375 thoughts on “Roundball – Pitt vs Miami open Game thread”

  9. As usual sloppy early but Pitt press is the way to go. Hugely w a nice back to basket move and score that I’ve never seen from Brown.

    Sinande looks like a calming presence … nice 3.

    Thanx to Jackagain for the site.
    I now loathe the ACCN!

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  13. Pitt with 9 fouls and 8 turnovers. Fortunately we’ve been able to stay in the lead with 3 starters on the bench in foul trouble.

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  19. Turned the game on with Pitt winning 25-16

    Horrible display of basketball.

    I did not see one bad call by the refs – must have all happened before I tuned in. Is that how Pitt built a 9 point lead?

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  20. Miami 0 for 8 from the three. 29% shooting overall. 11-20 free throws. And we are only up by 2. Gotta play better in the second half. Because Miami almost has to.

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  21. Question: How do you even up a game, when one team only has 7 players available and the other team has
    12 available players ?

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  22. OT: per PSN – Pitt offensive coordinator Mark Whipple will return for the 2021 season, head coach Pat Narduzzi said on Wednesday

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  28. Any more Miami players hurt and they’ll have to forfeit !

    Pitt using a lot of guys not used to playing together.

    Struggling but up 7.

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    1. Not so long ago Pitt had the shorter roster because of talent.

      Saban never apologizes for excessive depth, so let’s enjoy this advantage while we can. The sloppy play won’t be masked too often in ACC play going forward.

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  38. Having three bigs that can play is going to be huge in ACC play since at least 2 of the 3 are going to get in foul trouble a lot.

    Liked by 1 person

  39. Got to close this out…no more stupid turnovers, stupid fouls…please.

    And make your FT’s.

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  43. Announcers talking incessantly about the rest of the ACC not calling the game in front of them.
    What pompous jerks. Great to see Pitt swishing 3s . 1-0 in the ACC

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  47. Doubt that I will see that game situation again in my lifetime. Interesting to me that if those Miami players were out with Covid protocol issues, the game would have been postponed.

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  48. ACC announcers spent 90% of the game talking about a team, and program that never has accomplished much, if anything. And even though they lost by 15 points, you’d have thought by the announcers they won by 15 points. Additionally by the amount of verbage spent on Miami, they were Duke or UNC or something.

    They waited until 2 minutes left in the game to talk about Pitt for a minute and then the backhanded slap to the face….about Pitt being the worst team in the ACC EVER. And then the laugh from both of them.
    And then back to Miami AGAIN !

    A BIG FU to them !!!

    Liked by 3 people

  49. Still feels nice to beat Miami no matter how beat up they are.
    Finally got to see Hortons stroke, looks pretty good. The young guys contributed tonight,
    Femi and Hugely. Sibande fits right in to.
    Pieces are starting to fall into place. Along way from being good but nice progress.

    Liked by 3 people

  50. so in the past week, Pitt …

    — wins 3 basketball games
    — wins a football game
    — has veteran QB return
    — signs a pretty decent FB class

    Please wear your masks

    Liked by 5 people

  51. Before I forget, I caught the end of an ACC recruiting program just before our basketball game began. They interviewed the Wake Forest coach and noted that he had 11 players sign with NFL teams last year. Didn’t catch the exact words but they made it sound as if his previous team also had a lot of players go pro. Makes me wonder if we are overplaying the correlation between players going into the pros and expectations for an outstanding season.

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    1. The NFL signs tons of Free Agents. It’s another paycheck for many who will never see a Final Roster.

      And many of them are WF scrubs.

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      1. You are correct, AP. I should have checked the draft results. Only 2 WF players were actually drafted. Thanks!

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    2. Fitz, Lee, McCoy, Sheard, K Williams, D Lewis, J Conner, A Donald, T Boyd, B O’Neal, J Whitehead, Maddox, Ollison, D Jackson

      that’s 14 active (maybe more) and the following were signed this summer but have no idea if they are still there

      Maurice Ffrench, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
      Nakia Griffin-Stewart, TE, Minnesota Vikings
      Dewayne Hendrix, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
      J.P. Holtz, TE, Chicago Bears
      Kylan Johnson, LB, Miami Dolphins
      Ryan Lewis, CB, Miami Dolphins

      and of course … Ben DiNucci (I believe is still on Dallaspractice squad

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      2. Ben is now the ball boy. I can’t believe the nepotism that made him a starter. Well, yes I can but it was so blatant and obvious and then ended up biting the cowgirls in the ass. Good for him. And couldn’t have happened to a better team. The Death Star always explodes in the end.

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  52. Great to see Horton find his groove! Good game for Capel to see how the rest of the team reacts in a game situation. Pitt’s starting 5 did not play their best game tonight outside of Horton. Yes Miami was undermanned but it will still appear as an ACC win for Pitt!

    The discussion about Stalling’s last team maybe being the worst ACC team EVER probably is not far off the mark. So glad Capel came to Pitt otherwise it would have taken a decade to get to where we are now. We are starting to develop some depth. We are still very young but you can see the potential of a solid team moving forward.

    Champagnie made a comment after one of the last two games about the current team being more team oriented. Apparently some of the departures from last year’s team were a bit of a disruptive presence.

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    1. While one of Stallings/Barnes teams ‘might’ have been one of the worst ACC teams EVER. And that would be subject to much research and study. The point is….why bring it up ?

