Thanks to everyone for the e-mails and the comments left. It, admittedly, surprised me about how much it meant to read. The family is doing well, as there was about six weeks to prepare for this time.
A very big thanks to Keith for making a return to this blog for even a few days. Keeping things going and generally helping out. You’re always welcome to post here, Keith.
Watched both games on DVR delay.
I was not shocked that Pitt lost to Louisville. I was a little disappointed in the way they lost — but then I’m trying to figure out a way that I wouldn’t be disappointed. The thing I take away from that game, is that Pitt can beat Louisville and any team out there. Pitt got caught up in the concern over the trap and press and forced the ball to the basket too fast. It’s one thing to get the ball over half-court, but they still have plenty of time to set a play. Letting the shot clock get down to single digits is not necessarily a bad thing — especially against Louisville.
Then the Syracuse game, was excellent on several levels. The team bounced right back from the loss and losing the #1 spot to wear out the Orange. Once Rautins cooled down a bit in the second half, no one else was able to really do much against Pitt’s defense. Once more, the Orange zone was ineffective against Pitt. With Paul Harris in foul trouble, they were limited in going to man defense. I was most impressed with the way they shut down Jonny Flynn until he was scoring garbage points late. That really prevented them from ever getting a spark.
In case you hadn’t noticed, home court means as much as ever in the Big East. The best teams in the Big East are going to go no worse than 6-3 at home and 4-5 on the road. I really don’t see how a team won’t finish with at least 4 losses. Inititally, I thought maybe 5 losses minimum, but Cinci and Seton Hall have not been as close to the middle as first thought and DePaul is far worse than expected. Providence and St. John’s — to varying degrees — seem just good enough to lose close games more often than not.
Good to be back.
I think they give it to Duke. No question. I think it will be harder than we think to get the #1 title again.
UCONN loses at ND (They should)
Duke beats UM (Not a given, but should)
OU maintains
UNC maintains
and Pitt beats WVU in Morgantown….
Early February might be a chance for a jump back to #1 if Duke gets knocked off by Wake next week…
IMHO
Agent: Goal is for McCoy to be first back taken in NFL Draft
Posted January 22, 2009 12 :15 PM
Finally, I confirmed today that former Pitt tailback LeSean McCoy — how weird is it to read that? — has signed with an agent.
The winner of the Shady sweepstakes? Drew Rosenhaus, who has at least one player on every NFL team and represents the likes of Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson, Edgerrin James and Plaxico Burress.
The story also appears on the front page, but I recommend the blog entry at:
link to pittsburghlive.com
So now that Wake lost last night, I assume the debate can begin: who’s the new #1 basketball team?
Obviously, the Bilases and the Gottliebs of the world will look right past Pitt, but I think an argument can be made for the Panthers, especially if they beat WVU on the road, this coming Sunday.
What say everyone else? Who will be the new #1?