Syracuse has been playing better lately — at least until they ran into Louisville.
Hard to believe, but over the years Pitt is 6-2 at the Carrier Dome under Jamie Dixon, the same record as at the Pete.
This is not a make or break game for either team as far as the NCAA Tournament is concerned. For either team it would be a solid win but not a killer loss — well, a little worse for Syracuse since it would be at home, but not by much.
But both teams need this game to try and get a little more confidence — and get a little more room to breathe in their chances of making the NCAA Tournament. Cuse finishes with 2 of their last 3 on the road. Syracuse ends their season at NCSt, at UNC and then FSU. Pitt gets — yes I left them out, Louisville, then Duke, then at VT and at GT.
Cuse is a slight home favorite.
Jamel Artis has thrived against Syracuse in the past, but his play as of late has not been inspiring.
For Pitt it isn’t difficult, to be in a position to win both Artis and Mike Young have to be playing well, and there needs to be a third player stepping up. If Pitt gets 2 players hitting shots, beyond Artis and Young it will be a relatively easy win.
Considering the way Pitt has played, especially on the road. That’s not something to be counted upon. Pitt has two road wins in the ACC this year. Aside from that thing that happened at BC, they won one other road ACC game in 2015. One year ago at Syracuse.
I save that for only predicting Pitt WINS… and football.
I’m looking for our first major win Wednesday. Our guys should be focused. Louisville really exposed them and they know that.
Agree with the sentiment that this team could make it the Sweet 16. Really depends on match-ups and how we shoot. We’re certainly due for an even deeper run.
I do not remember this much effort by anyone to bring elite talent from all over to Junior Days.
I assume this is a function of an expanded budget, but also the efforts of a dedicated and energized staff.
Really can’t wait for spring ball.
USA Today Coaches Poll
RK TEAM RECORD PTS
1 Villanova (25) 24-3 792
2 Kansas (7) 23-4 751
3 Virginia 21-5 679
4 Oklahoma 21-5 668
5 Xavier 24-3 652
6 North Carolina 22-5 639
7 Michigan State 22-5 626
8 Iowa 20-6 561
9 Maryland 23-5 527
10 Arizona 22-5 512
11 Miami (FL) 21-5 466
12 West Virginia 20-7 366
13 Oregon 21-6 365
14 Kentucky 20-7 333
15 Indiana 22-6 317
16 Baylor 20-7 305
17 Iowa State 19-8 304
18 Duke 20-7 303
19 Purdue 21-7 245
20 Notre Dame 18-8 176
21 Texas A&M 20-7 172
22 Dayton 21-5 121
23 Utah 21-7 120
24 Providence 19-8 102
25 Texas 17-10 66
Others receiving votes: South Carolina 47, Saint Mary’s 42, Wichita St 32, Texas Tech 30, Pittsburgh 18, Wisconsin 15, California 11, Saint Joseph’s 10, Seton Hall 6, USC 6, VCU 6, Hawaii 3, LSU 3, Michigan 1, St Bonaventure 1, San Diego State 1
I still think it’s the best but I will admit that I haven’t been to 1 and 2.
H2P!!!
Also think Heinz is ok except for the logo and beats Ravens and Redskins park easily!!!
BB ratings not important except for publicity. B12 quality not great in BB.
I heard on Mike & Mike’s radio program early this morning that Golic & Greeny both think Louisville is a team that could win it all this year, BUT their school (ville) self-imposed sanctions on the BB team for this season and they (ville) are not eligible for the tournament. We already knew that…
Pitt has Duke (defending champions) at home on Sunday to follow-up the Louisville game. Tough week for any team – run the table and Pitt gets the attention of many.
There should be NO more bubble talk if we are 2-0 at the end of Sunday, 2/28.
HTP! and optimistic thinking…
East: Pittsburgh
West: Connecticut
South: VCU
Midwest: Saint Joseph’s
Just for fun I opened up the full bracket.
