I’m around. Sort of.

7:03: Len Elmore calls out Pitt’s defense before the opening tip. No arguments from the peanut gallery.

7:05: By the way, Jim Burr was officiating the Syracuse-‘Nova game, so there is no worry there.

7:11: Making 3s, but taking too many early. Pitt up 8-4, 17:10 to play. Ramon and Benjamin already have a foul each.

7:15: Crap. Benjamin picks up his second foul early. Blair took too long to decide. It was like he waited for the double-team and then decided to go to the basket. He turned right into the double-team in part because he put himself too far under the basket if he turned the other way.

7:23: I’m really concerned about the struggles to get the ball inside. Blair seems a bit sluggish tonight. Brown isn’t getting much of a chance to attack — or even see the ball.

7:29: Damnit! That was basket interference by Williamson. How was that not in the cylinder when he threw it down?

Blair just missed 2 more FTs. Pitt up only 16-14 with under 9 to go until halftime.

7:33: Wow. Over 7 minutes without a field goal for Pitt. Ugly drought.

7:41: Okay. Benjamin back in with his 2 fouls gives Pitt 4 points and then Biggs with a put back when Cinci completely forgot him. Pitt up 22-16 4:41 to halftime.

7:55: Pitt has a 31-25 lead at the half.

Sam Young came to play, to go a bit cliche. Not just on offense. He’s actually flashing defensive effort tonight.

Cinci is struggling. They get Pitt to go nearly 9 minutes without a FG and the best they could do was briefly tie the game. It’s up to Pitt to attack. They seem a bit passive. Blair, looks nervous. I think the BET actually has him a little more tentative than he (or anyone else expected).

8:22: Sorry, kid duties kept me away for a little.

Benjamin stepping up tonight. Much needed.

8:46: And a little more.

Give Cinci — and especially Deonta Vaughn — credit. He’s hitting deep, stepback 3s. That is unbelievable. Pitt looked like they had them down. After the UConn debacle they should have rolled over. They didn’t. Pitt has to put them down, the Bearcats won’t do it for them.

8:52: Thank goodness Ramon is hot in the second half, as well. He’s helping to keep the Vaughns at bay.

9:00: Vaughn has their last 17 points. Anyone else thinking evil thoughts of “Sweep the knee!”? Just me? Oh.

Sam Young with 2 blocks. Wow.

9:03: 1:08 left, Ramon misses 2 FTs? Ugh. Up to that point Pitt had been better than solid at the line.

Vaughn has the last 20 for Cinci. Just a tremendous individual effort to carry his team. Frustrating, because Pitt would be blowing them out otherwise, but it is worthy of respect.

9:15: Phew. Pitt wins 70-64 over the Deonta Vaughns of Cinci.

Sam Young was great for Pitt. 4 blocks including 2 vital ones in the final minute+.

Pitt won despite a horrid game from Blair.

Keith Benjamin stepped up for Pitt. Ramon had a solid game. Fields still lacks his shot, but his passing is getting a lot crisper.