Pitt didn’t win its first Big East Tournament game until 1987 (their fifth year in the conference). The Panthers didn’t win more than one BET game until 2001. So, from that standpoint, Pitt is light years ahead of where they were when starting in the Big East. And man is that a reminder of just how badly those Paul Evans teams underachieved. The failures of the late-80s Pitt team, with the talent they had… Yeesh. Still boggles my mind when I look back on them.
Intellectually, I know better.
I understand that nothing I do has any real impact on what Pitt does. Most of the time I try to be very, very rational. Sometimes to the point of taking all emotion out of things. But there are moments. Times when I give in to the whims of superstition and the idea of streaks.
So, when I found myself so locked up with work I couldn’t even get a chance to throw up a weak open thread effort at the Wake-Pitt game in the ACC Tournament, I kind of talked myself into being too busy on Friday not to do the same with Pitt-UNC. (Did I sneak out of work and find myself in a bar for the second half of both games? No comment.) Next thing I know, Pitt is in the Semis of the ACC Tournament and faced with the heart and mind conflict.
It’s what made that damn Bud Light “Superstition” ad campaign during NFL games so effective. It may have been annoying and a little much — as most ads are — but there was just that element of truth to it. Where we all have those little quirks, habits and rituals we feel must be done we don’t want to mess with a streak.
I opted to keep the silence. Not to post. Not to go on Twitter during the games. Basically, being an internet mute.
That came to an end with the tough loss to Virginia. The Hoos played tremendous defense on Pitt all game. Closing fast on any open man. Making Pitt work for nearly every score. Not a gimmick or a zone defense. Just really sound defense. And of course getting those oh, so little breaks like no foul call for the +1 when James Robinson took it right into them with 11 seconds left and scored. (But, no. I’m not bitter. Really.)
The UNC and Virginia game also drove home an important point. It’s always easier to hang on for a win than to scramble hard on the comeback. Pitt was on both ends over the last two days, and as stressful as that UNC finish was. It still was a win that Pitt did not blow. Just as Virginia managed to not blow it in the final minute.
It’s hard not to compare and contrast the UNC and Virginia game. Not simply because of the pace. Or the score. Against UNC, Pitt had other players scoring besides Lamar Patterson and Talib Zanna. Robinson came up big. Newkirk found spots. Cam Wright got into things.
Against Virginia, it was only Patterson and Zanna. They accounted for 62.5% (30/48) of Pitt’s scoring. Against UNC it was 41.33% (31/75). Their combined shooting percentage wasn’t very different in each game 47.8% (11-23) against UVa versus 50% (12-24) against UNC. The rest of the team shot 7-26 against Virginia. They were 15-28 against UNC.
That’s been the issue this year after the loss of Durand Johnson. Not simply finding someone who could shoot from the perimeter. Just simply, who else could score? There hasn’t been that consistent third option. Guys have stepped up at times but not every game. That, as much as anything has cost this team some losses.
Some of that is simply youth. Josh Newkirk, Jamel Artis and Mike Young have shown flashes. They have me very optimistic for the next few years. But, they are still freshmen that don’t have a consistency yet.
I love Cam Wright and James Robinson, but their roles on the team are defense and distribution first. When they deliver efficient offensive performances in a game, there is a certain level of surprise at it.
Still, Pitt put all the doubts to rest about making the NCAA Tournament. No one wants to take the loss. And I doubt anyone feels great about it. But the expectations weren’t high going into Greensboro. And unlike Syracuse, Pitt at least made it to the semis.
Meanwhile, more evidence of the online war between ESPN and CBSSports.com. Coach K is interviewed on ESPN saying the ACC should be getting more respect and more teams in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Jerry Palm on CBSSports.com said the following in his bracketology analysis:
“And finally, the ESPN-driven candidates Duke and Virginia. The Cavaliers went 16-2, but beat only three tournament teams, which says a lot about the ACC in general and their league schedule in particular. They don’t have anything you’d call a bad loss among their six, but two are outside the top 50 (Green Bay and Maryland). Even if they beat Duke in the ACC championship on Sunday, there is no case to seed them ahead of Wisconsin, let alone on the top line.
Duke wouldn’t be getting talked about like they are if it weren’t for the name on the front of their jersey. The Blue Devils, if they beat Virginia, will have seven top 50 wins, which is good, but their best road win (and their only one in the top 100) is at Pitt. They also have losses at Notre Dame and Wake Forest. No top seed has ever had two 100-plus RPI losses, and there’s no reason to think Duke should be the first.”
– I was not worried about the freshmen back in Jan or Feb, and not worried about them now. I expect that next year and beyond when there is more reliance on them, they will do well … and really like the fact that there are 4 of them.
– Don’t be shocked when we get screwed tonight at 6 pm whether it be a worse seed than expected or being shipped out West again. We should know why … because our non-con stinks … and it stinks on ice! That’s the reason why it was in the past, and the reason for it tonight
It was a tough year at the Pete after the domination of Clemson. Buzzer beaters by VA and Syracuse, Duke setting a record for threes, TJ Warren going off, a lackluster performance vs FSU. DJ and TZ going down.