Guess who the #1 seed in the East “could” be according to Joe? YES – villanova
The # 8 seed “could” be Florida – blah…
So, Pitt beats FL in a mild upset. nova is overrated and Pitt gets a chance at pay back. CHECK!
The #4 seed “could” be Iowa State and #5 seed “could” be Purdue. Interesting…
All hypothetical, but fun to think through.
HTP!
Like you, I would love the bracket to actually be where Lunardy now has it! We could beat both Florida and Nova in my opinion.
Only problem is the chance of that actually being the East match ups when the official brackets comes out is probably “slim to none” LOL
“Oh, oh, we’re half way there. Livin on a prayer”
Hypothetical, buy yes, fun to think through.
The made for TV college football games are out.
Be here before you know it.
Friday 8-26
Cal vs. Hawaii Sydney, Austr.
Sat 9-3
BC vs Georgia Tech Dublin, Ire
Alabama vs USC Arlington, TX
Arizona vs BYU Glendale, AZ
Georgia vs N.Carolina Atlanta, GA
Houston vs Oklahoma NRG Stadium
LSU vs Wisconsin Green Bay, WI Lambeau Field
Mon 9-5 Labor Day Night
Fla. St. vs Ole Miss Orlando, FL.
Sat 9-10
And a unique one. I’m not a NASCAR fan myself, but I’m aware of some of the tracks and people just from living and breathing.
Bristol Motor Speedway Bristol, TN
Tennessee vs. Va. Tech
Some of those tracks hold 100K or more I guess.
PITT vs pedo state
The crowd will be loud and our cancer free James “the beast” Conner will run out of the tunnel similar to Jerome Bettis when he played his last game at the Super Bowl in his home town Detroit.
The Bus’ teammates asked him to lead them onto the field. As they exited the tunnel, his teammates held up and allowed the Bus to sprint onto the field in great excitement, by himself. Very classy –
go Canes
No way we beat the Gators even with a new coach and down year. Nova????? Haha. No chance against Nova.
Out of conference schedule – 2 ranked teams and both losses.
Oklahoma by 23 points at home.
UVA by 11 points at Virginia
By comparison, Pitt played 2 ranked teams and lost one and DNF’d the other (with a halftime lead).
Gonzaga DNF in Japan
Purdue loss
In the Big East conference, nova has two other ranked teams to contend with. Xavier and Butler.
In the ACC, Pitt has five ranked teams with Louisville not ranked due to sanctions. I could make a case that Louisville is better than any team nova has faced this year and Pitt has ville twice on their regular season schedule.
The current ACC is by far the tougher conference vs the current Big East.
UPitt – before you blow off and disc Pitt having any chance of beating villanova, look again.
Let’s look at same opponents:
UVA – both losses
GT – both wins
nova is ranked #1 and PITT is not ranked.
The record of nova shows they should be ranked – Pitt is on the edge.
In my opinion, there is not much difference. This is a year where a lot of teams have a shot to make a deep run at the title.
And we fans are hoping PITT gets in to the big dance.
HTP!
Sometimes I find it tough to ignore the eye test with Pitt however if JR can continue his resurgence(and I believe he may), I am much more optimistic too.
H2P!!!
H2M!!!
Personally, I would run, gun and let them all have fun – but I don’t get paid $2+ million to make those decisions. Let’s hope the one who does, makes the right call…
36% in 3pt FG%
68% in FT% (can/will be better)
35% in FG%
But if you throw out one bad game of those 10:
43.2% in 3pt FG%(he CAN shoot)
73% in FT%(can/will be better)
38% in FG%
Because I don’t see anything much different coming out of the 5, I see JR as the key to Pitt success over this last month and any chance in the tourney.
Of course there are other important parts like Artis controlling his brainarts, MY’s effort and mojo, Jeter’s consistency and ANYONE else’s ability to hit a 3.
becomes 4.08/1. Spectacular and even more spectacular without ever being spectacular.
With VaTech and GaTech… Pitt SHOULD at least come away with one W which would make 20 at last count.