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December 10, 2007

Let’s see, last week Pitt made it into the ESPN.com Power 16 at #11.

Don’t discount Pitt’s win last night at Duquesne. The Dukes are more than competitive for the first time in years and the Panthers were pushed to the limit. I’m looking forward to seeing Pitt against the real “Duke” on Dec. 20 in NYC.

In the individual rankings, Pitt was ranked as high as #8 and unranked in a couple other ballots.

Sam Young got a puff piece from Jeff Goodman at FoxSports.com.

“The kid just works so hard,” Panthers coach Jamie Dixon said. “He’s earned everything he’s gotten.

“I have never seen a guy be so determined to be good a player,” added Pittsburgh assistant and former Panthers player Orlando Antigua. “We had to tell him to stop working out and let his body rest this past year. We are now seeing the results of his sweat equity.”

Pitt is still feeling pretty good about winning in Washington.

When officials finally waved off Justin Dentmon’s basket at the buzzer and their 75-74 victory at Washington became official Saturday, the Panthers knew this much:

It was one to celebrate.

“You would have thought we won a championship or something,” Pitt junior point guard Levance Fields said. “It was important because it’s a big win for us just because it’s early in the season, it’s a road win against a great opponent and a great conference this year. Everybody was excited.

“It was a great experience for us.”

Not only did Pitt (9-0) snap Washington’s 31-game winning streak against non-conference opponents at Bank of America Arena, but the Panthers showed signs of maturity in overcoming a halftime deficit by adjusting their play.

Apparently Coach Dixon was rather blunt to the team in halftime, in addition to the adjustments.

After watching his team play its worst half of basketball this season, Pitt coach Jamie Dixon wanted to let his team know that their performance was not acceptable.

The half was uncharacteristic of a Pitt team. The Panthers gave up 37 points and allowed Washington’s top 3-point shooter, Ryan Appleby, to get free for four 3-pointers. The Huskies made six as a team. In addition, the normally efficient offense was stagnant as the Panthers missed seven of their first 25 shots from the field.

“He came in with all the fire he had,” freshman center DeJuan Blair said.

Rarely does a coach raising his voice solve a team’s problems, but the tongue-lashing, coupled with some keen second-half adjustments, led to a fantastic final 20 minutes in which the Panthers not only stormed back for a 75-74 victory, but firmly put in place an important building block in the development of the team.

I read that and thought a little of Bull Durham where Crash Davis reminds the manager that they are children, and they need to be scared.

Pitt would have been in a bigger hole, that they might not have gotten out of, if Levance Fields hadn’t been hot in the first half. He kept Pitt in it until things got going for the team in the second half.





Don’t know if it was discussed yet here, but UW announcer said Sam told him he was mad last year because he dominated Levon so much during practices but only played sparingly. No wonder the silence and the frown. Maybe it’s time for Jamie to address the loyalty/quality tradeoff.

Comment by steve 12.10.07 @ 8:45 am

Anyone see the everhart quote? He claims that WVU is “by far” the best team he’s faced this year, and thinks they are better than us? Looks like someone is pissed his Dukies haven’t learned how to score in the first 8 minutes against us. We’ll see what happens, but I can just feel the bad blood brewing between us and Duquesne now that we can’t consider them a warm-up anymore.

link to timeswv.com

Comment by yi 12.10.07 @ 11:05 am

Looks like Pitt Footbaw could be landing another one today…

Jon Baldwin will announce his decision in a press conference this afternoon, according to the Trib. Down to Pitt, Miami and Florida with Pitt being the rumored frontrunner.

link to pittsburghlive.com

Comment by Stoosh 12.10.07 @ 11:39 am

Baldwin chose Pitt.. Shanahan committed too. Two wide recievers in one day

Comment by Adam 12.10.07 @ 1:58 pm

that makes 3 pitt gets from the espn top 150, w/ pryor and hale still undeclared. not bad for a 5-7 team.

Comment by Scott 12.10.07 @ 2:26 pm

The JUCO QB Cross also commited.

Comment by jumpingjohnnie_class82 12.10.07 @ 2:28 pm

We will win next year!

Buying season tickets today!

Comment by matt'shouse 12.10.07 @ 2:41 pm

Aliquippa’s Baldwin picks Pitt

link to pittsburghlive.com

Thats great for Pitt.

