142 thoughts on “Pitt at Duke Basketball Open Game Thread”

  7. Like the tempo but we need to stop stupid mistakes. When a Dookie gets behind you for a dunk…let him go. Wasted foul.

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    1. Good to see that the announcers are pointing out these “missed calls” (cough) that are getting ridiculous.

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  13. So glad to have Coulibilay in there. He is the most athletic big man they have. He should be in the rotation with Brown and Hamilton. They have different strengths and need that diversity for Carey.

    They have a shot at this if they control transition.

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  16. Controlling transition killing Pitt right now. Duke getting hot from 3. Danger time for Pitt. Maybe the refs will stop giving Duke every single call.

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    1. …right after I win the lotto and land a date with a super model. This ACC garbage, NE getting away with cheating, etc. It’s getting hard to be a sports fan anymore.

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  25. Our defense is just terrible tonight. No rebounding. Missing bunnies left and right. X back to his careless ways. It’s just tough to watch.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. X scores Pitt’s last 4 points of the half, with the floater. Our defense is killing us. Duke might score 100 tonight. Figured we’d get hammered tonight.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Getting crushed in transition…a lot of it on X getting lost on the open floor on D. Nice prayer bucket at the end for X. Needed to say something good about him He has really been consistent as the weak spot on the team.

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  29. I like what Pitt is doing tonite offensively. Lots of energy and movement. Toney playing tough.

    Trey takes shots that are too tough — trouble is he makes some of them.

    Duke has a whole team; Pitt has about half a team.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

  30. By the time we get any good Center’s and PF’s, the guards will have left 😦

    It’s like football, we finally have a good/decent defense and the offense stinks. Such is Pitt major sports.

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  32. Wow this new Dukie, Carey is just an huge dude. 6’10” 270 lbs, he just dwarfs Hamilton. Looks like he could be Lucious Keese’s nephew or something. Almost a double/double in the 1st half 13 & 8.

    Liked by 1 person

  35. I know that Duke can make tams look bad. But this the worst defense we’ve played all year. Also no rebounding. I’m really having a hard time watching this.

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  37. The zone is better to isolate Carey without leaving so many 3s available. Need to drive on Carey for fouls and hopefully survive
    We have two strong rebounding centers coming in next year plus a strong forward. We will then have a full team. We’re now a scrappy 75% who can play over our heads if consistent.

    Liked by 1 person

  41. Afraid to say anything. Pitt 9-0 run. Duke actually looks tired. Maybe Capel had a rope a dope strategy letting em shoot til they got tired !!

    Liked by 1 person

  44. Champ is the real deal. True freshman playing at a high level already in the ACC. He will be an important player in Pitt”s future success.

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  45. Who knew Toney could play this well?

    missing — it’s funny because I usually have a hard time watching us, especially on offense, but tonight, I’m finding them pretty entertaining on that end. Like the aggressiveness…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  54. Pitt is falling apart at the end. Just terrible play on the offensive end. They need 3s yet Pitt drives and throws the ball away.

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  55. Pitt doesn’t score for 5 minutes after cutting it to 3. Toney with a huge game. X simply doesn’t have the skills to play with Duke guards. Not many do

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    1. Mac Attack was much worse tonight. o’fer from the field. X had 9 points, so not great, but not an o’fer.

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  56. Will we be seeing more of Coulibaly now?

    Looks like with some experience he could be decent offensively…

    Go Pitt.

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  58. Good call Dan on the point spread.

    Missed all but the last three minutes.

    Heard enough from the announcers to know that the ACCn folks could learn something from ESPN – it ain’t all about Tobacco Road.

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  59. Mac Attack got knocked to the ground on his drive and yea Coulimumba lost the ball out of bounds AFTER being banged into by their can do no wrong Big Dude Carey. Such is life in Cameron Indoor Outhouse.

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  60. McCowens & X need to do some serious soul searching. McGowens did have a few nice drive and dishes, but otherwise he was awful on the offensive end. Johnson looks overwhelmed. The lack of development is astounding. On the positive side, Coulibaly looks ready for real minutes. I’m sure he’ll have some bad games, but the moment was big and he was ready for it. Champagnie is the real deal and is going to be star in the ACC. Toney is going to end up as a role player in the NBA. He is now the leader of this team.

