Don’t mistake my disdain for the venue for any lack of caring about the game itself. It’s the City Game, local bragging rights are always important. This game may no longer have the deep hate, but it matters.
It’s also a big game because Duquesne keeps improving under fifth-year coach Everhart, and Pitt is perceived as vulnerable in a rebuilding year. The Panthers have five new starters, while Duquesne returned four starters from its first postseason team in 15 years.
Still, Pitt is 27-3 against Duquesne since 1982. Pitt assistant coach Brandin Knight was a sophomore guard at Pitt the last time Duquesne beat the Panthers (December 2000).
Both teams are missing top players. Duquesne sophomore wing Melquan Bolding (wrist) is out, and Pitt senior guard Jermaine Dixon (foot) and junior forward Gilbert Brown (academic) will watch the game in street clothes.
Wanamaker believes because of their “nice little bond” with Duquesne, the atmosphere will be heightened tonight. The rough-and-tumble open gyms have forged friendships but also the harsh reality of bragging rights.
“This game is going to be even more intense,” he said, “because we are more friends with them.”
Duquesne actually has a player that could have played in the Big East.
Saunders came to Duquesne and the Atlantic 10 Conference as one of Everhart’s best recruits in 2007 after originally signing with Marquette. But former Marquette coach Tom Crean didn’t have a scholarship available when all-conference guard Dominic James opted to stay in school instead of leaving early for the NBA Draft.
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“He’s going to be a pretty good challenge,” Pitt center Gary McGhee said. “I think right now he is leading the nation in rebounding. He usually starts out on the wing and just runs in and gets a lot of tip-out rebounds.”Saunders, averaging 16.7 points and 15.5 rebounds, smiled when it was suggested that he’s becoming Pittsburgh’s marquee basketball player.
The scoring of Saunders aside, the major concern for Pitt will be the pressing defense from the Stage Magicians. Pitt has struggled with turnovers and there is no doubt that it could be a lot more costly in this game than against Youngstown State or Wichita.
“I was really disappointed,” Dixon said. “We need to improve in that area. We had rebounding issues early and we solved that for a couple games. Then our turnovers are a little bit higher now. We’ve got to get everything together here.”
Along with more patience on the offensive end, the Panthers need to move more without the ball. Too often there have been big chunks of the game where players stop moving. The guards may be struggling to move the ball inside, but that means they need more help. Not less.
