366 thoughts on “On Our Way to the Top o’ the Tourny: Pitt vs Miss St.”

    1. Their center is a beast. They are great defenders. They can’t shoot though, especially the 3.

      Like

  6. Please Capel, use at least two men on the center and give them the three point shots. Make them do something they are bad at, shooting threes!

    Liked by 2 people

  7. 47 fouls called in the current game at Dayton. Is that the way it’s going to go tonight for Pitt and Miss ST?

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  13. Does anyone know whether any of our transfers have played in the NCAA tourney? Maybe Greg Elliott?

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  24. Four wide open 3’s drained by the worst three point shooting team in the tournament.

    Is Pitt the worst defensive team in the field of 68?

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Already 2 missed bunnies that I think Fede would have put in. But he did hit a 3 and is playing decent D so not a bad start by the freshman.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I scream all the time about Pitt players “not following their shot”. It’s a fundamental you learn when you are 10. Also, there is a skill of knowing where a shot is going to miss, and anticipating where the rebound is going to go.

      Like

  52. The twins may have potential but they just get pushed around on the floor. No power move to the rim. They are getting crushed on the boards.

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  53. Pitt is better off shooting threes than trying to score in the paint or the free throw line.

    Put JB on the bench with 2 fouls and fire away from three.

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  55. Twins are holding their own on D but at the expense of no offensive production. It’s going to make it hard for the shooters to get open 3s in the 2nd half.

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  56. We have all been saying the obvious … it is a must for the twins to gain some weight and muscle. Losing Fede tonight is awful.

    Liked by 1 person

  62. We gave away several possessions in the first half with rather lame runner/floater shots – when that’s not our strength (except for Burton)…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  64. Seems like every time they drive to the basket, it’s an easy layup or a foul on us.

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  66. We’re shooting the 3 great at about the same % as FT’s and are only up by 1. Not good. We needed that last 3 to go. Burton needs to heat it up in the 2nd half. We’re doing well against Smith though without Fede playing.

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  69. cAPEL IS A COACHING QUOTE DORK

    reversed caps locked, not retyping 😦

    .

    we absolutely suck in all aspects of defense EXCEPT against their big

    can’t stay in front of anyone driving and tons of hands rather than feet hustle

    Liked by 1 person

  70. I’m shocked….in a good way !! lol
    No F2 & Burton hardly played in the 1st half.
    Yet we still winning !

    Go Twins !

    Liked by 1 person

  73. My guess for the key to the second half: Burton making it to the 12 minute mark or longer before picking up his third.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. and my guess for what will happen is his 3rd before the first TV timeout

      because otherwise we might get up a few points and actually feel good(relief), there will be NONE of that tonight 😦

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      1. Probably pick up his third pushing off with his left hand for an offensive foul.

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        1. I’m puking

          much like the ND game and frankly quite a few others

          JB might have gotten a bad call but he’s made a couple bad plays earning a couple he should NEVER have taken

          and more missed FT’s

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  75. The twins are a combined 1 for 8. Yikes! We won’t get enough possessions to waste that many.

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  88. if Capel says anything about how great a team MSU is after we lose, he’s lost all my praise I’ve given him for this year

    this game and play really sucks and we really deserve nothing more

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  89. Their Guard from Bronx, NY is killing us. 13 points.

    What is he doing in Mississippi ….lol

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  92. How is it possible that these games are called so unevenly and no notice is taken? Still proud of our guys. Always. And this year especially.

    H2P!!!

    Liked by 2 people

  97. Somebody….don’t want Burton in this game. Ridiculous, he’s hardly on the
    court and fouls are immediately called him.

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  109. repost from above and could repost every minute or 2 during THIS game and be apropos

    **I’m puking

    much like the ND game and frankly quite a few others

    JB might have gotten a bad call but he’s made a couple bad plays earning a couple he should NEVER have taken

    and more missed FT’s**

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  110. for damn sure I will modify my picked brackets to Pick ISU against either team here

    I’d picked us to win a couple 😦

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  113. Hopefully we can pull out this…….brickfest.

    Pitt has yet to make a 3 in the 2nd half..,..Capel jinxed them with that interview.

    But …talk about the Not Ready for Prime Time Players.

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  118. Reporter: What will you do if the 3s aren’t dropping in the 2nd half?

    Capel: I don’t even want to think about it.

    Also Capel: Clearly didn’t think about it.

