I’ve spent the day watching basketball and even the minor football bowls — Big East presently 1-0 — all day. Florida impressed the hell out of me today. UCLA was no surprise — only the level of the ass-whoopin they put on Michigan. I wished evil things on NC State as they fumbled the ball away to Cinci — Trevor Ferguson got major playing time in his second game with eligibility. Sorry, maybe he doesn’t mean much, but I hate some kid claim homesicknesses to go back to Florida then turn around and take advantage of the Pitt coaches cutting him slack, and then going to NC State. Clearly it was really about realizing where he wasn’t going to get immediate playing time.

Now, I’m settling in with my Stone Brewing Double Bastard IPA. Going to watch the game and posting thoughts throughout.

Gray misses the easy putback and then fouls inside the first minute. Ergh.

Fields in transition all the way, no call with the contact.

Dayton answers. Damn.

Fields for 3 with assist from Graves. Nice. Just as the shot clock was getting inside 3.

Dayton is doing what it can to bring Gray out to the perimeter, but the Pitt defense is up on intensity. Really trying to get to the ball.

Fields steals back the turnover to score 9-2. He is looking Krauser-esque (in a good way) early.

Roberts drains a deep 3. Nothing to do.

Gray answers with a rim-rattler. 11-2. 15:25

Does anyone else think that Kendall has the thought, “I can’t do anything right,” at this point. He fumbles the ball inside, then falls over on the turnover and picks up a foul. His whole body language looks bad. 11-8 Pitt, 14:34.

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Pitt doesn’t have time to wallow in a tough road loss. Tonight at 8, the Dayton Flyers come to the Pete for another A-10-Big East match (PDF Game Notes). The Flyers are 10-1 this season with wins over Louisville and Creighton, and on an eight game winning streak.

The Flyers are doing it with a tough defense that has allowed only 50.7 points/game. Of course, a weak schedule helps too. It’s the first time both teams have ever met.
Pitt’s defense may be struggling against the elite teams, but the offense has been doing okay. Looks like Sam Young is going back to the power forward. Especially with the way he played in the last game.

Dayton fans are feeling confident about their chances.

Sorry about the quick run through. I’m on monitor duty for the AOL Fanhouse today and there are lots of games to cover.