8 pm on the accursed syndicated ACC network or ESPN3. I mean, who knew that the ACC’s syndication deals were actually worse — and by worse I mean poor ass distribution — than the former Big East?
Sorry, if I seem exceptionally bitter, but I was going to go out and watch this game with a fellow Pitt fan in the area until we realized that it wasn’t going to be aired in the Cleveland area. Then realizing family stuff will block the remaining chances to get together. Annoying as hell.
Moving on. Pitt is a home dog. They have not had a lot of success against Louisville over the years. I mean if you go with the “Pitt/Dixon has Syracuse’s number,” and then dismiss/diminish any wins from such; then surely you do the same with the losses to Louisville. Right?
The Cards are 10-4 in the ACC, but are only 3-3 on the road. Like a lot of teams in this very flat season for college basketball, the Cards are a different team on the road than at home. In no small part, this is due to their defense — which with a home crowd behind it and a Hall of Fame coach on the bench — gets away with a lot more physical play at home than on the road.
Pitt may actually catch something of a break with this game as far as officiating thanks to — of all teams, Duke.
Louisville came back to beat Duke this past Saturday in Louisville. While Rick Pitino is a master of passive aggressive comments and subtext, Mike Krzyzewski is no slouch. And he’s had many more years to manipulate the ACC officiating.
This is the type of quote seen in AP and wire stories.
“The intensity and the physicality of the game did not lend itself to us,” Krzyzewski said. “With injuries and foul trouble, not a good combination for us. Our kids fought their hearts out.”
But there was more, and other ACC-partisans recognized the stylings. (In this instance, a Virginia guy.)
“That was the most physical second half we’ve ever been in this year. And we were unable to respond at the appropriate level to it,” Krzyzewski said, talking not as much to the reporters deep in the bowels of the Yum! Center as to another, more selective audience.
Think back to the Duke home loss to Syracuse on Jan. 18, which you may remember for Coach K blowing past the postgame handshake line to berate an ACC senior official following a no-call on the final play of that game.
“The last play is amazing. Have you seen it? Go see it. It is literally amazing. The play with Matt Jones at the foul line. It is amazing basketball. Let’s just put it that way,” Krzyewski said.
The play in question had Jones getting a rebound of a free-throw miss and attempt a three-quarters court heave. Coach K wanted a foul called on the shot that would have given Jones three free throws.
On a three-quarters court heave.
The ACC seemed to get the message. Duke has been back to its rightful place in getting calls to help push it across the finish line when needed.
Now think back to the end of the Virginia game last week. And no, not just the series of no-calls on Grayson Allen’s buzzer-beater. That is what it is.
Duke went 2-for-13 from the field in the final 12:17, but got sent to the line 14 times down the stretch on non-shooting fouls, and the Blue Devils got eight of their final 12 points on the charity tosses.
Obvious, long-time biases at work there. And yes, the likely upshot is for Duke to get even more calls in their next couple games. As yet another aside, the number of Duke fans complaining about the second half on twitter was something. Especially with the theme being, “Sure, Duke gets all the calls.” That was special.
But I’ve probably gone far astray. The point being, that tonight’s game involving Louisville — especially on the road — will likely have a tighter called game. Theoretically that would benefit Pitt.
Of course, Pitt still needs to hit their shots and get to the free throw line.
first comment back from the game. Louisville was better than Pitt at every position! In my view, our best player (your choice) would be #8 or 3rd off the bench for L Ville!
Based on that I thought Pitt played them very tough but one sub here or one made shot there would not have made any difference. I hate Pitino but he is a magnificent floor coach who’s teams are always well prepared and ready to adjust.
Frankly I think they would have been a 2 seed at worst, and may have won it all.
The refs shot 100% from the field and foul line over the last 8 minutes of the game. Personally, I think LewVille under-performed and we still couldn’t beat them. Refs cause bad passes. Refs are under far more scrutiny now versus any other time due to embarrassment of NBA official. Refs don’t lose games, players and coaches do.
Our guys have struggled for years and it doesn’t look to be coming to an end. For all the naysayers and haters of JRob, you all need to look at his assist to turnover ratio. It is one of the all time best. The problem is that he is leaving soon. Who picks up that slack?
Wilson lost this year and should have just redshirted. Any growth in his game will come from him over the summer and not based on anything he has done so far. That is a coaching error. You don’t waste a kids year and not allow him to grow, sorry.