      And then to laugh at Pitt, sort of gives it away, wouldn’t you say. Clearly an effort to make fun of Pitt.

      And in very poor taste, would be like talking to an extremely ugly girl with warts and not only bringing up the warts on her face…..but then laughing at them and her.

      So I hope your not trying to justify what these creeps said.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. But that girl wasn’t born with warts. And you forget to mention they were venereal warts. They were a sexually transmitted disease because of her partner. Now that bad partner is gone but you’re still undergoing treatment. She’ll be back to being sexy,desirable and clean very shortly.

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  53. A thought — if those other couple offensive linemen don’t sign with Pitt, keep in mind that some have projected that Dorien Ford (6-4, 300#) may well end up on the Oline instead of at DT…

    Remember Bryce Hargrove came in as a DT and switched over, and we’ve had several others follow that path in the past…

    Go Pitt.

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  54. I had a vision of what Capel is trying to do with this Pitt team tonight. We finally have perimeter shooters.

    Remember when other teams ran a “5 out” offense and rained 3s upon Pitt… think Pacific, Marquette, Vandy, ND, Nova et al. Maybe Pitt can now be “that”team. Pitt was always better inside but it didn’t matter. We always got outscored no matter how valiantly we played.

    In it’s basic form, a “5 out” offense puts 3-4 shooters outside the 3 point line and one big guy under.
    Think Hugely who is a man child inside. If they over guard or double the shooter, you drive inside, if not,
    bury them with threes!

    Wouldn’t it be great to be that team!

    H2P sloppy but good win.

    Liked by 1 person

  55. FWIW, I think Toney is by far the steadiest player on the team … and the most underappreciated. Has he had anything close to a bad game? If memory serves, he was the only one who had a good game vs St Francis

    And he allegedly is the best defender also

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  56. one thing that bugs me and it seems we have been this way for several years is on drives to the hoop where we get fouled, rarely do we MAKE the shot for the old-style 3 point play….always bouncing off or sometimes not even getting close even on soft fouls

    happened a couple times yesterday

    and how about just making the layup rather than MISSING slam opportunities Pitt? again, happens to other teams but OFTEN with us

    Liked by 1 person

  57. Didn’t see the beginning of the game, what was up with all of those fouls?
    Loved the second half, the way they were getting the ball inside and making the easy buckets.
    Also can’t remember a guy getting as hot as Horton. It has certainly been a while.
    Wilson-Frame, maybe but he took so many he was bound to hit a few.
    Also the play of Sibande and Femi was very impressive when Johnson sat, also very encouraging.

    While the Stallings comments were a shot, they were justified. The comment also served to show how far Capel has come in rebuilding from ground zero. Brown is the only guy from that team and his play is far below the ACC line. He can block a shot and make a wide open dunk, but other than that not much.
    Hugely and Coulibaly taking most of his minutes. So much upside with those two.

    Defenses can no longer cheat, they have to cover all five guys and we finally have guys that can defend a little and rebound pretty well. When they start to lower turn overs and make foul shots well…

    Still going to be a tough season but things are looking up.

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    1. I watched the replay this morning on ESPNU and thought most of those foul calls on Pitt were warranted. You would think that by now X would quite his reaching in fouls, or his charging fouls. Abd some of the younger players will have to learn that you play defense with your feet, not with your hands

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      1. Agree, I think having Sibande and Femi take some of his minutes should help. They seemed in good control of themselves and the offense.

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  58. Last nights Box Score is pretty interesting. Collier with 11 minutes, Jeffress with 8. Toney played 38 minutes with the other big 2 on the bench a lot. First year that Capel has had a decent bench, which is only going to get better.

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  59. If I can go back to football for a minute…
    I’m seeing an upside this week to those hideous dirty grey unis.
    As the sports networks repeatedly show highlights of Notre Dame’s season. No one can tell that many of their highlights were against Pitt because of the nondescript unis Pitt wore that day.

    Always looking for the silver lining!

    Dinosaur71

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Hey if we could only predict the games we get blown out in. We could wear the coal miner hideous dirty grey things…..so that nobody would know it was us.

      Great idea dino…..and we could win some loot betting as well !!!

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  61. Glad that KP is coming back but the most frustrating thing in the GT game was him not coming close to hitting the two wide open deep passes. Those deep balls need more air under them so the receiver can go get them.

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    1. You have to wonder … if he bounced back during GT (connects on those passes, etc) does he still decide to come back?

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      1. He comes back. Kenny didn’t get a good draft grade. Narduzzi probably promised him same system with a few wrinkles to showcase him. So familiarity and some upside. Another year to work on flaws in his game and prove it. No brainer decision. Big difference between being drafted and being a free agent.

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        1. Right Tex. I think he still had a decent chance to get drafted late, especially if he performed well at the Senior Bowl, but with a weaker QB class in 2021, I think that he made a very wise choice.

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  64. I have no problem saying Pitt was the worst ACC team ever. They did lose 25 ACC games in a row didn’t they. The closest school was BC and I think they only lost 18. Pitt deserves to be laughed at for hiring Stallings and then eating his massive buyout. Pitt basketball became dumpster fires R Us.

    The fire has been put out but the stench remains. I expect to see significant improvement over last year but pitt is probably another year or two away at getting back to the Pitt we knew under Dixon…annual tourney bids.

