees on the range of motion so far.
            Still pretty stiff, but pain is subsiding a little at a time.

            Leaving for a month in Cali, February 3rd. Hoping to play some golf. I think I’ll be able.

            Liked by 2 people

              1. Most of the time I will be in Ventura, farthest North will be Hearst Castle.
                Side trip to Las Vegas and Palm Desert.

                Can’t wait to see the sun again.

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    2. What are the 50/50s? I don’t know anything about this.

      Thinking about walking over to the UNC game (I’m in Shadyside) — is Stubhub still the best secondary place for tix.?

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      1. Are you from Pittsburgh? You bet an amount starting at ten dollars. They give you some numbers. Pitt takes half winner gets half. I think the winner has been getting around nine grand lately.

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          1. however, I think these drawings are … people buys tickets as they come thru the gate ($1ea, 12 for $10, etc) and then at halftime, they draw the winning ticket number. They announce the number ad the person with the wining ticket goes to the designated area for the winnings …. which is half of the amount sold

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        3. At Pitt they have Kiosks and individuals walking around, all computerized, as opposed to high schools which give you the old numbered tickets.

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  133. Off topic but I think this is the last night of Pittsburgh restaurant week. $35 for a fixed pris menu at many fine restaurants. Probably too much on a students budget, unless mom and dad are in town. Anyway, you won’t find this near many college campuses.

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  134. DeJuan Blair was on the Jeff Capel radio show last night. Didn’t get to hear it, but heard some re-play today.

    Great to hear that DeJuan is back on campus and working on getting his degree.

    Coach Capel said he recruited DeJuan when he first got the Oklahoma job… Already had Blake Griffin committed — said if he had Blair and Griffin they would have gotten EVERY rebound…

    The Capel Show had Sam Clancy last week and DeJuan Blair this week. Tough acts to follow…on or off the radio…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  135. Tex — perhaps you have better information than this, from HL’s bio:

    “From 1998 to 2013, Lyke worked at The Ohio State University, where she oversaw 10 of the school’s 36 athletic programs and supervised the Buckeyes’ sport performance division, which included the strength and conditioning coaches, athletic training staff and sports medicine staff.”

    In her 15 years at Ohio State, I’ve seen that she was in charge of compliance the first two years, then became a sports administrator. She had also worked in compliance while at Cincinnati, prior to being hired by Ohio State.

    So seems to me that for over 10 years at Ohio State, her job was not “compliance.”

    As I said, you may know better — I would think working over 10 years as an administrator in the Ohio State athletic department would give one some pretty good all-around experience.

    Go Pitt.

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    1. Good enough to leave EMU a mess. You do know that four programs had to be cut when she left. Four very successful ones. Like the ones that give you points in the directors cup. The incoming AD was completely caught off guard. I guess they also teach you how to bankrupt a spirts department at that great school in Columbus.

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    2. Compliance is an imbedded function within the athletics department and the compliance folks are listed as associate AD’s, Sr Associate AD’s, etc. Funny that the BC athletic directors primary function at osu was scheduling the football games…..scheduling as in what days, not going out and actually contracting with the opponents that urb wanted to play. If you are on the good side of an AD, they can take care of you and that is exactly what has happened with the last two that left to become AD’s. Highly inexperienced. There are people that really know what these folks did and just laugh to themselves as they try so hard to say and do what a real AD does. It just isn’t convincing.

      Think the BC AD has class? Watch the end of the Pitt game again. Watch how he is jumping around like they won the super bowl and he was all excited and went up to the coach with a huge smile….and then realized he had already can addazio and he just didn’t know how to act. Terrible.

      Like

  136. Here’s the latest of Director cup standing nationwide.

    “After the official close of the fall sports seasons with the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Pitt is currently ranked 38th.” HMMM?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s always how you finish Ike. Pitt is helped by soccer. You know the coach that Barnes hired right?

      I expect Pitt to finish about five places from the bottom this year and not dead last. How’s that for improvement.

      And don’t dismiss the standings. Many ADs have the standings built into their comp plans. So it’s important to people who know sports.

      At Pitt, nobody knows sports. And it shows.

      Vinegar instead of Koolaid is always healthier Ike.

      Like

  137. ^^ and that’s without fielding two Olympic sports, men’s water polo and woman’s field hockey. They are already 31.5 pts ahead of last years total pts. ah oh

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ike, I’ll be in for the domer game. I’ll bring the vinegar. You bring the Koolaid. We’ll mix both in the bourbon and enjoy a damn good bourbon sour. 🤠

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I got my tickets Tx, I guess if you can make it to the game I should be able to matriculate down to the north shore. Actually, I was thinking of selling my tickets to a Notre Damer for a profit to help fray the cost but your offer is too temping.

