The fact that we are discussing and analyzing the results of exhibition games against a D-2 opponent is indicative of two things. The first is just how much interest there is in Pitt basketball, but more importantly it shows just how much we don’t know and want to know about this newest incarnation.

So, Pitt had an easy time with Coker. Shutting them down on defense.

The score was 41-6 at halftime. At one point in the second half, Coker was shooting 24 percent from the field, which wasn’t good, but was still better than its 21-percent performance from the free-throw line at the same moment.

It’s nearly impossible to determine what any of the events that transpired yesterday will mean when the regular season opens in five days against Wofford at the Petersen Events Center, but Dixon was happy with the improvement his team showed after a lackluster victory against Slippery Rock in the first exhibition game last week.

“We talked about Sunday to Sunday, and our guys responded in a big way,” Dixon said. “That was a challenge we gave to our players. We improved throughout the week. You could see it in practice. We really set a goal, set a time frame and our guys responded. It was a good week for us.”

Really, hard to judge the team defense at this point. Hard to judge the team at this point. It’s more about seeing how comfortable individual players are looking in the system.

Travon Woodall looked very comfortable in this game.

Woodall shot 8 for 10 from the field, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range. He had three assists and one turnover.

Woodall almost certainly will be the starting point guard when the new-look Panthers, tabbed to finish ninth in the Big East, open their schedule against visiting Wofford at 8:15 p.m. Friday.

“I’m just feeling real confident about the season,” Woodall said. “I’ve been working hard all summer, and, hopefully, it’s going to pay off.”

Nasir Robinson disclocted a finger on his left hand, but it was nothing major. Since it was an exhibition that was enough to shut down his night.

Real thing starts on Friday the 13th.

I’m actually happy that GameDay is not coming to Heinz Field this Saturday. There are enough parallels to the 2005 from a storyline perspective to keep piling on.

Here’s what confuses me about the Navy-ND game. Doesn’t the Navy win somewhat help Pitt’s computer numbers, at least right now, since they already beat Navy? Would it have been better for Pitt’s computer numbers if ND had won and then beaten ND?  Is it a wash?

It’s BCS or Meineke for Pitt, by all appearances. The Gator can take ND as long as they are within 2 wins of who they would have to take from the Big East. If you want to assume Pitt beats ND, then WVU but loses to Cinci, then Pitt finishes 10-2. Notre Dame would have to lose their remaining games versus UConn and Stanford to finish 7-5. Even then, the Gator would work like hell to make it happen.

This year the floor is probably 8-4. “Last year our alternatives were mostly teams with seven or eight wins,” Catlett said. “This year, there could be Big East teams available at 10-2. It wouldn’t be impossible to take a 7-5 Notre Dame over a 10-2 Big East team, but it would be difficult.”

Cue outrage and frustration in 3, 2,…

One game at a time. Of course all opponents look vulnerable. This is a very flat year in college football. It’s not like Pitt doesn’t have big weaknesses concerns that could cost them (secondary, kicking).

Notre Dame will be difficult enough. They managed to screw up so much in the redzone, that it is somewhat hard for me to believe that will happen in a second straight game. This is one of those games where they can fall back into total sports cliche mentality: Us against the world, back against the wall, nobody believes in us, we love our coach, etc.

Not going to dwell too long on this game. Pitt did what they were supposed to against Syracuse.

They started out a little sluggish. Looking very much like a team that had a bye week and had to regain their rhythm. They did, and buried the Orange. Taking them apart on offense by ground and air. Another “top-ranked” run defense beaten apart as Dion Lewis went over 100 yards rushing once more (needing only 18 carries for 110 yards).

On defense, after the initial 71 yard drive that accounted for 1/4 of the Orange total offense, the defense shut it down. Other than allowing the first 100 yard rusher this year, they didn’t have a hard day.

So, it is now time to focus on beating Notre Dame.