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December 4, 2015

Open Thread: City Game 2015

Filed under: Basketball,Open Thread — Chas @ 6:00 pm

Basketball will still be played tonight.

7pm on something called CBS Sports Network. It’s a real channel, I’m told.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Duquesne may have a chance this year.

They pounded on Penn State a week or so ago. They don’t suck as bad as they have. They have even started running a bit of smack for this game.

It enters this City Game with some inherent advantages it didn’t have in the past, particularly if the speedier Dukes can dictate the pace against a Pitt team that’s statistically among the 30 slowest tempo-wise in Division I.

“We’ve got a lot of speed and quickness, more than them,” Colter said. “They’re slower than us. We can push the tempo on them a lot, especially in transition, where we can get open 3s and open shots for everybody else.”

Yes, because there is such a history of teams with higher tempo being able to dictate pace.

I’m not taking the Stage Magicians lightly. I’m really not. They have improved. They are not waiting on a single recruiting class to save and validate their coaching staff. They are building better than they have in a while — at least until their administration decides to blow it up for no good reason.

Duquesne’s 3-point shooters and transition game will be a good test for the Panthers defensively, Dixon said, who added that the Dukes, with their experienced guards, are as good as their record would indicate.

“I would think [this is Ferry’s best team] just based on their seniors,” Dixon said. “Jim is a good coach and they are getting better. When you have three senior guards, you would think he would have to feel good about his team.

“I just know they are very good, they are 6-1 and they have some neutral-court wins and that is a good sign right there.”

Pitt is a good team and will get better as the season goes on. But the margins are thinner.

Countered Pitt junior forward Jamel Artis: “They’re talking a lot of stuff. They said we’re slow. I don’t think we’re slow at all. They said they’re going to try to outrun us in transition. We’ve got a game plan for that.”

Artis’ confidence is understandable — and perfectly justified. Pitt has won 14 consecutive games against Duquesne and leads the series 52-31.

This marks the 46th consecutive season Pitt and Duquesne — whose campuses are located approximately three miles apart — have met.

“It’s a rivalry game,” Artis said. “I’m coming out and playing my hardest because I really want to get this win. It’ll be a big win for them. All of our guys are going to play hard from the jump.”

Considering Artis’ performance against Purdue, I expect him to be especially motivated tonight.





sorry tossing,not buying it.

Comment by goalie44 12.06.15 @ 5:27 pm

Comparing Annapolis to Charlotte …is like comparing Erie to Pittsburgh.

Comment by Emel 12.06.15 @ 5:27 pm

Tossing, I think you’re missing the point. Generally I think most are ok with the venue and team, but it is a TIER 2 BOWL. Pitt was one of the top 4 teams in the ACC. One of those four teams is in the playoff. There are 5 tier one bowls,
and only two teams above Pitt, and yet…

It just shows how silly the whole bowl process is beyond the playoffs. Might as well be completely arbitrary. Want great attendance at the Pinstripe? Hell let Syracuse and Penn St. play there every year. They have more alumni in NYC than anyone.

Comment by Iron Duke 12.06.15 @ 5:34 pm

goalie – you don’t think Herman had more to do with Houston’s success than beating Pitt? Come one. That’s insane.

Annapolis smokes Charlotte on it’s own merit before even mentioning it’s only 20 mins from the Inner Harbor in Baltimore or 20 mins from DC.

Who cares how old it is? The Pinstripe was laughed at too and now all of a sudden it’s a Tier 1 bowl.

You’re just insufferable sometimes.

Pitt and Navy have tradition playing each other too. It’s a good game.

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 12.06.15 @ 5:35 pm

Simple
Don’t play
Screw them f the acc power
Play to win next year
Don’t roll over just don’t play

Comment by Kman 12.06.15 @ 5:36 pm

Iron Duke – who cares about the Tier? Lol. They don’t market the games as Tier 1 or 2 bowls. Pitt gets the same exact monetary payout regardless.

The designation is to make the venues feel better about themselves and the money the put into it the event. Outside of the playoff games, who really gives a shit about the bowls anyways?

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 12.06.15 @ 5:37 pm

Navy hasn’t mattered since Roger won the heisman. That’s just the truth. Yes they have had some fine teams including this years, but beating a SEC team will always carry more weight. Pitt was robbed of the chance to do so because they want NC State to play a home game. That’s why this is frustrating

Comment by Steve h 12.06.15 @ 5:38 pm

Comment by wbb 12.06.15 @ 5:38 pm

FWIW I was ready to travel to the Sun Bowl .. but there is NFW I’m going to Annapolis.