    Hopefully Capel will have a better dance record than Jamie. Only one elite 8 in 14 years is pretty bad.

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    1. Jamie’s teams were built for Big East play. His style didn’t translate to the dance where you need stellar guard play and great shooting. Great defense and deliberate offense doesn’t work. You need to be able to score the ball. Jamie had a dearth of future NBA players. He did pretty well with what he had.
      The team that made the eight had Blair and Young, two guys that played in the NBA as role players.

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      1. And Capel still needs his guard and some shooters. Having a true point and above average outside shooters will do this team wonders.

        Dixon’s teams played a very physical game. Very Detroit pistons bad boy like. The game has since evolved from those ugly days. That style has a place on the street or in another sport like football.

        Howlands matra was recruit to shoot.

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        1. that may have been his mantra but he also brought in the likes of Ontario Lett, Chevy Troutman and Jaron Brown … who would mix it up with anyone. Loved those guys

          Liked by 2 people

      2. hmmmm….what about my UVA Cavaliers. We thrive on great defense and deliberate offense. One of the dominate teams in the ACC, year in and year out and won a NC.

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        1. The year you won it all you scored 71 points per game, not that deliberate, and you had stellar guards.

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  65. Just a comment on the recruiting class since I just got to read about all the players.

    It is a very strong class. The DL signed are ridiculous but more importantly I think the players on the O side are really good. OL, TE, RB and WR.

    All of this does not matter if the coaches suck. Super disappointed to hear of Whipple’s return. Experienced QB or not, his scheme and play calling has not produced. He is not putting his skill players in position to succeed and his run game is horrible.

    Narduzzi’s choice, Whipple will be the reason for his firing after next year.

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  66. Whipple owes his continued employment at Pitt to Pickett and should thus he should be sending him some $$$’s each month in an envelope to show his appreation.

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  67. Does this surprise anyone?

    Pitt is so predictable just like their offense.

    Gutless move like a Narduzzi 4th and goal from the one.

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  69. I’m thinking that Capel has only one scholarship to give out in the current recruiting class. Is this correct?

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      2. do these basketball players have the same eligibility exemption that the football players do? If so, my guess is that Nike stays on

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  70. it seems that Pitt football actually has the program that many of us were hoping for. It seems to have a lot of good quality players who like playing for Pitt, and stability among the coaching staff who seem to like being here.

    Now if only they could win a couple more games. BTW, maybe the same could be said for basketball

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pitt needs to break through 8 wins. Even with Kenny coming back, it’s a tough order with this coaching staff.

      Vegas will have Pitts line at 7

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  72. With all these bowl games already cancelled and surely more to follow….lots of Americans will have nothing to do….since they don’t want you to visit with your family and friends over the holidays.

    Heard the Rose Bowl might be moved to a different venue, so then it wouldn’t be the Rose Bowl.
    So they’ll have to come up with a different name for it. CoronaBowl maybe

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  73. So I heard today that RB Malik Newton was offered by Clemson. If true, that’s a pretty nice endorsement.

    BTW, Malik Newton, who certainly does not have the body of a teenager, is listed as 215 pounds.

    One Kilo-Newton is equivalent to 225 pounds-force.

    So, I’m sure that by next season, Malik Newton will be hitting defenders with at least a Kilo-Newton! Sort of…

    I can hear Billy: “Malik ‘Kilo’ Newton is in for the score!”

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

  74. My favorite Newton law compared to running back Newton is “force equals mass times acceleration… The flea not so much mass…He’s more of a Rickochet guy… But usually lands on his ass

    Liked by 2 people

      1. HIs dad was an NFL OL, he is probably been training him the entire time, LOL. The kid will come in with great technique.

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  78. tidy bowl man no problem with moving the rose 🌹 bowl it’s been done before during the big one on Jan 1 1942 it was played in durham nc duke vs oregon at the instance of the Army it was called the rose ball durham

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      1. So only duke and va tech have worse recruiting classes. And tech will be firing their coach most likely.

        Told y’all it was middling relative to the schools that matter.

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          1. Pitt is behind at least three schools in their weak division if you look at percentage of 5.7 plus

            And little separates them from a school like Virginia.

            Only duke and va tech did worse. And va tech will be firing their coach.

            Tech historically recruits between 3.15 and 3.25. This was an aweful year for them and last year they did poorly recruiting.

            I don’t believe in lipstick.

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          2. Tied for 5’th in the ACC. Tied for 3’rd in Coastal. Georgia Tech, Duke & Va. Tech below.

            Unless the VT AD makes a fool of himself, he has already said in the last few days that Fuente is coming back.

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  84. I am flying into Dallas for a hockey tournament this morning if anyone from the Dallas/Plano area wants to get together this weekend. I did fly and also flew to Phoenix 3 weeks ago and Orlando two weeks ago, so I understand any hesitation. Would love to put a face with the bad ideas and awful typing skills. 🙂

    crwhuff@yahoo.com if you want to try and meet.

    Due to covid, game times fluctuate and can be cancelled and rescheduled on short notice, so my schedule isn’t etched in concrete. Let me know!

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    1. If you’re anywhere near Arlington, I’ll make an effort. Mansfield has a nice rink. Off highway 287.

      I avoid Dallas. I’m a Tarrant County boy.

