As much as there might be concern about how there will be any fans in the stands next year, there is still at least one more game for 2010. Contrary to Coach Wannstedt’s protestations that he has no concerns about his job security or that there is anything wrong with his program, besides disappointing losses because of correctable mistakes, the truth may be a little more nebulous.

It has become clear that coach Dave Wannstedt and his staff need a good showing today and a strong finish to the season in order to ease some of the concerns of the university administration about the direction of the program.

And even if the Panthers win, Wannstedt likely will have to make some staff changes in the offseason and have a rebound season next year that shows the program is making progress.

Staff shake-ups are usually the interim/final step the year before a Coach loses his job — when things don’t change the following year. This story marks the first time there is something close to reporting there is some actual discontent. As opposed to columnists opining that Coach Wannstedt has to go.

It may be vague and less than many are hoping to read, but it is something. That and growing cynicism at every turn.

“Our preparation has been good,” Wannstedt said. “I think because we played West Virginia on Friday and had an extra day to come in here and turn the page and move on. The guys have responded good and know we have a chance still to do some good things by winning this game.”

The Panthers have said all the right things this week about bouncing back, but they said the right things last week, too, and then got hammered by the Mountaineers.

Yeah. Cynicism. The way to go to shield off from more disappointment.

Our friends at the Fighting Wannstaches took a rather tongue and cheek suggestion to produce a new logo for the BIG SPRAWL Conference and ran with it.

Fantastic work for 10 minutes time on MS Paint.

I’m trying to figure out how to handle Saturday. Pitt plays Cinci at noon in football and then basketball starts at 2pm. Clearly an overlap will occur. Both will be on TV. Pitt and Cinci are the ESPN game. Rider-Pitt is on SNY and FoxSports Pittsburgh.

This should have been a no-brainer. The end of the regular season, conference football game against a team that has beaten Pitt the last two years should be the call. Not some non-con against a MAAC team (a decent one, but still a MAAC team). Instead, I’m genuinely torn. I guess we’ll start a liveblog with football and see what happens.

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On so many levels the game was more of the same from the City Game. Overall, It was Pitt’s 29th win in 32 past meetings. It was also the 10th straight win for Pitt over the Stage Magicians. A 80-66 win.

We also saw a lot of Pitt turnovers in the first half. This has been very typical of Duquesne-Pitt games in the five years Everhart has been at Duquesne. He plays a continually pressing defense. It is usually the first one Pitt faces in the season. As a result Pitt struggles early. Look sloppy. Duquesne either takes an early lead or hangs around.

Then Pitt starts to adjust and while Duquesne continues to battles and makes small surges that make it appear that they have put themselves back into the game, it is extinguished quickly and Pitt takes the game. Last year, with one suspended and one injured player as Pitt was still struggling to come together was as close as the Stage Magicians have come to snagging a win.

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The game is on ESPN-U at 9:20. Liveblog should kick-off around 9:15.

Luke and Chas will co-host the moderated chat. Let’s try to keep the football/Wannstedt stuff off for one night, and enjoy basketball.

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There will be a liveblog tonight. The game is on ESPN-U around 9:20. Liveblog should be up and running around 9:15. Your other option would be Maryland-Penn State at 9:15 on ESPN2. Think Duquesne is looking at tonight’s game as their warm-up before Saturday in Happy Valley? Probably not.

Nice to talk about a solid, stable, winning program. One not shrinking from expectations, downplaying them or making excuses. Damn. I’m trying to give that a rest. Maybe by tonight.

About tonight. Pitt has won 28 of the past 31 games against the Stage Magicians. The last win for Duquesne came in 2000. Yet, credit to Ron Everhart. He has made the games competitive the last few years since taking the reigns. An AP wire story even gives people outside of the area a little history/primer on the City Game.

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