in Pitt Football 359 Words

NCAA Championship Game Thread

I have decided that the last article and its comments has run its course so let turn toward the NCAA BB championship tomorrow at 9:20 pm. This subject should be pretty straight forward and by the time the game rolls around we’ll know if Tex’s prediction that Heather Lyke awakens from her coma long enough to fire our own BB coach. Here is an early post of that game’s thread. I’m sure a lot of us will be watching and I look forward to commenting on it with you all…

Well, even though Pitt fell just a bit short at playing for the title this coming Monday evening (is that ‘optimistic’ enough for some on here?) it should be a fantastic game to watch, and for the kids, to have played in. It has all the things you want to see – a Gonzaga Bulldogs team that is 31-0 and just won a fabulously close game against UCLA and then the Baylor Bear’s underdog squad who was an #1 seed, and like the Energizer Bunny – just keeps on moving on.

Following are some websites that might help you all get ready to cheer whoever you are rooting for onto a win.  These can be used for in-game commenting research also.

Gonzaga Basketball Homepage

Gonzaga Basketball 2020-21 Schedule

Gonzaga Basketball 2020-21 Stats

Gonzaga Basketball 2020-21 Roster

Sports-Reference.com Gonzaga Homepage and History (current & historical) and they are 324-34 over the last 10 years for a 91% win percentage…

Here are some sites for info on the Bears:

Baylor Basketball Homepage

Baylor Basket ball 2020-21 Schedule

Baylor Basket ball 2020-21 Stats

Baylor Basket ball 2020-21 Roster

Sports-Reference.com Baylor Homepage and History (current & historical) and they are 244-77 over the last 10 years for a 76% win percentage…

Guess who is 176-152 over those same 10 years with a winning percentage of 53%?

If you guessed the University of Pittsburgh you win the Pitt POV’s “Firm Grasp of the Obvious” award for the 2020-21 season!!

At this time – 3:00 pm on April 4th Gonzaga is giving away five points to Baylor on the betting spread.

Enjoy – and hope to see you Monday night…

233 thoughts on “NCAA Championship Game Thread”

  1. Go Zags.

    Dan and I are hearing the same noise. His insiders are former coaches and well respected scouts. My insider is the Troll who lives under the Tarentum Bridge.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Time for a change…players bailing left and right..no one in the transfer portal…no in-coming freshmen….Are the football Gods hinting PITT made a mistake??? Tear down the basketball court and build a multi-purpose football stadium……..

      Like

  2. OT…good to see Jordan Spieth back in the winners circle.

    As far as tomorrow’s news, I’m no fan of drastic change but I can understand and accept it.

    Rooting for the Zags also…

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Pitt’s opponent in the NCAA Women’s Volleyball tournament is LIU. That stands for Long Island University. They are the NEC representative because the best team in the conference has Covid issues (for real) not like the fake Covid issues PSU has had the last two weekend so they would not have a 9-9 record going into the tournament. PSU did not play the #1 seed Wisconsin two matches and did not play the #5 seed Nebraska because of it. Due to this sickness PSU entered the tournament 9-5 and got a bye in the first round. Such is life. PSU miraculously is healthy enough now to go to Omaha!

    Pitt’s second round opponent will be Utah assuming they take care of a very beatable LIU squad. The ACC got four teams in the tournament: Louisville, the ACC champ, Pitt, Notre Dame, and Georgia Tech. The ACC got the third most teams of the 5 Power Five conferences behind the Big Ten with 6 and the PAC 12 with 5. The SEC and the WCC got in three each. There were only 48 spots in this year’s bracket

    This year’s Pitt team is more balanced than teams in the past. They had a rough start at the beginning of the year as they went with Popovic, the transfer libero. After Fischer decided that Browske, their sophomore libero, was the better option, they turned things around not losing a single match in the spring season. Also Lockwood and Vasquez Gomez settled down and really contributed in the spring. Pitt has two very good setters in Levers and Akeo. They have six hitters that contribute and it is hard for an opposing team to just cover one or two hitters. Their biggest weakness is the amount of service errors they have. Lund is the worst culprit when it comes to that. Knowing Fisher I am sure he has had discussion about that with her.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Nicely summarized. I would add that Pitt’s relative lack of height has been a problem in the past. The team also has a tendency to start slowly so they must be careful not to get behind and give the competition too much confidence. Getting upset in the 2nd round the past 2 years must stay on their minds- although 2 years ago they lost their best hitter (Lund) to an ankle injury in the 1st round match. A second round match would be against 14th seed Utah who gets a 1st round bye this year. Our ladies are battle-tested and I’m hoping for a big breakthrough this year. ND would play a 10th seed in the 2nd round. Louisville is the 11th seed with a 1st round bye. GA Tech would play #3 seed Minnesota in the 2nd round. Pitt, Louisville and GA Tech are in the same regional pod, with Minnesota the highest seed. Pitt would see them in the 3rd round if they get that far.

      Baseball and softball teams won today. Yay!

      Liked by 4 people

  5. I think our Volley Ball team is terrific and has a ton of character.
    But, like Annie, I think they’ll struggle against big front lines. Proud of the way they fought all year.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Nice to see the kid is doing well. We were still fortunate he even considered coming to Pitt, as a former
      5 star very highly rated QB. And who knows what would have happened had he not gotten injured at Syracuse.

