The City Game this year actually is something to anticipate and has some upset potential. At the very least, some real competition. The guards on both teams have history.
Levance Fields and Kojo Mensah, a pair of Brooklyn native point guards, will be reunited when No. 11 Pitt (7-0) travels to Duquesne (6-1) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at A.J. Palumbo Center in one of the most anticipated City Games in recent memory.
“We know each other from back home,” Pitt’s Fields said. “Now we get a chance to play against each other again in college, so it’s going to be good. We’re friends. We knew each other well.”
Pitt finally faces a team with a player taller than their starters and main bench players in Shawn James. Pitt of course has no intent of changing its approach.
Am I worried about this game. I worry about every game. It’s going to be a long time before I truly get arrogant and cocky about most games.
For a counter-view, there is the Duquesne Blog — Dukes Court.
7:04: Sam Young hits a wide open 3 in the corner. 3-0 Pitt after Duke missed its first shot.
7:06: Pitt now up 7-0 (18:00 in the half). Duquesne nervous and a bit over eager on their shots.
7:09: 14-0 Pitt. Duquesne forced to use a timeout — the playcalling crew noted that Everhart hates to use early TOs, but had no choice. Pitt is getting steals, getting to the basket, taking open 3s. Basically doing what they want. Duquesne is just looking bad and waaayyy too tight. Shooting way too soon and not getting rebounds.
7:15: Nightmare for Duquesne so far. They got a couple quick baskets and briefly generated some defensive pressure, but Pitt just regrouped on the fly and now up 21-4 with 13:30 in the half.
7:25: With 9:55 left in the half, Duquesne finally reaches double digits. 25-11.
7:29: Free throws are keeping Duquesne alive. They are 9-9 at the line. 3-17 from the field.
7:30: Pitt has lost some intensity. Duquesne is making it interesting. 27-17 with 7:37 in the half. Blair is on the bench with two fouls.
7:42: Biggs is helpless against bigger players posting up against him inside.
7:47: Dixon just got hit with a technical while the play was happening.
7:56: Pitt leads 36-31. The good is that Pitt is winning despite an absolutely lousy game so far from Levance Fields (4 points — 2-7, 0-4 3s, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 turnovers). Mike Cook came out hot with 10 points and Blair before the foul trouble was cleaning up inside despite the height disadvantage.
Pitt has also held Duquesne to its lowest scoring in a half this year. It helps that Duquesne has shot 9-32, 1-15 on 3s. The free throw line has bailed them out with 12-13. They have regrouped later in the half. Aaron Jackson came off the bench to spark the Dukes.
Blair going out really helped Duquesne. Suddenly they could execute inside, and overpower Biggs.
8:46: Wife dumped the 7-month on me for a while, so typing was not an option.
Levance Fields is having a disaster of a game tonight. DeJuan Blair has been fantastic for Pitt, and doing everything on both ends. Young and Cook have been solid.
Duquesne is hanging around. Shawn James doing great against Pitt.
Neither team can hit 3s 5-33 combined. Pitt is getting to the line a lot more in the second half.
Pitt leads with 6:55 left in the game, 60-54.
8:55: I believe the term is chippy, to describe how the final minutes seem to be going. That or the refs are just getting really ticky-tacky again.
9:02: Big foul by Aaron Jackson. His fifth. He’s been a sparkplug for Duquesne. Ramon horrible at the line 4-7 tonight
63-60 Pitt with 2:21 left.
9:09: It’s worth noting that Fields — despite a very lousy game — has 4 points in the final couple minutes for Pitt just when needed.
9:10: Biggs missed both free throws, but Sam Young somehow ripped the rebound and got James to foul out with under 24 seconds left.
Of course Young after a 5-5 FT night goes 1-2.
71-66.
9:12: Phew. Good win for Pitt and good loss for Duquesne. They are a definitely improved team that gave Pitt a tough game.
73-68 Pitt now 26 of the past 29 City Game.
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEET
… Why is the pitt v duq game on espn U and not local tv?!?
McCoy was named big east rookie of the year…Saddler coming to pitt…been a good day…
How is it that Pitt is only favored by 5.5? WTF?
Are burr or higgins officiating this game?
Pitt still shaky against the press. Still throws in to the double team in the corner (4x)
Agreed, Pitt a completely different team with Blair in the game.
