Stuck working all afternoon, and no where near a computer. This is why I was really ticked about the SI.com story. It meant no chance to do any basketball stuff before the game.

So, I have to set this up now, and set it to go out a little later.

This is one of the can’t lose games. USF is really bad. Pitt, though, didn’t give a good effort last time. They had about 15 minutes and that was enough. They need to do more this time.

(more…)

Not sure much of an introduction is needed for this. It’s the Backyard Brawl. It’s at the Pete. It doesn’t start until 9pm on ESPN. On a Thursday night. The best thing for public safety in Morgantown may be a TV blackout.

The last 9pm Thursday game was a year and a week ago at Marquette. That worked out rather well, even if I did overdo the Gemini.

I’d like to hope that Pitt wins this one going away, but I think we all know that isn’t going to happen. Dante Taylor will be a game-time decision. If he can’t go, that means Richardson is the primary back-up to McGhee.

(more…)

I’m on DVR delay at my parents today. A delayed trip to for the kids to see their grandparents has me tied up during game time. Last time this happened, well, it was the Tennessee game. No, I’m not worried at all, why do you ask?

Not to worry, the liveblog is in competent hands (I think). Luke might be around to help. As may Maz. Confirmed and making his first attempt at running the show, Bryan of the fine Pitt Script blog. Go easy on him.

It’s a nooner on ESPN. Dave Pasch and Doris Burke on the call.

(more…)

This is what we’ve been waiting all week, and all day to see. Some unexpected extra hate towards Villanova with some naivete, foolishness and plain stupidity over where Pitt alum in Philly should watch the game.

Nova has put the game in the Pavilion. No doubt, it will be repeated ad nauseum that Pitt is winless there in the last six visits dating back to 1993. I guess it’s worth noting that before that, Pitt was 4-3 there.

Ashton Gibbs is still out for the game, at last check. Corey Stokes for Villanova is also reportedly out, as his turf toe has not gotten any better.

(more…)

Ah, some good and proper hate. I’m assuming that Hoopie fans will be themselves and provide plenty of reason to be condescending and insulting in their general direction.

The game starts at 7pm on ESPN. It’s the good crew of Raftery, Bilas and McDonough.

(more…)

The funny thing about Big East regional games, is who ends up televising these things. Here’s the official TV syndication for the game:

Pittsburgh (FSN Pittsburgh), New York (SportnetNY), Washington D.C. (MASN), Baltimore, Md. (MASN), Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla. (Brighthouse), Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne (Brighthouse-O), Hartford-New Haven, Conn. (SNY-CT), Cincinnati, Ohio (FSN-Ohio), Milwaukee, Wis. (TW-WI), San Antonio-Austin, Texas (KCWX), Providence-New Bedford, R.I. (Cox-NE), Green Bay-Appleton, Wis. (TW-WI2), ESPN3.com, ESPN Full Court.

San Antonio-Austin, Texas? Okay. Guess that TCU to the Big East thing might be paying off.

Oh, and let me offer a fine eff you to Fox Sports Pittsburgh, ESPN regional, the Big East or whoever is responsible for not having HD cameras at this game. Get this shit together.

(more…)

I am on DVR delay tonight. It’s a daddy-daughter event tonight that takes precedence. The one and only Maz takes the reins once more.

The game is at 8pm on ESPN2. Beth Mowins and Mike Kelley calling the game.

Taking nothing for granted here. Not after Providence took out Villanova. The Orange got blasted at home by Seton Hall. And all the usual craziness that comes about halfway through the conference slate.

(more…)

Here are some puff pieces and pictures before the liveblog that gets underway at 7pm Eastern.

A good Q&A with Gil Brown as the senior, senior on the team.

Q: At what point during this season did Pittsburgh transition from being a good team to being a great one?

A: “The Tennessee loss [on Dec. 11] is really what set things off for everyone on the team. We let them jump out on us early. They really attacked us. We definitely took that as a learning experience and said that we weren’t going to let that happen again. We have to be ready in the beginning of the game, especially in the Big East and the NCAA tournament. There are a lot of great, competitive teams out there. That’s really what sparked a flame under us. It’s made practice better ever since then.”

Pitt definitely hasn’t let a team jump out on them in the first half since then. Some less than optimal starts, but they’ve kept the opponent from doing much either.