My first reaction is to “bomb these crackers back to the stone age”. That is only half in jest. No wonder Maryland wanted out!

Comment by 9-2,8-4,11-1,11-1,11-1 12.06.15 @ 5:39 pm

Tossing. I love your posts, but you are missing the discussion (I think) here. It’s that we were dropped to a tier 2. Navy is a terrific opponent, wonderful tradition and great respect for them. And yes, Annapolis is a beautiful destination. It’s about the dip to tier two that is the slap in the face. We should have gone to music city, but the acc pushed Louisville there because of the southern draw and close proximity, that’s all. To put them there ahead of Pitt on all other levels just plain sucks.

Comment by Pitt it Is 12.06.15 @ 5:39 pm

Not to mention that Pitt just played at Navy two years ago and many of us made that trip. Something different would have been nice…

Comment by Iron Duke 12.06.15 @ 5:41 pm

At least we can’t blame Pederson…or can we?

Tossing, evidently most of us care about tier.

Comment by Iron Duke 12.06.15 @ 5:44 pm

I hope the Big 12 expands we should go there at least we could have the brawl on thanksgiving wknd.

Comment by Steve h 12.06.15 @ 5:46 pm

At the end of the day, it matters not. But it is more evidence of how far this program has to go to be anywhere near relevant.

At least it feels like we have begun that journey.

Comment by Iron Duke 12.06.15 @ 5:47 pm

And also get The Domers out of our life for good

Comment by Steve h 12.06.15 @ 5:48 pm

tossing,

herman adjusted the pieces that were there, the stage was set with their win. that’s my opinion, you have yours, we can leave it at that.

Comment by goalie44 12.06.15 @ 5:48 pm

Annapolis about 40 miles from DC
Great chance to take the family to see DC
at Christmas
Beach about 3 hours
BWI about 30 miles to game

Comment by Frank md 12.06.15 @ 5:49 pm

Iron Duke – I don’t know why. Pitt will have better attendance in Annapolis than in Nashville. It’s easier for most people to get to and Pitt gets the exact same cash payout.

Pitt fans have to start showing up to bowl games before they’ll be a top draw. So, Pitt fans, buy tickets and go if you don’t want to feel slighted again.

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 12.06.15 @ 5:49 pm

Agree with all the slap in the face stuff and Pitt getting screwed. Barnes has work to do for sure. That said Annapolis is an easier trip for me and the wife and I just bought my tickets.

Comment by htp123 12.06.15 @ 5:50 pm

Bowl games are about money and Pitt will never get a tier one bowl unless they go 11-1 or 12-0. You can’t get a tier1 and only attract 5,000 fans it just won’t happen.

Comment by Chick 12.06.15 @ 5:51 pm

Bitch, moan, whine and complain, not saying it isn’t justified, but it is tiring and seems to be the one constant description of Pitt Fandom.

Not sure who or what to blame this time, and what can be done about it.

Luckily we have a coach that will embrace the challenge and get our kids ready.

No doubt we are the Rodney Dangerfield of college sports. “Can’t get no respect at all”

Does this qualify as SOP?

Comment by gc 12.06.15 @ 5:54 pm

Fu-K it I’m going. I have no excuse not to go. It’s closer for me than a home game.

Comment by Tony in Harrisburg 12.06.15 @ 5:58 pm

here’s an idea,

how about hosting the iron city bowl, right here in pgh. heinz field is the perfect venue..

Comment by goalie44 12.06.15 @ 6:00 pm

NC State= 3-5 in conf play. They beat Syracuse,Wake, and BC. They play Miss State in the Belk Bowl. What a joke!!

Comment by Steve h 12.06.15 @ 6:01 pm

Looking at the positives, we have played Navy since 1912. As has been said, Annapolis is beautiful to visit, there will be plenty of Pomp and Circumstance. The game will be watched nationally. As a Pitt athlete the Naval Academy was my favorite place to visit.

Win, and we will beat our first ranked team. We are a really good road team.

Comment by gc 12.06.15 @ 6:02 pm

Steve h, hard to argue with that. No Doubt who runs the ACC with four teams in North Carolina.