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  123. Wish we’d have used Santos some to spread some minutes.

    Guillermo should be tired.

    I like the effort, for the most part.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. MSU had a wide (and I mean WIDE) open 3 for the win that was badly missed and the putback also missed before the buzzer.

      Like

  150. The Force was with Pitt tonight.

    I felt it through the TV. When Hinson made the ‘what the hell’ (Classic Capel quote after the game) shot I knew we had them.

    Hats off to Mississippi State. That was a game for the books. I’ll never forget it.

    The magic is still alive.

    H2P

    Liked by 5 people

  152. I’m glad to see that opposing coach go home to Mississippi.

    I guess he’s still waiting for Pitt to break…

    Hail to Pitt.

    Liked by 6 people

  154. Isnore – with 6 seconds left, one of the twins blocked Tolu Smith’s layup out of bounds.

    With 2.7 seconds, Miss State got a wide open three from the corner, bounced off the rim, a Miss State player tried to tip it in and missed at the buzzer.

    As close to March Sadness as it gets – but Pitt fans were treated to March Madness – we had them all the way?

    Good night!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Rick, and other young guys in case you don’t get the reference, “we had em all the way” was and expression used by an old Pirates announcer, Bob Prince “the Gunner” when the Buccos squeaked out an unexpected victory.

      Liked by 3 people

    1. All important plays…..add Burton’s game winning Money Shot ! After not taking a shot in the 2nd half.

      BigShot Burton ! As bill hillgrove calls him

      Liked by 3 people

  156. Elliott played well on O and quite good on D

    twin was very good most game but played scared and yet came up big late

    JB hopefully now puts the team on his back and then everyone else can pitch in and beat ISU

    really hope Fede recovers quickly

    H2P!!!

    Happy to have one more game !!!

    Liked by 1 person

  157. Cummins gets the game ball IMO – he was the floor general in Burtons absence.

    Nike, Elliott and Hinson with good enough games to carry us to a W.

    The 47% from 3 is what won the game.

    Nothing finer than Hinson’s three from “the parking lot”.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. That’s a great line by Coach Capel.

      And remember, after the Duke loss maybe, Burton said “We’re gonna use the hurt for fuel.”

      Some well-spoken Panthers…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  160. I’ve seen Iowa State play 3x. They were a top 10 team early in the season but injuries have taken there toll. They’ve lost 5 of their last six.

    I hope we have Fede but my game ball goes to twin GDG! He had at least 8 blocks and 4 or 5 changed shots. He was personally responsible for 10 points not scored by MSU ! Pitt will probably be an 8-10 point underdog vs ISU.

    H2P!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maybe Jamarius can carry us……since he’ll be well rested. A 40 point game…back home in NC.

      Twins are gonna be really good, down the road. Dirk Nowitzki times 2…maybe. lol

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  162. Pitt showed alot of heart and never let their heads drop. They had absolutely no inside game, did not shoot well from the mid-range, and couldn’t rebound. Sounds like a winning recipe, doesn’t it.

    Played decent enough defense to force some important TOs and the Twins at least contributed underneath defensively.

    If someone told me JB would only play about 15-20 minutes, Fede not at all, BH only made 2-3 from outside the arc, were out rebounded by 17 giving up 14 offensive rebounds, I’m figuring they lose by 20.

    7 steals by Pitt really helped, but WTH happened at the FT line. MissSt shot 71% to our 60%, unbelievable.

    Playing with house money now, but Iowa St is another very good defensive team. I’d love to see Pitt have Fede and JB actually play or it could be a nasty one again. I think teams have figured out how to defend BH. . . . . . never let his man leave him to help defensively.

    Liked by 1 person

  163. A ugly win is a hell of a lot better than a ugly loss. MSU had so many chances in the last few seconds that its hard to believe Pitt got the win. If MSU had 2 additional seconds on the clock they would have won it. Pitt’s rebounding efforts can be classified as dismal at best.

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  164. If you watch a replay of the final 2.7 seconds, Hinson was guarding Tulo Smith and denied him of not only the inbound pass, but did a great job to block him out from getting the rebound and eventual game winner.

    Dress for my sales meeting and stressing for that 1st cup of coffee.

    Wish I was scouting for the Iowa State game.

    Liked by 2 people

  165. I think we should give Coach Capel and his staff a lot of credit for that win. He may have known Fede would not be available, or at least suspected it, but no way he could have anticipated Burton being on the bench for most of the game. He maneuvered the rest of the pieces well enough to pull out the W.