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  85. from the Trib (link below)

    “If you study Pennsylvania over the last 30 years, the numbers continue to decrease,” Franklin said. “We have not offered a large number of players in the state of Pennsylvania over the last five or six years. The number continues to go down. So that makes the guys that we do offer critical that we get. When you don’t get them, it magnifies it. There’s no doubt about it.

    ”I know (assistant head coach, cornerbacks coach and defensive recruiting coordinator) Terry Smith has shown me some very specific articles and studies that have been done in Western Pennsylvania, specifically to the WPIAL.”

    https://triblive.com/sports/penn-states-james-franklin-laments-lack-of-campus-visits-in-state-talent-on-signing-day/

    The fact that Pitt per Rivals outrecruited PSU this year is likely not coincidental. No spring game nor was there a chance for players to come to home games of 107k

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    1. Does seeing 107k people dressed as klansman really impress a city kid?

      And then they do that stupid chant and throw marshmallows.

      Call me unimpressed.

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    2. I think the success of AD had something to do with it and his visibility at the south side facility just named after him

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    1. I assume. I guess he still could have flown to some PA and Maryland HS games, but wouldn’t be able to attend ….. especially in Philly area games where Covid restrictions are even stricter

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    2. I heard a sound-bite on the news where Franklin said not being able to bring recruits to a “white-out” game hurt their recruiting.

      For some reason, I found this statement amusing… 🤔

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. yea, Penn State’s first ‘white-out’ came on Wednesday.

        I might even watch a small part of their game on Saturday to see them playing in the frigid conditions.. Way to go B1G

        Liked by 1 person

  87. I would expect Patti and Beville to leave the program shortly.

    Whipple obviously favored Yellen. That’s not to say Yellen did not outperform them both in practice to earn playing time. Yellen’s playing time would signal they are not in mix for the next guy up and to wait yet another year to get a shot would be disheartening.

    The only deterrent is that KP won’t be the only QB staying another year. There may be nowhere to go with a crowded transfer portal.

    Glad to see 9 players enrolling early. TIme to do real workouts and eat right.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I remember how dejected Davis looked on the sideline after he was yanked after one series against ND.

      I hope Davis stays, but I would understand him moving on. I suspect Pitt will regret him leaving when he does well somewhere else. Just my guess.

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  88. when you think about the fact that Pitt flipped a Utah resident who was a Mormon missionary from Brigham Young, it is quite a feat .. especially since BYU has been ranked the entire year. At least I hope it is

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  90. Who knew that Covid would be good for Pitt recruiting? No on campus visits etc.
    Franklin feeling the same phenomenon as Pitt for years, recruiting area with a dearth of players.
    Great to see that Narduzzi beat PSU and ND for the Wpial’s best this year. Davis the only one that got away and to LSU no less. Let’s see if he gets lost like UPitts favorite Alabama receiver.

    Looking at all of the stories attached to Pitt’s incoming guys is very interesting. You never know who is going to work out but Beatty getting four guys from VA is pretty great stuff. It shows how much is involved in the process. Getting southern kids to come North is no small feat. Our guys learned how to close remotely, amazing stuff.

    Hopefully they can work their magic on a few key portal guys. Not enough has been said about what Turner did for Pitt this year. A top receiver and steady punt returner.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Excellent post, gc.

      IMO, big-time recruits coming to our games really hurts our chances. Especially if they’ve attended a game at ND, Ohio State, or LSU. So, IMHO, the fact that these players didn’t go to games helped us…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  91. Pitt 3.04
    Ga Tech 3.00

    Pitt with about 30 percent rated 5.7 plus

    Tech with nearly 50 percent

    Tell me who had the better class

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      1. EXactly

        For every one of these stud 4 star guys from Pittsburgh, there will be a Curtis bray. Nice guy and good student but played nowhere near his defensive high school player of the year.

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            1. I remember him as a really nice guy. Always polite and respectful. Yes quiet and reserved. Always dressed well. Was a fine representative for Pitt. A model scholar athlete. It’s unfortunate that the hype didn’t translate to the field. Expectations were so high. Gottfried knew how to recruit.

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          2. He was over hyped before that injury though. Rico was by far the better player. I knew them both. When players actually were forced to live on campus in dorms with the rest of us.

            I’m afraid that now students root for the name of the school only. Not for fellow students.

            I know I rooted harder because I knew these guys and others like swervin. I also knew the a holes like grossman and goose.

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            2. Agree on Grossman and Miller. Never had a problem with Goose. He had that NJ/NY attitude, but was funny as anybody I’ve come across- at least that was my experience with him. Miller and Jason Matthews were on my floor in Lothrop. Not much positive I can say about my limited interactions with Miller. Matthews = cool dude. Didn’t mind hanging in the hall drinking a beer with us.

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      1. You need to look at distributions. Averages are a favorite among those who misuse stats. I’ve been advocating distributions for over three years here. I’m consistent in my analytical approach. And the comparison should always be against other coastal schools…your annual competition. It’s a solid middle of the road class with the talent on D. But let’s not over hype it. After six years and this is the best Narduzzi can do? Tells me everything.

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    1. Interesting, third in passing yards, so obvious the lack of a running game was costly, especially in scoring.

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  93. If packed stadiums matter to recruits, why isn’t Narduzzi in favor of tarping

    He has never mentioned the yellow seats or 55 percent of capacity as a recruiting hindrance

    He has never advocated a smaller on campus venue.

