The ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll tabbed Pitt at #4. That’s nice.
Villanova by the Numbers compiled some Big East predictions, and surprise: the consensus is Pitt #1, ‘Nova #2. DePaul is still 16th.
Seth Davis from SI.com tweeted his top-25 ballot. Pitt is #7 (behind ‘Nova and Florida?).
The reason cited most often by coaches and other players for Pitt being #1 in the Big East in preseason — everyone is back.
“I like the consistency (Pitt) played with last year, particularly on defense and on the glass,” said Wright, who returns three starters, including all-Big East guard Corey Fisher. “Now they get that whole group back. That might not be sexy, but they have a chance to have a great season.”
Weird little thing at the end of one notebook piece on media day.
One other surprise was what the coaches thought of Connecticut. They picked the Huskies to finish 10th. Connecticut had a disappointing season last year, but coach Jim Calhoun doesn’t think his team deserved to be ranked that low.
“We’re Connecticut,” he said. “We don’t belong there.”
Sounds arrogant, no? Maybe not so much.
Will Calhoun use the low ranking as motivation?
“Nah, that doesn’t sound like me,” he said sarcastically, thereby stating silver lining No. 2. “We’re an interesting team right now with 10 question marks, about everything that we do. We’re Connecticut — we don’t belong there, but as I said, I would have taken 12th as far as what the factual information showed you. Too many questions.”
And this piece seems to back it up, that Calhoun wasn’t actually arguing the spot. He was admitting that he was going to use it as motivation for his players. Remind them who they are and what the program’s history is. Something Coach Dixon used last year when Pitt was tabbed for 9th.
Not that I like defending Calhoun. I just didn’t like that use of the quote.
Paul Zeise: Both seem to be doubtful but the official injury report won’t be out until about six tonight. I’d be shocked if either is able to do much but there are still two days until the game and a lot can happen.
Tags was not listed at all on the official injury report.
Epps = Redshirt
Zanna = Starting PF
Moore = All Big East 2012
Ton of competition for minutes = good thing.
Gibbs and Wanamaker played very well, Woodall looked pretty good. McGhee looked decent too.
I don’t think Zanna will be a starter, but he was very impressive. He is long and more physical than last year and got a ton of rebounds and finished around the rim very well.
Agree that Epps looks like a redshirt from what I saw tonight, same goes for Cameron Wright. JJ Moore is really athletic looking.
Richardson didn’t really score but he is big and physical and I really hope he sees more minutes this year because he is a pretty good defender in the post.
Lamar Patterson also shot the ball well, hopefully he can contribute this year.
NOTES — Wannstedt said he expects that freshman defensive end Bryan Murphy will have his redshirt taken off. “There is a good chance he is going to play this week,” Wannstedt said. “I wanted to give it a good two weeks of practice [after he returned from a broken foot]. I think he is ready to go.” … Wannstedt said redshirt freshman K’Wuan Williams (knee) is out and safety Kolby Gray (concussion) is questionable. … Greg Romeus (back) is out, but he could begin practicing full speed next week.
I really did not think Romeus would be back this soon. Good to hear is progressing well because we will need him for the WVU and Cinci games.