(more…)

You don’t take any game for granted in the Big East. Especially not road games. This team has stunned teams before in the Rosemont Arena. Oliver Purnell employs an uptempo, pressing style that speeds Pitt up, and can get them out of sorts. There’s the risk of a letdown after the emotional Syracuse game. There’s looking ahead to the Big Monday game with ND. There’s oth—

I can’t do it. I’m sure Coach Dixon is all about keeping the team focused. The players know what they have to do. Me, I won’t lie. I’m presuming a win here. Obviously, there is still a liveblog and plenty to watch. I’m just saying, that I really can not conceive a way that Pitt loses this without food poisoning playing a role.

The game starts at 4pm. It airs on ESPN FullCourt, FoxSports Pittsburgh, MASN, MSG, Brighthouse and ESPN3.com.

(more…)

More than a little hype for this one. Promoted by ESPN channels all weekend. No matter what they were broadcasting. An ad for Cuse-Pitt was going to show up somewhere at sometime.

Fun fact. Pitt is a Big East, Big Monday team in three of the next four weeks. Rest of the Big East might be a little tired of that.

7:30 pm with the tolerable Dan Shulman and the excruciating Dick Vitale on ESPN. Make sure you have the appropriate adult beverage to numb the aching in the ears.

(more…)

I realize many of you will have your attention divided by the Ravens-Steelers game, so I’m counting on the NY, NJ and Philly-based Pitt fans to show up tonight.

The game is on ESPN FullCourt, ESPN3.com, SNY, MASN and FoxSports Pittsburgh starting at 7pm.

Remember, new football HC Todd Graham will be showing up for the game tonight. Let’s put some drinking game rules in place. Drink when he hits the talking points from his press conference and message to Pitt fans. Kill whatever bottle from which you are consuming if he is almost verbatim from the message.

(more…)

It’s a desperation game for the Hoyas. That loss to the Hoopies at home was something they didn’t need if they hope to win the Big East (or even finish in the top-4). So, Pitt is going to have a really tough one. Especially if the Hoyas snap out of their 3-point shooting slump.

Pitt was up-and-down in its only true road game this season. Pitt has been hot shooting 3s, and they will probably need it again tonight.

The game is on ESPN at 7pm.

(more…)

No talk of football and coaching searches here. If you came for the Compass Bowl chat, go down a post.

Marquette has lost a ton of close games. They’ve also eked out a couple. The Golden Eagles have been a tough team for Pitt, and I don’t expect this one to be any different.

As usual, it’s a moderated chat. Let’s keep it sane.

(more…)

I’ve paid zilch attention to this in the last week. Barely skimmed some of the dispatches. Didn’t want it to be like this. Didn’t expect it to. I can only hope that somehow the kids care and put more effort forth than I have.

It’s a nooner (of course it is) on ESPN. Joining me in running the liveblog is longtime commenter and liveblog participant, Maz. I will be with you until 2pm, when I have to switch to the Marquette-Pitt basketball liveblog.

We will try to discuss the game, though, I’m sure there will be some talk of the coaching mess at the moment.

(more…)

In case you didn’t realize it — and given the distraction — that is understandable, there is Pitt’s bowl game at noon down in Birmingham against Kentucky, with an overlapping game at the Pete at 2pm with Marquette.

I’m not sure it is a good idea or practical to have just one liveblog with the two games overlapping. That would get real messy.

I would simply set up 2 different liveblogs with Luke running one and I would handle the other. Unfortunately, this is one of the few days Luke is unavailable for liveblog duties.

So this means I am looking to see if there are any volunteers to operate as a producer of the football or basketball liveblog.

I’m thinking that the best approach would be to have one person help on football and one on basketball. I would start on the football and then leave it in the new guy/gal’s hands to finish while I went over to help get the basketball side going.

Here’s a basic outline of what you need to do:

— Have a Cover It Live account.

— Be able to watch a game, comment, and moderate comments as they come in — all at once.

— Moderate means to control the flow. Not all comments need to go through and keep things relatively calm and not a shouting match.

So, if you are interested. Shoot me an e-mail at PittBlather-at-gmail-dot-com with an explanation as to why you would be the good fit.

Thanks. I’ll respond to all inquiries later this evening.