    I ask because Unlike a lawyer, I don’t already know the answers

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    1. Duzz shouldn’t complain about anything Tex. Making those big bucks while he can ! He will most likely retire from PITT.

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      1. I’m all for tarping the upper deck. Move fans down and pack them in. Covid is killed come next Fall if everyone gets the cure. Go with signage and sell advertising on those tarps. Sound is also amplified in the lower bowls of stadiums with higher densities. That’s the atom counter in me.

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        1. That’s a hell of a lot of tarps! I could see closing off the upper deck (except for the excellent seats in the front section) but tarping the upper deck would be a huge pain in the butt.

          Go Pitt.

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  95. Any common themes among these schools to pass on a bowl

    I do agree with Pitts decision. No upside and a money loser.

    But vast majority of schools still want to play in one and will. So was it really because Pitts players didn’t.

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  96. Look, we all know that Narduzzi and Company are experts at finding the sleepers. There are probably 5 or 6 Aaron Donalds in this class! 🙂 One thing about football is that there are so many recruits and big rosters that fans forget about the players that never develop or who have reached their peak in high school.

    The transfer portal is a good thing for these players so that they can get on the field at a lower level conference. It actually makes it easier for coaches with a conscience to ease out these types of players knowing that they can play elsewhere.

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  97. so, some of us are championing Pitt’s highest rated Rivals’ class … but Tex points out average star is more important, and how the rating is below 3. Now that it has been raised to > 3 …. so now apparently, distribution is more important.

    Tex, do you prefer Poisson or the Bell Curve? I would think the latter is more applicable here. Of course the Bayesian Inference may come into play if more commits are added, so maybe Poisson is the way to go.

    What do you think?

    Liked by 4 people

    1. also, with the fact that recent 2 stars (Weaver and Jones) have outdone fellow 4-star (Camp and Watts) although both payed in the same defense with the same DL coach …. I would think there would a be a gigantic + – factor no matter what distribution you choose. Do you agree?

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      1. Onion peeling also involves looking at a kids offers. Extra sub strata and level of scrutiny to validate those numbers.

        Weaver was a Michigan committ

        Jones had several quality P5 offers. I didn’t see one from Elon.

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    2. I’ve always advocated a distribution. I’m very consistent. I don’t move goal posts. I’ve always preferred vanilla over chocolate ice cream.

      I also have a stats and data science background so I know my stuff. And in board level presentations I always presented graphs of distributions in time series.

      Averages are a good place to start but you need to peel away at that onion. And you need to have the proper baseline.

      I suggest we all do the same. Normalize the data. That’s all I ask.

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      1. Linus had more fun in the pumpkin patch than Lucy ever does. She’s miserable all the time, but he gets to enjoy the emotion of hope.

        That said, the best way to normalize the data is wait and see with our own eyes what happens on the field.

        Liked by 3 people

        1. I hope everyone, especially Tex, realized that I was just having some fun. The fact that grown adults are bickering over the objective ratings of 17 years does not speak well of us …. but it also is a lot of fun and a welcome distraction.

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          2. I’m grown and bicker because identity does matter to me. Going through life as average is no fun. I take no joy wearing my pitt garb and getting snickers. And it’s not the candy. Recruiting is the lifeblood. I learned that during my frat and corporate days. And I’m sure those who served would agree.

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  98. The big bowls always go to the big named teams that will bring the most fans for local business and TV ratings. We always wind up in small cities playing teams from lesser conferences that are pumped up to beat us. It does provide more practice time and the kids enjoy the fun.

    This virus year is different and avoiding events is good to prevent spread. Some reports say that the virus can affect athletic skills. Stay safe and wait till the virus smoke completely clears.

    Liked by 1 person

  100. All I heard on the local and national media was Pitt’s class was 21, best in years. Tex can negatively spin it all he wants. It is a damn good class.

    I am fine criticizing things under par, like 6 and 7 win seasons, Whipple, etc. etc. but give the staff credit when it is due.

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    1. Ok. Believe the media. And don’t do your own research and compare to previous years and against other coastal teams. Best since what wanny?

      Big deal. It’s year 6 under king pat. And this is his best. Just like 8 wins.

      This best ain’t gonna cut it. But don’t believe me. You will know very soon.

      Weren’t you one that said this was a ten win breakout year. Here’s a pointer. Look to Vegas first. They are much smarter than you or me.

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      1. Yep, I think Narduzzi should be fired but I understand it won’t happen with the COVID year. This recruiting class is about the only thing he has done above expectation besides keeping the program clean. Those are the only things I give him credit for.

        Whipple will guarantee his demise next year. Stupid to not fire Whipple even if Pickett is coming back. I really don’t understand what Pickett thinks he is getting out of another Whipple year. He will have the same damn completion percentage and passer rating if he is lucky.

        Narduzzi staying was making me lose some interest in the football team, Whipple staying has me not really giving a crap. This team isn’t winning more than seven games next year. Narduzzi, doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results. Insanity!

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    2. It’s a good class. But I agree with Tex that the quantity, not the quality is the primary reason that we are near the top 20 in this recruiting cycle. We do have a few four star players. But overall we aren’t really close to the best teams in the country.

      Like

  101. Pitt Women’s Basketball has scheduled 3 Zoom “Chalk Talks,” one in Dec., one in Jan., and one in Feb. They are for season-ticket holders.