      Amazing that this kid who actually threw a nice ball….didn’t sniff the NFL and DiNucci played in it.

      But that’s life.

      Like

  8. Max Brown = Pat Bostick in his time after Pitt

    “Since 2019, Browne has served as an analyst on USC’s pregame and postgame radio shows. Ultimately, he said, “it’s been a big blessing.”

    For five years, Browne outworked everyone … and lost. In the aftermath, he learned that life wasn’t over.”

    Of course Pat Bostick has started and will continue a fantastic working relationship with Pitt and has been the type of alumni we all wish every student at Pitt could turn out to be…

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Bostick is a good soldier, that is true. I really enjoy his take when he does the PITT FB games on the radio…tells it like it is IMO.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Bostick tells it like it is..reminds me of Sam Huff and Sonny Jorgenson calling a Redskin game…they held nothing back especially when it came to the Skins stinking up the place !!!

        Like

  9. It’s too bad not only for Max but for Pitt, he didn’t work out for Pitt.

    As Pitt had a nice little QB transfer thing going on there with Nate Peterman, who was the QB
    on Pitt’s best team since Wanny days and then Browne.

    And then it even got worse with the next 2 QB transfers, Jeff George Jr & the above mentioned Town.
    Who didn’t really contribute anything.

    Maybe Yellin will still work out, as Pitt desperately needs one to come to the forefront, post Pickett.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Good and bad news. First the bad. It is with a heavy heart that I am withdrawing myself as the head coach of the University of Pittsburgh men’s basketball program, As you know, it was to be announced Monday (4/5). Although Athletic Director Lyke agreed that I could do as good a job of attracting recruits and transfers to Pitt as is currently the case – zero – she said the university couldn’t meet my demands for all the Iron I could drink and the chippedchoppedham and city chicken I could eat. I know this is very disappointing to all POVers, but, the university couldn’t guarantee me guest appearances on Pittsburgh Dad either. Now the good. I am actively pursuing the UNC opening. I think my chances look excellent.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. That’s what I understand, BigB. Right now I’m waiting on a phone call from Lawrence R. “Bubba” Cunningham, athletic director for the University of North Carolina. When he calls, I’m not going to chitchat with him. I’m going to get right down to beating the living daylights out of my “what the cat drug in” potential competition by telling Bubba that yinze guys at Chapel Hill may think that Roy Williams lived up to the legacy of Dean Smith, but Williams hasn’t won a national championship since 2017, so I’m going to have to come in and redd up the mess Williams made. Bubba, your team needs coached up by Hobie!

        Like

      1. Coach is in her 2nd year and basically didn’t have a season last year. The team is young and I think they’ve had injuries. Hope the new digs at the sports complex helps recruiting.

        Liked by 4 people

    1. Pitt is restricting fans to just immediate family given the surge in covid on campus. But dogs are always welcome.

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    2. There most be 12 feral cats living nearby. Pitt will count anything living in attendance. lol

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  17. Has anyone ever seen a Panther in Pittsburgh outside the zoo? I’m thinking a name change is in order. 🤔

    Something that better represents Pitts fanbase.

    Like the Sleeping Cicadas?

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    1. The fantasy announcement day that was initiated by April Fools Day comments, lol. Yes, it is today, so they say.

      Like

    2. Could just be a nothing burger.

      But leave of absence is where the money is flowing towards based on Vegas betting lines.

      Pitt could follow a similar approach that Cincinnati took. Open up an investigation regarding the high turnover.

      Staff shakeup and bringing in an older retired guy to act as co Coach is the second best odds.

      I doubt Capel resigns

      Like

  21. Capel needs better assistants. But he also needs to be far bigger than any of his assistants.

    I hope an older more experienced co coach can help him grow.

    He needs to fire his brother and the other two guys. Pitt needs to find the money and bring in some top notch guys with recruiting connections.

    I would make this an ultimatum. He accepts or I ask for his resignation.

    Like

    1. I’ve watched practically zero basketball so far. Maybe 15 minutes tops. But tonight I’m watching.

      I really dislike Baylor and Waco. I like rooting for Gonzaga after the history lesson from a fellow POV’er.

      And I’ll sip some baby blue after every Zag three pointer made.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. 9:00 pm is lights out for me…will check the score in the morning or on the wee hour pee time…

      Like

  23. Well we know Capel isn’t being interviewed for the UNC job

    Maybe UNC Charlotte though.

    Like

    2. Maybe North Carolina Community College.

      He is here to stay for at least another year.

      Like

  26. Pitt made the final four for UConn transfer, Josh Carlton.

    OH, WAIT, he committed to Houston today. Shocker.

    If Chryst and staff were the Six-and-Sixers then what is Capel and crew? The O-fers?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. If Capel just got one, he would be known as the Oneders. Good local PA band with Hanks as the manager.

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        1. Very good underrated movie. Luv the Pittsburgh connection. If I recall, the band was from Erie?

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  27. Typically bad news isn’t announced on a Monday. That’s just PR 101. But if there’s any news today, it will break before sundown.

    The Pitt silence is deafening.

    Like

  28. Volleyball’s Kayla Lund became the first 2-time winner of the ACC Player of the Year Award. Chinaza Ndee and Lund were named 1st team All-ACC and middle Sabrina Starks was named 2nd team. Starks is a junior, the others are seniors. Way to go ladies!!
    As an aside, Louisville’s setter, a senior, got 1st team honors. And guess what- the setter from North Allegheny ( 4 straight state championships) is going to Louisville. Her dad is former Pitt hoops great Darren Morningstar.

