It’s ESPN3.com at 7pm
Students out of town. Night before Thanksgiving. Should be a sparse crowd except for those whose significant other is a saint or just wanted that person out of the way so they could lose their mind in peace preparing for Thursday.
This is part of why there is such an abundance of Thanksgiving-time basketball tournaments. Logically, you would think TV interests would prefer more of the activity to take place a week or two later as college football games really thin out.
But the coaches and schools would rather avoid having to do home games without students and people heavily distracted by family dysfunction. If they are going to play games in front of small crowds, why not do it in some other locale in a tournament that gets media exposure?\
That’s not Pitt’s fate this year.
Home game against Cornell.
The Big Red (3-2) will visit Petersen Events Center tonight to face Pitt (2-0), and although Cornell is not similar to Detroit in style of play, it is skilled offensively and tough to guard because it can shoot well from every spot.
Cornell averages 79.2 points per game and has made 49 of 128 3-point attempts, which is an average of 9.8 3-pointers made per game.
Panthers forward Alonzo Nelson-Ododa said Cornell will be a great test for their man-to-man defense and he believes it will give them a good opportunity to prove they have fixed their defensive issues.
“They are a little bit different than the other three teams we played in that they have a lot more 3-point shooters,” Nelson-Ododa said. “This will prepare us for teams like Davidson, who we play in December that has a lot of 3-point shooters … so this is going to be a challenge for us.”
Guard Chris Jones agreed and said that the thing that makes a team like Cornell so difficult to guard is that it can spread out and stretch the defense because of its ability to hit 3-pointers from every position.
“We watched film of Cornell, they are really good,” Jones said. “They have some really good guards, so we have to make sure we do what it takes to win the game. They are very aggressive, they like to get up and pressure the ball full-court, too.
“We have to do a good job of keeping guys accountable on defense and make sure we are all doing our jobs and helping each other out.”
Per the Sporting News preview, Cornell was picked for 7th in the Ivy League. They have been blown out by Georgia Tech and Canisius. “Really good,” might be an overstatement.
It should allow Pitt to continue to control the minutes for key players.
Young, who leads Pitt in scoring, is on board.
His minutes are down, but his spirits are up. He is averaging 24 minutes after posting 31.7 minutes per game last season. He admitted to tiring down the stretch.
“I love it,” Young said. “Guys like myself, James (Robinson) or Artis don’t have to play 30-some minutes a game. My energy level and intensity are way up from last year.”
Artis averages 22.5 minutes, and Robinson averages 24. Last season, both averaged more than 30 minutes.
Limit the minutes now. They will almost certainly rise for guys like Young, Artis and Robinson in a couple weeks.
Thankful that Nard Dog has the program on the rise along with the help of a new AD and Chancellor who have a clear vision for excellence
Thankful for this Blather blog and all the hard work that Chas, Reed and Justin have put in throughout the years
Thankful that I’m part of the Pitt family and Panther Nation
Thankful for many other things.
May the wishbone break right for you this Thanksgiving.
Grateful that while Pitt might not be perennial top 10 in either major sport, that we have a clean program with good kids.
Optimistic for the future of both Fball and Bball at Pitt!
TX Panther – well said. We are often a dysfunctional bunch, but I think the world is a better place because we can get it out of our systems on here. I am ever thankful for The Blather!
The big story tonight against a weak Cornell team is our 3 point shooting!!
“I’ll be completely honest about this: Coach Chryst never called me, and Coach Chryst did not have a team meeting where he said he was leaving, and Coach Chryst never texted us (as a team),” Rowell said. “Coach Graham texted us.”
H2P !!
Hope all you fellow Blatherites have a safe and happy Thanksgiving and hopefully you will be at Heinz on Friday. Pretty nervous about crowd. Think it’s going to be pretty bad
I’m afraid we’re in for a poor crowd…which is a shame given the weather forecast in the mid 60s with no rain…
Go Pitt.
CJ looked very confident tonight.
Watched Luther while on the floor. That guy is locked in defensively.
I noticed that Young and Artis like to handle the ball. Both are actually able to push the ball up the floor. They will make this team difficult to press.
This team actually appears to be able to shoot FTs at multiple positions.
I pulled this next clip from the Trib in honor of Senior Day tomorrow at Pitt Stadium on Heinz Field:
(Artie) Rowell’s first exchange with Narduzzi, shortly after the latter was hired.
“I left a voicemail and said, ‘Hey Coach, Artie Rowell, center, coming back off a knee injury. I just wanted to say welcome, and I’m looking forward to this year.’ He texted back and said, ‘Artie, I appreciate the call. Your fifth year is going to be the best year you’ve had at Pitt.’
“He was right. We’re going for win No. 9″.
Our group is going to cut our pre-game tailgating short (probably start earlier too) so we can be in our seats for the Senior introductions. Many special young men who have made Pitt proud.
Crush the Canes, win #9 and reveal the Pat Signal.
HTP!
But this morning I want to challenge you if you currently aren’t going to the game on Black Friday. If you are within driving distance, tell your spouse you are going Christmas shopping. Drive to Pitt Stadium on Heinz Field and go to the apparel shop, buy her something you think she’ll like (50% off most items tomorrow) and while you are there, yinz mize well watch some of the game.
There is a lot of truth in that shopping trip, plus you get to see the much improved Pitt Panther football team.
Support the Seniors!
HTP!
I’ll be at the game tomorrow .. and in time for pre-game intros.
C’mon fellow Blatherites …. if your relatives, friends and neighbors can make it to Walmart at 6 am tomorrow, we can make to Heinz by 11:45.
The big question is “how does he play all these guys?” Not enough minutes to go around.
Regarding Pitt/Cornell – the only thing I didn’t like was Cam Johnson’s defense. In one sequence, he gave up an easy layup and then the next possession gave up an offensive rebound. Given that everyone is capable of scoring, that doesn’t bode well for him. Jeter and Smith are borderline impressive, Wilson looks like he’ll get there, Young and Artis can be dominant, and Ododo looks like a big improvement in a role player position. I’m very encouraged.
#20 Wichita State lost to USC – 2nd los of the season
Many overrated fakes in the Top 25
#19 Northwestern barely beat Eastern Washington.
#24 George Washington barely beat Houston.
My belief is that Pitt would beat all six teams this season.
HTP!
Anyhow, Happy Thanksgiving to all! Truthfully, every day should be a day of thanksgiving as I know that I definitely have a lot to be thankful for.