Comment by hail to pitt 12.10.07 @ 3:35 pm

if we can get the offense line to shape up and consistent play at the quarterback position… with shady, collins, kinder, byham, baldwin, williams, and porter… thats a lot of weapons

Comment by Foge Fazio 12.10.07 @ 3:42 pm

Byham is one of the top 5 to 10 most talented kids in the country at te…
Baldwin has the talent to be unbelievable.. He is absolutely Nasty good… Williams looks like he may be real nice. he seems to have great hands.. Porter has alot of talent..
Im not sold on kinder.. He may have been a product of Tyler Palko throwing alot. He isnt bad though.
This offense will be nasty. We just need to get AJ Alexander in there!
ps. throw in cam saddler as a slot reciever and you add great speed and quickness..

Marcus sales will commit too!

Comment by Adam 12.10.07 @ 4:21 pm

apparently Pryor has been making some comments that suggest he is still wide open. Has he visited Pitt?

Comment by Rex 12.10.07 @ 5:35 pm

Kinder is the real deal. He’s more than proven himself. His route-running and ability to make tough catches on borderline throws was no fluke or “system” thing. If we get Alexander our receiving corps is going to be sick. Hell, it’s sick already- gotta love getting two guys like this in one day

Comment by Dan35 12.10.07 @ 5:37 pm

The great debate shall soon begin. Which Coach W. recruiting class is the best?

Comment by Ironhead 12.10.07 @ 6:19 pm

c’mon aj come to pitt!

Comment by scoocher 12.10.07 @ 6:21 pm

Comment by Tray 12.10.07 @ 7:41 pm

Pitt landed Tino Sunseri too! unreal day for recruiting!

link to post-gazette.com

Comment by Matt D 12.10.07 @ 7:41 pm

add sunseri!!!! i love it!
Now if stoudt leaves for Ohio State it really wont matter.. I mean ya its a loss, but as you guys that are regulars might have figured out I really think sunseri is the real deal!
Ironhead.. This class is his best as far as talented players, or will be… it doesnt have the numbers some of his classes have had though. i mean we are getting to the point where we are turning down three star guys that at one time we would have been dying to have..
Idk where wanny is getting all his scholarships though.. some guys are going to have to leave

Comment by Adam 12.10.07 @ 7:43 pm

im not sure if i agree with you dan… oderick turner looked like a stud with palko too… he is far from it.. Agree to disagree though. i can see why you believe he is a stud.. I feel he is still above average, but we will see! I hope you make me look stupid and prove me wrong..
My picks are looking pretty good now boys! (not sure how hard it is to predict shanahan, tino, baldwin, and cross committing though)

Comment by Adam 12.10.07 @ 7:55 pm

WOW!!! I can’t remember a week with sooo many top recruits picking Pitt!!! I can’t wait for next season. All of the WR and QB talent will make the cream rise to the top at those positions! Depth breads results – we started to see that in the Defense this past year. Wanny isn’t done yet! I actually think we may have a shot at Pryor. HAIL TO FREAKIN PITT!!!!

Comment by dishman 12.10.07 @ 8:24 pm

If this keeps up, we may have to run a two QB system, similar to what florida did with Leech and Tebow…..This recruiting class ROCKS, and it all started with Saddler….As someone mentioned in a earlier post, why would some of these recruits go anywhere else, where they would just fit in, whereas if they can stay home and come to Pitt and they could become LEGENDS!!!

Comment by jumpingjohnnie_class82 12.10.07 @ 8:32 pm

This QB situation is really interesting. Great gets by The Stache but wow next year is now a toss up for starting QB and even more so in 09 when the redshirts are over.

Smith could be history at that position, maybe they’ll convert him or release him from his scholarship to free one up. Does Stull still have 2 years left?

Comment by MelbaPlace 12.10.07 @ 8:36 pm

Adam, I have to respecfully disagree with you…Kinder is the real deal…It’ not just about catching passes…He runs precise routes…He gets separation…He catches the ball…He will fight for the ball in traffic..he blocks down field…Turner, although only a Soph, does not do any of those things with consistency…Kinder will play on Sundays.

Comment by HbgFrank 12.10.07 @ 8:38 pm

Dishman,

Your statement “WOW!!! I can’t remember a week with sooo many top recruits picking Pitt!!! ” pretty much sums it up. Remember back when we would get one great player for the whole class and would flip head over heals (i.e. Palko). We always talk of the past. I would like to know when we had three stellar recruiting classes in a row.

It appears we may have two more from Central following Tino Sunseri.

Adam, what is the count on scholarships again?