    Liked by 5 people

  29. It appears that Pitt’s best chances for picking up a few transfers might be to look at players from slightly lower programs than the P5 conferences. All of the kids on the transfer portal will not be so lucky as the Carlton kid to Houston, or Wahab to MD. Plus, most Sr. transfers won’t want to transfer into a rebuilding effort. So the subset of players Capel might get are much fewer than that thousand plus list of transfers. (But the Marshall player to Louisville is a stumper).

    If Pitt could get 2 players from the transfer portal, maybe a reclassify player from high school, and then one other player later from outside the country, Capel would be okay.

    Like

  31. Normally good news is announced on Monday. So could it be:

    1) feasibility study for MPC
    2) launch of a new Golden Panthers.
    3) major donation towards victory Heights
    4) release of the nhl’s feasibility study on Pitt hockey
    5) jarritos as a new corporate sponsor

    Like

  32. Capel went from being an Ace Recruiter to not being able to sign a 5’11” pg from C-USA Marshall
    and a scrub from Providence avg’g 3 ppg.

    Maybe he should go after some IUP or Gannon transfers.

    Like

    1. Kind of how Baylor did to rebuild their program?

      Their leading rebounder last year (2019-2020) was a transfer from D3.

      They also pulled in transfers from non-P6 teams that panned out well.

      Look it up…

      Coaching matters (can I say that?)

      Like

  33. 6) Mario Lemieux will fund Pitt D1 men & women hockey teams.

    7) The entire men’s bb walk-on group will be awarded scholarships.

    Like

  34. Didn’t take the Tarholes long to name a new HC. (unlike our favorite university)
    Former Hole player and asst coach Hubert Davis named as new Head Hole today.

    I’m sure their AD had several candidates in mind (most of them in-house or former Holes),
    so when Huckleberry Hound said he had enough of the Porta-Potty, they already had
    their ducks lined up. (again unlike our favorite university)

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  35. The handlers don’t want the news of Capel’s departure to over-shadow the National Championship game!!!

    Like

  36. Where Pitt really blew it was not staying in-house after Dixon. Not hiring someone to continue on
    with what Howland-Dixon started and built for 15 years. If you have a good house, you don’t need to tear it
    entirely down. Which is what the Stallings hire/crime was.

    If Brandon Knight wasn’t completely ready, you could have had Dixon’s former top asst, Tom Herrion
    as HC and Knight as the HC in training/waiting.

    There was no in-house continuation plan in place like all these great programs have, Or most all.
    Which for the money Pitt invested(upwards or over $200 MILLION), was criminal.

    We have no connection in the program to our very good/best era of 2000 to 2015.

    Like

      1. Pitt made the NCAA’s (21-12)……Dixon’s last year, 9-9 in the ACC. And just 2 years prior Pitt was in the semi’s of the ACC tournament.

        Not exactly the immediate toilet we became….by going Out of House.

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  40. Any reason why the game is on so late tonight. To get west coast viewers?

    Half the country will be in bed before the game is over.

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    1. Yes, west coast viewers are the target. Texans will stay up and drink bourbon regardless of who is playing.

      East coast bb fans will be either sleeping in and unemployed or sleeping at halftime.

      Like

  41. 9) Hobie bobblehead for the first 5,000 fans and 5,000 dogs at the first basketball game next season.

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  42. Having watched the great UCLA – Gonzaga game, I hope the championship provides the same caliber of play. All the college BB coaches will be there having cocktails and talking about poor Pitt. The late game time is to our benefit.

    Like

  43. I think it’s always started around 9pm.

    Wow, you guys never watched Johnny Carson or Jay Leno at 11:30 I’m expecting.

    Sounds like a real party animal crowd.

    Like

    1. Yep

      Last time an undefeated team got to the Championship game, Larry Bird’s Indiana State
      Game started after 9pm on NBC. Way back when the Pirates won the World series in 1979.

      [NBC 9:00] NCAA Basketball Championship
      Michigan State vs. Indiana State in the tournament finals from Salt Lake City.

      Like

  44. It was a basketball doubleheader (sort of) that night. The White Shadow(Ken Howard) was on at 8pm on Cbs and you got up outta your chair and turned the channel to NBC, channel 11 in Pittsburgh to watch the
    most watched NCCA champion ship game ever at 9pm.

    Like

    1. Probably in her basement working out a contract with a local fire station.

      You know…so the dumpster fire which is Pitt basketball doesn’t spread to other sports.

      She typically flys into Wilmington for her OBX month long vacation in early June after all Pitt sports teams have been eliminated from any post season play.

      Like

    2. Still have my Steve Miller Band…..Fly Like an Eagle album.

      It’s in good shape too ! Hang in there bro ike !

      Like

  46. I’ve got to tell my parents not to feed that Troll under the Tarentum bridge anymore. Mom brings him pierogies and cabbage rolls. He was my insider on the big Capel news that never happened today.

    Like

  47. Zags might want to cover Mitchell and soon. I would have called 2 timeouts before the tv to. Zags in big trouble early. Down 11-1

    Like

  49. Let’s hope Narduzzi isn’t giving the Zags halftime adjustments.

    Zags are looking like a poorly coached Pitt team right now.

