I hit The Pete last night for the game (Steve swapped his two nosebleed seats for two 100 level seats behind the ND bench – nice). To my great pleasure, not too many ND fans were in attendance, even though Jerome Bettis was sitting one section over – he was badly out numbered.

First, I must mention that my favorite cheerleader (whose name I don’t know, so we’ll call her “Bambii”) was not in the squad for the third straight game (that I attended). She is the taller blonde one, who has becomed quite toned this year.

Anyway, I spotted Bambii in the Student Section in street clothes during the Georgia game (looking quite hot in a pink sweater and low-rider jeans). The cameraman, probably one of the same guys that covers all the games, zoomed for a close up that was put on the big screen – she appeared to know the cameraman based on her reaction. At first I wrote it off as a christmas break breather – let the underclass girls get some quality time during non-conference games, etc.

Then, to my dismay, Bambii was not in the cast for the ND game – arguably one of the biggest home games of the year, with a national tv audience. What’s up with that, I asked?
Is she off the squad for the semester? Academically ineligible? Has she used up all of her eligiblitiy, perhaps having joined the squad in the spring of her freshman year? Is she injured? If so, is she suffering from a deep thigh bruise – requiring lots of massage therapy and time in the whirlpool/hot-tub? My mind was racing….

Back to the game. Pitt looked good. The crowd was great, and the students were crazy – all made for a great atmosphere.
I was worried we would be out-rebounded for the second straight game, but we turned it on in the paint in the second half. ND just couldn’t miss from beyond the arc late in the game – that was real annoying. But Pitt held on, and good teams find a way to win even when their opponents have two hot shooters.

Other observations:
Page seems a little off. Not just his shooting, but Thomas had him running and jumping all over the court. AND he was missing foul shots! Hopefully he will get out of this funk that he is in now.
Taft is the man. It’s just that simple. We’ll be lucky to get two years out of this kid before he turns pro.
Dixon can coach – once Jones got his fourth foul, Pitt went after him. Brown had at least four layups when he got the ball down low, backed his way into the paint, and Jones just let him do it. Jones just refused to play tough D when he was in foul trouble, and Pitt exploited that fact.
Krauser has an ugly three point shot. He seems to force it, but often they go in anyway. I just hope he keeps it up.
Troutman is not the player he was last year. He’s good, but he isn’t shooting as well.
McCarroll has stepped up A LOT. He had been a bust the past two seasons, in spite of being a highly touted recruit. His emergence has really helped Pitt.

Hey, we’re 17-0. How many teams can claim that? We are favored at home against Rutgers this weekend, but then we go away to UConn and Syracuse within 5 days. If we can win one (or both) of those away games, then I will be convinced this team is for real. I am almost convinced right now.