    In spite of their great comeback win against Clemson, going to be another tough year. Of the twelve available players, 10 are Sophomores and Freshmen. But there’s definite progress on the roster and on the floor…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  102. I have run thousands of simulations using my model, and Narduzzi has won 9 games only 4.9 percent of the time in his future projected career at Pitt. He also has only won 10 or more games 0.8 percent of the time.

    Science matters.

    Liked by 1 person

  103. Stumble across this trivia question:

    Who was the first Nebraska Cornhusker to run for over 200 yards in a game? Any guesses?

    Go Pitt.

    Like

        1. It was an early one, I’d say either Jeff Kinney or the man who would become HC of the Huskers, Frank Solich.

          Like

    2. There has been a lot of good ones Rozier, Lawrence Phillips, Johnny Rodgers, Roger Craig, Ahman Green, etc etc.

      I guess Rozier also.

      Like

      1. Notrocket— that’s what makes the answer so bizarre. It’s none of those guys. It is a guy you have heard of…but not a big star. Happened in the 60s…

        Like

      1. Yes. That’s him. You need to hit the husker site. Lists all 200 plus backs. 40 of em I think. ‘63 I believe

        Didn’t know coach was such an athlete.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Yeah, Frank “The Tank” Solich! All 5-7 and 160 pounds of him. Weird.

        I read where Frank weighed 153 pounds coming out of HS. So he taped weights inside his pants for a college weigh-in…

        (When I played baseball, one guy wrapped his legs under his uniform to make them look bigger. Strange but true…)

        Go Pitt.

        Like

  104. Their backs. I’d say Pitts are more impressive by far

    https://huskercorner.com/2017/01/11/nebraska-football-10-best-nebraska-running-backs-of-all-time/

    But Cornhole destroyed that program much like he did with Pitt on his second stint. Thank you nerdball for not doing your due diligence and then giving this guy a sweet severance on his way out leaving it up to atom counter to make the actual firing.

    My pitt backs in modern era would include Dorset, Hayward, swervin, Martin, Barlow, shady, dion, Conner for starters. I’m sure I forgot one or two.

    Like

  105. Lastrowofsection4, love it, had me laughing at my desk. Good stuff.

    I also have to say that I stand in agreement with Tex om many but not all of his criticisms of Narduzzi’s game day decisions, win ceiling, lack of offensive line recruiting, involvement in offensive decision making and numerous other issues with the program. Primarily from the perspective of desiring a relevant, nationally ranked top 25 program offering fans something to be excited about year to year. I don’t perceive his observations/comments as not supporting the program, mean spirited etc. as some have suggested. So Tex I hear you brother.

    On another note POVer’s, with Schiano back at Rutgers what impact do think that will have on Narduzzi’s ability to recruit eastern PA & NJ? It seems some talent flows into the program from those areas from time to time. My guess those prospects dry up. Thoughts?

    Like

      1. No. I was always TX_Panther. My avatar has evolved though. Now it’s the Cathedral ejaculating a blue light. For Cathy to do that is quite impressive at her age.

        Like

    1. I’m a zero star for football support. Although I did blow $100 on tickets plus plane fare and car rental on the Domer game this year.

      I don’t donate to football. I generally don’t make it back for games. Unless it’s a rival or homecoming.

      But I do give money to other pitt sports and I care enough about football to partner with John Mack, complit, to create the PHP, a site dedicated to a on campus venue. And I’ve been published by two school newspapers.

      I’ve done more to change pitt football than most on here actually

      Like

  109. The fact that Tex flew up to attend the ND game was sufficient to give him the 2 stars instead of the unrated PWO. But that wears off quickly!

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Wwb. I understand what you’re doing. But this class is really nothing special outside the D. It’s a very good class from the wpial. But It really isn’t that significantly different from previous years. And my beef is that in year 6, Narduzzi should be doing similar to where ga tech is already at. That’s my beef. I’m a straight shooter with my Colt. You always know where I stand. And I do encourage everyone to look at the distributions. That’s the proper way to analyze. And as always time will tell. But all the talent in the world does no good without the right systems and coaching or else miami and FSU would always win.

        Like

  111. Pitt has always been a tale of two programs. The best and worst of times. I forget how my book ended, so I’ll leave it up to you Pitt fans.

    Like

    1. a Tale of Two Cities ends with the hero being guillotined instead of the husband of the woman he loves after he made it possible for him to escape from the Bastille

      so in other words …. Chryst is hired to the school he was always meant to be at while Narduzzi is decapitated at the Bastille

      Liked by 2 people

  112. Sorry folks I haven’t been up to being around. << get it? I’m sure not worthy of medical updates unless “meatballs” decide to issue one for hopeless PITT fans. Cancer is back plus worse, much worse. I hated to post this but too many emails coming in inquiring.
    Thanks all.

    We All We Got
    We All We Need
    ike

    Like

    5. You can beat this Ike – my dad and father-in-law both battled cancer in the past 12 months.

      Today, both are cancer free.

      Prayers and good thoughts carry the day.

      Liked by 1 person

  117. I don’t know how much it helps, Ike, but you have to know how much we care and are praying for you. Thank you for posting your note.

    Liked by 1 person

  123. I’m not a religious guy. More spiritual in nature. But I’ll break out the good stuff tonight to toast you beating cancer. If it helps, I’ll also refrain from vinegar. Might be tough for me to go cold turkey but if positive program thoughts help, I’ll do it.