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  62. Kobe Toney led all scorers and both teams with 27 points. Can’t remember too many games where we had the leading scorer of a game with a Top 5 team like Duke. Tonight’s consolation prize. Small victories, small victories. Toney jumps much higher it seems, being sprout-less.

    Liked by 1 person

  63. Brown and Hamilton each had 9 minutes of playing time. What’s up with that? I don’t understand the strategy Pitt is developing for the second half of the season. Is Capel giving up on these guys?

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  64. My disappointment in Brown is off the charts. What wasted potential. Thr ee years and he hasn’t developed one offensive back to the basket move!

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    1. If nothing else, I at least expected him to get stronger! What is he doing in the off-season?! Should be crushing it in the weight room. That alone would make a huge difference. He gets shoved around like he’s a 10-year-old girl.

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      1. I think Brown has gotten stronger and I don’t question his will it’s just he is what he is. I like him and happy he’s a part of the University of Pittsburgh. Of all the sports growing up there is one I realized, basketball, that needs a special sense, a basketball sense. Football is more instinctual, baseball is more desire and practice, practice practice. Which they are all but it’s just that good or great basketball players have an understanding of the game more than others have, a basketball sense. Being 6′ 10″ is only being 6′ 10″ like this comment, there isn’t a built in sense.

        Liked by 1 person

  65. I think you fellows are way to hard on these kids. There is some really good young talent on this team.
    I remember early this year when some were calling Toney a bum.
    A quality team with high end talent can make decent guys look very bad at times and make the kids revert to bad habits.
    But a really nice surge happened.
    Toney had a career game and Coulibaly showed that he is going to be a player. We all know Champ will be a force.
    I get the frustration with X and Trey, but they will be valuable players when less is needed of them.
    Next year more power arrives. This is going to make a world of difference.
    Capel is building a program.
    Patience is required.

    Liked by 6 people

    2. Let’s hope. It’s been a season and a half for X and McCowens & and I think it’s fair to say that both have shown a serious lack of development and maturity.

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  66. Think back to Chevy Troutman’s freshman year. For most of the season he would catch a pass and immediately look to pass it — not even considering taking a shot or driving to the hoop. I think he averaged two buckets a game.

    Players develop at different rates. You had to be impressed with how athletic Pitt looked tonight — well, except for our normal post players and Murph…

    I agree that Coach Capel has the return of Pitt BB nicely in the works, adding pieces with each class…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  67. OT – RIP Chris Doleman passed away yesterday at age 58. Former Pitt great and NFL HOFer was battling a brain tumor.

    Much too young…

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Wow, how did I not know that Doleman was a Panther? Perhaps because he’s my age and I was in college elsewhere with other priorities at the time. RIP Chris Doleman.

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  68. This Pitt team plays as well as any team in the country that doesn’t have a point guard or a center to put on the court. Actually they are playing remarkably well for not having a decent player for either of those to positions.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. quite a sad situation – needing a point guard AND a true BIG
      thank you a-hole barnes and stallings

      i say 2 years above and of course that depends on getting a quality point guard which we have seen happen with the ability to play immediately,,,a true big man of the caliber we may/will get is likely to take some time to have impact
      still a long way away as ^^^that happening is a lot to expect but with JC very possible

      most disappointing thing I am seeing this year is inconsistent intensity on defense and Trey’s inconsistency overall including forcing things and to’s. he often really turns up the defense after one of his errors(to’s) but would be nice to see the defensive EFFORT all the time(along with the rest of the team) as that is completely under his control

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      1. If you’re talking about Jalen Hood Schfino Jack, he’s coming and he’s great. Family from Penn Hills.

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  69. Not a disappointing loss for me. Did anyone expect us to win this one? We need another solid year or 2 of recruiting to approach the one and done group that Duke has.

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  71. Another POW for Pitt yesterday committed Matt Altsman OG 6′ 1″ 260 from Central Catholic. who runs a 4.9 40. Maybe we have another Aston in the making coming to Pitt. Sure wish we had him around to use on our first down plays from the 1 yard line that we couldn’t score on.

    Liked by 2 people

  72. What a coming out party for Toney. Another offensive weapon is found. He and Champ played all 40 minutes, and were the two leading scorers.

