in Pitt Football 194 Words

#11 Pitt vs #3 Xavier Musketeers NCAA Game Thread

Here we go for our third chance to show the college BB world that Pitt is for real. I know Pitt fans are the hardest on the Panthers (just read some of the in-game comments on here!), but I feel we’ve done a damn good job since the tip-off against Mississippi State. Now, onward…

Here is what we’ve done since the end of our ACC season:

Have to say that a 3-1 record when it counts for advancing ain’t too shabby. 24-11 overall is pretty damn good for the program also. We’ll see how that holds for this afternoon against Xavier. Here are two quick overviews of the two teams playing today (I scoff at ESPN’s 68.8% chance to win for the Musketeers):

ESPN’s Pitt vs Xavier

NCAA’s Pitt vs Xavier

Here are some more detailed info tidbits for the two schools:

Pitt:

Pitt’s Basketball Season

Pitt’s Men’s Stats

Pitt’s Roster

Xavier:

Xavier’s Basketball Season

Xavier’s Men’s Stats

Xavier’s Roster

And here’s who we will play after today’s win:

Here is the progression of the BB program since Kevin “Slim” Stallings was hired:

OK – have at it and let’s bring home another win!

HTP!!

274 thoughts on “#11 Pitt vs #3 Xavier Musketeers NCAA Game Thread”

  2. Wow, talk about letting them play, PSU and Texas only got to the foul line 11 times each yesterday in that slugfest. PSU’s cold three point shooting caused their loss.

    Pitt real needs Hinson and Elliot to get hot today although they have proved they can win in other ways, they are hard to beat when those guys are draining them.

    Defense has got them here and that intensity will also be needed.

    Hopefully this game being in ACC land will also be a plus.

    Like

  3. Reposting from last thread.

    Opened today’s PG looking to see some good press on the Panthers. Guess who’s on the front page of the sports section.

    Sean Miller. Don’t know why I still subscribe to that rag.

    Well, I do need the paper for weed control on the garden.

    H2P! Send Sean home today.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Dino 71, I dumped the pg 20 years ago after a glowing article on Joe Paterno.
    I called and told them why and never looked back.
    I’m pretty confident we can give X a good game. A few breaks and a hot hand we will win.
    Scooter has a Nike Sibande wig he plans to sport today.
    Can’t wait!

    Liked by 4 people

    2. I also dumped the PG after being a lifelong daily reader, after a negative article on Pitt.

      Like

    1. I approved. Your comment is above. It was hung up due to the use of one of the schools state.

      Like

  6. I have an email into Reed to un-ban the word “Texas” It will be a word used fairly consistently after Pitt beats Xavier.

    Until then, please use something else to refer to them. I do not spend all my time monitoring the POV.

    Thanks

    Like

    2. “after Pitt beats Xavier”.

      I like your optimism…

      No matter what the score today, Pitt needs to dig deep and never, ever give up. Hustle, focus and fight will be the huddle reminders throughout this game.

      Go Pitt!

      Like

  8. Re-posting from the last thread –

    Xavier starters have a size advantage on Pitt and were a very good three point shooting team this season with 40% of their scoring coming from beyond the arc. That was not the case 2 days ago in round 1 of the tourney where Xavier was 2-12 for 3’s.

    The size advantage starts with their PG and leading scorer who is 3” taller than Nelly.

    From there, each position player for Xavier is 1 to 2” taller than their Pitt counter man.

    Keys to Pitt winning today (IMO) are:

    (1) continue playing tough & relentless D
    (2) find an offensive rhythm and get an early lead
    (3) play the hot hands regardless of who they are
    (4) rotate the bigs for fresh legs unless that big is playing lights out
    (5) hack the lumber jack (X’s big Nunge) where needed – we have at least 15 fouls between the twins and Fede

    Go Pitt – I DON’T HAVE BAIL MONEY!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. EE my thoughts agree on Nunge as I posted yesterday he is a problem if Fede is unable to provide some quality minutes. The twins are like twigs compared with his size…he is built like a refrigerator. and we have to keep some height on the floor or we will be in trouble.
      But, we have to have fouls to give…Elliott, Hinson, Nike, and Cummings should be practicing 3 point shots in their dreams….if we shoot well from outside we win…if not it has been one terrific season.

