A bunch of other stuff. Notre Dame’s Chris Thomas, while never quite living up to what was expected from him (maybe he can advise Taft), still has amassed some impressive numbers.

Thomas will make his 126th consecutive start — and last at home — when Notre Dame (17-9, 9-6 Big East) plays Pittsburgh (19-7, 9-6) at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Joyce Center. He’ll leave the arena as the school’s all-time leader in consecutive starts, assists, free-throw percentage and possibly three-pointers made. He sits behind two legends, Austin Carr and Adrian Dantley, in points scored.

Someday, they may retire Thomas’ No.1 jersey. Someday, we may all look back at his achievements and marvel.

“I get numb to his numbers sometimes,” Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. “They really are staggering.”

Thomas’ most recent milestone — passing 800 career assists to join Sherman Douglas and Gary Payton as the only college players to record that many assists and 2,000 career points — was impressive simply by the company he joined.

Here’s the interesting part of what Thomas thinks about Pitt.

“They’re just as hungry as us,” Thomas said. “I guess it’s our rivalry because we’ve played some great games in the past. I always feel when we lose we should have won.”

That’s cute. Funny thing, Pitt doesn’t really feel the same way about the Domers. In terms of rivalries for Pitt basketball, you just don’t think about them. Sure, we want Pitt to beat ND, because they are Domers, but I think it safe to say most of us would rather beat UConn, Syracuse, WVU and maybe even Villanova first in the BE. The Irish don’t really have a true rivalry game in basketball in the Big East.

As for this game, well it is a big one for the weekend. So there are thoughts.

No. 24 Pittsburgh at Notre Dame: Pittsburgh (19-7, 9-6) quieted its media-induced bubble scare by beating Boston College earlier this week, but Notre Dame (17-9, 9-6) faces a (more legitimate) scare of its own. The selection committee might not forgive the Irish for losing their past two difficult home games (to UCLA and Pitt). With fifth place in the Big East on the line, the winner won’t have to play on the first day of the conference tournament. That’s a sure thing. This is a mystery: Which big man won’t show, Pitt’s Chris Taft or Notre Dame’s Torin Francis?

I guess we can consider this a friendly reminder that Pitt isn’t the only school with a talented big man who seems to show inconsistency on motivation.

Seth Davis at SI.com, who is now 1-4 in predicting Pitt games makes his call.

On the one hand, Notre Dame seems like it has more to play for, though I think the Irish sealed their NCAA tourney ticket by beating Rutgers on Wednesday. The Irish are also at home, which is another reason to like them. Unfortunately, while I have extolled the abilities of Notre Dame’s big men, Torrin Francis and Dennis Latimore, those guys are only effective against smaller players. The physical Panthers are exactly the kind of team that gives ND trouble — witness the 33-23 rebounding advantage Pitt had while winning the first meeting between these teams. Pitt’s inconsistency is Notre Dame’s best hope, but the Panthers showed what they’re capable of in routing Boston College on Monday. I think they’ll show it again.
Seth’s Pick: Pittsburgh 71, Notre Dame 64

Just what Pitt is capable of, is up for discussion. Steve Lavin had this to say in his chat session.

Jason (Pittsburgh): Lav, Do you think Pitt can pull a 4 seed? Do you see them getting past the sweet 16 this year?

Steve Lavin: In spite of some close losses this season, the Pitt Panthers will be a dangerous team to be reckoned with come postseason. They will need to have a strong showing in the Big East Conference tourney in order to secure a top five seed. Ironically, even though this Panther team does not have as outstanding a record as recent Pitt teams, I think they actually have a better chance of advancing past the Sweet 16. I believe the reasoning for this potential tourney run is because I think their offense is more explosive and balanced this year both inside and out.

Then there is ESPN’s bracketologist, who seems less than enamored about Pitt.

Vic -Pittsburgh: Where does Pitt stand? They are still a tourney lock right?

Joe Lunardi: First of all, thanks to bracketology assistant Jeff Martin for transcribing these first few questions/answers while I was driving back from ESPN News. Now, as for Pitt, yes, they are in the tournament. But, no, its hard to think they string together more than a win or so.
…
Mark (Vatoman): Who is the most overrated team in the country?

Joe Lunardi: Pittsburgh.

I feel no need to rail against this slight. The only way to counter this slur is for Pitt to go out and win.

And finally, for what it’s worth, Dick Vitale makes his Big East Conference calls.

All-Big East Team
Carl Krauser | junior guard | Pittsburgh
Gerry McNamara | junior guard | Syracuse
Hakim Warrick | senior forward | Syracuse
Craig Smith | junior forward | Boston College
Jared Dudley | sophomore forward | Boston College

Big East Diaper Dandy of the Year – Jeff Green | freshman forward | Georgetown

Big East Coach of the Year – Al Skinner | Boston College

Big East Player of the Year – Hakim Warrick | Syracuse

Comment – It’s a tough call between Warrick and Craig Smith for player of the year. Al Skinner is a legit candidate for national coach of the year. Jared Dudley gets the nod over Ryan Gomes, because to the victor goes the spoils.

I have some disagreements with his All-BE team, but not with his individual calls. I’ll make my 1st, 2nd and 3rd BE teams Sunday or Monday.