    Oh, and do you remember a Pitt athlete picking up and hugging Steve Peterson or Scott Barnes? Me neither. If you saw Heather at the Pete interacting with the players, the coaches, the recruits and their family members, you would come to the conclusion that they all love her. We have an absolute gem in our Athletic Director position. We really need to hang onto her!

    Liked by 9 people

    2. Greg Elliott played a pretty darn good game overall, but picking Heather up in a bear hug after the game was his best move of the night. She can wear any color blouse she wants to as long as she stays at Pitt!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. In the 60 years since I graduated from Pitt, Heather is by far the best AD we have had, including Jeff Long.

        Like

  166. The Pitt – Mississippi State may be rebroadcast on CBSSN (CBS Sports Network) at 10:00am today. Listing says, “A replay from the NCAA Tournament”. It’s either Pitt-Miss. State or Tx-CC vs. SE Missouri or a replay from a prior tournament.

    Like

  167. Watched the whole game…but tablet crapped out at halftime.

    What a game to be watching for the first time in the season. It was a good one the Panthers held out the whole way and that last three-point shot was the thing of beauty.

    Liked by 2 people

  168. Here is the box score, etc…

    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore/_/gameId/401522116

    Hinson is fun to watch. He’s not built like a typical BB player but has real skills and Sibane’s 5 rebounds were key.

    The twins are an interesting pair. Not sure what to think there but the starting twin hustled for the whole match.

    I’ll watch next game also – that was the first time I’ve stayed up until midnight for some time…

    Liked by 3 people

  169. thinking about my reaction and instead of stupid playing it really was amazing playing with what they are(and good coaching, maybe very good)

    Freshman played 37 minutes
    Team shut down their big

    overall the team couldn’t stop driving guards(like all season) but they never stopped working hard even without their best player due to fouls(some stupid 😤, the most surprising and disappointing part) but TEAM overcame all that

    very good year and great to have another game!

    ISU supposedly very good defense so will be rough but we have a chance 🤗🤗🤗

    Liked by 4 people

  170. Have to say that with the 21 wins in last two years by the FB team (told you Narduzzi was a great hire!! 😉) and this current BB season Pitt athletics is fun again.

    Erie – that last 3 pointer we made was like a “can of corn” as Bob Prince used to say.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Thrown “from the parking lot”.

      I thought the two announcers did a good job of calling the game, but I would like to hear a replay of Bill Hillgrove from the time Burton drained the go ahead shot, the starting twin’s block at 3 seconds to the final buzzer.

      I’m beating they played it on XM college sports radio this morning, but of course I was in my sales meeting.

      Getting a lot of fist bumps when employees see my Pitt logo on my shirt. Except for the psuX crowd…

      Liked by 3 people

      1. I listened to the Hillgrove call of the last 2 minutes on the Audacy app – 93.7 TheFan. Its during the 11pm Cale Berger segment. Good stuff.

        Like

  172. I was impressed that Pitt never let the game get away. Down the stretch there were points where MSU could have built a larger lead and Pitt somehow kept it close.
    H2P!

    Liked by 1 person

  173. Saw this in the comments on DK ‘Sports Pittsburgh:

    Amazing gutty win – from OptaStats
    “Pitt is the only D-I team in the last 25 seasons to… -score 60 or fewer points -shoot 35.0% or worse on 2-pointers -shoot 60.0% or worse on free throws -get outrebounded by 20 or more …and yet still win the game. D-I teams had been 0-348 over that span with those numbers.”

    Liked by 7 people

  174. Whatta a might for me. My TV picture bombed out as there was only about 5 seconds left in the game ….no matter where any of you live you could hear me scream from York, Pa. NOOO. When I found out that we won and I saw a replay of the missed shot I felt cheated that the moment wasn’t live for me, however, the only thing that really counts is that the team picked to finish 14th in the ACC was going to be playing again!!!

    The Panthers were definitely NOT on their best game and the statistics tell the story…no need to rehash all of them, however, our free throw shooting was abysmal . Missing the front ends of 1 and 1’s made this 80-year-old want to take a shot of good bourbon.

    Iowa State…I have not seen them play so I defer to Dan and all of the rest of the POV who can make an intelligent comment about the team….in a dream year I hope that our journey continues because THIS IS A TEAM FOR THE AGES.