      Like

    2. Just saying, all due respect, size is not everything. FDU & Princeton have proven that.

      TEAM beats size almost everytime.

      Pitt Gang rebounds with the best of them.

      Going to be a show, no matter the outcome.

      Let’s bring on the Magic Pitt!

      H2P

      Like

  9. I’m not a fan of Sean Miller, but being the son of a coach and having coached at a high level all these years, he certainly knows BB coaching. He knows how to control our strengths and how to attack our weaknesses…

    So this will be quite a test – our “let them play” Coach, as most categorize him, versus a true Mr. Basketball coach.

    I’m rooting for Scooter’s team!

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  10. for decades, I’ve gone on a long run the morning of huge sports events I’ve had massive rooting interest in(always kid’s states and other championships) with the idea that I finish sprinting hard like I expect might be needed to win

    it’s worked out for most situations, but never for Pitt basketball

    I took this cold morning off 🙂

    Let’s go Pitt!!!

    Like

    1. I went to church last night, got up early to work in my yard this morning – the sun was out but man it was as cold as Erie in the Spring – 36 degrees with a wind chill of “feels like 16” per my weather app.

      Work completed, slipping on my Oakland Zoo shirt and eating an early lunch – you guessed it a Primanti Bros Italian sub.

      H2P!

      Liked by 3 people

  12. First in line at Shortys on North Shore.
    Anyone coming we are in the far end on the river side. Scooters buying.
    Great view!

    Like

  14. Factual news leading up to the X-tip:

    Regional teams out as of this comment – wvcc, psuX and Mary-land

    Big Joke teams that remain in the tourney – (2) Mich St and Indiana

    ACC teams that remain – (2) Pitt & Miami (who plays Indiana)

    Number 1 seeds out – (2) Purdue and Kansas

    LET’s GO PITT!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Clark Kellogg writes Pitt off in first words uttered on CBS pre-game: ‘only the 6 seeds will advance today’ and ‘we will have stability today’.

    Well Mr BigJoke Kellogg. You were overrated as a player and overrated as an announcer.

    while Pitt may lose, your analysis is right from the BigJoke playbook.

    A polite buzz off, Mr. Kellogg.

    H2P

    Liked by 2 people

  26. Yep, Nunge is the X factor for X. Avier….CBS announcer. Ian Eagle is a good one , but read from the script saying that Miller has love for Pitt. WRONG

    Like

  31. Pitt hanging in there in the half court deuce game…not many 3’s yet – IMO looking very good.

    Like

  41. Pitt survived the first two games while Burton was sleepwalking. They won’t do the same today. He needs to show up or it will be a long day. And it isn’t looking good for him in the first 12 minutes.

    Like

  44. X shooting lights out. We are rushing our outside shots …shooting a bit off balanced with low arcs…ball hits rim and x gets the rebounds. 👹

    Like

  45. Hate to sound like a grumpy old man, but FFS, if the refs aren’t going to call 3 seconds, just get rid of the rule. Burton’s jumpers are flat again. All front rim. Need a run now.

    Like

  48. Keep it close in the first half and turn on the three point rain machine in the 2nd half.

    This will be a fast & furious game.

    Like

  49. I think we need a closely called game with a couple of their key guys getting in trouble early

    we need to stay close and play smart/er

    Like

  58. I was afraid of Nunge …he is just too strong physically for us to defend. He has more ability than Bacot.

    Like

  59. Sean Miller in one year has Xavier better than “All in the Family” in 5 years. Huge difference in Talent and Coaching. Sad.

    Like

    2. I am not convinced we are playing much different defense, we were lucky with the last 2 games having teams that couldn’t shoot

      my hope for that here wouldn’t even be enough

      done it this 1st half finish doesn’t include a few big breaks

      Like

  69. Lid on the basket for Pitt’s shots. Game not over but it will take a GIGANTIC collapse by X for us to get back in the game.

    Like

  72. Burton with 5 bad halves in a row – can’t win with your best player pretty much non-existent

    Like

  81. In the 2nd half we get the hoop that doesn’t have a lid on it. That should help.

    This team needs 3s to win and they’re not going in.

