What bothered me most about this game, was that Pitt looked soft. Too many times, players seemed to be complaining to the refs about no-calls. Imagine, Pitt players being bothered by physical play. The refs were strange but consistent. They let the players bang bodies and even let a couple shove or two get past. They would call the hand checks and grabbing. Essentially, you could body-up, but no clutching and grabbing.

The team just seemed flat, almost stunned after Seton hall didn’t wilt before Pitt’s initial hot start. Pitt got out to a 16-6 lead in the first 5+ minutes. Over the next 7 minutes, Seton Hall went on a 14-4 response. The Hall slowed the game down. On defense, they completely clogged things up, but had guards fast enough to prevent the guards from finding an open look.

I saw a Seton Hall team that wanted it more than Pitt. Pitt is a better team, deeper with better players. Seton Hall just had more heart in this game. I really don’t like typing that. It pisses me off to even think it. But it is true.

They didn’t panic. They didn’t make mistakes. They stayed in control. They needed the game, and did everything they needed to do to win it in the face of a better team on the road. They never let Pitt run. Their fundamentals were so sound. Staying in the passing lanes. Not turning the ball over. Just very smart play.

Their seniors, Copeland and Whitney, willed their team through.