Comment by gc 12.06.15 @ 6:04 pm

This is why Maryland left and FL ST and Clemson threatened to go.

Comment by gc 12.06.15 @ 6:06 pm

Lightweight AD carries no street cred.

Comment by Upittbaseball 12.06.15 @ 6:06 pm

Plus this game is at 2:30 on a Monday. If a tree falls in the woods does it make a sound? If there is a bowl game at 2:30 on a Monday does anybody give a shit?

Comment by Steve h 12.06.15 @ 6:08 pm

Pitt has no leverage at all. Wouldn’t matter who was AD.

Comment by gc 12.06.15 @ 6:11 pm

Pitt wants fans to buy tickets while the rest of the fans will have to DVR it. Way to encourage a fan base. If you don’t go to the game you can catch the highlights on ESPN.

Comment by Steve h 12.06.15 @ 6:12 pm

Nothing to win against Navy. Win and it is expected because it is Navy. Lose and we lost to an Armed Forces Team. The location is awful. All bowls should be in warm places.

Comment by Upittbaseball 12.06.15 @ 6:13 pm

Monday at 2:30. There may not be a possible worst time except 3am on a Tuesday.

Comment by Upittbaseball 12.06.15 @ 6:14 pm

GC – I think a legit AD with cred wouldnt be offered a shit bowl when we won 8 games. This is on the same lines as Detroit.

Comment by Upittbaseball 12.06.15 @ 6:15 pm

It was a slap
Its not a bad opponent
Its not a far drive
Its not a bad city
But it was a slap

Why the slap?
We didnt beat Miami
We dont travel
We dont have a marketable player besides Boyd
We dont have influence within the ACC
And we dont travel

Why dont we travel?
We dont have the affinity towards our school like others

Why?

We dont have a bond with our school?

Why?

The university hasnt created an atmosphere for that bond to take hold.

Why?

Ask Nerdy and Cornhole. In fact, ask all those bozos in charge since the Sherrill days.

Need to create memories, fun, instill spirit and pride.

Treat the student body and fans right and your students and fans will travel regardless how bad your team sucks. We are Panther Nation but our university has shit on us.

Comment by TX Panther 12.06.15 @ 6:19 pm

Hey boss I’m gonna need the 28th off so I can watch the Pitt game at 2:30. Get back to work nobody is stupid enough to play at 2:30 on a weekday. I’m going to throw up. I’m sure more nausea is in the way at 8:30 tonight.

Comment by Steve h 12.06.15 @ 6:20 pm

why do B1G mediocre teams like PSU and Nebraska (5 and 7) get such attractive bowls … because they all bring a min of 20k … it’s as simple as that!

Pitt has, and has had for years, a reputation of a bad travel team, and it is well earned. In fact, we apparently are so bad, we are last priority in a league that doesn’t attend … chew on that for a while.

Comment by wbb 12.06.15 @ 6:27 pm

Steve h, I work from home 1 or 2 days a week … so guess what I’m doing that day? (unless I have a project due)

Comment by wbb 12.06.15 @ 6:29 pm

steveh

just tell your boss you’ll be back in an about an hour. with two teams that run, you’ll be back to finish your day at work.

Comment by goalie44 12.06.15 @ 6:41 pm

Get over it Blatherites, except for this blog, no one cares about Pitt. Playing Navy is not a slight, think of what the Navy fans are saying, PITT, PITT! Ouch!

Pitt will have its hands full playing a tough Navy team. Let’s not get too upset about Pitt’s bowl selection. Money talks. Pitt is a travel tier-2 fan base. GA tech travels better. So before you Blatherites whine, beware of Navy and be happy that Pitt gets to play a ranked team. Yes, Navy is ranked and Pitt is, well Pitt.

Comment by MariettaMike 12.06.15 @ 6:43 pm

Texas – Great Post. Those bonds are largely due to sports and to being ON CAMPUS. Not 5 miles away where a poorly created steel shit box awaits with corporate bars and blah.

My memories are on that campus and with athletics.

Comment by Upittbaseball 12.06.15 @ 6:45 pm

Davison who Pitt plays in 2 weeks at MSG is losing by 23 to UNC at the half .. Davidson is 5 and 0

Comment by wbb 12.06.15 @ 6:46 pm

Pitt scored 50 each half today

Comment by wbb 12.06.15 @ 6:48 pm

Why are we responding like we were 10-2? This bowl is appropriate and candidly gives us a better chance to get some headlines by beating a ranked opponent versus playing a 45th ranked 5-7 Minnesota team or a WKU team. They also want to sell some tickets.