    Liked by 1 person

  82. JB needs to stop forcing and trying to get inside unless he also looks to pass out for a 3

    he doesn’t get foul calls for some reason and he gets blocked by their big camping underneath defending

    Like

    1. He doesn’t get foul calls because he always falls away from his shot, also why he ends up on the floor so often.

      Like

  83. Need Burton, Cummins & Hinson to have second halves that rival their best games of this season to make this victorious comeback.

    Note: to HC Capel – use your time outs in the second half – keep the game within 15 as the threes can start to drop and X can go cold.

    And give Santos a shot at playing some D if Burton continues to struggle. Five straight quarters means something is wrong – injury, pressing, girl problems, etc.

    Liked by 1 person

  85. Burton has not attempted a 3 point shot in 4 games. Defense just sits back waiting for him to drive. Sean has done an excellent scouting job and is destroying all our weaknesses …. And they are many!

    Liked by 1 person

  87. Cummings killing this team in the first half. Obviously not his day, at least to this point.

    I’d give him a couple of more opportunities to score. If he continues to come up short, Capel ABSOLUTELY has to make a change.

    Like

  88. Dan – what defensive adjustment needs to be made at the half?

    I saw that Capel switched to a zone from man-to-man when the X lead got to 19. He had the 3 guards out at the 3 pt line and the 3 bigs hugging the paint.

    How about a 1-3-1 where Nike is the 1 out front?

    Like

    2. Not much he can do Rick! Zone kills us on the boards. I’d put a twin on their hot three point shooter. I’m watching w the sound off again. Even w that, very disheartening. X men are a far superior team!

      Liked by 1 person

  90. fouls going the way we need

    hit a 3 or get a stop and good offense and we are back in

    get Nunge a quick #4 when he returns

    make them feel a little tightness

    Like

  92. One more missed shot or turnover by Cummins should be time for Capel sits him.

    At that point go with Burton, Elliot, Nike, Hinson and Fede and see what happens

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    1. Capel needs to get a real rebounder in the portal….a guy like Lane. No one on this team has a clue…and Fede and the twins are just learning.

      Liked by 1 person

  97. Pitt does not play well against good 3 point shooting teams. Their only chance is to keep Nunge on the bench and to get to the line. Burton is a shell of his old self, a one trick pony who can’t shoot 3s.

    Like

  99. Difference in the game is Xavier’s Defense. Designed to put pressure on everyone but the Point Guard.

    Cummings had the opportunity to be the DIFFERENCE MAKER in this Game. So far not fulfilling that role.

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    1. He’s tough but not quick off the dribble and can’t create his own shot…and Miller knows it. Can’t wait until next season.

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    1. He’s a one trick pony…and everyone knows his one trick now. Teams that watched him dismantle UNC said, ain’t happing to us…

      Liked by 1 person

  101. Would someone please shoot a three.

    The refs aren’t calling nothing on the drives inside and we’re not making the drive shot anyways.

    Come on guys!

    Liked by 1 person

  102. It was a good season. Hopefully the big guys bulk up and Dior Johnson is the point guard people are hyping him up to be.

    Liked by 1 person

  103. Cummings and Burton not playing their best with No threes from Hinson and Elliot.

    Really too bad, but the run was going to end at some point.

    Also when you have a guy go 5-5 from three, and a slick 7 footer hard to keep up.

    Liked by 1 person

  104. Cummings is just short which is the source of all his problems. 6’3” guards can overpower him and he can’t shoot over them.

    Like

  105. It’s just Pitt laying another egg on national TV. Nothing we haven’t seen dozens of times before…it’s the one SOP curse that that will never die I guess.

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    1. There is no SOP. Every team except one in this tourney will lose. This team has overachieved and we should celebrate a great season.

      Liked by 8 people

  107. Did CBS announcers just say there is talk one of the twins is thinking of transferring to get more PT?

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  109. The refs are missing contact when we are on offense – the lumber jack just fouled Nike but no call.

    Yard work is calling me…

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    1. that was a bad call, maybe Nike prior to Hinson grabbing it but….. no matter, we can’t play offense enough to put even a little pressure on them

      Like

  112. Instead of mouthing off to the refs, tell your players to protect the ball and shoot threes.

    UGLY!

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  116. Might as well put Hinson back in. It’s now or never. All layups for this Xavier team. That’s not getting back on defense. Burton is a head case at this point.