Comment by Ironhead 12.10.07 @ 8:54 pm

People get ready, there’s a train a-comin’
You don’t need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin’
So just go buy your tickets, and just thank the Wanny…

Comment by HbgFrank 12.10.07 @ 8:55 pm

well ironhead.. according to a guy on rivals we are over our limit, but some walk-ons get seasonal scholarships. So some of them will lose them. There are guys that are going to leave too. Pestano is an example of that. kevan smith maybe one too.
Rivals seems to think we should get about 5 more guys and put us at 18.
it seems Houser, Hale, and holley are locks… Alexander should get one.. Sales should get one too…
Maggitt, Vaughn, Tags, and some other guys are sort of on the outside looking in…
Pitt will try to free up a spot incase someone wants to switch schools too.
Expect some greyshirts to be given out.. Maggitt may get a greyshirt offer.. Manny could get a greyshirt too, because of his injury. Stoudt may decommit if a big ten team offers him. Ohio State may offer if pryor doesnt commit, and it doesnt look like he will… Michigan State is a team that could offer Stoudt too.
it is going to be a pretty big chore to try to free up the space, but expect 18 and 19 at tops…
if pryor for some reason brings Pitt back on his list he is a guy that will get one for sure..

Frank,
I understand. i dont expect alot of guys to agree with me on this one. he was a pre season all american. You may be right on kinder, but my gut… (what a bad way to decide how good a player is) is a little nervous.. Especially with a season ending injury..
Now Mustakas.. i definitely like Mustakas!

Comment by Adam 12.10.07 @ 9:06 pm

Is the 2008 schedule competed yet?

All I’m finding is this..

2008

Sept. 13 Central Florida

Sept. 20 Iowa

Oct. 18 at Navy

Nov. 1 at Notre Dame

Big East

Home: Louisville, Rutgers, West Virginia

Away: Cincinnati, Connecticut, South Florida, Syracuse

Comment by MelbaPlace 12.10.07 @ 9:09 pm

I think the Central Florida pulled out of that game, and we replaced them with a MAC team…

Comment by Matt D 12.10.07 @ 9:23 pm

Yeah. i think bowling green is in there

Comment by Adam 12.10.07 @ 9:26 pm

I heard Pitt played Buffalo…

but pitt’s website doesnt say anything yet.
link to pittsburghpanthers.cstv.com

i am sooo excited for next season, btw, did anyone see the letter to the trib review?
link to pittsburghlive.com
makes me think someone at penn state has some pull at the trib…. maybe local guys dont want to play for a coach that is closer to death than evel knievel…. too soon?

Comment by wannstache 12.10.07 @ 10:02 pm

Bloom is a total D-bag. If you gave McCoy the choice of the season he had (plus a win over WVU)or a spot in the Alamo Bowl, I don’t think he would need much time to answer.

All of this recruiting gets me so excited for next year. BALWIN IF FREAKIN 6’6″. Saddler started the avalanche. Hopefully Pryor will finish it.

Hail to Pitt boys! 2008 was always supposed to be the year!

Comment by Todd Gack 12.10.07 @ 10:15 pm

Congrats on the class, Wanny. Now we just need to turn this potential in actual wins. Wanny may have bought himself a lot more time. Go Pitt!

Comment by Crackbaldo 12.10.07 @ 10:57 pm

McCoy had a HUGE season even with defenses expecting the run. In 2008, we’ll have a much-improved passing attack. Kinder back, the young WRs will be better, Bynum is a great TE threat, and stud freshmen WRS in the mix!!! The 2008 passing attack will open up the running game even more for McCoy with Collins (the top rated FB in the country) leading the way.

My money is on Cross to be the QB. The guy can run like a deer, move around during a blitz, and throw for 50+ yards with the flick of a wrist. The JC experience is huge – just check out his highlights on rivals. We didn’t send half the coaches to Kansas for a backup. Cross and Stull are the favorites to start. Bostick could redshirt but probably won’t. The two QB recruits will definately redshirt (Stoudt may go somewhere else).

Did I mention our punt and kickoff return game will create fireworks with Saddler out there next year?

I heard that Joe Pa was so shocked by our recruiting news that he shit his pants again.

Comment by Dishman 12.10.07 @ 11:17 pm

C’mon TP..come to Pitt!

We’ll love you forever!

Comment by scoocher 12.11.07 @ 12:35 am

Pitt has had an epic day recruiting…I just wrote up a big recap at my site and I’m not sure I agree with everyone over here…I’d like to hear some other peoples takes on my opinions

Comment by matt 12.11.07 @ 12:39 am

Buffalo on 9/13 next year from

link to pittsburgh.rivals.com

Comment by Kevin 12.11.07 @ 7:45 am

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