    Like

  51. Wasn’t Baylor a program just a few years ago that had a player or players charged and convicted of rape and murder.

    Seems silly then that heather would punish a car thief.

    Like

    1. The murder was back in the Bliss era almost 20 years ago. The program was in the dumpster after but hired Drew and he has rebuilt it with the help of giving the finger to NCAA rules.

      What a vile athletic department in Waco. The football rape scandal was on par with PSU’s scandal and just like the Nittany Lions, the Baylor administration found the NCAA investigation an inconvenience to its goal of winning.

      Hughley should transfer if he is found not guilty. That’ll show Heather to stick her compliance where the sun don’t shine. Join the AAC if you’re not all in on winning.

      Like

  52. Hey, at least we will get to bed early. Total mismatch. Zags look exhausted from UCLA. But Baylor is the real deal.

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    1. I’m drinking El Chingon. Look it up you non Spanish speakers.

      Tex – who doesn’t speak Spanish. But who’s a bad arse.

      Like

  56. Gonzaga not going away – in fact, down 11-1, they took Baylor’s best and went down further, by 21 at one point. At the half it is again a 10 point deficit for the Zags. Both teams with tremendous talent, heart, hustle and desire. Clearly the two best teams in all of college basketball in this pandemic stricken season.

    I didn’t watch much basketball this year as Pitt was bad from the opening game – my bracket drew me into this tournament – was glad for the B1G dump, the loss by the Houston Cheaters and watched one game so far in it’s entirety in the UCLA vs Zags OT game – classic…

    EE who has one bracket with Gonzaga and Baylor in the final. Da Bears were picked by me to win it all. We shall see…

    Again, when Pitt is bad in bb, I’d rather be golfing.

    Like

  57. Still waiting for the Capel bombshell…
    Oh well, guess I’ll change socks and go golfing.
    Sunny and 77 in da Burgh.
    🏌‍♀️🌞

    Liked by 1 person

  59. Hope everyone had a nice Easter!

    Misssd the game last night…sounds like it wasn’t much of a contest.
    Baylor’s front porch got a makeover with the win, but the checkered past remains.

    Didn’t hear a boom, thud or gasps yesterday….sounds like some inside sources are really on the outside?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Bad news never breaks on a Monday. That was the first tell. Not to say that some news won’t break later this week such as a staff shakeup or LOA.

      Like

  62. So I finally renewed my football tickets. Got a call from John Pelusi the other day but I missed the call. Was going to lodge a complaint about the disappointing state of the big two-and-a-half sports teams…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. I use to piss Reed off all the time. He would ask me for a score prediction of the upcoming PITT game. I would always have PITT winning no matter who they were playing. What was I going to do, sit around and root for PITT to lose? Which BTW, I do sit around and root for certain teams to lose, like ND and psu. So I can see how Tex enjoys a PITT loss, only I don’t profess my loyalty to ND or psu like Tex does PITT. < They are not “MY TEAM” ………….. PITT IS!

      ike

      we all we got

      Liked by 3 people

      1. If a Pitt loss can gift me Pitrino, I’ll root against Pitt any day.

        If a Pitt loss, can result in the firing of Heather or Narduzzi and the hiring of Riddick and a coach from my list, I’ll strike a deal with the Devil.

        I’m always strategic and big picture.

        I always root against the Domers and Pedos…always.

        I don’t enjoy the worst run of basketball since 1964

        I don’t enjoy only 4 top 25 rankings since 1982

        Like

  63. And my daughter like so many on here wants to go to a school with good sports. She has Vandy, NYU and Texas as her top picks. But obviously Texas is the no brainer. But I tell her that they are very Pitt like without the built in excuses.

    Like

    1. Texas has at least spruced up its campus. Also, building a new hoops arena.

      I drive Guadalupe every morning to work and the portion from when I hit campus has improved dramatically. It doesn’t compare to High Street at Ohio State, but looking better.

      Guadalupe and MLK, that looked awful too but is slowly getting better. The Red McCombs business center on the corner is pretty nice. It’s that 7-11 and Papa John’s pizza spot that is the eye sore. More buildings going up to make the back drop much easier on the eyes.

      Like

      1. That’s good to hear. My son won’t be on campus until Fall. He’s the enginerd. Daughter has Texas as her top choice. Texas (entire state) has guaranteed admission for anyone in the top ten percent of your class. Wondering if PA does this? No way my liberal daughter is even considering the Aggies.

        Tex – who hates thumbs.

        Like

  64. I don’t think it’s been noted above, but the Blue-Gold Spring game has been rescheduled to April 24th at 1 pm. Pitt says they still hope to allow fans at the game. But I saw that tailgating is not being allowed for the Pirates on Thursday, so I am guessing that ALCO is not going to allow it at Pitt’s Spring Game.

    Like

    2. Is there tailgating at Pirate games?

      Been putting out my own fires the last few days. Tex is right on some things here. In Higher Ed, you typically send out bad news on Friday or Saturday because most people don’t watch the news over the weekend. They are usually doing their own thing. That’s why the Sunday Paper used to be such a big catch-up. Good PR folks manage to the news cycles. Bad news you want in and out with two news cycles. Really bad news lingers for four-six. For Pitt, nobody typically cares, so any news is in and out after two cycles.

