The Pitt women’s basketball team beat 11th seeded Wyoming on Saturday 63-58 to advance to the second round against 3rd see ded Baylor. They advanced this far last year but Candace Parker from Tennessee rolled right over them on their way to an NCAA title.

Baylor (25-6) limped into the tournament with three straight losses — its first three-game skid since the 2000-01 season. The Bears’ struggles were largely due to inexperience and a lack of healthy bodies. They have just one senior on the roster and haven’t played more than seven players in any game since beating Oklahoma on Feb. 17.

That one senior, however, made a big difference on Saturday, when Tisdale had 26 points and six assists in Baylor’s 88-67 first-round victory over Fresno State. “She’s the key to our offense,” junior forward Rachel Allison said of Tisdale, averaging 24.4 points in her last five games. [ESPN preview]

If they are able to beat Baylor tonight, it would be the first Sweet 16 appearance in program history. Game time is set for 7pm on ESPN2.

Women’s basketball was once a strong point of Penn State athletics, but now we have that. At least they can always fall back on their 12 NCAA men’s gymnastics championships.

And holy hell does ESPN have a lot invested in this tournament or what. After CBS picked up the exclusive rights to every game of the men’s tourney, ESPN swooped in for the women’s. I’m willing to bet if they didn’t have the women’s tournament on their networks they wouldn’t have as much of their website dedicated to the women as they do the men. Just sayin’.

Congrats to coach Agnus Berenato for putting the Pitt women’s team on the map when they weren’t relevant even two years ago. Back-to-back tourney appearances is a big deal.

I knew it was good for me to write about Pitt’s season having already been enough. Win or lose against Michigan State, it was enough. I’ve already reread that post five times – I’m positive it’s kept me from saying something I’ll regret later. I’ve had about 40 hours to digest it – I think it’s time to move on.

Having said that…ouch. That’s a tough one to lose. I can’t wait to hear the people saying Dixon still can’t win the big ones – I don’t think any coach can win when your team shoots like that. He wasn’t the one shooting 2 of freaking 17 on three pointers. Ronald Ramon and Keith Benjamin both played like crap and there’s no denying that. I’ve been pretty tough on both all year (especially Ramon) and this game didn’t help their cause. Still, thanks to them for giving so much to this program over the years and I hope them both the best in whatever their life takes them to next. It’s not like the seniors were the only ones to drop the ball though – everyone except for Fields played like #%@&. I’m not even mad anymore because, well, it’s over.

But hey, when Drew Neitzel is going to hit every shot he takes then you’re already fighting a losing battle. As Chas mentioned, Neitzel frustrated the hell out of everyone by both his crazy shots and his attitude. Someone I watched the game with, not a Pitt fan, commented on how much of a jerk he was and somebody from Pitt needed to foul him hard at the end of the game. I responded with some harsher words (one f-word followed by a different f-word) but whatever. Just add him to the list with Gerry McNamara and Chris Quinn – certified Panther killers.

Please don’t bring up the argument that they were worn down by the Big East Tournament. I’m not buying that excuse at all. These are 18-22 year old kids in the best shape of their lives. Sure four games in four days was tough but it was a whole week ago. The game against Oral Roberts was so easy and boring that it was like a day off anyways.

It also would have been nice for them to win for the simple fact it would have given us something to write about for another week. Blogging the offseason sucks.

From a selfish standpoint, I definitely want Sam Young to come back for his senior season. I can argue all the good reasons for his development and game that say he should come back. Mostly consistency issues. More consistent mid-range jumper needed, attacking the rim when there’s a defender in the vicinity more frequently, defensive effort, etc.

At the very least, Young has to put himself through the NBA draft process before making a final decision. It’s the most responsible thing for him and his family. Find out what the NBA scouts actually say. See who else is coming out and get a better idea of the competition at his spot for next year’s draft.

Then there are these reasons.

Age. Young will be 23 by the time of the draft this season. The NBA likes the players younger because there’s the tantalizing prospect of “upside.” The older, more mature a player is, the less room they see for growth in his game.

Health. We sometimes forget it, because Young has been so healthy on the court this year, but he doesn’t have knees that are in great shape. He continually battles tendonitis in both of them. Often needs both to be encased in ice after games. Given how important his jumping ability is to his game, he has to consider both the risk of injury if he comes back for his final year and the question of how long he can play professionally and earn a living before his knees become too much of an issue.

Strong finish. The season may have ended with a clunk in the NCAA Tournament, but that hardly erases his tremendous performance in the Big East Tournament. Against teams with NBA talent in the front court, like Louisville and Georgetown, Young was the best player out there. He dominated on both ends. Swatting shots, hitting his own. He was a force. In the BET there were plenty of scouts there to see players like Palacios, Hibbert, and others.

Potential. Come back for a final season after getting national recognition/breakout year, all too often means that scouts and draft people spend the next season criticizing and picking apart the game.

Plenty of reasons to come back, but it isn’t nearly so clear-cut.