Need to clear some tabs. Too many building up and I know that it will only get tougher to get to in the coming weeks.

Pitt may have a new basketball commit after this weekend. Jamel Artis out of Baltimore has indicated he intends to give a verbal after the Peach Jam in South Carolina. Which just happens to be an event Coach Jamie Dixon is attending.

Though Pittsburgh will soon be an Atlantic Coast Conference institution, Artis did indicate “I always wanted to play in the BIG EAST,” when asked specifically about the conference. Jamel on criteria for choosing a school: “Honestly, guys I can trust — coaches and players. Guys that play hard every night, that are going to give it a 100%. And I just want to win…win a championship.”

Artis considers himself a “point forward”, and for good measure, as he possesses significant passing ability for a player standing 6’7” and weighing 220 pounds. Of dropping dimes, the East Baltimore product that calls that city’s Belair section home said “I take a lot of pride in that. That’s one thing I do best.” In addition to finding people, Artis can hit mid-range jumpers, solidly pat the rock, and has a decent feel for the game.

He also understands conditioning is an issue — Jamel laughed and agreed when asked if the food at Vermont Prep packed on a few extra pounds. He cited three other points of needed improvement, as “I have to stop clutching” his jump shot, and “I have to rebound more”. In terms of lateral quickness, Artis revealed “I’m quick at times, but I can get a little quicker.”

His own description of himself and this scouting report from ESPN.com makes him appear to be exactly the kind of player that has developed and thrived for Coach Dixon.

Artis is a long athletic wing that can get to the rim with slashes in transition as well as in the half court set. He is a good ball handler, rebounder and multiple position defender as well. He must get stronger and extend his shooting range but has very good upside.

Artis has gotten a good amount of interest but not a lot of offers.

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Pitt has posted video of the nearly 16 minute press conference with AD Steve Pederson. Not much in the way of revelations in it.

Pitt has paid $2.5 million to the Big East back in September when it was announced Pitt was heading to the ACC. He didn’t specify when or how Pitt was going to pay the other $5 million, but made it clear that it wouldn’t be hard to do since Pitt will make that difference up in TV revenue in the ACC.

He defended the lawsuit, sticking with the argument that it was the catalyst to get movement on the settlement going. Didn’t really expect him to say, “Yeah, that was a waste of time.”

Apparently Pitt and Cuse were negotiating separately with the Big East. Okay.

Ryan Turnley wasn’t just battling injuries in one foot all season last year. No, it was both feet.

Turnley initially got hurt against Utah. He says the injury was a shock to the system, particularly because he never really had one as serious during his career. The following week against UConn, he hurt his other foot.

“The thing about the one in the UConn game was that it was on a screen,” Turnley recalled. “I was pulling out to the left. I went to cut a linebacker, and it felt like the sole of my shoe ripped out, that’s the sound it made and the feeling I had. I got up on my feet, and I said, ‘It happened again. I can’t believe it.’ We completed the pass, and we ran a hurry-up no huddle, so I limped my way over to the line and snapped the ball. I didn’t have time to think about it. I went to the sideline, then to the locker room for pain medicine, and came back.”

Turnley ended up with torn plantar fascia in both feet. On crutches all week, but was in for every snap of every game. He converted to center last spring. As much out of need by Pitt as there was for an opportunity to play. He proved to be far, far better than anyone expected.

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We have been inundated with opinions regarding the possible penalties that could or should be given to Penn State as a result of the 14 year cover up of child sex abuse that happened within the university’s football facilities and elsewhere by Jerry Sandusky along with clear knowledge and non-reporting of it happening by Joe Paterno, Gary Schultz, Tim Curley and President Gary Spanier.

Murder’s Row.

Those opinions on punishment have ranged from the NCAA washing their hands of the responsibility of oversight by doing nothing because “It is a criminal matter not a football issue” to the NCAA giving PSU a five year death penalty and a 14 year bowl ban.  Both are ridiculous in their extremes.  Something is going to happen here and we await their decision.