        Like

        1. Oh, I really don’t drink hard liquor, a few light beers for me when the wife and doctors aren’t looking. But I will raise a glass with you if I make it down.

          Like

          1. Sounds good. Looking forward to meeting everyone of different points of view and all the other infamous commenters including those who luv me like Luther and Neil. 🤠

            Liked by 1 person

  141. I have never really paid much attention to this director cup the pts and standings and here’s why. First off, no offense intended to our gun enthusiasts out there but Men’s, women’s, and mixed rifle and Women’s bowling? I’m supposed to be upset when the rifle team and the women’s bowling team loses their match? We will get em next year.

    Liked by 1 person

  142. The Director’s Cup reflects a schools total commitment to athletics and athletes.
    To some fans only football and basketball count, but to an athlete all sports count.
    Glad to see Pitt is finally getting up off the floor. It is about effing time.

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  143. gc, I have the utmost respect for all the student athletes that compete at a college level as PITT or in any division for that matter. I was actually waiting for someone to tell me that PITT does not compete or field all the teams that garner director cup pts. I know it’s important to some but I’m not judging an AD because she didn’t do well in a sport PITT doesn’t sponsor.

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    1. Pitt has 19 programs. That’s average for the ACC. Yet Pitt placed dead last in the ACC. Typically BC and GA Tech are near the conference bottom. Pitt could pick up points if it thought strategically. Add sports that give it a competitive advantage. Like hockey and rowing. Not lacrosse. Pitt will not win an ACC game in lacrosse for at least two years. It’s the toughest conference.

      But it takes money to create new scholarship programs. Pitt added lacrosse but needed to cut tennis to do it. Heather is awful at fundraising. Ike – she got ten donors for Victory Heights. That’s it after all this time. That’s 14 basis points of the fan base. Now pitt has to incur debt to finance the project. A tax on future students. Students are already being taxed $500 per year to subsidize sports. When will enough be enough?

      Yet media doesn’t expose these things. And most fans either don’t care or are just too lazy to do some basic investigative due diligence.

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  144. Tex, you lose all credibility when you make ignorant statements like . . . ” fans don’t care”. For goodness sake release the send button and read/listen to the comments made by the passionate fans on this blog.

    Stop with the criticism of the debt issue. Anyone who has any financial background and a modicum of common sense understands that a construction project of this magnitude requires debt financing. And we can agree to disagree with what many agree is a hair-brained theory that a $700M OCS could be self-financed with mysterious revenues from non-football events.

    Pittsburgh has more than enough facilities ALREADY to attract NCAA Frozen Fours, NCAA basketball, national music acts, Cirque de Solei, etc. How do we know this to be a FACT, all of these events have already been held in Pittsburgh!!! A Pitt facility would be a $700M white elephant that would probably bankrupt the school.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You don’t fund projects without first raising support and getting public and private donations. Pitt is taking on too much debt. And atom man himself said it would be a tax on the future. That’s not smart financing.

      A $300 million project with no positive revenue streams will surely bankrupt the university. You do understand that Olympic sports all lose money?

      A MPC can at least attract NCAA events. NCAA prefers events held on campus. Be used for non entertainment. Be rented out for multiple uses. Competition with PPG and even Heinz is good. That’s capitalism ain’t it?

      And yes I stand by my statement that most pitt fans are just to lazy to question the priorities and overall outcomes of Victory Heights.

      You really think building an indoor track before outdoors is smart? You really think that no renovations to trees is smart? You really think giving girls lacrosse their own single purpose field is smart? You really think taking on massive debt to finance money losing programs is smart?

      I guess you do

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  145. Like I said and again not to be disrespectful but it’s not the barometer for me personally. Although it looks like PITT may be heading towards the middle of the pack this year in the coveted directors cup race. yippee ki yay

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  146. OT, Well so much for the saying, if you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying hard enough. MLB finally gets something right and same for the Astros, Red Sox and Mets.

    My saying is, “if you have to cheat, you just aren’t good enough”. GET BETTER!

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  147. I don’t give a crap about Pitt’s Director’s Cup standing. (Though I have been worried lately about how the Debate Team is doing! 😊)

    Seriously, I think having sports like rowing, wrestling, baseball, and volleyball are nice for the student athletes’ experiences.

