So Pitt and Coach Jamie Dixon are going to host a Coaches vs. Cancer event in Pittsburgh this year. Along with the American Cancer Society and UPMC it will be the first ever Hoops for Hope Basketball Gala on May 31 at the Petersen Events Center.
How’s that working out for the Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament appearance?
Rich (Pittsburgh): Andy – Coaches vs Cancer or Legends Classic for Pitt? I am hearing conflicting reports on which tournament they will play in.
Andy Katz: Right now Pitt is being moved over to the Legends Classic in New Jersey. This isn’t done but that appears to be their spot.
That noise started last week. Looks like the organizers want to have better odds of a Duke-UCLA meeting. From a marketing standpoint I can see it. Michigan is a likely non-factor to challenge, but is a name school. Adding Rutgers is reasonably safe to get that Duke-UCLA match-up.
I don’t like it as a Pitt fan, and if the goal is supposed to be to raise money for Coaches vs. Cancer it’s a mistake overall.
Pitt is hosting it’s first gala in support of the charity. Hopes were being raised that the basketball team was going to be a participant in the Tournament. That kind of synergy would really help the Pittsburgh event. Now, Pitt is being pushed to a one-game neutral site. Not nearly the same.
EDITOR CORRECTION: My bad. The Legends Classic is a not a one-off game. It is a mini-tournament like the Coaches vs. Cancer. Thanks to Bethlehemjohn for the correction.
Still not particularly happy since it does at least present a perception of being shoved down a tier for the profile of the event.
UPDATE (4:36): Per Andy Katz’s blog today (Insider subs.):
Pitt is no longer a lock to go to the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament in New York with UCLA, Duke and Michigan. The Panthers are more likely to land in the Legends Classic in Newark with Texas Tech. Five schools in the mix for the four remaining spots in the two tournaments are Pitt, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Washington State and/or Southern Illinois.
Yeah. Downgraded. Definitely downgraded.
I agree that Pitt would have more fans in the seats than Rutgers but for all the tickets Rutgers fans don’t buy, Duke fans will. I think regardless, MSG will be sold out for the event.
I understand that money needs to be raised, and I am happy that people are doing this. But this sounds like a corrupt boxing match, where they try to fix the ending. If Rutgers plays in this tournament, it will be the first time ever that I cheer for The Scarlet Knights. Go!, you…ugh, red guys! ..yeah.
All in all, hey, we’re playing in a tournament. I can’t argue with that because we get to show people what we can do. A Pitt-Washington State game would be really good. Who knows, this could work out better for us anyways.
Still, we get no respect. What a fucking joke.
I think we could be better then both of those teams this year. Certainly Duke. But our program’s name doesn’t carry the same weight as Duke or UCLA yet.
