I really don’t see Pitt and Nova playing any time soon. The last thing the Wildcats want is for Pitt to have more opportunities to recruit in the Philly area. For all that talk about how Pitt has that connection for NY/NJ, Pitt has been doing rather well grabbing kids in or connected to the Philly area in recent years. Both Gil Brown and Lamar Patterson may have been from Central PA, but their AAU teams were in Philly. Wanamaker, Robinson, Malcolm Gilbert and others were taken from the area. Hopefully Pitt finds a some willing partners in the rest of the Big 5 for home-and-homes to Philly.
The big concern is the status of Steven Adams’ ankle.
Pitt freshman center Steven Adams injured an ankle in practice Saturday, according to a university source. The severity of the injury was not immediately known and it was unclear Saturday night if he would be able to play in the game today against Villanova.
Early reports are that he is out for warm-ups but limping noticeably. Perfect timing since there is even media from New Zealand at the Pete for the game. He’s going to be a game time decision.
If Adams can’t go — or Coach Dixon decides to be extra careful — it renders any debate on whether Dante Taylor should get to start on senior day moot.
Both Taylor and Travon Woodall will have their family in Pittsburgh to see them play for the first and last time.
“It’s a great feeling,” Woodall said of having his mother, sister and other extended family present. “It’s going to be a great atmosphere. They don’t get out of New Jersey or New York often. It will be a great opportunity to see the opportunities I have coming from what we came from.”
For both players, family considerations and financial restraints have prevented it from happening until now. Taylor said his mother cares for his grandmother, and even if she was able to get away for a few days, the family does not have the money for trips to Pittsburgh.
“For them to watch me in a home game, it will be really exciting,” Taylor said. “It will definitely be emotional. It’s a great place to play, a great environment. I’ve been here for four years so it’s like my second home. It will definitely be something to remember, something I’ll never forget.”
Always want to see the seniors go out on a high note at the Pete.
Final Big East home game for Pitt. As much as we hated on the Big East football, the basketball was never anything but the best.
Not sure what to expect in this game. Obviously, emotions will be high for Pitt.
It’s also a near-must win for Nova. After a disastrous start in the non-con, Villanova still has a shot for an at-large NCAA Bid. They are 9-7 in the Big East. They have big, big wins over Louisville, Syracuse and Marquette. Being swept by Providence hurt, but doesn’t look as bad with the Friars playing much better. That loss to Seton Hall, however, hurt. Plus their road wins are very few. Beating Pitt at the Pete would probably do the job.
The game is at noon. It’s the Big East syndicated game being shown on MASN, Root, MSG, Brighthouse, WPHL (Philly) and Altitude.
We all have different personalites.
Just find it sad someone so young had nothing to smile about.
Best of luck to him too.
As someone here said earlier….his mom did a great job.
Actually, I think the 5 seed would be better too. The 5 seed in the Tourney means you play as of last I checked the winner of Rutgers vs DePaul. I think Pitt beats Rutgers easily. They are playing better now and don’t have to play at the RAC. Much rather play an easier team to get the rust off. When Pitt plays first game as 4 seed they would be coming off a 11 day span where they played only one game against DePaul. Good to get healthy but not good to be getting on a roll.
When they lose the sky is falling.
For most of the game they were not fun to watch today.
This team has limited offensive capability particularly beyond
the arc. Johnson provides that missing element. TZ is an enigma. His play has worsened as the season has progressed. Johnson should be getting his minutes.
Another over achieving Pitt team…..hope Dixon retires as Pitt’s coach!
I didn’t bad mouth him, as a matter of fact I made a second comment saying I was not bad mouthing him.
The comparison was one player seemed to have fun no matter what, the other that the kid never smiled, never, not once.
I didn’t say he had a rough childhood, I said, maybe he did, I don’t know the reason he never smiled.
Wasn’t just his last year, it was his whole career. I even said maybe that was his demeanor.
Read the posts of people, before you start criticizing other peoples posts and turning their comments into something that they’re not.
you can’t tell me his last year he wasn’t worried about his stock for the NBA more than the team.
But, I didn’t even bring that up.
You’re gonna fault him for wanting to turn pro? Like nearly every D1 player, he’d do it as 12 if he could. I don’t think his draft stock was the issue — playing point guard, which wasn’t a good fit was his biggest problem, and not having the experienced players around him like he did as a junior. He was best as a spot up shooter and he played a different role out of need. How much different is that than Dante coming off the bench and making the best of it.
Who cares about smiling unless that’s someone’s natural personality? Brandin Knight had (and still has) an awesome game face , DeJuan Blair always grinned. Sam Young rarely did. But again — apples to oranges.
My post wasn’t even about basketball per se.
I was talking about the two different dispositions that I noticed.
I am allowed to have an opinion arent’ I???
I’ll check with you next time I want to post something, to see if it’s okay with you.
Stick to 7 or 8 in Big-East and NCAA tournaments.
That move ruined Gibbs chance to shine for the NBA scouts and he was sour the whole year. It also ruined both guard positions and Pitt had their worst year ever under Dixon.
The move to point actually was Gibb’s best chance to change the NBA scouts perception. If he could be a play maker and play some point, it would have helped him. He just wasn’t good enough at it.
Woodall is playing a similar role this year, combo guard. Woodall is better with the ball.
With his degree, someone is going to want him on their team, basketball, business or whatever.
Always smiling, cheering his team mates on.
I contrast him with Ashton Gibbs. I don’t believe I ever saw him smile once…..his entire career.
Sure, that could be your basketball demeanor, but even before or after games, never smiled.
Maybe a rough childhood I don’t even know about, but very sad, for a guy or girl 18 or 22 years old to never smile, at all.
Compare that with Sleepy, he could have been a pouter, a problem, goes off with a thunder dunk and one of the loudest ovations I’ve ever heard at the Pete.
Good luck to Dante Taylor.
P.S. Dante, your game has really improved and you are a big part of this team. Hats off to you for your game, and your attitude!!!