Here is an article that lists four alternatives other than the Death Penalty.  Sorry, but I read these and it makes my skin crawl with the preemptive assumtions that PSU somehow deserves lienency.

“Realistically, there is no form of justice the NCAA has the authority to hand down that could rectify the horrors that unfolded for the victims of Jerry Sandusky; the major players in the case have either passed away or are already, or may soon, face trial, leaving behind only a shattered shell of what once was Happy Valley.

To impose the Death Penalty on Penn State would not only punish those left behind, but potentially cause economic chaos in a town driven greatly by the existence of the Penn State football program. “

Huh, “the shattered shell of what once was Happy Valley“.  Well, he certainly knows how to turn a phrase as well as turn his back from the actual perpetrators in this case which is the University administration, you know, the guys who were mandated to actually live the ethical lives they espoused in public.  Sandusky was just the public criminal face of the horrors and to deflect either blame or punishment from where it also rightfully lies is only perpetrating the damage.

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Just remember Pitt, nothing stupid in 347 days. Keep it simple.

Not much new since last night. A few more comments. Another press release.

Here’s the statement from the ACC.

“Today’s announcement that Pitt will be joining the ACC on July 1, 2013 is terrific one. It’s exciting to know that both Pitt and Syracuse will become playing members in the ACC starting with the 2013-14 academic year. I’m pleased that both schools were able to finalize agreements with the Big East. The ACC has long enjoyed a rich tradition of balancing academics and athletics and the addition of Pitt and Syracuse further strengthens this conference. Throughout this past year, we’ve been preparing to welcome both teams into our membership and we look forward to the future of the ACC with these two schools as prominent members.”

It’s nice to have it official. But everyone knew this was coming.

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Okay, looks like we officially have 348 days until Pitt is a part of the ACC.

The Big East Conference and the University of Pittsburgh announced today that both organizations have reached an agreement on Pittsburgh’s departure from the Big East and move to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Under the terms of the agreement reached between the Big East and Pittsburgh, Big East members will vote, in accordance with the Big East’s bylaws, to terminate Pittsburgh’s membership in the Big East effective July 1, 2013, at which point Pittsburgh will join the ACC. In addition to other consideration, Pittsburgh will make a total cash payment to the Big East of $7.5 million, which includes the $5 million withdrawal fee under the Big East Bylaws applicable at the time Pittsburgh gave notice of withdrawal.

“This is another step for the Big East to take toward a very exciting future. With the addition of our eight new members, the Big East will be incredibly strong and vibrant,” said Joe Bailey, Interim Commissioner of the Big East.

Steve Pederson, Athletic Director for the University of Pittsburgh said: “We have appreciated and enjoyed our membership in the Big East and wish them much success in the future. We are anxious to compete in our final season in the Big East and look forward to an exciting future in the Atlantic Coast Conference.”

Mildly surprised Pitt didn’t work the number down a little considering the hit Pitt took to the football schedulue this year, but it’s not like the Big East would be (or should be) terribly sympathetic.

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Sure we don’t know Pitt’s full basketball schedule. Sure, we are not officially out of the Big East. Sure the schedule this year (especially at home) blows.

This time next year, Pitt will be in the ACC and we will be trying to figure out what kind of record Pitt will have in its first year in the ACC.

Well, an important part of that is figuring out the potential wins and losses on the schedule. Pitt’s 2013 schedule is all set except for the actual dates on the conference games.

Miami blog, The Seventh Floor has already figured out the entire conference schedule for 2013 based on a 9-game schedule with Pitt and Cuse on board. As a planned member of the Coastal Division (start trying to remember this stuff now), Pitt will get 4 home conference games in 2013 (odd years) and 5 conference games in 2014 (even years)

The conference schedule format is to play all six divisional foes (3 home, 3 away), two cross-division (1 home, 1 away), and one protected cross-divisional rival (alternating home/away)

Pitt originally had 5 non-con games scheduled, but that included NC State and at VT. Those obviously will not be on the schedule any longer.