Seriously guys, there isn’t much drama about this. Had we been 9-3, the story would be a little different.

Leverage was lost when Pederson was here and Pitt is not going to use any collateral to get a better result in year one of the football project. It’s fine fellas. We are on schedule. Perhaps we use that as additional fuel next year. Respect and 24 are good starters for next year, but a win in the game gets us headlines for beating a ranked team…something the dairy college hasn’t done under their fake coach.

Comment by dhuffdaddy 12.06.15 @ 6:50 pm

Larry Fitz youngest player ever to 1000 receptions … and he had terrible QBs last 2 years for most part

The Eagles now lead the Pats by 21 with 11 minutes left .. and a few fans are leaving. Anyone think the Eagles will lose? (I wouldn’t bet against it)

Comment by wbb 12.06.15 @ 6:53 pm

Barnes says ACC selection process is very subjective. Not actually. If you have a fanbase that travels, you are rewarded. So Barnes, come up with some ideas to get the lazy Pitt fan to get off his fat ass and travel. Not gonna be easy after 30 years of the Pitt admin destroying spirit, pride and taking the fun out of sports. Entertain me. Give me positive memories. Give me a reason to proudly say H2P! Show me how supporting athletics and academia go hand in hand. Give me an identity. Show me how spending my dollar and cheering helps makes the university better. Get Pitt on the map again. Get our students and alums engaged. Its not subjective Barnes.

Comment by TX Panther 12.06.15 @ 6:55 pm

I assume Pitt will be the underdog. The Navy QB is really good

Comment by wbb 12.06.15 @ 7:00 pm

I guess I’m in the minority – playing a ranked team (who would be in a higher ranked bowl had they not lost to Houston) is better than playing Indiana or Minnesota. It would have been nice to play Miss State in the Belk Bowl, but they aren’t ranked. Our seats are in the upper level (128a) mid-field $55 each plus shipping. Staying at the Westin.

Comment by markp 12.06.15 @ 7:05 pm

By the way, I think Central Arkansas was the worst team that has ever played at the Pete. They couldn’t shoot, had no inside game and could not make foul shots.

It was kind of fun watching our guys have their way with them.

You can tell we are going to run quite a bit this year. Smith with another very solid game. Everyone is now looking for the outlet pass and to push up court and we have guys that can finish. Really good passing compared to last year.

Milligan to redshirt along with Nix. Good idea since Smith, Maia, and Odoba are only here for a year. Jamie needs to find some longer term solutions, but it looks like these guys will fit needs, some very well.

Also, this is a really good foul shooting team.

I really hate New England.

Comment by gc 12.06.15 @ 7:19 pm

I know there’s rah rah enthusiasm for us being on schedule etc. but 24/7 recruiting rankings have us at number 60 or so and Penn State, West Virginia are far ahead.

So we’re on the right train to recapture the glory of…Wannstedt’s 2009 season?

Comment by Tony77019 12.06.15 @ 7:33 pm

I wouldn’t take much from the basketball game today. It was a scrimmage. It doesn’t indicate a thing. The only game coming up that counts is Syracuse. Davidson to a lesser extent.

Comment by Tony77019 12.06.15 @ 7:34 pm

As you know the reports are coming in that Barnes actually wanted this game or any destination within driving distance for the “Panther Nation.”

I guess with gas below $2/gallon no one would drive to Florida for a game???

If Pitt can grab a ranking somewhere between 21 -25 by beating Navy then the bowl was a smart move.

Penn State is not playing a ranked team.

Comment by Tony77019 12.06.15 @ 7:39 pm

Chris Peak summarizes it best:

Ultimately, the Military Bowl is a good setup for #Pitt. But that doesn’t mean you have to like the process by which Pitt got there.

Comment by Iron Duke 12.06.15 @ 7:54 pm

I was at the Duke game and there were about 10,000 Pitt fans there. Pitt fans will travel given the right bowl. there were moe Pitt fans there than what I saw from other fan bases in Heinz this year. But if you are smart buy your tickets on stub hub.

Comment by Jp 12.06.15 @ 7:56 pm

Barnes wanted driving distance but bowls are meant to reward players and fans in warm weather cities like those in California, Arizona and Florida. Why drive when one can fly.