    Liked by 7 people

  175. Played another solid round (for me) on Barefoot Fazio, had some oysters and fish tacos for a pre-game dinner, Pitt overcomes all obstructions, stayed up late, slept in late, coffee tasting real good….

    Liked by 2 people

    1. couldn’t think of obstacles, when the poorest three point shooting team kept making them, you had to wonder….
      When you watched GDG play early this season could you have expected this? Sibande is amazing, what a game by him and Cummings with Burton on the bench. Elliot and Hinson did just enough in unexpected ways. What heart by a team that lost their last three and got crushed by Duke to never give up.
      Hopefully Capel can find some more portal guards that have the heart of these guys.

      Liked by 3 people

    1. Yes, the Pitt fans were awesome, hopefully they load the busses up for Friday, and other ACC fans join in since it is Greensboro.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Greg Elliot maybe channeling a bit of the steel in the native Western PA mentality…No hesitation when answering how did the team react to Burton being on the bench most of the game…”Next Man Up”. Get it done. Love it. Coach Capels friendship with Coach Tomlin may have paid a dividend or two.

      Blake is a character. Eating during his interview. Very intelligent man. Maybe a bit of showmanship in him…a mini Sir Charles? Can’t wait for what the future brings. Hope he sticks around.

      JDG – from anxious freshmen expecting to sit on the bench and learn, you could see the amazement in his eyes when he said that instead the twins actually got to play and contribute and LEARN!

      If this video isn’t a recruitment tool then someone is missing the boat.

      And all praise goes to the dedicated Pitt fans who traveled to support them and brought ‘The Pete’ along with them. 6th man on the court indeed. Hats off to all of you.

      The magic moves to Greensboro. The Men got some work to do. Hope Feddie is healed enough to contribute some quality minutes. I have a feeling LB is gonna take his sub-par Dayton experience and channel it well…he will put the team on his back and carry them into the Thrilling 32, in front of all his homies.

      Anything can happen in March. Anything.

      And whatever happens I’m enjoying this unexpected, crazy, zany, improbable BBall celebration.

      H2P

      Liked by 3 people

  181. Missed this one yesterday. Odd that Mississippi St. had two former impactful Pitt Coaches Howland and Sherrill stay there longer than at Pitt, but didn’t make nearly the noise.

    Like

    2. Jeffress should be interesting if he can live up to his potential. He should physically be a man instead of the 17 year old boy who came early to Pitt. Maybe another big man that can hit threes.

      Liked by 1 person

  182. I guess the MSU coach is still waiting for Pitt to “crack”. How many times did the announcers keep bringing that up?!

    H2P!

    Liked by 3 people

  183. I found HCJC’s comments immediately following the game to be highly refreshing. It’s OK to acknowledge that luck is a part of the game!

    Liked by 4 people

  184. The statement by the MSU coach was arrogant and stupid. Waiting for the other team to tank (crack/lose composure) is not a winning strategy. I have no idea as to the ability of the Iowa State coach, but I would bet my house that he will not utter a dumb-ass statement like that bibble babble from the MSU coach!

    Liked by 1 person

  186. Glad CBSSN is replaying the game. Had Doctor appointment this morning and missed 2’nd half after following asleep last night. Got home in time to watch most of the 2’nd half. Game now with 7:45 left in game.

    Like

  187. Just getting up. Too excited to sleep

    Did anyone notice late first half the Capel put both twins in and went “triangle plus two” zone for about 4 minutes??

    Thought the refs called it same for both sides….. all you can ask!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. if anything while JB call #4 was close and maybe not, they definitely seemed to miss 2 travels on us and each and every possession was so important that it’s hard to dFnse to shut down their big

      and then in the end, they got the bounce off the rim to give them a chance but couldn’t make either happen

      really need Fede back but he needs to be really close to 100% and if not, I think this game gives the twins a big step up to even in 1 game be far more effective with his length

      maybe not changing my bracket pick with Pitt winning another game,,,,or 2 🙂

      Like

    2. Thought I saw that, then said nah, I’m mistaken, not Coach Capel.

      Maybe the horse has learned to sing… 😉

      H2P

      Like

  188. —Hats off to Nelly Cummings. What a clever game he played. His ability to finish on those reverse layups – against guys almost a foot taller than him, is impressive.