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  117. Biggest lead of the game. There was not one Pitt player stepped up today. This was a total team effort in the loss.

    Liked by 1 person

  118. Xavier’s big man out of the game. Seems to me the common sense play would be to start dishing inside with BOTH twins.

    Capel where’s your adjustment?

    Not complicated.

    Like

  119. Not much for me to say because this game is over. We can all hope that the twins and Fede develop and that DJ is as advertised. Portal and quality transfers a must. ACC is really down this year and Miami will not save the conference. I give Miller credit for doing an excellent job of coaching. We. had a fun year not expected. H to P!!!

    Liked by 2 people

  120. Worry not thanks to Heather we have this underachieve and his entire family on the payroll for the next 3-4 years. Meanwhile Sean Miller in 12 months has turned Xavier into a great program. Capel is a clown.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. LMAO. Enjoy Capel and his entire family while we had one decent season in 5 years. Good Luck with that. Miller in 12 month has made more progress than Capel in 60 months. Winners win and losers make excuses. Let me guess the legs excuse again? Nothing to do with Capels coaching or Heather extending a guy who just loses.

        Like

        1. haha, I never said anything about the legs and agree with you on that and cringed reading it here over and over and over

          as for the rest, Capel in today’s world and at Pitt MIGHT be the answer

          not a great X’s and O’s coach it seems but got a lot out of this team

          he’s earned another year and needs to both build on this and build on what might be truly better recruiting

          IF Dior(and I have NO idea) is who some say, this year could’ve been even more and while I love Fede, he’s limited, the twins(or at least 1) could be great for 3 more years with their real basketball skills and IQ

          upitt, if you were here at all this year, you’d get the respect that knucklehead Texass says I don’t show you

          here’s to hoping and expecting you willNEED to stay in your hole for another year of Pitt FB and BB 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

        2. This years team was basically built in ONE YEAR. Coach Capel did an OUTSTANDING job this year – as shown by the accolades he has received from his PEERS.

          Miller is a known cheat. And not a good person IMO. I’ll take Coach Capel over that jagoff any day of the week year decade century epoch age.

          H2P

          Like

    2. My mistake I didn’t mean to hit the like button…if there was an UNLIKE. I would hit it Mr negative always upitt

      Like

  122. really think it was a poorly played game by the key guys

    a couple shots here and there which would’ve/should’ve happened and we get back in

    THEN BURTON CAN”T SEE ELLIOTT!!!!!

    F!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. and several missed layups and close in shots throughout

      never could get things going but only partly due to Xavier’s defense, mostly our guys just not playing well

      Like

    2. Up until 6 games ago Pitt was @ 80% from the FT line. Normally that carry’s over but it didn’t with Pitt. No idea why.

      Like

  127. Thanks to everyone on POV for an enjoyable (most of the time) year!

    Pitt has some terrific players coming in next. Carrington is a 2 year star and then will go pro. DJ is the real deal. Fede and the twins start a lifting and protein diet program ASAP. Need a two guard and some three point shooters and we are set. Jeffres may help but unless I see a major change, the ACC is just too big for him.

    If you look at Pitt’s true limitations, it’s a miracle we got this far. Please look at the big picture. Pitt’s had a great season and a bright future. When’s the last time you could say that?? ! H2P

    Liked by 18 people

  131. I guess the question now is do you hope Miami advances to be the lone representative of the ACC? I don’t think that means enough for me to cheer for them.

    Liked by 1 person

  132. This Pitt Men’s BBall season was was a true Magical Mystery Tour.

    I was there in the Pete at the first exhibition game…and if you had told me then that Pitt would be in the Thrilling 32 I would have laughed in your face.

    This team has grown by leaps and bounds. With the experience they got this year, next year they will be a Force to be reckoned with in the ACC.

    I will be renewing my season tickets on Monday.

    Thanks Coach Capel, assistants, managers, trainers, and most of all those gritty never say never tenacious players.

    YOU have brought the program back form the desert, and brought real excitement back to The Pete.

    We love You Panthers.

    H2P

    Liked by 16 people

  135. The big test for Coach Capel is next season. He led this motley crew to 24 wins. Now can he sustain the winning next season – can we again win a bunch of the close games.

