Thursday night. ESPN. 7pm.

What? You really want to watch the Browns-Bengals tonight?

Didn’t think so.

The only thing Pitt fans have a higher angst level over the actual game is the attendance. Hopefully the crowd matches the excitement around this game and this team.

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Noon. ESPNU.

I hope that before the game, Head Coach Pat Narduzzi walks up to Syracuse coach Scott Shafer to greet him. Then tosses him a kiwi. Let’s face it, Narduzzi trying to kill Shafer with a kiwi story is the first thing to bring life to a Pitt-Syracuse football game in ages.

At this point, it seems that Shafer is coaching for his job, so there could be an edge of desperation from Syracuse in this game.

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There are two Coastal division opponents Pitt has yet to beat in the storied history of Pitt in the ACC. Last year was particularly humiliating as Pitt coughed the ball up in comically ridiculous fashion throughout the second half. Meanwhile the Yellow Jackets just ran over Pitt, prompting a panicked defensive coordinator to junk everything from the game plan at halftime — it didn’t help.

The game is a 12:30 start syndicated by the ACC. Hopefully you can find a station. If not, it’s ESPN3.com or — in my case as I’m visiting in-laws where naturally the middle of the state of Ohio is not carrying it — the WatchESPN app on your phone.

Did I bring a flask of Four Roses and a six-pack of Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Extra to get me through the game (and family)? It’s a possibility.

Some last minute family issues abruptly intruded on the weekend, keeping me from getting to Pittsburgh this weekend. That forces me to watch at home on what should be a perfect day for football. Even with a 12:30 start time. Frustrating. Very frustrating.

Big game today. Homecoming. First home game in over a month. A conference and divisional opponent. A very winnable game. Not to mention lots of recruits on hand.

It says something about the change in mindset with the fans towards this team, new coach, new staff and just general feeling of renewal for the athletic department that it doesn’t feel like Pitt is going to find a way to blow the opportunity and the game.

Hail to Pitt.

It’s cold and wet all over the East and into the midwest. A noon start to go with it. So, so grateful that this is a road game. At least that keeps us from being treated to pictures of a mostly empty Heinz Field. It will be curious to see just how full Lane Stadium is, given the weather, the start time and the malaise hitting the fans following a loss to ECU.

Pitt should come out ready to go for this one. The bye week after a tough loss. It feels weird typing that. Normally, I would be expecting Pitt to be somewhat flat. Especially under the numerous other former head coaches. But with Pat Narduzzi and this staff, I just think the energy is going to be higher. As if the whole team has been chomping at the bit to get back out on the field.

Of course, I could just be projecting.

If you are in the Pittsburgh area, the game is on Root. It can be found on a lot of sports channels today, and ESPN3.

Pitt doesn’t kick off until 6pm. That seemed good up until last night when the rains came and temperatures plummeted. Now it looks to be raining on-and-off all day and into game time. Temperatures in the 50s. That’s what it will be like — at best — for most of Pitt’s home games that are back-loaded into November. So excited to get an early preview.

Still looking forward to heading down for the game. Much shorter drive than going to Pittsburgh. Not much for tailgating, but it is Akron. Hardly a destination city. Probably still better than being in the Muni lots for a Browns game.

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First one in quite a while. Have you missed them? I’m sure you have.

1pm start. If you aren’t watching it at Heinz Field you are either listening to a radio (or a stream on the internet) or watching on ESPN3.com. The Pitt game notes has plenty of info for listening/viewing.

It will be a hot one.

Lot’s of curiosity. Beyond simply the debut of a new coach for Pitt — I kind of feel like we are veterans of that process by now. I’m thinking about the changes to the way the students are being transported. To the atmosphere. All the other things that go into the “gameday experience.”

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That NC State team showed up last night. The one loaded with talent. Swift, long guards who can shoot from the perimeter and keep the other team’s guards from getting open looks. A burly frontcourt that can dominate on both ends. Most importantly, their collective head stayed in the game the entire way. You watch them on a night like that and wonder how they are not a top-ten team.

Then you think back to the game against LSU where they didn’t show up for the first half (and a chunk of the second). The BC game. A slew of others, and it boggles the mind. I don’t trust them, but I’m not surprised by anything they do at this point.

Notre Dame made it to the Sweet 16 to keep the ACC perfect in the Tournament so far. Did not expect that.

The Big East is survived by Xavier. Other than Villanova going down last night, this is not totally surprising. Georgetown was a popular upset pick against Eastern Washington, so the fact that they made it to Saturday before losing is a kind of progress… I guess. St. John’s had no chance once it was learned that Chris Obekpa was suspended.

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Woefully poor form of me not to acknowledge the Women’s Hoop team. They made the NCAA Tourney and play today at 11 am on ESPN3.com against Chattanooga. An amazing turnaround.

As for the other NCAA Tourney…

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Well that first day was predictably bananas.

UCLA and the Alfords continue to lead a charmed life.

The Big 12 faceplants — hard. Texas down to Butler. Iowa State never put away UAB, destroying brackets everywhere.

Then there was Baylor blowing a huge lead against Georgia State. Creating an all-time moment at the buzzer. Both for the shot by R.J. Hunter and Head Coach/Dad Ron Hunter.

I can’t tell you how many times I keep watching that.

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7pm on ESPN tonight.

I’m assuming the hashtag #NITerrific will be in effect tonight on Twitter. Hopefully only with humor, cynicism and a touch sarcasm; but not bitterness. It’s fine line between being willing to poke fun at your own team and self-loathing/hatred.

GW was never a serious threat to make the NCAA Tournament, but they had a solid season. Big wins over Wichita State (and even, Hawai’i dammit) to win the Diamond Head Classic. Wins over NCAA Tournament teams Dayton and Rhode Island in the A-10.

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Sorry to have been offline most of the week. Had to do a bunch of overnights for work this past week, and the adjustment didn’t go well. Basically, I felt like a zombie all week. Missed a ton of games and couldn’t muster enough coherent thoughts in my down time to post. Not even on Twitter.

So, I feel recovered a bit now, just in time for the Selection Shows.

The NCAA Tournament selection begins at sometime around 6pm on CBS. That really doesn’t impact Pitt directly. Other than the discussion of bid steals and what that means in terms of pushing other teams down to the NIT.

The NIT announcement comes at 8:30 on ESPNU. As much as Pitt has lost 4 straight games to knock itself out of the NCAA  Tournament bubble talk. As negative as some have been after everything, Pitt hasn’t pushed themselves out of the NIT. It would be a complete stunner to see them not make the NIT. The only issue is whether they are going to be a high enough seed to host a game or two.

Sorry. Busy morning. Half-assing it. Just got home.

A win won’t get either team into the NCAA Tournament, but it certainly knocks them down to the NIT.

Lousy ACC Network coverage tonight. Many will be forced on to their computers to watch via ESPN3.com for the 8pm game.

As mentioned earlier, it is Senior Night for Pitt. Those of you going, please get there soon to help send off the seniors before the game.

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I feel like I have to repeat this every time I post on basketball. The most important — and only — thing Pitt can do to make sure it gets into the NCAA Tournament is to keep winning. All bubble talk is reactionary and about “if the season ended today” speculation. That’s why I don’t worry or put much stock in the “last four in, last four out” stuff that every ESPN broadcast (and to be fair I caught similar stuff on CBS and Fox yesterday).

You can make yourself frantic for no reason by whipsawing between NC State losing to BC to BYU beating Gonzaga to Texas failing at Kansas while Boise beats SDSU meanwhile… oh, you get the picture.

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