Let’s face it, it may be senior night and others are to be included in the honoring ceremonies, but this night is all about Carl Krauser’s time at Pitt coming to an end.
Krauser has been a polarizing figure for a lot of Pitt fans, and as this Joe Starkey column puts it,
Krauser-bashing has practically become an art form on talk radio.
It has been since he took over as the point guard at Pitt in the 2003-04 season. Mark Madden has long been happy to lead the charge. I have to admit, not caring about Madden regarding basketball. He only talks basketball when he absolutely has to. He’s not a fan of the sport and that’s fine, but it also means he isn’t particularly knowledgeable or interesting. Back to the Starkey column.
It’s amazing that this city has such a hard time with Krauser. You’d think it would revere an athlete who doesn’t so much play basketball as bleed it.
And he wins all the time. His home record is 64-5.
Krauser’s the only player in Pitt history to surpass 1,500 points and 500 assists in a career and needs just nine rebounds to hit the 500-mark in that category.
But, alas, he plays too much “street ball.” He’s “too fancy.” He’s only worried about the NBA.
Krauser doesn’t apologize for incorporating “street ball” into his game. How could he not incorporate some? He grew up fighting his way through the Bronxdale housing projects on Rosedale Ave. in the Bronx, N.Y., and you can find his latest tattoo – “City of Guards” – plastered to his shooting wrist.
“For the fans who think I’m a street-ball player, it’s OK with me, because I’m out here getting wins,” Krauser says. “I’m showin’ it, and I’m successful with my street ball.”
Some will be incensed merely having read those quotes.
Actually, though, there is no chance the Oakland Zoo will show Krauser anything but love tonight. Those fans have always enjoyed a special synergy with him.
I expect Krauser to have a great game. After the only other game this season where he was absolutely horrible (St. John’s) he responded by leading Pitt to a surprisingly easy win over Syracuse.
Krauser has always been proud of where he came from, but still shows some mixed responses when he realizes he has made it this far.
“I thought I was one of them strong kids that could make it out of the Bronx and go to a university,” Krauser said.
Today, he’ll be honored for his play, his commitment and his dedication to the Pitt men’s basketball team. But, more importantly, he’ll be honored for his enduring strength. Not only is he a star basketball player, he’s nearing a degree in legal studies.
He has indeed survived.
The No. 8 Panthers (21-5, 10-5) will meet Seton Hall (17-10, 8-7) for senior night at the Petersen Events Center (7:30 p.m., FSN Pittsburgh), which will be Krauser’s 55th and final game at home.
“I never thought I’d make it to this point,” Krauser said, “not with all that bad activity going on. When you come from a place I come from, you take advantage of every opportunity you have.”
Krauser while reflective of what has happened and appreciative is still aware of the game itself, and why Seton Hall will be playing with a fair sense of desperation.
“We have the pin for the bubble,” Krauser said. “We’re not going to let these guys come in here and ruin a Senior Night. You work too hard to lose on Senior Night.”
With that, Krauser launched into more monologue, covering a wide-range of subjects, including practices, teammates and playing basketball “the right way.”
“I don’t know if everybody else understands how much I appreciate being here,” he said. “When you come from a place where I come from and you don’t have too much opportunity out there, you take advantage of every opportunity you have at a place like this. It’s like paradise.”
I hope Seton Hall gets into the NCAA, but let them earn it with a couple wins at the Big East Tournament.
By the time Pitt and Krauser finish this season, he will have a singular record in Pitt history:
Krauser will finish his career among the top 10 in school history in assists, steals and more than likely points. Pitt has at least three games remaining, and Krauser needs 31 points to surpass Vonteego Cummings for 10th place on the all-time scoring list. With nine more rebounds, he will become the first player in school history to score 1,500 points, hand out 500 assists and grab 500 rebounds, a testament to his versatility.
What Krauser wants people to remember about him, though, is the attitude and way he played.
“I really want people to say Carl Krauser was a guy who really gave it all he had on the court,” Krauser said.
“I want people to say he was a guy who stuck up for his teammates and played the game to win and appreciated the game. I wanted to play for my teammates, the fans and anyone who enjoyed Pitt basketball. I just hope everyone out there appreciated how I play the game and how much I love the game.”
…
“I can’t believe it’s my last game,” Krauser said. “Once they call my name and I walk out with my family members, it’s going to be real emotional. I’m not going to cry, but I’m going to be happy to have made it this far.”
Wish I could be there.
