Just trying to finish as many projects around the house and get family visits finished before the end of August. Once the games begin, well, nothing gets done.

The Ireland trip is finished and Pitt didn’t lose a game — including beating the Melbourne team that included the still hateable Eric Devendorf. Cardiac Hill has a nice recap on things with the scoring averages and some thoughts for the upcoming season.

Over at Pitt Script, there’s a look at Pitt recruiting. Steve Adams is getting good reviews from his play in the States. Khem Birch is looking good and Malcolm Gilbert has Pitt near the top of his board.

In more basketball stuff…

Llast week ESPN released the info for their various televised non-con tournaments. In the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, Pitt will get Maryland in the first game at MSG.

The Terps-Panthers game, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Nov. 18, precedes Illinois vs. Texas in the other championship semifinal. The title game is set for Nov. 19 following the 5 p.m. consolation matchup. All games at MSG will be televised on ESPN2.

Maryland and Pitt have little actual history of playing each other. They have met only six times, with the last coming in 1998 in a Puerto Rico tournament. Pitt only has 1 win against them.

That’s not to say there aren’t ties. It’s just a little more brotherly. Ashton Gibbs’ little brother Sterling will be heading to Maryland next year.  And of course, recently graduated Jermaine Dixon is the brother to Maryland legend Juan Dixon.

In looking at the Coaches vs. Cancer storylines, Andy Katz made this note.

Will Pitt’s early start (an August trip to Ireland) and veteran experience have it in midseason form in this early-season event?

And then had this further down the piece.

Teams that need to live up to the hype: Pitt — Big East favorite plays rebuilding Maryland and then Illinois or Texas in the CVC semifinals in New York…

Pitt will be the favorite in the Tournament. After recent years of acting like MSG is Pitt’s home-away-from-home, the Panthers have laid an egg 3 of the last 4 times playing there (losing twice in the opening of the Big East Tournament and losing to Indiana last year).

Finally, Rivals.com has a list of trends to watch in 2010.

4. Kansas and Pittsburgh’s streak of five consecutive 25-win seasons: The Jayhawks and Panthers share the mark for the longest current string of 25-victory seasons, though Pittsburgh barely kept the streak alive with its 25-9 record. Both teams should make it six in a row. Pittsburgh returns four starters and has a legitimate All-America candidate in guard Ashton Gibbs. Kansas, arguably the most talented team in the nation last season, might take a step back as it attempts to replace Sherron Collins, Cole Aldrich and Xavier Henry. But the return of Marcus Morris and the arrival of Josh Selby should help the Jayhawks (who have had a record 21 consecutive 20-win seasons) join Pitt as 25-game winners. Now both teams must find a way to get beyond the second round of the NCAA tournament.