    Tex

    Liked by 3 people

  125. Iek…. You are a tough as nails guy from Lay-trobe. This fellow Latrobean is pulling for you, and knows that you are up to the task. We’ll see you back and better than ever in the fall of 2021, at the Fran and Friends tailgate. Where you will be surrounded by your POV family.

    Liked by 4 people

  129. Ike…(I used to live 3 miles down the road near the LAY-trobe Airport runway)…..another heartfelt wish from your neighbor to get better. Many prayers and God bless.

    Liked by 1 person

  131. Our prayers are with you Ike.

    Two LB’s the Panthers should consider for names alone:

    Jack del Rio OLB Rutgers -> ?

    Michael Pitts OLB Cincinnati -> ?

    Liked by 1 person

  132. Per the Scoop.com

    Georgia after fielding interest for it’s athletic director opening, Virginia athletic director Carla G. Williams has announced her intention to remain at UVA.

    NW and Georgia are two large AD openings with P5 schools.

    Like

      2. So if pitt doesn’t have much to sell, why do these recruits always seem to commit after the campus visit.

        They must come away impressed by something that they can’t get down south.

        The coaches all believe that a visit is key.

        Now I know that’s an old sales technique and I have a good idea of some of the tactics they might use. But the bottom line is that they come away impressed after seeing things.

        Up to that point it’s just what they’ve heard or been told.

        And covid did have an impact on those travel visits

        Like

        1. Not surprising that most of the recent commitments have come after summer visits, or after Covid no-visits, not after game-day visits…

          Like

  134. You are right, Ike. Your news is terribly painful to all of us POVers. Never quit. Never give in. Just like you do supporting Pitt. God Bless you.

    Liked by 1 person

  137. he appeared in 8 games with 1 tackle and 1 pass break-up. He is not listed in the two deep.

    Overrated? maybe / Too much other talent on squad? maybe / Not a good fit? who knows / Wants to come back to area?

    As I recall, his 2nd choice was WVU

    Like

  138. the latest is Bret Bielema is returning to B10 as HC at Illinois. He was 68-24 at Wisconsin but 29-34 at Arkansas before getting the axe (11-29 in conference)

    Like

    1. Lovie getting the boot after Year 5. Record of 17 wins and 39 losses. 10-33 in Conf.

      Let’s hope Lovie goes out with a bang bang (no not fang fang)…in beating the Pedos today !!

      Like

  142. A question for those who follow the NFL. What are Alex Kessman’s prospects? Are they strong enough that he wouldn’t consider returning to Pitt for another year?

    Like

  143. The street vendor on the corner of Fifth and Bouquet was always good to hit at 2 in the morning. I never questioned what kind of meat he had on that stick.

    Like

    2. They must have been a ’90’s era or later thing. Maybe he garnered it from the O’s garbage dumpster out back. Delicious !

      Like

    1. Good stuff Gordon…
      Old Overholt was the first whiskey I ever drank. Stokans Cafe in Lawrenceville 1972.
      I walked in the bar with my friends and I heard my dad from the other end of the bar say “Bill, get my son a drink and whatever his jagoff buddies want too”
      He was a hoot…

      Liked by 3 people

      1. The name didn’t immediately come to mind, but that was the bar on Butler Street that had the mural of Pittsburgh boxlng legend….Fritzie Zivic on the side/front. Must have passed that place a 1000 times or more.

        Like

      2. Fran:
        That is my buddy’s. Dad had 43 cases in basement. One night home on break damn near went blind drinking that stuff.
        Little did we know it would be worth so much now. All gone.

        Like

    1. Don’t know if that is a slap to Notre Dame or props to Trevor Lawrence. Ohio State is favored by 20.5 over Northwestern. That’s looking a little shaky right now.

      Like

  147. Ohio St appears to be very overrated.

    Consider … their pass defense is ranked 111th. And that is a non-passing conference, In fact, the best passing team they faced this year is Indiana … ranked 40th. Pitt’s pass offense is ranked 38th. I would have to think a Clemson or Alabama would have a field day against them

    Like

    1. Northwestern pass offense is 114th, but after 3 quarters, their QB is 18-26 for 176 yards. Not a lot but 71 yards more than the Buckeyes

      Like

    2. They have beaten no one of note. It would be a travesty if they get into the playoffs.
      Hopefully they lose, to end any chance.

      Like

      1. One heck of a rushing performance by #8 RB Sermon of tOSU. He had 29 carries for 331 yards.

        Wow!

        Being from the Midwest and B1G Joke country – impressive individual effort against a supposedly very good D.

        Like

        1. You look at who Northwestern has played. They had beat one (1) team the whole season with a winning record (iowa). The rest of their wins are against an assortment of stiffs. So yes statistically their defense has good numbers. Clemson would hang 50 on them.

          Like

  148. Kind of stupid having the Big 12 & Big 14 (10) championship games at the same exact time.

    Since the Big 14(10) is use to Noon starts. They should have started their game then. Or even 11 am.

    If Florida wins tonite, they should get the 4th bid. Clemscum, Bama, ND & Florida.