    —And please, no more of this “he looks scared” stuff. These guys played with heart and played their butts off —sometimes giving away 30+ pounds…

    —And hats off to the Pitt coaches for their coaching against Smith, who was 5 for 11 and scored 13 points. Shame on the MSU coaches for using their all-conference center so poorly… 😊

    —And Pitt kept Smith from touching the ball on that last possession-which was huge. Give me an open 3 – versus Smith getting the ball near the basket – every time…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 5 people

    2. Cummings was huge. This is honestly the first game I can recall where he penetrated to the hoop and consistently tried to finish at the rim — and successfully so at that — rather than panicking, stopping, and getting caught in the lane trying to find an outlet on the perimeter. Hope he keeps that up in the next game. I think we’re gonna need it!

      Like

  189. It is better to be lucky than good. Elliott missed two and Cummings one three point shot down the stretch which could have sealed the deal. Then they give up that wide open three point attempt and MSU misses the tap in. Crazy stuff.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. “War is a Science” (Stephen Schwartz) from “Pippin”:

      In conclusion gentlemen….

      Now listen to me closely

      I’ll endeavor to explain
      What separates a charlatan
      from a Charlemagne
      A rule confessed by generals
      illustrious and various
      Though pompous as a Pompey
      or daring as a Darius
      A simple rule that every
      good man knows by heart
      It’s smarter to be lucky
      than it’s lucky to be smart

      And if the fates feel frivolous
      And all our plans they smother
      Well suppose this war does shrivel us
      There’ll always be another!

      At this point in the season, there are no style points, no credit for margin of victory or opponent’s SOS. There is only winning. An ugly, lucky win means you survive to continue playing. A pretty loss is merely a thing of beauty you get to relive from the comfort of your davenport.

      H2P!!!

      Liked by 11 people

  190. I can only hope that the drive and determination from our basketball team rubs off on the football team. Spring practice has started and hopefully, we will not have any major injuries. We have a tough schedule, but somehow I think that Jurkovic will come through for us with his understanding of the Cignetti system..

    Liked by 2 people

    1. When Bill dies he should donate his liver to UPMC/Pitt for research….maybe they could clone it for use in transplants. It’s bullet proof. 😄

      Liked by 1 person

  192. Here’s the full game if you want to use a calculator to count how many times the refs tried to screw us over…

    Like

  194. I’ve run that final play that MSU ran a hundred times. Screen and rescreen w a dummy screen inside to isolate one player for a three. MSU ran it to perfection.

    My daughters HS Championship team ran the same play in the semis with 2 seconds left and a two pts deficit ….. and hit the three to go to the finals. Seems like a hundred years ago!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maybe the big man upstairs gave the old Panthers a break with that missed three because we have had some bad luck in the past. I can think of at least ten football games over the past fifteen years that were crazy, unfathomable losses often in bizarre fashion. We are due some good juju!

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Not only did they miss the wide open 3 but they had a couple of put backs that just missed. Pitt had no one to rebound and MSU given a litle additional time could have probably put the ball up several more times.

      Like

    3. You’re right Dan. They ran it perfectly. But if you’re the coach of the team with the worst 3-pt percentage shooting in the entire country, is that really the play you should draw up for the last shot? After their first four makes, they were 2 of 23 the rest of the game.

      Like

  195. —It’s official — these Pitt Panthers have overachieved!

    There’s so many things we could be cursing today:
    -Our foul shooting;
    -Our driving into defenders;
    -Burton missing so much time;
    -FF being out;
    -Our terrible, out-of-touch coaching…
    -Etc., etc., etc…

    But we’re not. 😊

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  199. Nike Sibande played a heck of a game against MSU

    -How ‘bout that play where Nike got the rebound and beat everyone down the floor for the layup!

    -And he’s been doing pretty well on the threes – surprisingly well when he takes it off a dribble move.

    -One thing that worries me about him is that there are times when you can tell he really wants to go for the spectacular dunk, when a simpler layup is available…. But then again, dunks by a guard are pretty awesome.

    Obviously we need another big game from him on Friday.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 4 people

  200. Wow, I just noticed that Nelly played 40 minutes. Hinson and Elliot played 38 minutes, GDG played 37. Double wow.

    Miss. U played 10 players; we played 7, barely…

    Go Pitt.

