Maybe it is because my old law school roommate was a SUNY Binghamton grad so it makes the win even better from that perspective. Even if it was some 12 years ago.

It was a fairly easy 71-46 win for Pitt. The game was never truly in doubt. Not with a Binghamton team that lost almost all of their key players. What it was, was an opportunity for those of us outside of Pittsburgh to see the team early. I for one, was especially juiced to finally watch.

With the Pitt team this year, the beginning of the season, and the competition faced this is not a game that you judge in terms how they will compete in the Big East or make the NCAA. It’s one in which you watch individual players, look to see how chemistry is working, and generally strengths and weaknesses. Or that could just be how I am looking at it.

I wasn’t surprised to see how empty the Pete looked, but a solid student turnout.

I was happy with the play calling crew of John Saunders and Bob Valvano. No, they aren’t one of the regular b-ball playcalling crews. In fact, they rarely do any game calls at this point for the Mouse Monopoly. That’s what made it pretty good. No personal affections for the coaches and players. Not being bogged down by crap. Inside jokes, personal crap. Mainly focusing on the game itself. It was refreshing from pros who can call a game.

Bob Valvano made a great point late in the game about how Pitt had communicated all game long on defense. Observing that it was something they watched the coaches emphasize in practice and shoot-arounds.

So, from my notes on the game.

From a strictly physical standpoint, Gary McGhee looks so much better. Credit the Pitt basketball nutrition and conditioning folk. He’s come a long way from his freshman year with his physique. He runs more and can definitely come out further to defend. That said, his defense is clearly limited and the coaches are doing what they can to help.

It was very noticeable early that when Binghamton got the ball inside against McGhee, the nearest guard would collapse in from the perimeter and help. The risk, obviously was creating an open perimeter shot. Against Binghamton that was not too much of a risk. As Pitt opened up more of a lead, they let McGhee go one-on-one a lot more — primarily in the second half — and then Binghamton found more shots inside.

The guard play is definitely an uneven thing. Early in the game, they looked very unsure. Swinging the ball around a lot and hesitant to take shots. As Pitt started getting some putbacks and rebounds inside, Binghamton was unable to keep the perimeter pressure creating lots of open looks especially for Ashton Gibbs.

Gibbs was getting and making open looks and spot-up shots from the perimeter. That blew the game open and made it easy for the rest of Pitt’s offense.

Chase Adams is a dynamo on defense. He harasses and bothers whoever he is on. That said, whether he is deferring as the new guy or it is his size, he is very tentative on offense. He only took (and missed) 3 shots, all from the 3-point arc. He looked very frustrated that he couldn’t get clean looks very easily.

Brad Wanamaker is one of the few upper-classmen playing right now. He’s also a very clear leader. It was very noticeable when he was out there that other players were looking to him to instruct and guide them to where they should be. If Woodall wants to be the point guard running things this year, he needs to know what the whole team should be doing and show some assertiveness.

You have to love the energy and effort from Nasir Robinson. He is visibly working on every possession he is out there. He’s giving great effort and gritty solid defense. That said, he is so awkward on offense. At times, I swear it is like he is trying to score points  with an unseen style judge. Not finishing his drives cleanly and strongly. Trying instead to finesse and abruptly avoid contact.

If you are a fan who can’t understand poor free throw shooting. Rants against it, and just plain doesn’t like it. Well, you are in for a long season. I do not exaggerate to say that there will be at least two losses this season where someone can (and likely will) point to the free throw shooting and say, “if they had shot at least 65% or better Pitt would have won.” Just warning you now.

Dante Taylor knows how to step in and take charges. If he played for Duke, I would hate his guts.

Dwight Miller, Talib Zanna and J.J. Richardson all played just a few minutes each. Richardson had energy and lots of athleticism. But very, very raw. Zanna didn’t have the energy, but the potential is only matched by how raw he is. Miller is most likely the one who has a chance to crack the rotation this year. Very active and was putting the effort on the defensive end first. That will go a long way to getting minutes.

The coaches on the bench amused the hell out of me. Of course, Dixon never sat, but Herrion and Knight quite literally would take turns standing and screaming as well. Knight would be there exhorting the guards and  getting after them. Then you would see Herrion tap him, Knight would sit and Herrion immediately would pop-up to go after the forwards. It would alternate.

Definitely going to be a journey with this team.