Still I like this Pitt open running style.
They should be Ok. Give the Dukes credit for the comeback. Their center is a legitamate D-1 star.
Why is this not on FSN?!?
Fields back under control in 2nd half. Announcer on ESPN U made an interesting comment about NY players feeling like it is a one on one battle and forgetting about the team and the game.
As a Pitt fan, a great deal of things to worry about. Playing against Big East quick and savy guards…free throw shooting (again)…the press at times…facing a legit big center.
Things not to worry about…guts..heart…experience….and last but far from least…coaching..Jammie Dixon with a masterful job keeping this game under contro.
Hail to Pitt!
Nice negative take though.
“Saddler plays bigger than his size. He can match-up against wide receivers several inches taller than he is and his physical ability and competitiveness will make-up for his lack of ideal size. Saddler has very fluid hips, he has outstanding closing speed. Despite, his size he is a very solid open field tackler. Where Saddler shows his value is in the return game. He is a game breaker as a return man”
check out the top link to see everyones salary
As for the Saddler signing. I think it’s great. First indication that the WVU win will help us in local recruiting (I know he was headed to Virginia, but he was at the game with WVU). Doesn’t hurt that Wanny paid him a house call last night. Take that Groh 😉
He’s a four-star recruit according to Scout (read into that what you will). Perhaps more importantly, the Trib is reporting that he’s a charismatic young man who has quite a bit of pull with other area standouts. His prodding could help keep the local talent where it belongs – at Heinz Field wearing the Dino-Cat.
Mr Cameron Saddler, welcome to PITT. Great choice and we do have a great business program at the Katz School.
Peep this article
HAIL TO PITT.
First, why the hell did Jamie sub Biggs
(62% FT) for Blair (82% FT) at the end there?!?! They IMMEDIATELY foul him, and he goes 0-2. When they subbed him, i was like WTF? And then my worst nightmare came true…its wasn’t like they were going to give anyone a chance to dribble up court anyways…it was immediate foul time…
Second, WTF is with their fans? “Overrated” chants when you’re losing? Are you serious? “Scoreboard” bitches. We don’t play our best game, but it was better than anything you’ll bring.
Third, we have no backup to Blair. That is our biggest weakness. That will definitely be trouble later this year. That kid is needed 100% all the time.
On Saddler: He was 1 kickoff return away from setting the national record with 8 for TDs….plus he had several punt returns for TDs…i’ll take a couple easy scores, and get him involved some other ways (with Robinson gone and Berry showing nothing). Plus, him convincing others around here to go to Pitt…great pickup.
“Penn State grad throws out charges against two PSU football players”:
This is not a case of the DA and the kids coming to a plea agreement (like the Fields case) – the DA says ‘‘We don’t think that what happened today was fair,’’ Centre County Assistant District Attorney Steve Sloane said. ‘‘I have to respect the judge; he’s the judge of this court. But I don’t have to agree.’’
Hmm….DA thinks this warrants trial, but Judge Carmine Prestia (B.S. State Penn ’71, also 15 years teaching at State Penn) decides to let a few fellow State Penners off easy…
Anywhere else, the real charges go to trial…this way, the judge saves both their asses without looking *too* impartial…even the defense is suprised at the comments by the judge…and the logic of the decision makes no sense…what a joke.
I read that article yesterday and just started to shake with excitement. Saddler could create a snowball affect… he was talking about Hale, Pryor, Baldwin, and the Central crew… Could you imagine if WPIAL all chose Pitt.
Good Luck Saddler
Sloppy play, poor shooting, a lack of leadership from some of the upperclassmen, but some gritty play and hustle — and a 14-0 run to start the game — got the win.
My son said, “Wow. I thought FOOTBALL was a [sic] ‘yelly’ sport!”
Ramon took four shots. FOUR. Fields took thirteen. Ummm…..those numbers should be reversed.
And Stuart, give the Dukes fans a break. As a graduate and fan of both schools, I can attest that it’s been a loooooooooong time for Dukes fans, and the students were just trying to make themselves feel better after a teaser of a game. Goodness knows that we Pitt fans would never stoop to such levels (sarcasm alert).
And to have to listen to “shit on pitt” clear as day on the radio puts the fans right up there with the classy “grays a faggot” wvu fans. You are what your words say you are.