    PS: Speaking of the importance of confidence in shooting threes, perhaps playing for “Miss. U” could be problematic… 😊

    Liked by 2 people

  205. The exciting thing is we’ll be every bit as good if not better next season ! Capel must target an impactful stud power forward and a top notch 3 point specialist… time is now to land just one Mcdonald’s All- American during his tenure at Pitt that he did effortlessly at Duke !!

    Like

  207. With ISU favored by 4 points, Caesars giving Pitt a 33% chance of winning on Friday.

    So you’re telling me their is a chance…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  208. Craig Meyer tweeted this eye-popping factoid about how clutch Hinson has been late in games:

    “Hinson has made 56% of his 3s (14 of 25) in the final five minutes of games this season.”

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 5 people

  211. Did a little research on the Cyclones of Iowa State and here is what I found out.

    They have no one that avg’s more than 4 Rebounds a game.
    They have no one who avg’s more than 13.4 ppg.
    Just 2 weeks ago they dismissed their 3rd leading scorer from the team.
    While it is true they allow the fewest ppg among Big 12 teams, they allow
    more ppg (62.8) than Mississippi State did (61.0).
    They were near the bottom (next to last) in Big12 in scoring (68.4).
    Mississippi State was also next to last in scoring in the SEC.
    ISU’s biggest player (6’10”) avg’s playing less than half the game (18.6 mpg)
    They have lost 7 of their last 10 games. And 9 of their last 13 games.

    **They were near bottom (next to last) in the Big 12 in Rebounding **
    They were Dead Last in FT shooting (67%)
    They were 3rd from Bottom in FG% (45%)
    Where they do thrive is Steals (1st in Big12) 8.8 pg
    They were at the Bottom of the Big 12 in Fouls called on (a whopping 19 pg)

    This team is very beatable, as they were beaten quite a bit….13 times to be exact.
    And outside of Baylor, they’ve been extremely beatable since the end of January.

    Like Miss State with Howland & Jackie Sherrill, there is a Pitt connection to Iowa State
    Both Johnny Majors & Blake Hinson came from Iowa State to Pitt. One led
    Pitt to a National Championship. We can hope right, with Hinson !!

    Liked by 7 people

  212. I thought Pitt was dissed by being on Tru TV then I saw psuX game is on the Cartoon Network.
    Sounds about right. 🙃

    Liked by 7 people

  215. Let’s get some revenge on Iowa St. for our 2003 Insight.com Bowl loss. As a ninth grader, I remember being very uspet that qb Sage Rosenfels torched the Panther’s secondary.

    Like

  217. WVU totally screwed on that MD call out of bounds, no indisputable evidence to overturn

    utter BS

    B1G fix in

    $$$$$

    Like

      1. I disagree

        arm hit had a bit while on the ball, don’t think that is a foul at all let alone bad

        Like

        1. and no matter, no foul called and plenty of evidence the ball NEVER touched a WVU player

          you can’t overturn a “no foul” call or make up by calling the ball wrongly off the other team WHEN THERE IS CLEAR AND INDISPUTABLE EVIDENCE TO OVERTURN

          reffing sucks including replay error that changed a critical point in the game, WVU still needed to score so certainly might not change the outcome

          prior to THAT though, the ref underneath was calling nothing against UMD defending with contact

          B1G money

          Like

    1. Just another embarrassing 1st round loss for Virginia. That team is like Dixon’s old teams. Not built for the Tournament.

      Liked by 3 people

    2. Absolute brain fart by one of the top point guards in the ACC, Clark, turns the ball over with a 2 point lead with less than 10 seconds to play.

      Like

  219. Miami & Duke both have challenging 1st round games. The selection clowns, err, I mean committee got embarrassed last year in the Tournament when 3 ACC teams made the Elite 8 and 2 made the Final 4. They hope to make sure that doesn’t happen again. I will be rooting like crazy that Duke wins it all.

    Like

  220. “How to lose to anyone in the Tournament”, by Virginia

    Go 2-10 (16.7%) from the 3 and allow your opponent to sink 10 3’s. CYA in the funny papers…

    Like

  221. UVA fans on suicide watch down here after yet another embarassing loss…

    #16 seed UMBC beat them when they were a #1 seed in 2017-18 tourney.
    1982 Ralph Sampson team lost to Chaminade (Hawaii) while ranked #1

    I cannot say they Ive ever seen anything quite like what transpired this afternoon.
    Clark, who was a big factor in the Cavaliers’ march to the Championship in 2019 absolutely soiled the sheets. I feel bad for him…awful way to lose.