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Maybe it’s because of all the scandal coverage is being devoted to Happy Valley. Maybe it’s because the school already punished itself in related events, including the firing of their head coach and forced resignation of the AD. Maybe it’s because it has been dragging on for some two years. Maybe it is because so many journalists happen to come from this school. Or maybe it’s because nearly two years later we still don’t exactly know who or how many players were part of the huge academic fraud scandal that happened at North Carolina.

Everyone knows about the agent-related scandal at UNC that ultimately cost Butch Davis his job. The other component that came out of the scandal was academic. And it has proven to be a huge infestation of a problem. One that involved an entire academic department and was wide-reaching through all of UNC athletics — though, with an extra emphasis on football.

Willis Brooks and Jay Smith, two UNC-CH history professors who are concerned about the case’s impact on the university’s academic integrity, said the enrollment and pay data suggest Nyang’oro had set up a system for athletes to get into classes they could pass.

“The only logic I can conjure is (Nyang’oro) was protecting seats,” said Brooks, a professor emeritus who served on the faculty athletic committee in the early 1990s. “And since the preponderance of people who took the seats are athletes, there is circumstantial evidence,” he said.

This included a class, “launched two days before the start of a summer 2011 semester and immediately filled with 18 football players and a former player. Academic advisers to the football players knew the class did not meet and only involved a term paper, but still placed the athletes in the classes.”

Newspapers looking into this found irregular classes dating back to 1999.

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If you file a lawsuit — even to force the movement on negotiations — there is going to be more of a delay before anything is fully settled. All matters have to be resolved. Details have to be finalized. Everything must be in place.

The fact is, Pitt only filed that lawsuit in mid-May. Two months ago. I know it seems longer, but that it really isn’t. That put all negotiations on hold for a good month while the Big East got its legal response together. You can’t now complain that things are going too slowly compared to Syracuse reaching a settlement.

It isn’t like Pitt and the Big East haven’t been negotiating. It is just that it is now under a more formal structure.

Federal court documents indicate that Pitt and Big East officials have had discussions that could lead to a settlement, but no trial date has been set.

The fact that Pitt had filed a lawsuit probably spurred the Big East to resume active negotiations with Syracuse to avoid another lawsuit. Even then, it took until now to work out enough of a deal that they could announce a deal.

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The prime topic of media and fan conversation, now that the Freeh Report has become public, has shifted focus from what Joe Paterno knew and when he knew it to speculating about what other problems are in store for Penn State and its football program.  In essence that means the NCAA has the stage front spotlight now and speculation is rampant about what actions and sanctions, if any, will be levied against PSU.

Many people, including a lot of PITT fans, are thinking that Penn State will not play football this season.  Unless PSU self-sanctions its own football program my advice is this, don’t hold your breath for that to happen.

I believe the NCAA won’t do a thing formally until after the criminal trials of Schultz and Curley are completed and all the elements of the Freeh Report are seconded and sworn to in judicial proceedings.  The president of the NCAA, Mark Emmert was interviewed by Tavis Smiley of the Public Broadcasting Service, and he says some interesting things about the future of the NCAA’s investigation without, of course, clearly committing to anything.

However, he alludes to what I believe to be a way ahead for the NCAA whether he meant to or not.  Take a  listen from the 1:20 mark when Emmert states ‘it was a football scandal and more…we’ll have to figure out exactly what penalties there are.’  He said that last part without any qualification of “if any”  which I think is telling.  He does qualify his statements later on but this off the cuff answer opens eyes.

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The Big East and Syracuse announced their agreement for the Orange to leave the Big East for the ACC on July 1, 2013.

