That is the theme. And while most of Domer Nation is still saying, “Wha’ happen?” over the Fiesta Bowl, ND and Pitt kick off the Conference play tomorrow night. The Irish have fallen off the NCAA bubble each of the last 3 years. Simply put, not enough quality wins in the BE or non-con. Add in an annual end of the season stumble and they do themselves in each year.
As for Pitt looking at Big East play, Coach Dixon argues that while the number of teams is up, the conference isn’t that different as far as night-in-night-out competition.
“To me, it is more of the same,” Dixon said. “The names have changed, but you know you are going to have good teams every night; and we have always been playing against the best people. There are a few more teams, but they are all good.
“But, it is a great thing — to be in the best conference in college basketball is a great thing for the schools and for our university. It is going to be hard, but we want to be in the elite in everything we do. And to be included in the Big East is a tremendous honor.”
Here’s a shock regarding Pitt’s non-con. According to the RPI, it’s looking better this week.
The Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) for Pitt has climbed to No. 10. Villanova, at No. 5, is the only Big East Conference team to rank ahead of the Panthers. Duke is rated No. 1, and Wisconsin is No. 7. The RPI represents a formula used by the NCAA to rate men’s and women’s college basketball team, combining such criteria as winning percentage, opponents’ winning percentage and strength of schedule. Pitt’s strength of schedule ranks seventh in the Big East and 126th nationally.
Wisconsin, South Carolina and surprisingly Auburn are all top-50 RPI teams, Pitt has faced to raise the level. Other teams like St. Peter’s and Vermont are looking better. It definitely helps reality, but not necessarily perception.
Now that Pitt is back in both polls, Coach Dixon is trying to keep the players from losing focus.
“Our whole thing has been to continue to improve,” coach Jamie Dixon said. “Not a lot was expected of these guys by people, but they have been gaining confidence and we’re continuing to improve.”
Dixon, whose team has won 11 games to start a season for the second time in the past three years, said his players appeared to have shrugged off the idea of appearing in both national polls.
“They don’t seem any different today than they were two days ago or before the Wisconsin game,” Dixon said. “I don’t see any real changes. I think they just look forward to the competition in practice that day, and that’s what they think about.”
But at least one player couldn’t contain his excitement, despite Dixon’s observation of his players.
“This team is very excited,” said a determined Benjamin. “A lot of people wrote us off. They wanted to say that Pitt was nothing but Carl Krauser, and that’s it.”
Notre Dame is still led by its outside shooting. Primarily Colin Falls and Chris Quinn. Two other Guards, Kyle McAlarney and Luke Zeller also put the ball up often from outside. Let’s put it this way: of the 4, only Quinn has more than half of his total field goal attempts and makes coming from inside the arc. The 4 also shoot a combined .406 on 3-pointers (78-192). Ronald Ramon and the perimeter defense will have a tough job.
Their inside guy is still Torin Francis, who has yet to show up against Pitt in these games.
The game notes for Pitt are here (PDF). The game is on FSN-Pittsburgh, and if you live in other markets — presumably Big East markets — you might have the game via ESPN Regional (check local listings). Pitt has won 4 straight against the Irish, 5 of the last 6 and is 3-0 against them at the Pete.
For the Krauser-Pitt record book watch, he needs 5 points to pass Jerry McCullough for 14th on the scroring list, 5 assists to pass Vonteego Cummings for 5th, and 2 more steals to pass Sam Clancy for 10th place.
At halftime Pitt will honor 3 of its great players: Billy Knight, Charles Smith and Donn Hennon. All 3 will be on hand.