John Ram – that gas you note is mental and physical softness. If we don’t make the tournament, I am sure that our new AD will give each player a participation trophy. That’s how these kids grew up. I surely hope the players toughen up very quickly. You can win games by being mentally tough. Duke is a prime example of that. Good luck to the panthers!
That is when JR drives to the hoop and throws up what could be described as a piece of shit desperation brick. Not sure it even hit the rim. Louisville runs with the rebound for an easy hoop (may have been a three) and it was over after that.
At that point, every possession was critical and our senior PG comes up with that???
After yelling WTF was that at the TV, I knew PITT was done.
While I agree we are a poor defensive team, I did not see a lack of effort. Lack of comparative skill level absolutely.
If you want more 4 star players to come you don’t redshirt them.. Wilson’s lack of development is not on Jamie, maybe early on he should have gotten more minutes, but down the stretch he was a turnover machine and lost his scoring touch as the competition toughened.
While I agree we will miss JR’s steady hand, Wilson should be able to make up for it with all his other skills. It will be a totally different looking team, Wilson will make more turnovers, but he will also complete more difficult passes, score more off the dribble and make a much higher percentage of his shots. He will be much more effective in transition and will not settle for the half court offense as often.
As far as sitting the big three players…you live and die with those guys at this point…the other spots though you gotta find the hot hand… since as we’ve seen it could be a different guy every night..Maia, Jeter, Jones or Luther …..for how hard Luther played last night he deserves to start against Duke.
@rocket…when it was tied Luther had a turnover than they hit the open three…after that Robinson had a nice pass to Artis who passed up a fairly open three…wasn’t till after they ran the clock down due to good LV defense that Robinson went the hoop.
isn’t obvious unless you’re looking for them.
So yes there was a decent crowd, fairley loud at times, and yes there were a lot of empty seats
Luther was surrounded by L’Ville players too.
Robert Morris is more deserving of a spot.
Dixon just said the team was “devastated” by the loss last night. Hope they don’t carry that down attitude to Duke game.
Another comment from TX Panther lacking any reality and adding nothing to the conversation. With comments like that about Robert Morris why should we believe anything you write?
I’ve seen what we’ve become the last 4 years.
Don’t get me wrong, love that we own them, but then………..
Beat Duke? That’s a long shot, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t lose at least one
@ Va Tech or @ Georgia Tech, if not both.
when Pitt is 1 and done. I’d like you to come down her to TX and eat my shorts
Pitt has beaten only ND this year and has a bad loss to NC State.
They are not deserving in my opinion. In fact, IUP could probably beat them. Hows that for a put down my dear friend.
The play you are talking about, I agree.
We are on a down swing and we’ll soon know whether it is time for a change of scenery for Dixon but let’s also remember that some of the best years of Pitt BB also belong to Dixon. Historically we’ve been mediocre until we’ve grown to become accustomed to top 20 under Howland and Dixon. That’s where we all expect to be now. You folks in Texas seem to equate frustration with crudeness.
I remember now it was Luther turning over the ball under the basket when he couldn’t handle the pass later in the game. The game was about over at that point anyway.
State of ACC basketball recruiting…
As far as the refs go. I don’t like the way, in general, basketball calls can be too subjective. Not so much in football and baseball.
As far as the calls in this game, te refs were pretty even.
Yes, my friends, money changes hands more often then some of you think. I wish all of you could have spent some time growing up in Brooklyn. It is a different type of education you don’t get in other parts of the Country.
Someone (gc?) mentioned Pitt as a 9 seed – right now they are trending to an 11 seed and maybe to the bubble. Because of the inconsistency we’ve seen, there is no sure win left.
I remember sitting in the Pete last year for the “must win” Miami game at season’s end. Not much effort, no hustle, no D, sloppy ball handling, lifeless rebounding and very little entertainment. That’s why the fans are not filling the seats in the Pete in my opinion.
The product on the floor looks like the same thing (as last year) ever since the 4th game of the ACC games this year. Pitt is 5-7 in that stretch.
Let’s dunk on the dukies and turn this season around. This will probably be the seniors last game at the Pete. Leaving the fans with a winning impression is the best thing for this current team and next season’s ticket sales.
After making bold statements about improving Pitt’s OCS in basketball, he’s fallen back.
To claim that West Virginia doesn’t want to play Pitt – Barnes is talking out of his asshole.
Like Chris Peak said, if Pitt had the kind of team is used to have the fans would turn out for the December directional schools Dixon uses to run up his win totals.
Dis Barnes address hoops recruiting? Methinks not.
The next class has a C (6’9″), a PG and a SG. All 3 star guys, but positions of need.