But what a year on the road, four overtime wins, a win at ND, the Stanford win, the heroic comeback at Clemson, the stomping of Wake and the beatdown of NC in a sea of powder blue.
We overcame the loss of Adams, and DJ, the ankle and the thumb.
Patterson and Zanna are added to the list of Pitt’s Best.
And there still may be more to come.
Comment by gc 03.16.14 @ 10:17 am
I would like to think that because of all the close games and the resurgence of Zanna and the emergence of Newkirk, that this team is more tournament ready. Not to mention our superstar, who may have something left to prove.
Nice going Chas, I followed the same routine for three days. Have not heard an underwear report lately, maybe he crapped his pants at the end of the NC game, probably not the only one. LOL
We’re Pitt; expect adverse conditions
I wish that I had had the chance to watch the end of the UNC game. The change in ESPN channels at the last minute totally screwed me. Finally was able to watch it Saturday morning on ESPNU.
The “blue and golds” did their best yesterday. I guess every superstition has its limits. But, they will be on and ready for our First Round game.
H2P
I posted this on the earlier thread about the time you did this new one. Just want you to see the offer to help on days when you are overwhelmed.
@Chas
I know nothing about bogs and security. But, since Mike seems to have not worked out, is there some way that you can trust one of us to establish new threads? These long ones are killers when accessed on a cell phone.
And, this is the best Putt blog. Do you need any money from us to help pay for it? I would be happy to do it.
Hoping for a chance to play Villanova or Wichita State.
H2P
and “Putt blog”?
c’mon, even idiots like me would edit my own repost.
KIDDING, I think March with Pitt relevant gets me silly.
And Chas, had you started a new thread before the UVA game, I would have had a problem with you. IF Pitt starts something now, let the tablet and phone users deal with it. LOL!!!
Here are 5 more questions I wish the author would have asked…
1. Do we think that freshman Adonis Jennings will make an impact on the Wide Receiver corps….and get some quality reps in 2014 ?
2. Do we think that freshman running back Chris James can break into the rotation & give James Conner enough breaks? (…to play DE…..I don’t like THAT idea….but we seem to lack depth @ that spot)
3. Are the new DEFENSIVE assistant coaches going to be enough to over come the the lack of experience & ability of DC Matt House? 🙁
4. Where does help come from if Chad V. gets injured in camp …or early in the 2014 season? Scary, VERY scary thought. I heard the Fox Chapel QB was going to walk on from one of our earlier correspondents’ posts……
5. Do we think naming a coach responsible for SPECIAL TEAMS will make a difference in their performance?
HAIL TO PITT !
Gutless official failed to call a foul,on Robinson’s lay up.
Regret that the game ended with an obvious blown call.
Pitt players deserved better.
H2P outstanding performance in the Tournment! Now let’s win
a couple in the Big Dance.
Our two seniors have done a yeomen’s job this year and I wish them luck in their life’s work.
Like all of us, they will always be Pitt Panther’s, win or lose. Hail to Pitt!
WTF ESPN?!?
Ooops. I have many failings, including finding errors in my typing. And, I do not reread my own posts—am too busy reading yours and my fellow Blatherites.
H2P (spelled “Pitt”)
If Pitt’s a 10, then I want Villanova to be the 2 seed in that region so we go to Buffalo. Whatever is going to be the shortest travel time for Pitt, I want.
I truly beleive, part of the lack of respect for the ACC this year has a lot to do with this provincial centric attitude and the poor officating.
Did you see the post game interview with Roy Williams after NC’S loss to Pitt? What an asshole. It was like, how dare the powers to be let NC loose especially in the hallow ground of Greensboro, NC!
Was there really a ACC blog (what is the site?) stating “the real ACC”? I take it the rest of the comments was unkind to the new ACC additions.
I see now how true the statements are about bias towards NC teams. This could bury the new comers to the league. Look at what happened to Boston College since joining the ACC.
The ACC will never be a dominant football conference. Sorry, looks like Rutgers and Maryland are getting a better deal.
I know! I know! The ACC was our best option at the time. Long term, I am not so sure.
We have got to make noise and let the Tobacco Road crowd know we are not happy, and will not put up with this shit!
Cam is a warrior but he is limited offensively, his wild ass turnover and his dumb decision to drive into their 3 man welcoming committee could have cost us the game. I don’t see how he will be that much improved next year. He is a good, savvy defender and hard nosed and you need that type. I think Josh was little out of sorts yesterday. His drives were there but he lost his cool at the foul line.
Somehow the networks knew we weren’t getting that win. ACC wasn’t going to allow if at all possible. Shame, JRob’s play should have been revered for all time.
I am so used to seeing Pitt get screwed in the NCAA seeding that I will just be happy to hear the name “Pitt” called this evening.
Good win Wahoos I like them in the final 4
because Duke???
LOL!!!
Comment by TVax 03.16.14 @ 7:18 am
Had to repost ‘cuz this tournament(with Pitt) and Spring are my favorite times of the year.
H2P!!!