1pm syndicated on the ACC Network and ESPN3.

We all know UNC is good. They were the preseason #1. But how good they are has remained an open question. There have been injuries, but they have also simply come unglued at times — even when they have won (beating BC by only 3?). Other times they look like they could blow through the field in March.

They could destroy Pitt by 20, or Pitt could come away with a win. Or somewhere in between. Even in Chapel Hill. I just don’t know. Odds aren’t good for a Pitt win, though, as UNC hasn’t lost at home this year. Even their shaky wins were on the road.

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It has been several years since Miami went out and made the great hire of Jim Larranaga. So even though they have been a good team for a few years, it still seems strange to think of them as a top-15 team (kind of like everyone else felt about Pitt 15 years ago).

This is a 7pm game on ESPNU.

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12 pm start time. Syndicated on ACC Network or ESPN3

Bleeping hell. For whatever reason the local channel that carries ACC Network in Cleveland is going with BC-Louisville. Unbelievable.

Pitt is a home dog in this one. Virginia has had some bad games, but more often than not they have been nearly as good as expected.

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It’s here. The year long sprint is reaching its end. Pitt looks to finish strong. Maybe a couple final flourishes with some announcements at 9:30 am and 3 pm. Finding out if Pitt has a last minute flip away *cough* Chase Pine *cough*. And hey, there’s cake.

When I asked [Gateway (Fla.) High School coach Marlin] Roberts about Gateway cornerback Henry Miller, who is committed to Pitt but considering Miami, Roberts said he expected him to sign with Pitt:

“If not, it’s going to be an awkward ceremony. I’ve already ordered blue and gold balloons and a blue and gold cake,” he said.

Awkward would be the right word.

Coach Pat Narduzzi will hold his press conference — where he can officially talk about the recruits at last — at 3pm.

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ESPNU at 6:30.

Sorry, I’ve had to work insane hours this weekend, and today is no different. DVR delay for me tonight.

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Still basketball season, people. I know the new football schedule came out for the ACC yesterday. And seeing that Clemson game on there is a bit of a sight. But, this is basketball.

7pm. The assorted RSNs — Root Sports Pittsburgh, NESN, Fox Sports South and plenty of others.

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Time to see how the team really responds to a bad home loss. They said the right things about needing to get out and play from the opening tip. To playing better defense. There’s more than just hints about changing things in the backcourt.

Not sure how much of the last part will actually be seen today. Pitt plays a FSU team that needs to lean more on its backcourt. Damon Wilson has shown much promise, but he is also prone to committing a lot of fouls in short bursts of time.

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8pm start time. The game is syndicated by the ACC Network or ESPN3. Coverage kind of sucks for this one.

This is Pitt’s third game in less than a week. Could be kind of ragged.

NC State is still winless in the ACC. Mind-blowing with the talent on the roster, but that’s what you get with Mark Gottfried. Recruits like he’s at UCLA. Coaches like it’s DePaul.

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2pm at the Pete.

ESPN3 or plenty of RSN options including Root Sports Pittsburgh, Fox Sports South, Fox Sports North, YES and NESN.

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9:05 pm (or so) on ESPN. Karl Ravech and Seth Greenberg have the call.

One of the nice things about Jamie Dixon being at Pitt this long, is that he has actually relaxed and come close to being comfortable with the media. He’s never going to have the charm and ease of a Rick Pitino, John Calipari or Bruce Pearl; nor is he cantankerously amusing like a Jim Boeheim.

But he is more relaxed these days. He seems to have his tongue planted firmly in his cheek for half his responses to questions.

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It’s the end of the college football season. Pitt isn’t a participant, but Head Coach Pat Narduzzi will be taking part in the Film Room telecast of the game on ESPN2 starting at 8:30.

Feel free to comment on his brilliant insight and how recruits should be beating a path to Oakland if they are paying attention.

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I don’t really get that worked up about whether Pitt has played a true road game to this point or not. Syracuse has done this for years, and has managed to keep their head above water. After all these years, there are still no numbers supporting or disputing whether playing a tough schedule or more road games helps or hurts a team. It just comes down to the team itself.

This game isn’t getting much in the way of national buzz, as ND has been slightly disappointing to this point. They are a good team, but they have lost to teams like Alabama and Monmouth.

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7pm.

It’s on various RSNs including Root Sports Pittsburgh, Fox Sports South, NESN, Fox Sports West and others.

Georgia Tech has struggled to rebuild under Brian Gregory. Check that. They have just struggled. As a coach on a warming seat, he has added transfers (traditional and graduate) to his roster. Unlike Pitt, four of their transfers are starters.

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A true buy-a-win game to finish the non-con.

4pm

ESPN3.

Not much to say about this one in advance, other than it won’t help in the RPI (if you are actually worried about such a thing at this point).

Other than the obvious win, I’m hoping that Jamel Artis, Mike Young and James Robinson play under 25 minutes each.

ESPN2 at 9pm. Probably. Given the way games run over, this one might not begin until a few minutes later and on ESPNews (hopefully not on ESPN3).

So, football season is over. I mean, aside from waiting to find out about the next OC and how recruiting ends. Details.

Attention shifts to basketball.

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