    Seems like a promising roster with those coming back and those coming in. Ironically, it was our older, graduating players who were off their game today or we would have had a chance at the end…

    In spite of the low points, I really enjoyed rooting for the Panthers this season…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 4 people

  139. and AGAIN, thanks Reed for this place because as good/nearly great as this year has been in Pitt BB, it wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable without being able to share it HERE

    thanks to and for everyone!!!

    H2P!!!!

    Liked by 9 people

  140. I believe the announcer meant to say that one of the twins, when coming out of Spain, wanted to go to a different team so that he would get more playing time – not that he wanted to leave Pitt at this point.

    Liked by 3 people

  141. —If I heard it correctly, that 7-footer from Xavier is a “sixth-year” player. I imagine GDG or FF would be pretty good 5 years from now…

    —On to spring football…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

  143. The athleticism of the KY players is really impressive – they’re in another league from our guys…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  144. Fun season. Fun team. Twins come back. Hinson comes back. FedEx2 will better. Dior should be an upgrade over Cummings. Need to find two scorers to replace Burton and Elliot.

    Following activity in the portal the next two weeks should be fun.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Xavier was a better team with a better coach. The ACC is down this year. Let’s see what Capel does next year.

      Like

      1. All I said was fun team and fun season. I’ve already said this was a program starter team not an all-time team.

        You didn’t enjoy the season? What does a down year in the ACC have to do with anything?

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    2. I’d be happy splitting that “wish” up by adding one very good scorer and one very good physical rebounder who can really protect the rim

      that rebounder/rim protector easily could come together in one person

      Fede having 2 more years and the twins for 3 gives reason for great expectations if you can add around them with Hinson, hope Dior stays and IF any real contribution from Nate or Jeffress

      and if not from Nate or Will, have them move on to get real court time

      Like

  146. I wonder if today’s results would have been different if Fede had been healthy…. That steady stream of Xavier layups would have been halted.

    Like

  147. Looking at next year’s roster and incoming recruits, not including any transfers that we add …

    PG: Jaland Lowe/Dior/Transfer
    SG: Dior Johnson/Carlington Carrington/Transfer
    SF: Blake Hinson//Santos/Merlon Barnes
    PF: Jeffress/Jorge Diaz Graham/Transfer
    C: Federico/Guillermo/JDG/Transfer
    6th man: Carrington
    BE: Nate Santos
    BE: Barnes
    BE: JDG
    BE: GDG
    BE: Transfer X 3

    Thoughts? A lot can happen but this team has more parts than I realized. Dior, Jaland and Carrington will all have to play to keep them. Jaland is a top 100 recruit so I can’t see him on the bench. Same with Dior. A transfer will not start over Hinson. Jeffress is a wild card. Federico and GDG battle for starting spot will be a fun story line.

    I don’t see much of a path for a transfer to start, to be honest, unless Dior and Jeffress move on.

    Like

  148. Thank you Pitt BB for giving us fans something to cheer for through the winter and giving us excitement and pride in March!

    Way-too-Early FB prediction…

    Pitt will be in the playoff discussion at years end.

    Liked by 4 people

    2. what? maybe on PPF FB page where EVERYTHING is possible and posted

      btw, anyone excited if we even make it to the NIT Final anywhere near as much as just this potential to win this game and have the week ahead to anticipate the Sweet 16 game ?

      the best individual weeks of my Pitt life were those weeks anticipating the NCAABB 2nd weekend

      and of course I can’t say it felt nearly as good but living here in Maryland and working within a couple miles of the campus plus wife is a grad, UMD’s final four run and NC win made me KNOW how amazing it would be if Pitt ever got to that weekend

      Liked by 2 people

  149. Finally peeked at the box score. It was obviously a poor shooting day for us, but, from the field, we missed 43 shots and only made 27. Ouch!

    I thought that about half way thru the second half we really panicked. We came down and put up quick, poor, tough shots several possessions in a row — losing precious time.

    Burton, Nelly, Elliott and Sibande all had shooting rough games. A shame for this awesome season to end that way for them…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. Yes, Burton Cummings and Elliot combined for 11 for 38 from the field, too many missed layups and short jumpers to win any game.

      Liked by 1 person

  150. Disappointing game, but a fun season indeed.

    I walked away after the game and did some productive yard work to burn off some of my frustrations. I don’t understand why we did not shoot more three point shots – 6 for 20 or 30% made. We made 17 & 18 at one point this season in regulation games – that was our winning calling card and today that could have got us back into the game.