I’m hoping all three are ready to play – we’ll be lucky if one plays AND contributes by their second year.
Duke looked real good last night with their top two scorers playing all 40 minutes. Neither looked gassed…
“One thing in Pitt’s favor is that the Blue Devils have had to deal with numerous injuries and have played short-handed — with basically six players and no real post game — for most of the season. That means the Panthers should have an advantage with their depth, could dominate in the post and turn offensive rebounds into second-chance points.”
If you watched the FLState vs Duke game last night, you saw Duke play with 7 guys who all played 12 minutes or more. They dominated the post vs a team that had three guys over 6’10”. Pitt has zero at that height.
This is Pitt’s last chance in the regular season for a significant W. NO PRESSURE!
Dunk on the dukies!
My wife and I are attending wedding at Kingston Cc in May. Will stay 3 days, what should we not miss in Houston area?? Thanks!
Bubble, must somehow win 3 more, reg season plu ACC tourney.
Space Center, boat tour of ship channel, galleria, vibrant restaurant scene (take your pick of cuisine), La Mexicana restaurant (a must), and the West beaches of Galveston Island.
Could he be the next Blair – I sure hope so…
link to espn.go.com
ACC senior associate commissioner Paul Brazeau, who attended the game, told ESPN on Thursday night that the conference will review the Florida State-Duke game, including the tripping incident.
Asked what jurisdiction the ACC could have to discipline Allen if necessary, Brazeau said schools and conferences can give private or public reprimands and, if warranted, a suspension.
It’s just a bad matchup for Pitt.
Pittsburgh Sports Now–One of the biggest points of discussion among many Pitt fans invariably goes back to the football program playing their games at Heinz Field instead of it’s own on-campus stadium. It may not be the perfect scenario for some, but what have you done to make the experience better for fans and do you see Heinz Field as a place that can make for an enjoyable college gameday atmosphere?
Scott Barnes–Heinz Field has already been rated one of the best football facilities in the country, it’s obviously an NFL caliber stadium with amenities that are off the charts. What makes it special is the relationship with the Steelers–the edge you get affiliating your program with that brand, believe me, when it comes to recruiting that pays dividends every day.
A lot of the renovations that have been done…A two-million dollar scoreboard in the south end zone for example are things that benefit the program greatly. A lot of people bemoan the fact that an off campus stadium negatively impacts student attendance, yet our student attendance is at an all-time high. We sold out every student season ticket last year and the goal is to do that again this year.
The other thing i’d say is our goal, as aspirational as it might be, is to set an all-time season ticket record this season…I think that speaks to how well things are working out for us.
Huge recruiting weekend, a win vs Duke would be off the charts.
The best thing you can say about the Louisville game is that they were not blown out even with very cold shooting, too many turnovers and Louisville shooting lights out.
This is the weakest Duke team in a few years.
Pitt has two big match-up problems if Allen is not suspended – we have NO ONE to guard Allen nor Ingram. And our 5’s will have their hands full with Plumlee as a third not-so-big problem.
also need to go to an Astro’s game for sure and I would also recommend the Kemha Boardwalk, which is on Galveston Bay – not the Gulf. Also, a day at Galveston is nice (there’s a free Ferry you can take over and back to Bolivar Peninsula where dolphins are following the ship), Some great Galveston restaurants facing the Gulf on the Seawall also. Weather should br perfect, high 80’s. Enjoy!
One more thing….
Houston is 2nd only to New York in the performing arts. Google “Houston Theater District” and punch in your dates, there will be multiple shows (concerts, plays, ballet, etc.)to attend.
Right now Pitt averaging an 9 seed with all the ‘experts’ They are currently above 10 teams before falling off the bubble. Just need one win and they become a lock.
That last one is sometimes the hardest though.
But to know this, the players would have to either have a high bball IQ or have a good coach. They have neither. NIT.
A good follow-up question to the Barnes explanation would be to somehow explain the “daily” recruiting edge Heinz Field delivers. Look, we have been at Heinz Field for many years and I have yet to hear about anyone committing because of Heinz Field. That said, many recruits do mention that the shared practice facilities location is a big enticement. Can we not have the best of both worlds? Share the practice facilities and get rid of heinz field, which is notoriously horrible.
Comment by Dan 72 02.26.16 @ 11:49 am
Dan 72 – I’m still laughing as I get caught up on the other posts. And then I get to dhuffdaddy who wants to add a 6th match-up problem.
Let me guess, Coach K vs Coach Dixon – I’m on the floor…
