Okay, let’s not even pretend that this will be a big deal because of the opponent. This game is important because Pitt has to show it can avoid the letdown. It is also the first televised game of the season for Pitt. Time to see if the players respond differently with cameras on them.

Duquesne isn’t that good, and are in even worse shape with the loss for the season of last year’s “most improved player” award recipient in the A-10 and pre-season 2nd team all-A-10 player Kieron Achara.

Achara was supposed to be a bigger part of the Dukes. So far while coming off the bench and not producing a lot so far Now it is clear as to why. He has a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The injury occurred last month during a scrimmage with Cleveland State, and limited his play (no kidding — struggling to lift one arm over your head can make shooting, defense and rebounding tricky). He will be having surgery and is done for the year.

According to the Duquesne game notes (PDF), Achara was the second tallest player on their squad at 6’9″. They do not have a lot of size inside.

Pitt’s game notes are also available (PDF). This is only the 3rd game at the Palumbo Center between the 2 teams (1-1). Pitt has won 23 of the last 26 meetings.