Comment by TX Panther 12.06.15 @ 7:57 pm

I dont like the process how Pitt got there but we fans are much to blame but I blame mainly the previous admin first for creating this lethargy. Its up to Barnes to correct it. Not an easy task and will take years.

Comment by TX Panther 12.06.15 @ 7:59 pm

Jp, agree, was pleasantly surprised by how many Pitt fans were there. Maybe we are turning a bend .. we’ll see.

Comment by wbb 12.06.15 @ 8:05 pm

Tony, agree that it was less than a scrimmage, but you still can see that we are much improved over last year. Hard to tell how good we will be, especially after the Purdue debacle, where too many guys disappeared. However, You can see the improvement in Young and Artis, and dare I say it, Robinson is shooting like we always hoped he would. The surrounding cast is better, the question is how much? Smith looks to be far superior to any second guard last year. He has very good and quick hands. The centers are as well, although the bar was extremely low. Maia has much better hands than anyone last year, a much higher bball IQ and should help. Wilson is going to be very good, a much better shot than any guard from last year. Looks like he has all the tools as well, just needs to learn the playbook.

I will be very surprised if they don’t make the tournament and win a couple of upsets along the way.

Comment by gc 12.06.15 @ 8:16 pm

Annapolis is like 3 hours away. Would have prefered Yankee stadium, but this is still a day trip.

Comment by Chris 12.06.15 @ 8:23 pm

Glad to hear about the attendance at Duke. One thing for sure, there are many Pitt grads and Pittsburghers living in the south. When the jobs went south so did the people. In some ways they have more of an allegiance to the School and City than those that were able to stay here.

It would be a great new tradition to pack the ACC stadiums with Pitt Fans everywhere we go.

Comment by gc 12.06.15 @ 8:24 pm

Just like the Steelers

Comment by gc 12.06.15 @ 8:25 pm

FYI for anyone Blather it’s who have kids that are current students or are friends with a current student…in addition to game tickets, friends and family can get bus/game tickets ordered through the student for $80! I’m assuming the student has to go too for this deal. Game tix for students are free and the game/bus package for students is $25. Bus locations are Pittsburgh, Johnstown, Erie, Philadelphia, and WashingtoN DC. Bus packages not associated with the students start at $265 pp.

Comment by PittPT 12.06.15 @ 9:15 pm

Does the ACC take all the bowl money and split it evenly to its membership?

Do they reward their bowl teams by giving them a higher percentage of the total pot?

Or does each team get whatever the bowl pays out?

This might explain the bowl selection process. Th ACC might have to buy an allotment of tickets and therefore they negotiate to the bowl where they think will draw the most attendance and lessen the chargeback. Makes sense but I have no idea.

Comment by dhuffdaddy 12.06.15 @ 10:25 pm

So the Miami game kept on giving yesterday. Pitt received the 8th place ACC (2nd tier) bowl game after finishing 4th in the league. Ha…

The only way to stop this “Miami game giving” thing is to beat the #21st ranked Navy Midshippmen on their home turf.

Let go do this…

Duzz and Conk have three weeks to prepare. 2-1/2 weeks if you count Christmas and travel. Our offense should have their way with the Navy D if we focus on a smash mouth, run the ball down their throat game plan (BIG IF).

For many Pitt fans who work, this could be a tough game to get to – the Monday after the Christmas weekend has been taken at our office since the summer. But, this could be the last Pitt game for our superstar WR, T.Boyd. Come if you can and support a young man who has represented our university well. I know he hasn’t been perfect, but who is?

Besides the top one or two ACC bowl games, there really isn’t much to get excited about. Look at the B1G and PAC10 bowl games – the pedos (at 7-5) are going to the Gator Bowl against Georgia. The ACC has a very weak bowl selection, so to remedy that we need to win the Coastal and the conference championship game next year.

But first we need to beat the mighty Midshippmen.

HTP!

Comment by Erie Express 12.07.15 @ 5:16 am

WOW, Pitt BB still receiving votes in both polls.

#32 in Coaches (12 points)
#38 in AP (3 points)

Comment by xfmrman 12.07.15 @ 5:30 pm

Lunardi has Pitt as an 8 seed in his new bracket. Solidly in.
I would think that they are a bubble team, as of today.

Comment by xfmrman 12.10.15 @ 5:05 pm

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