    Liked by 1 person

  222. Meanwhile, things are happening outside of Greensboro/Charlotte:

    Big12 is not sitting still while the PAC-10… PAC-12… and now back to PAC-10 is being picked over like a cattle carcass in the plains.

    Problem for the ACC is the best and “available” schools are out West. ACC Commish Phillips is gonna have to earn his pay.

    Like

  223. They should know Virginia’s past history……yea they’ve gone out really early in 3 of the last 4 years they’ve been in the Dance.

    But after one of those early exits, they won the whole shi-bang, the very next year.

    I think I would take that….cause getting to a Final 4 for most schools is tough enough, winning the NC….even more so.

    Other than that, they play like Dixon’s Pitt teams, both in the regular season and the post-season. As is their style of play and the fact; the players they recruit can’t rachet it up to another level in the Dance(other than that one year). Again similar to Dixon teams. Although Bennett gets way more Top 100 recruits than Dixon ever got.

    Liked by 1 person

  224. I’ve said all year on Pov that UVA was a fraud! But, I never thought they’d lost to Furman! A very well coached mediocre talented team that can’t score from outside!

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  225. Dug up some more intel on Iowa Sate.

    They like Pitt…… are a team of mostly transfers.
    So much so, that of their top 8 players, 7 transferred in from some other college.
    And like Pitt, they have older players. Again of the top 8 players, 7 are in Senior Year .
    Only a couple freshmen (sort of like Pitt’s twins) haven’t played at some other college.
    And they like Pitt went 0-18 in their conference, albeit ISU’s was just 2 years ago.

    Their Top player(scorer), Jaren Holmes along with their now 3rd leading scorer and near leading Rebounder Big Man Center……both transferred this year from St. Bonaventure to ISU.

    Other Cyclones transferred from schools like Denver, Eastern Kentucky, VCU, Minnesota,
    Washington State. Some of the secondary player transfers are in their 2nd year at ISU.

    Last year at this time ISU was an 11 seed like Pitt is this year, playing a 6 seed.
    And they upset the 6 seed LSU, but that was a different ISU team except for some
    of the secondary players(sans the Minnesota transfer ). They went on to upset 3 seed Wisconsin in the 2nd Round before getting beat pretty handily by 10 seed Miami Hurricanes. 70-56.

    What is interesting is Miami was a Guard oriented team last year, as they started 4 guards
    and only 1 Forward. Pitt as we know starts 3 Guards and the first sub off the bench is
    another Guard…..Nike. ISU did out-rebound Miami 37-30, but Miami hit 9 Three pointers
    to only 4 Three’s for ISU. ISU only got to the FT line 4 times. This year they were
    Dead Last in the Big 12 in FTA’s and FT %. Seems to indicate they are basically a jump shooting team, that doesn’t drive much to the hoop.

    Pitt meanwhile needs to cleanup their FT shooting, as those misses by our better FT shooters could have cost us the last game.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. I just got online at 7:39PM and started to read through the thread prior to commenting on Princeton…..you hit the nail on the head because I was thinking that the GRFEAT Pete Carril is smiling with such a shine that it can be seen all over Heaven. Dan as you and I both preach…sound, basic, disciplined basketball can often beat the showboaters who are favored by umpteen points…..GO TIGERS GO!! The finance majors, pre meds, pre laws managed to stay close enough to pressure Zona to lose their cool. Not good for a team from broiling cactus country.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. They did it! Looks like Virginia isn’t going to be the big story tomorrow. Expect to see a lot of this this tournament.

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    1. Would love to see the number of upsets they have had over the years. I can remember a few good ones growing up!

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  229. Virginia has to be very happy that Princeton beat Arizona. That really takes the focus off of their upset.

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      1. fair answer

        laughed and I actually agree, very unsure of his dynamic thinking abilities and this one and done requires that at a critical level enough to cost us/him

        is Huggins better? WVU didn’t look like they improved this year against an inconsistent UMD team, but I do think UMD got the calls in their favor

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  232. Furman is located in Greenville, SC. The local TV channel covering the Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville area spent the 6 to 6:30 news covering the Paladins win. (Except for two weather reports.)

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Pitt’s 1974 basketball team(Billy Knight team) beat Furman to get to the Elite 8.

      It use to be a pretty good basketball program back then and it’s really known for it’s Golf team, especially women’s. LPGA greats Beth Daniel & Betsy King went there. As well
      as Dottie Pepper.