      I think we would all agree that there is definitely a rift in the athletic Department. Those folks read the noise and manage to the noise, which is unfortunate. A llikely scenario is that an ultimatum was given around assistant coaches and the coach was told that he had until after the championship game to either accept the changes and retain his job, or make the moves with staff. Regardless it is a lose lose for Pitt. Think about that. If Capel has to fire his brother, he will loathe our AD for making him do it. If he doesn’t fire his brother, he probably takes a “covid related” loa and they bring in someone else to do the dirty work with his brother, felton keeps his job for the short term, and leaves when he finds his next gig. Think Urban Meyer and Zack Smith saga. Same thing.

      However, if what Dan hinted at has any truth, there may be a power struggle which could be racially motivated with player (Hugley) and AD due to his treatment. If that is the case and I hope it is not, the AD could lose and Felton may end up ousting her. I disagreed with the proclamation of his guilt and rest of year suspension without due process for an incident involving a car (not another person). Pitt needs to be careful here. Regardless, silence typically means there are negotiations going on behind the scenes and there will be no winners, especially to the brand (whatever that is), when the smoke eventually clears.

      Life is 20% what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it. Drama begets drama.

      Like

      1. Per Dokish: Pitt has offered two transfers. Jarrod West (the Marshall PG) and Jayden Gardner. They didn’t get one, and they probably won’t get the other. But that’s the only two they’ve offered so far. Talking to someone isn’t pursuing them.”

        Does anybody know if this is really true?? If it is, this means two things: Capel is definitely not recruiting and this lends a lot of credence to Huff’s statement “silence typically means there are negotiations going on behind the scenes”.

        Like

        1. None of those two are coming to Pitt. My opinion only….Capel is going thru the motions making offers to players He/Pitt couldn’t get in a 100 years. Makes it look like he’s doing something.

          The rumors are killing Pitt recruiting. Someone needs to stand up and either confirm or deny them or Pitt will be playing with the best Frat players on campus next year.

          This is where Heather comes off as very small time!

          Like

          1. My roommate from Philly freshman year was a Zebe (ZBT). He could be water boy. He was known as something else during his days at Pitt.

            Like

        2. You can scratch the other one now. AAC player of yea Gardner is not coming to Pitt.

          “On Tuesday, the Pitt staff received more tough news as one of its top priorities in the transfer portal, Jayden Gardner, released his final schools list which did not include the Panthers. ”

          “Gardner narrowed his list down to LSU, Arkansas, Virginia, NC State, and Miami, a list including three ACC programs. While Pitt fans will not be seeing Gardner in the blue and gold, they may see him take on the Panthers for one of those in-conference opponents. ”

          More than likely and with the way things have been going, he’ll play against Pitt in the ACC and have
          career games.

          Like

  65. Heather is currently busy filling out her application.

    Wisconsin owes us people.

    Like

  67. Watching that Gonzaga/Baylor game last night it was clear that Baylor has outstanding guards and a nice compliment of big men to clean up the offensive glass. The guards didn’t have the size, but Gonzaga couldn’t contain them from attacking the rim. And though the Baylor centers were in foul trouble, they had the depth at center to substitute without dropping off much. Looking over their last two recruiting classes, every player taken was in the top 100 nationally, including 5 star forward Kendall Brown. My friends, it takes good players and consistent recruiting classes to be this good.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Strange, considering like you said Zaga couldn’t contain dribble penetration, that Zaga didn’t go Zone.

      Maybe they did and I missed it. But i saw mostly Man to Man.

      Plus me thinks Zaga was emotionally drained(spent) from the OT win on the buzzer beater heave over UCLA. UCLA on the west coast still has somewhat of an aura to them.

      Cause they came out awfully flat and never really got it below the initial 10 point lead (11-1) at the first TV timeout.

      In the end Saint Gonzaga did end up dying from the effects of the Pandemic. As did the Zags.

      Like

      1. Zags went to an effective zone late first half and outscored Baylor 9-2 while in it. Never went back to it until game was over late 2nd half.

        Baylor beat the Zags in every facet of the game.

        Like

  68. I guess Femi needs to work on his recruiting skills as well. The Kadary Richmondy, 4 star Guard from Syracuse via Brooklyn who played with Femi in HS…..signed with drum roll please……………..

    Seton Hall.

    Like

  69. Who said our football team wouldn’t rise in the ranking? Pitt men’s Soccer team ranked #1 this week in the coaches poll. Anyone here see that coming? Does heather get any credit here?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Didn’t see that coming. To be honest, not deserved. Women’s volleyball at Pitt is under ranked. I expect volleyball to get to at least the quarterfinals.

      Barnes hired Coach Jay. Heather at least is smart enough to leave him alone.

      Coach Jay was the first to appreciate dogs in attendance.

      Like

          1. Maybe.

            Seriously, I think Pitt should have some promotion where you can take your dog to a game.

            There’s probably too much liability for that to ever happen however. Not even sure how you’d seat a dog.

            Ok. So mix that idea.

            But honor some dogs during the 7th inning stretch. Maybe even have them chase a cat around the field. I’ll supply the cat.

            Like

  70. Pitt baseball wins the backyard brawl this afternoon 5-1

    The hoopies showed NO teeth as P Gomez dominated the wvcc bats.

    Good rebound after losing 2 of 3 to the irish this past weekend.

