Apologies for the lack of posting the last few days, without explanation. Unplanned break. End of the year. Family visiting. Lots of work around the house, and maybe a little too much to drink.

Anyways, I did catch the Pitt-Syracuse game like I hope many of you did. An 82-72 win that I think even the most negative and half-empty Pitt fan has to feel a bit encouraged. This is not to say that it means Pitt is winning the Big East, or even assured of making the NCAA Tournament — just consider how Pitt was destroyed in Providence last year.

What it does mean, is that Pitt is capable of winning games against the best of the conference. It means that Pitt is improving as the season progresses.

They faced the 2-3 zone has flummoxed them often this season and adjusted to it. They moved the ball. Worked it around, got it inside at points and made the Orange pay. They faced a full-court press and while staggering back from it for a bit, they figured it out. Again, adjusting coping and making the Orange pay.

Pitt was able to take control of the tempo early. Even when Pitt was down 6-0 and even 20-10, the game was moving at Pitt’s pace. They forced Syracuse to play half-court and would not let them run like the Orange has successfully done this season.  It frustrated Syracuse. Forced them to be patient, and they couldn’t. They rushed shots, they got frustrated the more they struggled to get points.

As much as “the shots just weren’t falling” for Syracuse, it was because Pitt was contesting everything. Even without the same kind of size and length, Pitt’s defense was always there. Hindering, bumping, Just there. It really was a classic Pitt defensive effort. If you still have fond memories of those Pitt teams in 2000 and 2001, then this should feel good.

The kind that frustrates the other team. Syracuse committed frustration fouls and could not maintain the same energy Pitt had. The kind of game that has fans of the other team fuming about the officiating, even as they know their team was just being outplayed.

More shortly..