The Big East Conference and Syracuse University today announced that both organizations have reached an agreement on Syracuse’s departure from the Big East and move to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Under the terms of the agreement reached between the Big East and Syracuse, the Big East members will vote, in accordance with the Big East’s bylaws, to terminate Syracuse’s membership in the Big East effective July 1, 2013, at which point Syracuse will join the ACC. In addition to other consideration, Syracuse will make a total cash payment to the Big East of $7.5 million.

[Emphasis added.]

Now Pitt has the whole lawsuit thing going against the Big East, which kind of slows down Pitt’s exit. In addition, Pitt AD Steve Pederson has emphatically said on more than one occasion that Pitt will not pay more than the $5 million exit fee.

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Welp, Big East Media Days are only a couple weeks away. That means training camp is looming. That means some actual Pitt football speculation. I know, it’s been a while. Teams have announced which players will be attending the media day for interviews/lobster eating competition. Pitt is sending:

• Jared Holley
• Ray Graham
• Aaron Donald

Can you believe that Tino Sunseri isn’t going? Not liking Pitt’s chances in the lobster eating. This is almost certainly the last time Pitt and Syracuse will be a part of this. I’d like to see Coach Chryst end the clambake by solemnly stating:  L’Shanah HaBa’ah B’Greensboro (Next year in Greensboro).

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Pitt and Penn State are scheduled to play a home-and-home pair of football games in 2016 and 2017. A possible thaw in the long-standing stalemate in what was once a great annual rivalry game. Add in the fact that the Big 10-Pac-12 annual cross-over plan that was scheduled to begin in 2017 has now fallen through. Well, you could make a pretty good case that Pitt and Penn State might actually be able to resume the annual in-state rivalry game.

This home-and-home came about before the Penn State cover-up of the Sandusky molestations came to light. A cover-up to protect the image of the football program at Penn State. Now, Penn State is promising reforms. Changes, in no small part from the recommendations of the Freeh Report. But as Dan Wolken notes, how can there be real change when Penn State begins their new season in seven weeks?

That creates a question for Pitt and Pitt fans. Should we still want Pitt and Penn State to meet in football? Do we want to play a program where the leaders so willingly betrayed its self-righteous ideals to protect the image of itself. That it not only hid a pedophile right within in its midst, it gave license the beast to continue to use his relationship with Penn State football to bring in more boys to victimize.

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I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve read a ton of stories and opinions related to the Penn State cover-up that the Freeh Report showed. After a while some blurred with others. Tabs closed. Maybe even some stories missed.

Three pieces stand out for various reasons, so I’m going to explain, link and excerpt a bit of them here. If you have your own favorite put it in the comments so we can take a look.

First up is Washington Post columnist Sally Jenkins. Ms. Jenkins was one of the last people to interview Joe Paterno before his death. That piece  was not exactly hard-hitting. But then how hard do you go after a dying man getting cancer treatments? She basically let him make his claims of not knowing anything. Now? She feels a bit used and pissed.

Joe Paterno was a liar, there’s no doubt about that now. He was also a cover-up artist. If the Freeh Report is correct in its summary of the Penn State child molestation scandal, the public Paterno of the last few years was a work of fiction. In his place is a hubristic, indictable hypocrite.

And that’s just the opening graph.

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Taking a break from the Penn State scandal, and pausing before jumping into the scandal at another school that everyone is ignoring. Some little things on the football front.

First off, it appears that there will be an additional scholarship available for this year as redshirt freshman Justin Jackson has left the team. Good luck to Mr. Jackson, we hardly knew you.

There are position changes to report. Some are not surprising, some are.

Anthony Gonzalez may have already broken the Dorin Dickerson position switch record. He’s been at QB, TE/HB and this spring WR. Now he’s moving to Safety. He’s big and athletic enough for the position. Just hoping he has a spot that lasts beyond a semester.

EJ Banks, the transfer from ND who was originally a cornerback, but moved to quarterback and then running back (just in the spring practices). My money was on linebacker, but he zagged when I thought a zig and he is moving back to cornerback.

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