    Duke has too many weapons for Pitt right now. A lottery pick big man that Pitt absolutely has no answer for. Many guys that can make threes. Great ball handlers and solid defense.

    Plus Pitt had two recent games while Duke had none. Tired vs Fresh legs.

    Interesting that Capel chose to go with Coulibaly over his two top big guys for much of the game.

    I’m encouraged by how the pieces continue to come together. Last night could easily have been a blow out.

    One disappointing thing continues to be how often Pitt comes up empty, when it looks like they should score.

    No doubt Trey and X continue to force too many shots, but are getting better at finding the open man.

    I also think last night the announcers helped Pitt’s recruiting by gushing over Capel and what he is building.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I like the fact that Capel is looking ahead and using this year as a player development season. Dixon would never have done that. What not? No way we make the Tournament anyway. Might as well find out who’s going to be good enough to stay moving forward and develop their skill.

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  73. Last year Trey and X had no options but to try to score on their own. They are still adjusting to the fact that they now have options. When you drive into a team like Duke, a lot of bad things can happen. It still must be done because it is one of Pitt’s strengths, just not as often, or without an outlet.

    Liked by 2 people

  74. Just read (Dokish twitter) that Bill Fralic was the 2nd pick and Chris Doleman was the 4th pick in the 1985 NFL Draft. Fralic is a College Football HOFer and Doleman is NFL HOFer. Now they’re both gone.

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  75. The inconsistency of the 2 guards remain a big issue. But so is rebounding, and especially the opponents’ offensive rebounding. If I remember correctly …. Pitt gives us 34% 2nd chance points, which is 338.

    Coulibaly is unpolished and has much to learn but he plays hard and seems to have a feel for the game.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. And how to shoot FT’s. He’s 2-10 so far this season. Those 2 bricks last night were really sad….

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  76. I see good progress in year two of Capel. Still looking for getting over the hump for Narduzzi. He’s stuck on 8 wins and as you know I believe he doesn’t have a high ceiling. Capel can take Pitt to a Final Four. Mark it.

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    1. They will never have homecoming for the ND game. Pitt will fill the stadium for the ND game so there is no need to bring back the alum for that game. They will look for any other game to boost the attendance.

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  81. Well I’m hoping for Notre Dame but it could also be Georgia tech. Typically it’s an October date. But nothing online yet hence I’m askin for insider info. Either way I’m in for the Domers. I hate Celts and Catholics. Therefore I hate myself. I jest of course. Although I do hate domer fans and their subway alum.

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  82. I doubt homecoming would be the ND game as it will be a sellout anyways. The GT game makes more sense but I would rather it be the ND game. jus thinking out-loud. BTW, PITT is going to kick Notre Dame’s ass this year. !!

    Make plans to be at the famous Fran and others tailgate (to many to mention) this coming season and be prepare for a great season. Put me in coach!

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  84. We are going to put you in the press box Ike and let you talk to Whipple on the side line to help with the play calling. I don’t think you would do any worse if you just avoided those dreaded sideline passes Whipple called about 6 plus times a game.

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  85. I’ve been to many a homecoming game. Pitt alums do a poor job showing regardless of opponent. I speak from First hand knowledge and experience over 25 years. Pathetic actually. But I always aim to come back on a day that welcomes me personally. Because I GD deserve it and love to show appreciation of alma mater.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. There is zero pageantry at Pitt home games. Makes recruiting so, so tough.

      Kids on visits place themselves on the field and in front of the crowd and there are mostly yellow seats. Not inspiring. Yet Heather will get a big fish according to some who want Narduzzi fired.

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  86. Sounds like Pitt is in the hunt for a 2020 4 star DB.
    Best part is if they and him, we will have pilfered from VT.
    Lets see what happens next week.

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  90. Forty-eight hours the staff has Battle to woo him to Pitt. Slip him some green bills so it happens.

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  91. Narduzzi’s defense is perfect for recruiting any defensive back that thinks he is NFL bound. Pitt puts a lot of pressure on their corners with single coverage and if you excel at that at Pitt the NFL scouts will be interested. DB’s and Saftey’s that can cover WR’s and TE’s are in high demand at the next level.

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  92. Alex Van Pelt has been hired as OC for the Browns. He has a ton of offensive assistant experience, mostly as a QB coach with 1 year as OC for the Bill in 09. With Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham, Nick Grubb and a couple other talented WRs, the pressure will be on him.