    Every win counts, but this ones makes me want to show that I have all of my teeth…

    Go Pitt!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The Hoopies generally have a very respected ball team. Good win for Pitt. And yes every win counts. Double the pleasure against wvcc.

      Tex – with an eye on regionals.

      Like

  72. Pitt spring game delayed…

    https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2021/04/06/Pitt-football-spring-game-moved-back-to-April-24-at-Heinz-Field-Pat-Narduzzi-COVID-19-pause-practice/stories/202104060121

    “Narduzzi confirmed last week that safety Erick Hallett was out for spring camp. On Tuesday, he revealed five more names on the injury list.

    In addition to Hallett, linebackers SirVocea Dennis, Bangally Kamara and Leslie Smith, defensive lineman Nate Temple and offensive tackle Grant Carrigan are out this spring due to offseason injuries and/or surgeries.

    The big name is Dennis, who broke out last season with 14.5 tackles for loss in 11 games. That tally was tied for most on the team with All-American defensive end Rashad Weaver. It also ranked first in the ACC and fifth nationally among linebackers.

    Dennis, a third-team All-ACC selection in just his second collegiate season, is still expected to play a significant role come the fall. Narduzzi said the Syracuse native who had postseason surgery for an undisclosed injury is lifting at the facility and looks the part. “You’d think he’s playing,” the coach added.

    “We knew these guys were out for the spring going into it,” Narduzzi said of the six absentees. “As soon as the season was over, we got them cleaned up and fixed. They’re recovering, and we won’t risk that during spring ball. … We’re going to make sure they’re safe.”

    Like

    1. AD is the best ambassador of Pitt ever. Damn man deserves a statue outside Pitts new MPC. Oh…did I just inadvertently break some news. 🤠

      (Took the last bit out Tex – that’s skating on thin ice)

      Like

  74. Ike, predicting the outcome of a game doesn’t mean you root for them to lose. It means you look at two teams and use your knowledge and intuition to make an educated guess as to what the outcome will be. One is no less a home team fan for doing that.

    I crack up when the same people year after year say they have studied the team through the spring and fall camps and then predict Pitt to have 9 or 10 wins. Every… single… season… and it has happen only twice in 19 years.

    On the other hand there are Pitt fans who predict the Panthers will be a game or two above or below .500 and are correct more often than not.

    Self delusion run rampant is the defining mark of a die hard Pitt fan. But it does make one feel better I suppose.

    Get better my friend, we need to clink beer bottles again to toast the greatest head coach Pitt has had since Mike Haywood.

    Liked by 1 person

  75. Jerry D. at the Trib says this:

    https://triblive.com/sports/competition-arises-midway-through-pitts-spring-drills/

    “One of the more serious problems caused by the cancellation of spring practice last year was the inability to get a good look at the players behind Kenny Pickett.

    “We would be really under the gun if Kenny wasn’t back, trying to get one of these guys to step up (and be the starter),” Narduzzi said.

    Sophomore Davis Beville had the best performance “stat-wise” at a scrimmage last week, according to Narduzzi.

    “He threw a nice one down the sideline to Addison. They’ve all shown some good things. It’s a constant battle.”

    He’s not ready to pick a No. 1 backup among Beville, Joey Yellen and Nick Patti. He added that freshman Nate Yarnell has shown good leadership skills.”

    Let’s be honest Pat, we are totally screwed if our QB1 goes down.

    Like

    2. Most teams are screwed if the #1 QB goes down. Clemson played their spring game last Saturday. Their #2 went down with a torn Achilles.

      https://247sports.com/Article/Clemson-Tigers-football-spring-practice-DJ-Uiagalelei-Kobe-Pace-Andrew-Mukuba-163748522/

      An excerpt from that article: “Does freshman quarterback Bubba Chandler opt for professional baseball instead of college football? If so, does that prompt Clemson to look to the transfer portal? Chandler’s future is even more at the forefront following Taisun Phommachanh’s torn Achilles in the spring game, which leaves Clemson with a redshirt freshman walk-on and three true freshmen. That group includes Chandler, Will Taylor, who was recruited to play wide receiver but will rep QB in Year 1, and walk-on Billy Wiles. None of them are early enrollees.”

      Like

  76. I’m looking for another Pitt POV – I found an unknown contractor measuring my brick mailbox when I arrived home from work today. I asked what he was doing and he spilled the beans by telling me that one of my neighbors showed him a picture he wanted duplicated, the contractor shared my neighbors name & address.

    I proceeded to tell the contractor I did not want him knocking off my brick mailbox and asked him to leave.

    I walked up the street to the non-creative neighbor’s house to see the location and think about my next steps. As I walked past that house, I rounded the corner one block later and there was a newly layed brick mailbox that looked exactly the same as mine, right down to the brick color.

    Apparently my mailbox is a popular looking piece and others want it.

    What advice could you offer as a next step?

    Like

    2. Dead Abby,
      Send a linked picture to your mailbox so I can duplicate it, too, lol.
      It’s a free country, David. Maybe you should have patented it.

      Like

  78. Pittsburgh is gonna be in the mid to upper 70’s for the next 4 days. I blame Fran for stealing Texas weather. Well, you can take a little bit. It’s gonna be in the upper 80’s here.

    Liked by 1 person

  79. Maybe someone could get to EJ and find out if any basketball related announcements are forthcoming. This silence is deafening.