    Elliott took (2),Nike (1) and Jorge (2). Cummins and Hinson attempted 13 together – Burton and Guillermo (1) each.

    At times in the game, Hinson and Elliott were open to shoot but appeared like they were told not to shoot 3’s. Instead it seemed like the game plan was to drive into the paint and shoot or draw a foul – neither was working very well.

    I think maybe our intel on Xavier was flawed – just my opinion.

    When Blake hit the long 3 around the 3 minute mark I thought maybe an adjustment in strategy was called, but that never continued.

    Xavier definitely exposed our D for all the flaws it has, and they made us pay.

    Pitt also shot poorly from the FT line.

    Well, Nino won a Naty in wrestling last night, so we can celebrate that.

    Softball and baseball are looking line bottom feeders in the ACC with neither having any pitching to talk good about.

    Next season for FB and men’s BB “should” be worth the wait.

    I the wake of the “wait” I’ll concentrate on my golf game. Hit them straight pals and gals.

    H2P!

    Liked by 5 people

  151. I want out of Pitt next year what I saw in Xavier today. A quick great shooting team that runs an offense every day capable of putting up 80 points! I do not like the NBA offense Capel ran which sets up a number of one on one offensive battles!

    Like

      1. The problem with one on one battles is you have to fight for every basket and you give up opportunities for easy baskets. How many uncontested baskets does Pitt give up compared to how many they get?

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    2. I don’t think you can fault Capel too much for the one on one offense because that was what both Burton and Cummings were best at. Neither was a true point guard. It did get them pretty far and Burton was by far Pitt’s best player. Unfortunately today they couldn’t get the ball to drop.
      I would have liked them to have Elliot and Hinson take more threes, but no guarantee that would have made any difference.

      Like

      1. I have to disagree. This team played best when they move the ball quickly and got plenty of shots for everybody. Against weaker teams Burton could penetrate and be the man, but against faster, stronger teams, his inability to get to the rim was exposed. Same with Nelly. He could beat his defender off the dribble but too often just didn’t have the confidence to go in among the bigs and try to finish. Against X, they needed to do more in the second half to get Hinson and Elliot looks (e.g., running them off of off-ball screens). A few of those go down and it would have been a much different last 8 minutes.

        That said, truly enjoyed this season. It was great to be at the Pete when it was rocking again and just generally be able to cheer on a team that was fun to watch and, in most games, had a chance to win.

        Like

    1. Coach Dixon’s major coaching failure IMO was to play Adams like he was coming back for season #2. He was not a real freshman and should have been coached like he was the senior star of the team.

      H2P

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Agreed, but I also remember Adams being injured, a hand I believe.
        The sad thing is if he would have come back it was the first year in the ACC and Pitt could have won it all.

        Liked by 1 person

  153. My pet peeve about new offensive coordinators as explained by our second-year offensive coordinator in a PSN article about the first 2 spring football practices:

    “The players — I think — have really enjoyed it because we’re not holding them back going through methodical installations,” Cignetti said. “We come out here and we play ball. The other thing I can tell, and all of us can tell as offensive coaches, is that our players know what they’re doing.“

    In other words, here’s what Coach Cig said: “We did hold them back with methodical installations last season. And – our players didn’t really know what they were doing until late in the season. But I just had to install my system and get rid of everything that had worked so well the previous season.”

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  154. Two ways (among many) to look at this game.
    1. A more talented Xavier was just better wire to wire.

    Last 5 minutes: Xavier cooled down from the field and line — door wide open. Pitt just couldn’t make enough of the many open outside shots and rim finish chances.

    I guess both can be true.

    Loved this team and the season. Pitt BB is back!

    Liked by 2 people

  156. It was a fun little run and although we all wanted more….they did about as well as could
    be expected after seeming to run Out of Gas starting with VT, lagging into ND and then
    the Duke fiasco. At that point, where we all pretty much hoping for just a NCAA bid.

    And on the bright side, at least we didn’t lay in egg when a lot of eyeballs were on us
    in the First Four. But we did get extremely lucky at the end with them missing a wide
    open 3 and then a pretty easy tip/putback.