    It’s like this for me — I always like to see Pitt win in any endeavor, but if we lose in Football, I’m depressed for about three days; if we lose in Basketball I’m bothered for about 3 hours; if I hear we lost in anything else, I’m troubled for about 3 seconds.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 5 people

  148. John, this isn’t about wrestling, baseball or volleyball. This is about women’s bowling and shooting a gun. Trust me, if PITT would ever win a national championship in any bowling it would make me very happy, I mean happy, I mean kind of glad. At the very least, it would be better than not winning the national championship in women’s bowling. Imagine those valuable director cup points? I’ll bet UNC finishes first every year in women’s bowling as they are probably the only school in the ACC the fields a team? << and they don’t have to go to class!

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    1. Schools that get it, appreciate all sports. And heather does get it. She’s just too incompetent to get er done.

      No student athlete wants to go through their four years on a bad team getting trounced by other ACC schools. Losing sucks.

      We owe it to all sports at pitt to provide them with the support, facilities and appreciation they deserve.

      Having a track team without a track is inexcusable. Playing in 70 year old facilities is inexcusable. So Victory Heights addresses some things but doesn’t go far enough. That’s my beef. Along with poor prioritization and the method of primary financing.

      Pitt is saying to trust us. I don’t trust Pitt. They have a poor track record and aren’t transparent or accountable for their actions.

      I’m no fool.

      Like

  149. I did previously say that I think Pitt should extend Lyke’s contract didn’t I? I kind of like the job she is doing in getting “Team Gallagher” on board.

    Liked by 1 person

  150. I don’t think any of us are fools but clearly have different wants and needs.
    I’m trying a Makers Mark and vinegar tonight…I bet the wife opts for a Kool Aid and vodka.

    Liked by 1 person

  151. Maybe the first priority for construction of Victory Heights venues was tied to fan attendance? And the University wants to maximize the comfort of fans attending those sporting events. Seems wrestling and volleyball would score highly on that scale. I have never been to a track meet and, at my age, it’s safe to say I never will. But I realize that anyone competing in any sport at the college level has pretty much spent most of their lifetime preparing, and I have the utmost respect for them.

    For someone uninformed like me, what track meet events require an outdoor facility? What cannot be held in an indoor track facility?

    Liked by 2 people

  152. PPG Arena is considered to be an on-campus facility for Duquesne, which is why it got the NCAA basketball and hockey playoffs. Pitt would not have any advantage attracting these events over PPG and PPG would have dramatically better geographic attractiveness than anything Pitt built.

    PPG is in the center of a major city, with freeway access from all directions, restaurants and hotels that are many multiples greater than Oakland, walking distance from many world HQs offices. Frankly, there isn’t a single reason I can think of that the NCAA would not favor PPG over any Pitt facility.

    Thus, very little if any revenue generator opportunities. Let’s be honest, Heather is making the smart and correct decision to not include an OCS in any development plan for Pitt. That is heart-breaking to say, because I would love the “concept” of an OCS, but practicality and economic feasibility makes it impossible.

    Liked by 5 people

  153. Read that Henry Parrish may be waiting to see what the Gators do. They have a higher rated GA kid – Jahmyr Gibbs – coming in for an official visit this mth. If he commits, it sounds like the Gators will be full at RB. So, still a chance to land him. No recent news out there indicating his interest in Ole Miss.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Parrish would be a welcome addition but I would still be very (pleasantly) surprised if it happened. Still with the new speedy back from NY coming in, and V Davis, A Davis and Sibley returning, the cupboard is not empty. And I didn’t even mention Carter who was a high 3*. An OL and MLB transfer would be the preferences but only if they can immediately make an impact

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Gibbs had an official visit scheduled for OSU this weekend and osu pulled it. One reason is that they probably 3 over the scholly limit. Might want to keep an eye on the portal…….

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  154. Last I checked, CMU has an outdoor track that looks pretty cool. It’s only 4 miles closer than the PITT football team and students have to travel to games. Why no partnership? Get Tepper involved and bingo.

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  155. I can’t see Victory Heights being located for fan attendance as much as it is property owned by the University. But of course, most of the Olympic sports would be more likely attended by students than by the general population anyway.

    But if there is still any thoughts of Oakland being a good location for the general population, then explain why pro football, baseball and hockey has been played on the north shore for the past 50 or more years with no possibility of moving back to Oakland.