    Like

  80. Pirates only lost 14-1.
    I think they’re turning the corner.

    Tex, enjoyed the Texas weather today. Thanks buddy.

    Like

    1. Lots of similar beatings await with that minor league pitching staff.

      Even infielder Phillip Evans got to pitch. And he was the best of the lot ! lol

      Like

  81. Chris Gomez’s seven innings of one-run pitching powered Pitt (14-10 overall, 9-9 ACC) to a 5-1 win over rival West Virginia (11-12 overall, 3-3 Big 12) in the 201st edition of the Backyard Brawl. The Mountaineers jumped out to an early lead, but the Panther offense responded quickly to bury their rivals and earn a mid-week win.

    Per PSN

    Liked by 2 people

      1. This plan went awry per PSN –

        “On Tuesday, the Pitt staff received more tough news as one of its top priorities in the transfer portal, Jayden Gardner, released his final schools list which did not include the Panthers.”

        Like

  82. …..You can scratch the the big offer Capel had out from the Portal. AAC player of year Gardner is not coming to Pitt.

    “On Tuesday, the Pitt staff received more tough news as one of its top priorities in the transfer portal, Jayden Gardner, released his final schools list which did not include the Panthers. ”

    “Gardner narrowed his list down to LSU, Arkansas, Virginia, NC State, and Miami, a list including three ACC programs. While Pitt fans will not be seeing Gardner in the blue and gold, they may see him take on the Panthers for one of those in-conference opponents. ”

    More than likely and with the way things have been going, he’ll play against Pitt in the ACC and have
    career games.

    Like

  83. Awful night in Pittsburgh major sports. Pens blown out 8-4 …Bucs blown out 14-1.

    But Pitt soccer ranked #1 in the country, Pitt Volleyball about to make a big run.
    More turn downs for Pitt offers in Basketball, Pitt baseball with a couple of critical wins.
    Lots of key injuries for Spring game football 4/24.

    Like

  84. Isn’t it routine for an Athletics Director to give a state-of-the-program message and press conference at the end of a season? Sort of a “we’re making progress” or “we’ve overcome significant hurdles”message and the future looks bright… But nothing so far from the administration. Hardly a way to convey a positive outlook for the future.

    Like

    1. You are correct. But the season for several sports has another month at least to play out. State of the overall program is that only five sports are above mediocre at this point. That’s five out of 19. The average ranking of a pitt sport is bottom of the second tier. That’s about a ranking of ten out of 14 schools in the ACC. That’s not what heather promised four long years ago. Time for her to go.

      Tex – who has Riddicks number on speed dial

      Like

  85. — I’m rootin’ for Davis Beville as the backup QB.

    — And I wish someone would have asked Coach Duzz about how the TEs are looking, but no such luck…

    — IMHO, Goncalves has to start at left tackle. Duzz said the tackle competition is between Warren, Houy, and Goncalves and they all are looking decent… Warren needs to make a pretty big agility improvement if he’s going to play…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. Nate Santos is an incoming freshman, not a transfer. He has a reputation as an outside shooter and will likely play shooting guard or small forward. Now the tone can shift from “he’ll never come here” to “he’s not good enough”.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Santos seems like a pretty good pickup. He had some good offers but then had a knee injury. With Pitt’s luck that will be something that bothers him and he never recovers from.

        Like

  88. Thanks Mr Farmer…I could not find any shooting stats on him though.
    How good is his outside shot?
    I checked PSN and the Lair.
    Glad to get the train rolling on recruits. Now if we land the big guy…

    Like

  90. Just look at where the top transfers are going. They are the bag schools. They are smarter then we give them credit for.

    Like

  91. Does Santos’ commitment put an end to all the double secret probation talk? Or are we not there yet?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well the silence is telling

      And what if pitt decides to make no staff changes

      What if pitt further screws up the accused car thief kid

      I expect to see less drama, accountability and results

      But those words don’t have meaning at Pitt

      Like

    2. GC knows the challenge and secret handshake for the PAnon club. Where Pitt conspiracy theories shoot for the moon.

      Tex – on the grassy knoll

      Like

  92. Does anyone know the timeline for the “NBA Process” that Champ is going through? I assume there is a drop dead date by which you must commit to being available for the draft or removing your name. I’m thinking that Champ returning may impact the possibilities for Pitt to land Reid.

    Like

    1. Found something in a Duke article that says the deadline to declare for the NBA draft is May 30th. But of those declared, they have until as late as July 19th to remove their name. So we may not know Champ’s status for a long time.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Those dates are correct and yes, we probably have a long wait on Champ. I read somewhere that Reid and (transfer portal) Timberlake are somehow connected and may be a package deal.

        In my book, Pitt is the right fit.

        Assuming Champ returns & the above mentioned two commit, my starting five would be:

        PG Femi
        SG Nike
        SF Timberlake
        PF Champ
        C Reid

        Bench – Horton, Hugley (ikr), Jeffries, Collier, Santos, Max, other transfer & walk-on

        Not bad but also not signed…

        Like

  93. I credit the Santos recruitment from the fire put under Coach Capel’s derriere from the threat of me being named head coach, which I withdrew from to compete for the job at UNC. I remain upset that I never received a heads-up courtesy call from Bubba about the hiring of Hubert Davis. But, at least, with the recruitment of Santos some good has come from my efforts.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tex, one article mentioned that Santos was rated as high as 63 at one point, but that he was hurt in high school. Maybe this kid is actually underrated at 227.