    And the Iowa State rout was kind of similar to the last time we beat a higher seed, when
    we routed 8 seed Colorado, as a 9 seed in Lamar’s senior year. That team, like this team
    was over-matched in the next round. A Round too Far…..if you like. Florida was the over-matcher that year, as Xavier was this year. Although the Florida game wasn’t over at halftime.

    Pitt just didn’t have the Offensive firepower to keep up with Xavier who led the BigEast in
    scoring and was #12 nationally. Pitt needed to be in the 80’s to have a chance and they barely got into the 70’s ( i mean who expected expected 18 points out of the twins). Even with Xavier being lowly ranked defensively, Pitt just didn’t have the 16 inch guns (of an Iowa class battleship) to take advantage & get the job done. And maybe too many 5 inch guns of a little destroyer.

    Maybe next year we will finally have a true, really true Point Guard. Apparently
    we will have 2 real ones to choose from. So play time for both to keep them both happy will be one of Capel’s biggest and probably most important job next year. And his coaching
    ability will be more severely tested as well, by not having a team of mostly 5th & 6th year players, that didn’t require as much coaching as in previous years.

    So as always with Pitt…..it should be interesting !

    Liked by 5 people

    1. You are a deep thinking historical referencing basketball aficionado! Love your navy background and your analysis.

      Pitt had two guards in Burton and Cummings who were masters at hiding their many weaknesses.
      But good scouts, coaches and folks like you figured that out long ago.

      Our upcoming point guards are light years better than B&C.

      My concern is on Capel’s game day coaching adjustments or lack
      thereof. I hope he and his staff spend their time self evaluating their own offense and defense and how to best utilize their new talent. If they don’t do a better job of coaching them up, especially on game day, it won’t matter who they recruit!

      Liked by 1 person

  157. The B1G got 10 team in the Tournament and one team is in the Sweet 16. If Miami can win we will match that with 5 teams chosen and none better than a 4 seed. But you won’t hear a thing about this from the “expert” announcers.

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  158. We had our chances today
    But the shooting was just a little off
    Hope we can keep the kids returning
    Stealing by other teams reminds me of Addison mess
    H2P

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  159. Let’s not forget Xavier hung 48 points on Pitt in the first half. That’s not good for a team that supposedly plays good defense. Then we gave up a ton of layups in the second half after limiting their 3s. It was poor defense and missed free throws that lost this game.

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    1. They had no answer for a kid that hits 5 straight threes and very strong center. X’s ball movement was excellent and Pitt was cold as ice offensively.

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    2. Pitt doesn’t play good defense. I don’t get where they got that reputation. They are 104th in Defensive Efficiency on KenPom. Much better on offense. 28th. Xavier is 7th in Off efficiency. So it was the 7th best offense agains the 104’th best defense. Xavier doesn’t play great defense either but it was our 28th ranked offense vs. their 65th ranked defense.

      Clear advantage, Xavier.

      Liked by 1 person

  164. After a Cinderella season that Pitt just finished coming from the basement to national recognition it is difficult to refocus on other teams. I know that we will continue to discuss basketball (as we should) because the portal season is upon us and it will be fun to see how our future plays out.

    Football is in spring practice, and I have high hopes for us to have a good (not great) season.
    I believe that Jurkovic will be a huge plus, however, he needs tools to help him succeed. So, I expect our discussions to start shifting toward focusing on running backs, receivers, O & D lines, punters, etc. Hey, you never know…if basketball can start to climb to the top of the mountain is it possible that Pitt will be ranked in the top 20 in football…stay tuned.

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  165. ESPN has two articles that I found interesting.

    https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/35872018/what-college-football-64-team-playoff-bracket-look-2023

    Pitt is a tenth seed in a 64-team football bracket. The article only has the first two rounds. You may want to skip to the bottom of the article as Pitt’s bracket (West) is the last covered.

    The second article doesn’t mention Pitt but does cover Miami and includes a swipe at the ACC.