    Like

    1. agree …. but if you pay attention, the Big 10 (12) starts a handful of games at noon (11 am their time)

      In fact, the majority of the Red River Rivalries (Tex vs Ok) start at 11 am

      Like

      1. Are you referring to the Big 10 Twelve (who only has 10) or the Big 10 Fourteen ? In keeping with the craziness, nobody seems to be able to count anymore.

        Like

      1. It’s true…tested that way anyway. Which means 1 chance in 10 he actually had it with strong symptoms.

        Like

  150. Watched both the B1G and B12 championships –

    Iowa State’s Matt Campbell lost his mind over and over during the game on officiating calls that went against his overrated team. He was lucky to not get a personal foul penalty or booted from the game it was that bad. To make things worse, the announcers sided with the officials calls in each episode.

    Like

    1. Iowa State is like the Pitt of the Big 10 Twelve. No respect from either the officials or the announcers.

      And Oklahoma is one of the Blue Blood trash of NCAAF.

      Like

  151. Urban just said you need elite playmakers on offense to win. No mention of D. He knows his stuff.

    Like

    2. Elite playmakers ….

      Lots of cash ……

      A school that allows players to not go to class ….

      Unlimited funds to spend of facilities …..

      Funds for staff upgrades come at the snap of the fingers…

      I think this is why it is the same teams yearly contending for the playoffs.

      Like

    1. Most OSU RB’s are duds in the NFL. In fact most BigJoke players are duds in the NFL. When was last Bigjoke QB any good in the NFL ? Vastly Overrated by media conference.

      Like

        1. Mike Weber, Dan Heron, Antonio Pittman, Beanie Wells, Lydell Ross, Maurice ‘Slo Mo’ Clarett, Jonathan Wells, Michael Wiley, Pepe Pearson, Raymont Harris, Carlos Snow, Vince Workman, Keith Byars & Tim Spencer. Calvin Murray & Jeff Logan, which gets you to me !

          All NFL duds of varying degrees who were OSU starting RB’s and were the next great thing according to the media in college.

          Like

  154. face it, OSU will get in even though they don’t deserve it. Then after Clemson wins, they will have the 4 biggest names in the sport in the playoffs … and the NCAA and ESPN will be creaming all over each other

    Like

      1. The ACC needs to get word to the game officials at halftime that they need to keep the game close. Clemson needs to win, but got to keep the point differential in the 7-20 range. Costs the conference at least $2M otherwise.

        Like

  159. if you need a laugh … turn on FS1 to see two sub .500 teams playing high on Mt Nittany on Dec 19th in front of a 107k fan-out. Actually, there is a white-out but it is all snow covering the seats

    Like

  160. I want to say Thank You for all the prayers being sent out and I’m giving you all a virtual hug for all your heartfelt well wishes and kind thoughts. Who knows how I’ll feel moving forward but I’ll be sure to let all my good friends know as I go along, you to Tex. 🙂 Hope to see you all at the Fran and friends tailgate next year. H2P!

    Note: be kind to PITT cause we all know how Time Fades Away!

    Liked by 6 people

    2. I’d walk through Hell to meet you in person Ike. I would also make sure to tell Poopy Pants that Penn State sucks before I exit.

      🤠🥃
      💩

      Liked by 1 person

    3. I just renewed my season tickets and parking passes for next year yesterday, Ike. We’ll be waiting for you in Red 5A!

      Liked by 2 people

  163. In a just and fair world a continued rout by Clemson would oust the Irish from the playoffs. And OSU would be out for their limited season against some lesser competition.

    But we don’t live in that world. Sorry, A&M.

    Like

  164. ike, our hearts and prayers go out to you. Here’s wishing you all the best as you hang in there and fight the good fight. We will be looking forward to seeing your comments and insights in the future!

    Like

  165. Army-West Point wins the Commander-in-Chiefs Trophy today, shooting down the Air Force Academy 10-7.

    One of the last vestiges of true student-athletes in NCAAF.

    Like

  167. That last catch by Williams Jr….amazing.

    If Pitt had a guy like that (or two), Kenny would have been projected as a second rounder.

    Like

  168. I thought that was a pic of Charlie Sheen at first glance. Him and Neil Young could be brothers.

    Like

    1. I say yes. But that would crush the Aggies. Aggies beat them. But then again lost big to bama. But I’m biased. I hate the Domers. I still want my money back from that game.

      Liked by 1 person

  171. Ike I have been living with cancer for more than 14 years!! I guess I have been lucky, but my case has no cure just a treatment that has kept me on my own 2 feet. STAY POSITIVE//KEEP YOUR FAITH IN
    G-D and remember // Pitt needs you as one of its SUPER FANS!!

    Liked by 3 people

      1. BASKETBALL Louisville Will Get Leading Scorer Carlik Jones Back for Tuesday’s Game at Pitt and Pitt will be without it’s head coach.

        Good game to miss?

        Like

  175. I think this is the last year that Domer football wants part of the ACC. The entire nation saw the fraud tonite.

    If I had a say I’d invite bama, clemson, Aggies and Florida to the playoffs. Yes that’s three sec schools but they are the best.

    Leave the Domers and suckeyes out.

    Like

  177. TigerNet.com
    @ClemsonTigerNet

    Dabo Swinney said Notre Dame should be in the Playoff. Should not be punished for playing more games.

    Cheers !

    Like

    1. Domers need to say three Hail Marys and do a complete rosary after that performance. Father McSorley not pleased.

      Like

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