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  93. article in PG today on K’Waun Williams going from undrafted free agent to Super Bowl starter.

    He came to Pitt in 2010 as a 3-star (5.5) probably because he was 5’9, but became a starter a natural frosh.
    He was signed by the Browns in 2014 under the advice of their new DB coach, Jeff Hafley, and by mid-season, he became the nickel back. In 2017, he had a dispute with the Browns who claimed he was healthy and he knew something was wrong. He had an operation, was dropped by the Browns, and now starting for an SB team.

    Shady is on the Chiefs roster but hasn’t been playing lately

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  94. At least two other Pitt backs have Super Bowl rings with San Fran.

    How good are the Chiefs when they have no role for Shady?

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    1. Shady not quite as quick as he used to be.

      Loved watching Shady at Pitt, but what Pitt fan didn’t…

      Go Pitt.

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  95. Agree that Duzz’s D scheme is perfect for any DB who thinks he can get to the next level..it’s all about press coverage..man vs man……Alex Van Pelt look’n “Man vs Food”….

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  96. you want to know why Pitt will never compete with the elites, just look at this ,,, from an article in the Plain Dealer on Ohio St coaching salaries … (no further comment necessary)

    All 10 Buckeye assistants received bonuses based on a percentage of their base salary. Per the contract language, for winning the Big Ten championship (8.5 %), the Big Ten championship game (4.25 %) and reaching the CFP semis (21.25 %), those bonuses totaled $2,913,165 for the 2019 season.

    RYAN DAY, Head coach
    Base salary: $850,000.
    Media obligations and public appearances: $2,390,000 (In future years, split between $2,140,000 payment and $250,000 contribution to OSU retirement plan)
    Nike: $1,250,000
    Coca-Cola: $10,000
    Automobile allowance: $14,000
    Team performance bonuses: $450,000
    • Big Ten East champion: $50,000
    • Big Ten championship game victory: $100,000
    * College Football Playoff semifinal appearance: $250,000
    * Big Ten Coach of the Year: $50,000
    Potential academic bonuses determined by May 30: For cumulative GPA for the fall and spring of 3.0 ($50,000), 3.3 ($100,000) or 3.5 ($150,000).
    TOTAL: $4,964,400 (pending potential GPA bonus)

    A base salary of only $850K but three times that for media obligations and public appearances. $1.25M from Nike

    Liked by 1 person

    1. wwb thanks for the info.. a player can’t accept a suit of clothes from and alum but a coach can get 7 figures from a shoe company..so damn hypocritical…how much is Duzz valued in Nike bucks……how well is Adidas, PUMA or PF Flyer paying…some crazy stuff being given away…wonder how the recipients of Nike bucks are chosen…

      Liked by 1 person

      1. BigB, no doubt that Narduzzi and Capel gets $$ from Nike, but certainly not in the ballpark of what a college elite coach would make. Obviously Nike values OSU’s affiliation much more than Pitt’s .. and why not?

        But the eye opener to me is the $2.4M that the coach makes for media obligations and public appearances ….. this is guaranteed money. Ohio State owns Columbus as well as the entire state, for the most part. So anyone who thinks that a Pitt coach, living in a pro city where the NFL and NHL team is adored and loaded with stars, is making any kind of change in this area has to be fooling himself.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Here’s an underlying point. For those that don’t think Narduzzi will play the very best players to help the team win take another look at wwb’s comment above. So the next time you want to complain that PN is not playing this guy or that player please remember there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. Just another reason why I always will default to the coaches judgement and decisions.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. did you expect otherwise. Actually, by even listing Syr-Pitt, they were only throwing the northerners a bone IMO

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    1. agree. Solid coach with a national title on his resume. Currently has the 15th rated recruiting class (Rivals). But it should be noted …. even as bad as UNC was in FB over the previous few years, their recruiting class never dipped below 30th. AS high as 23rd 3 years ago

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    1. Hey JoeL, I practically lived in the Palace Theater during winter weekends when I was a young kid. We would parlay our money to pay for one ticket and he would go inside and open a side door and let the whole gang in. We would stay the rest of the day. (not my most shining moments) But no Donnie Iris. Here’s a Donnie fix for you.

      Liked by 1 person

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