Let’s see, the local ties of UNC Ashville. A headcoach from Edgewood, who chose NC State over Pitt in the 60s.

Biedenbach, who still has family in Pittsburgh, had narrowed his college choices to N.C. State and Pitt.

But when N.C. State’s Everett Case — the legendary coach Dixon just passed for most wins in the first eight seasons — and assistant Press Maravich came calling, Biedenbach headed for Raleigh, N.C., to become a two-time, all-ACC selection.

“I considered Pitt strong,” he said. “I liked the ACC, and at that time Pitt was averaging about 500 fans a game. I love Pittsburgh. I’m a big Steelers fan. (N.C. State grad) Bill Cowher and I are good friends.”

500 fans/game? Yeesh. Makes the turnouts during the worst of the Willard era seem packed.

Meanwhile a Pitt player and grad is pulling for UNC Ashville because of business interests.

Pat Cavanaugh played at Pitt from 1986-90, was a two-time captain and still lives in the North Hills. He roots for Pitt under almost any circumstance.

But Cavanaugh won’t be pulling for the Panthers this afternoon when they play UNC Asheville at the Verizon Center. Cavanaugh will be rooting for the Bulldogs.

Cavanaugh is the founder and president of The Crons Brand, a North Hills-based apparel company that outfits college teams. Cavanaugh, who started the company in 2006, added UNC Asheville to his client list last year.

“I’m going to root for Asheville,” he said. “They took a chance on us. My support for Pitt over the years is clear. I’m looking for an upset. It will make for quite a story.”

Cavanaugh is competing with Nike and adidas in the sports apparel business. He markets his brand as an underdog that is battling the companies that have dominated the business for years.

Cavanaugh has other clients in the Big South, Colonial Athletic Association and Atlantic 10.

The UNC Ashville players are looking for a chance to stun everyone.

Biedenbach’s players have talked about being practically awestruck by the big charter plane that flew them to Dayton and then on to Washington, where they arrived in the wee hours Wednesday. J.P. Primm again trotted out his tried-and-true line: “It feels presidential.”

“It’s been a little overwhelming in a way,” Dickey said, “but it’s been fun.”

So is there a chance the Bulldogs can do what no No. 16 seed has ever done?

“People give us a one-in-a-million chance,” Dickey said. “I think this is a one-in-a-million opportunity.”

Biedenbach even found a way to spin his team’s whirlwind schedule in his favor, saying Pittsburgh’s “rest” might actually be “rust.”

The Ashville paper lays out the optimism on the team, but in the sidebar, the same columnist brings in reality.

• Pitt is too big, strong and talented, the best team in the best conference (Big East). A veteran squad that has been knocked out in the second round two of the last three seasons is hungry for a Final Four and paced by guards Aston Gibbs (16.7 points per game) and Brad Wanamaker (12 ppg).

• Asheville will likely be overmatched physically, but much of the country will be pulling for an underdog that has picked up tens of thousands of new fans since a dramatic win Tuesday night. Emotion could keep the Bulldogs in the game for awhile. Miracles do happen, and this would be one for the ages.

Prediction: Pitt by 23.

Not sure about 23, but I don’t see a loss for Pitt. Pitt of course is saying the “one game at a time” thing.

“Maybe we overlooked East Tennessee State a little bit,” said guard Brad Wanamaker, who, along with Ashton Gibbs, helped seal the game in the final 75 seconds. “But that’s not going to be the case with this team.”

Brad Wanamaker apparently also garbled his cliches in the presser.

Pitt’s news conferences didn’t reveal much, but there was one moment that had Pitt’s players in stitches afterward.

Brad Wanamaker was asked a question about Pitt’s mindset going into the tournament. His quote is one to remember: “We got a hungry chip on our backs again.”

Now, one can only imagine what Wanamaker meant to say:

“We have a chip on our shoulder again” is one possibility.

Or “We’re hungry” is another possibility.

Or “We want to get the monkey off our backs.”

The mangled quote that came out of his mouth was so funny that his teammates were not letting him forget in the locker room afterward.

Epic.

Ron Cook gives a puffer to Gary McGhee, for having a sense of humor.

John Harris says the pressure is on Pitt to validate their #1 seed.

The common theme in most stories I’m seeing regarding Pitt, the Southeast region, etc. is that Pitt is trying to shed the underachiever label. More examples here, here, and here.

Over at the Quad, Pitt still looks like the best bet among Big East teams to win the whole thing.

Less than an hour until ODU-Butler tips.