    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/35896007/reseeding-2023-men-march-madness-sweet-16

    When discussing Miami, they include the fact that they are the last ACC team left in the field. No mention of Michigan State being the last B10 school in the field.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yeah, I liked the reseeding article and read it this morning. Funny how they mentioned that Miami was the only ACC team to survive (“The last ACC team in the field…”) but failed to mention the B1G in the MSU piece or the last PAC12 team in with UCLA. 😡

      Liked by 1 person

  166. We now can focus on Spring ball which has gone overlooked so far thanks to Pitt’s basketball success.

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  168. Who was it that was convinced and had so-called inside info that Bart was entering the portal as soon as the season was over?

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    1. His interview did infer that he was frustrated by how few times he was targeted last year and that his blocking got better. I think he will be used much more effectively this year.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Bart can still leave after spring ball if he sees Cignetti still won’t get him the ball.

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        1. He needs to prove he’s a go to guy. I agree he was under utilized but he didn’t show a lot on the opportunities he had

          Liked by 1 person

    1. I just don’t see Hinson shedding a few pounds, just as I don’t see the twins adding more than maybe 10 pounds…

      Just my guesses…

      Go Pitt.

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    2. I don’t think Hinson needs to shed anything, he needs to work on his inside game and finishing and rebounding by boxing out with physicality

      he actually probably did that best against Xavier but could be sooo much better with work

      and work less on his shooting but still keep shooting, more when he feels it and a bit less on nights he doesn’t during the game

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    1. It’s just an MCL strain, which I guess is a slight tear. They usually just rehab those. I wonder if he’s had an MRI yet?

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  171. Hey Dan – any rumblings about who may be Pitt’s next women’s BB Coach? Since we haven’t named anyone yet, maybe they are in the women’s tourney?

    I wasn’t blown away by the PSN list of candidates who Pitt has supposedly talked to…

    Four players have gone into the portal – but our “better”players might be waiting to see who’s selected??
    Good luck to Heather…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. None at all. Like you I’m not impressed w the opening list even tho they’re all women.

      Heather has to stop looking for a coach that she and her daughter would play for and hire a coach bent on winning, no matter how tough they are!!!

      Liked by 1 person

  172. One last thing, the new women’s coach has to be able to recruit. She needs to already have relationships with players. Pitt is very difficult to recruit lady BBallsrs!! Need a center first the n build inside out!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Dan – I stumbled over an excellent coaching candidate, if she would be willing to leave an SEC school. Yo McPhee is the coach at Ole Miss. They just upset #1 Stanford in the NCAA tourney.

      Coach Yo was an assistant at Pitt for a couple years back around 2009-2010. She also was an assistant at Clemson. She went to school at Rhode Island.

      She turned around Jacksonville in 3 years and Ole Miss in 4 years. Ole Miss hadn’t been to the tourney in 15 years.

      And Coach Yo is known as a good recruiter.

      Could she be persuaded to come back north?

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  173. So the latest about Dior. He has formed a tight relationship w Fede and the Twins and they are rarely seen at art. Capel has promised him the starting point guard spot. Finally we’ll have an ACC quality point guard.

    Liked by 6 people

  175. I understand. My entire schedule wove around my daughters basketball games and coming home from college. Carlow then Goucher.
    Seems like yesterday but it was 24 yrs ago.

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  176. Pitt Volleyball filled their vacant director of operations position with their volunteer assistant, Michael Fisher. Michael is no relation to head coach, Dan Fisher.

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  177. So, on to some football, ESPN is looking at a tournament of the top 64 for a playoff (understanding there will actually be 12 team).

    Pitt is in the West Region as a 10 Seed.

    The have the Panthers beating 7-seed Florida in the first round, and yes, beating the 2-seed Nitters in the second round.

    Apparently they’ll run the next set of playoff games later. In the West, (1) Alabama plays (5) Texas while (3) Florida state plays (10) Pitt.

    https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/35872018/what-college-football-64-team-playoff-bracket-look-2023

    One can dream!

    H2P!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We seem to really struggle with finding good TEs.

      Hoping Gavin B. gets it together this season – we really need a big contribution from the TE position to help out our question-mark WR crew…

      Go Pitt.

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  181. Pitt volleyball pulls a 6’4” middle blocker from Michigan State out of the portal and has posted their three game spring season on the Pitt app.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m waiting to hear from John or Annie, but an experienced 6-4 player seems like a pretty good addition to the team, no?

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Had a laugh over the talk of QB competition last year. Really? Slovis was the guy from the start.

      Jurkewicz is the guy this year. Any competition is a formality.

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