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  236. Interesting info from PSN about Hugley in the portal:

    “Not surprisingly, Hugley has been a popular player as Joe Tipton reports that he’s received early interest from Michigan, Oregon, Miami, Rutgers, Xavier, Arkansas, LSU, Cincinnati, Iowa State, West Virginia, Maryland, Nebraska, Georgia Tech, Central Florida, Wisconsin, Butler, Dayton, Ohio, Arizona State, Georgia, Oakland and Cleveland State.”

    Go Pitt.

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  240. Only Miami from the ACC among the suitors for Hugely listed above. Is there an unwritten rule about going after another ACC player in the portal? Miami is not one to follow rules…

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  242. Matthews and Bonaccorsi advance to the final 8 tomorrow.

    I don’t know much about wrestling but the rest of Pitt’s guys looked thoroughly abused by their opponents.

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  243. OT — saw where Jerry Dipaola is saying that Pitt and Duquesne are in talks to schedule a football game…

    Go Pitt.

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  244. Football – watched the interviews of a couple of the Olinemen. Kradel and Gonzo. Very frustrating to hear these experienced players say how much more comfortable they are with the offense this season after having to learn a new playbook last season. Why do these new Offensive Coordinators – especially the experienced ones – do this every time they change jobs. It’s like you lose a season…

    You’d think the new OC would just keep the stuff that worked the previous season and gradually work in their stuff. But no – make the offense learn a new playbook and take half a season to be comfortable playing it…

    I guess it makes a case for coaching continuity…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  248. Virginia, like Dixon’s teams did not have a next gear for the tourney. They got to their ranking because of 100% effort during the regular seasons. When the tourney lights go on, they didn’t have a next. Watch the teams. They play desperate and focused, prioritizing the basketball.

    We will see how Capel’s team plays in the dance. Do we have a next gear?

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  250. Some off-season Pitt volleyball items this week.

    There is a new Fish Report with Kayla Lund talking about playing pro in Switzerland.
    https://www.facebook.com/PittVolley

    Pitt Volleyball now has a page devoted to their former players playing pro abroad. There are eight of them presently.
    https://pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/2023/2/28/volleyball-pro-panthers.aspx

    Best of luck to our men’s basketball team today. Hail To Pitt!

    Liked by 1 person

  252. Pitt can struggle with any team they face at this point without The Fed.
    Fingers crossed today…I’m burning incense too.
    Whatever it takes, baby!
    😎

    Liked by 1 person

  253. utterly brainless finish by Cole Matthews to lose to Bartlett in quarterfinals

    hope that got a bad finish out of Pitt’s system for the day

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He gets taken down w one second left while leading in OT vs highly favored Penn State wrestler! Hope it’s not an omen

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  254. Off Topic: Yesterday both Dan and I wrote about the importance of fundamental basketball. Today we will see another team that is TOTALLY OUTCLASSED, Vermont against a strong Marquette. Unlike Princeton which plays Ivy Basketball ( a better league than many realize) The Catamounts of the beautiful University of Vermont play in a low level conference. So, why mention all of this…well one of the great college coaches who loves staying in the terrific Burlington, Vt area (sensational skiing/great golf/ very close to French Canada, etc.) is John Becker a REAL WINNER at a school with strong academics). A REAL COACH!!

    https://uvmathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/john-becker/2709

    Liked by 2 people

  255. Both Obama and Charles Barkley picked Pitt to win. I wonder if they know about Fede’s injury status? Either way, Iowa St. is very similar to Miss. St.
    Go Pitt!

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  257. Barkley picked A&M to beat Pedo by a large margin because he said they had better athletes. I hope he is right about Pitt this time..

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    1. We are in the perfect bracket for us and wouldn’t ya know it, Fede gets a knee injury right before the Tournament. We could wind up playing PSU in the Sweet 16 if he can at least play 10-15 minutes a game. Give a guy a steroid shot already…

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  260. Say goodbye to the X men. Kennisaw St crushing Xavier all over the floor. If Pitt can just…..

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  265. Drives me crazy that 100% of the time the guy who gets the inbound pass wants to be the hero and will not pass the ball off. He invariably winds the goat instead, like the shrimp from Kennesaw State.

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  266. if we all remember, when teams came out to defend the perimeter on Pitt, we were able to spread them out and score

    except for when Duke did it, but not many teams are Duke defensively!

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