    I think a lot of you just don’t appreciate the fact that Pitt is located in an area that is already packed with businesses, hospital and general population … and does not have the ability that most other colleges do of expanding its campus. You all probably realize it but refuse to accept it

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    1. …. Tex wrote above in reference to the Olympic sports “Yet Pitt placed dead last in the ACC. Typically BC and GA Tech are near the conference bottom”

      Now, I ask all of you … what do these 3 have in common?

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    1. A 4 star recruit out of HS from the state of Maryland who started for Stanford.

      Devery was the LT protecting QB Costello in the Sun of a B Bowl vs Pitt.

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  159. I see we’re favored tomorrow.

    Is there any universe in which Pitt beats North Carolina twice in a basketball season?

    (And let’s not forget that we beat them in football, too. )

    Lots of pressure on Scooter tomorrow… 😊

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  160. I have a song for The Scooter, from the Traveling Wilbury’s. Inside out. sorry, youtube won’t let me post songs anymore.

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    1. Thanks… hope we land him… proven weaknesses are the OL And LBs IMO…. I agree with one commenter – we overpowered no one on our schedule including OHio, Blue Hens and Blue EMUs….and that is scary. Glad we didn’t play NDSU Bison and the NOOCH n da Dukes of JMU…

      Going to kick back at lunch to some homemade pierogies sent to me n JesnieB from a great POYert buddy and watch this PITT- UNC game… would love to see unselfish team play…. nice to see the Heels having this kinda season …”Fire Roy Williams and bring in the laxative Kevin Stallings to flush the program!!!”

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    1. The latter choice of course.

      Pitt may bring in three Stanford grad transfers –

      OT Hamilton from MD
      ILB Pryts from western PA
      WR Stewart from NJ (6’4” 195 lbs)

      The OT is needed badly.

      The ILB is will compete with 3 Pitt roster players in Pine, W.Davis and B.George.

      The WR will add a veteran to a young group who needs to show they can catch a KP pass in 2020. Not much film on Stewart as he was buried on the Stanford depth chart.

      H2P!

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      1. EE:

        I think that we currently have one schollie available (created when V’Lique entered portal). Maybe we have 2. I assume that he’s leaving a spot open for Parrish. Other order of priority in my opinion is OL and then LB. Now I’m sure that there are creative ways to create spots if need be.

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  166. I don’t love taking transfers due to what it could do to team chemistry. But this is the year to plug any holes like oline, middle linebacker, and tight end. We have a “chance” to be very good. Need to address all weaknesses and go all in this year.

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  168. I’m with Kevin. I think Pitt needs to hire someone with prior experience as head of S & C. Good Lord, with all the coaching changes in college and NFL, some one decent should be available.

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    1. Agree – no more assistants for head positions please.

      This is a critical move – please don’t blow this one.

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        1. I like the Phillips over Stachiotti. Nice resume w directorship experience at 2 schools. Master’s degree from Call U of PA, known locally as Harvard on the Mon.

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  169. I’m all for transfers because football is different these days with the portal. Need to land this lineman from Stanford. I forgot about Pryts and he would be a welcomed addition to the linebacking corps to ensure a freshman preserves his redshirt.

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  170. Absolutely Nate, a new day has dawned considering transfers. How many recent National Champions had a transfer contributing and Heisman winners who were transfers? Apparently Narduzzi was way ahead of the game?

    As far as this new strength and conditioning coach goes? Not a big fan of it right now. 2 Things though, he hasn’t been hired yet and we know next to nothing about him. He could be the budding next superstar trainer?? btw, speaking of budding, I haven’t heard anything new on Buddy. I’m not sure if there were any talks?

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    1. I doubt Buddy Morris comes back. He is with the Arizona Cardinals I believe and if I were him I wouldn’t uproot my family to come back to Pittsburgh. Why on earth did Hackett push him out when hired? That was a huge killer to the program as the team became untalented due to admission policies and soft with inept strength coaches.

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        1. Worse was Foge demoting Moore from OC/Line coach to just O-line coach in 1982. That had a dramatic effect. The guy who was the OC in 1982 lasted one year. So after Danny throws 37 TDs in 1981 with Moore calling plays Foge thought it was smart to change it up?

          Moore went back to calling plays in 1983 and Pitt went 8-3-1 with a freshman QB and came within two plays of going 10-2.

          What is worse, that 1982 scenario or Walt going to the no-huddle spread in 2001 and starting 1-5?

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  171. Looks like this is going to become the UNC game thread. That slacker MM…. to steal a line from Major Majors…. Go Pitt!

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    1. No thread needed – we got this – no way we they blow a 14 point lead – could never happen, right?

      Much sarcasm…

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