If Pitt goes up big on Cinci early, it can’t actually be assumed Pitt will coast.

Against Ohio, the University of Cincinnati fell behind 27-13 in the first half, and in the next game, the Bearcats allowed Memphis to run to a 39-12 advantage. South Florida took a 26-15 lead against UC, Syracuse opened the game on a 30-9 run last week and West Virginia got off to a hot start last Saturday, taking a 24-7 advantage in the first half.

In the last two, Syracuse had to hold on pathetically to win by one and WVU had to come back late in the 2nd half to send it to OT where the Mountaineers were blown out.

Pitt apparently does well after home losses.

Since 2001-02, Pitt is 17-7 following a regular-season loss. Under Dixon, the Panthers have never lost a home game and then stumbled on the road in their next game. They are 4-0 during that span.

That’s a statistically useful thing. Gray is back to practicing with the team, which is more important.

Look for Cinci to employ a full-court press — maybe.

When full-court pressure works as well as it did Saturday in UC’s 96-83 overtime victory over West Virginia, the logical question arises: Why don’t the Bearcats do it all the time?

As Cronin explained after the West Virginia game, the press was a perfect tactic to use against the Mountaineers, who like to set up, run their offense and look for 3-point shots or back-door cuts to the basket, but isn’t always a good idea against other teams.

“Certain teams will attack you and make you pay a lot more than a team that really wants to set up,” Cronin said. “If (West Virginia) attacks you, it’s almost what we want because then we don’t have to guard their offensive sets. If you press Syracuse and they attack you it’s an NBA dunk contest.”

I think Pitt will see a good deal of full-court to try and slow Pitt’s offensive sets and cause less passing. Levance Fields is going to have to play a better game. The Bearcats do have an excellent young guard in Deonta Vaughn.