      Like

      2. One reason for his low ranking might be — he’s never played on AAU teams. That’s where you get the exposure.

        Like

    1. Capel has had his share of top 150 which is good. If the kid can shoot it is a good addition. Pitt always lacks good shooters.

      Like

        1. If you watched him play like I did, he was the third or fourth best player on that team. Very overrated. I know a little (played, never coached) about basketball but know a turd when I see one.

          Yet Dokish was singing his praises. Dokish who banned me…twice.

          Like

          1. Seriously who bans someone twice?

            He who called me a party pooper. That’s fine. I told him I wouldn’t attend any of his parties though.

            Then he was raging one day on Twitter and I told him to chill out.

            And I know he lurks here for ideas. That uncreative bumpkin.

            Like

    1. Sounds to me like a decent chance SirVocea plays some in the middle. Duzz said he’ll be competing at all three spots. Also said he looks “big” as he works out in his rehab.

      We really need a play-maker at middle-linebacker, been a while…

      Campbell—Dennis—Bright?

      Go Pitt.

      Like

          1. Dennis was seriously injured in high school, which led to the lower rating, which is fair. Look, some make it back from serious injuries and some dont. Think Shady McCoy as another example. There are plenty of others. Ratings didnt miss. Injury caused a reduction. Very simple.

            Like

  98. But is it his best coaching staff since he got here. That matters more at this point.

    Like most years the O-line and QB play will make or break the season.

    Like

  99. Narduzzi’s discussion of the DL position left me wondering a bit about some of the returning players. He seemed to focus more on the incoming players. Maybe Camp is actually done as a contributor, and PN is just letting him stay on as a back up. I didn’t feel real confident that this is a particularly strong position group.

    Like

  100. Torn ACL in 2020 and re-classified to 2021. A few decent offers (possibly Illinois and Georgetown). He is from Illinois.

    Reminds me of Joe David from a build perspective and outside shooting. Will see if he sticks with it as he seemed to be waiting on Wisconsin offer.

    Most interesting part of his recruitment is that it was O’toole that offered and O’toole that recruited him. He never visited Pitt in person (allegedly) and he was on a call with the entire staff. There was a comment last week that read we would be hearing from other members of the staffs work product soon, versus Felton. Classic PR.

    Also read that OSU and now LSU have made strong inroads with Efton. Previous crystal ball had him coming to Pitt, but now, not so sure. I hope not for our programs sake but candidly, if I were he, OSU makes a better fit for where they currently are at and the fact that he is not projected as a 4 year player. Pitt needs to address the issue, yet silence.

    Like

  104. Santos will probably be the first of many MAC quality recruits to commit to Pitt this year.

    Like

  105. Yeah…..we finally got a recruit !!! Too bad he’s another small forward at 6’7″, seems like the only
    players we have are SG’s & SF’s. But regardless we needed some bodies. Maybe he’ll grow
    another few inches.

    Kid has some decent other offers too, Xavier, Creighton, ILLINOIS & VT among others.

    TCU & Dixon offered him too ! Capel has now matched Dixon with 1 recruit each for 2021.
    And neither have any for 2022.

    Like

  106. It’s a body with some upside and some definite health risk. Probably the best Pitt can do under these circumstances. Which is a sad indictment of this program.

    Like

    1. Kid has very nice shooting form, got the wrist flick going at the end of his motion, to get some backspin on the ball. Plus he elevates fairly high on these jump shots.

      So he’s not shooting set shots or being flat footed….he’s a the height of his jump when he’s releasing
      the shot.

      At 6’7″ he shouldn’t have much problem shooting over kids from out there.

      Like

    1. Wow…Pitt is #21 on that list.

      The ROi has to be among the worst of the 25 listed. With TCU(#6) in that grouping for worst ROi
      Along with Northwestern, Texas A&M & Tennessee.

      The last couple of years Pitt would be worst. And the Final Four appearance was like when
      only 4 teams were invited during WW1 or something. Civil War maybe.

      Like

    1. Should have seen Zion Williamson from Spartanburg Day School. Those teams he played against in private school class 2 (with1 being higher) where truly 8’th graders. The private school in that league(s) are the one who couldn’t compete at public HS class 1 (of 5 – 5 being highest)

      Like

  111. Nate must have seen my Craigslist ad. Funny my last clients name was Nate, no kidding.

    Welcome to Pitt Nate !!!

    Like

    1. I saw one over/under for the Pirates’ season before play started: it was 110 losses. If you took the Over, easy money. Truly pathetic. Can MLB force the current ownership to sell??

      Like

  113. Sean Miller should have been fired long ago, he is a disgrace to his profession. I’m guessing that Arizona is negotiating with the NCAA on penalties and firing Miller was a good faith gesture to reduce the penalty.

    And Miami apparently recently lost 2 players to the transfer portal, one headed for Arkansas to play with Toney. Kentucky is getting wiped out from a losing year. Two players hit the transfer portal, and they will lose 2-3 players to the NBA. This disease is hitting all over…

    Like

  114. Fun times. I still have the ticket to this game. Went out to Oakland after the game to celebrate.

    Like

    1. I locked the keys in my car on the Northside for this game – Mexican War Streets area as its now called.
      So, no Oakland for me post-game, but what a night!

      Liked by 1 person

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