7pm ESPN2.

Okay, this is possibly the worst Duke team defensively under Mike Krzyzewski. It is also, quite possibly the best offensive team he’s ever had. Frankly, Duke has just overwhelmed opponents on offense.

Pitt, for all the love other coaches give Kevin Stallings for his skills regarding offenses, is not a good offense. In no small part to the problem of turnovers at a ridiculous rate. Something that destroys any offensive rhythm and efficiency.

(more…)

12 pm

ACC Network Affiliates, ACCDN/WatchESPN.

Says something about the match-up when this game is listed as the ACC Network game for 12pm, and the affiliate stations are a lot sparser then usual. It really says something when the local ACC affiliate in Cleveland (WUAB) isn’t carrying the game. Why? Because the station in question is owned directly by Raycom, and the ACC Network syndication is produced and distributed by Raycom.

(more…)

9pm.

ESPNU.

Fun fact. Pitt hasn’t won a game at the Yum! Center (0-6). Kind of makes me feel even less sympathetic that the place is a giant sucking vacuum of debt for the City of Louisville, even with the Cards giving back some. Not that the City or the University can feel great about the long-term costs. Especially in the short-term damage from finally having to part ways with Rick Pitino.

Speaking of Louisville and more fallout from the scandal. (Which completely beats talking about the actual game.)

(more…)

8pm ESPN2

I should be looking forward to this game more then I am.

I love games between Pitt and WVU. The natural, good hate that bubbles around the teams and the fans. This should be the kind of game where you hear the cliche, “You can throw out the records when these two…”

Except you really can’t. Not tonight. These teams haven’t played in five years. The overwhelming majority of players have no real connection to the Backyard Brawl. Pitt has a coach that has no familiarity with it.

(more…)

7pm, ACC Network Extra/WatchESPN

Have to admit, I like Pitt’s chances tonight. The — Google’s “Mount St. Mary’s mascot,” double-takes, clicks a few links to verify, well, okay then — Mountaineers of Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Oh, my. Their mascot is one, “Emmit S. Burg.” Oh, and let’s not get started on drowning bunnies.

Sorry, definitely went down a rabbit hole.

(more…)

9:30 pm, ESPN3– It’s WatchESPN.

I’m not sure I’m emotionally ready for this.

This past Saturday was rough enough. And for all the the supposed acceptance of Pitt not being anything close to a good basketball team this year. For already seeing them lose to a team coached by Ed DeChellis. For losing to Montana, while this other team won by 13. And now to be a 10 point underdog to Penn State?

You’re asking a lot of me.

(more…)

12:20, ACC Network (very limited)/ACC Network Extra/WatchESPN.

Be interesting to see what kind of crowd shows up at Lane Stadium, following a disappointing loss that officially eliminated the Hokies from repeating as ACC Coastal champs. The weather is going to be in the upper 40s and very gray. Rain is supposed to hold off until the evening. And the dreaded noon-ish start.

It’s also Senior Day and the last home game of the season to counter the reasons not to show. Plus, you know, the Hokies have been a pretty good team.

(more…)

7pm ACC Network Extra/WatchESPN

Aw, hell I don’t know.

UC-Santa Barbara is in the Big West. They went 6-22 last year and fired their head coach. Joe Pasternack is now the guy. Pasternack had been the head coach at the University of New Orleans. Succeeding some guy named Buzz Williams. UNO folded their basketball program in 2011, and Pasternack became an assistant at Arizona under Sean Miller. He was also the associate head coach there.

(more…)

7pm radio or ACC Network Extra/WatchESPN

Feeling better. Very low key weekend of nursing being sick to maximum sympathy; and to be left alone with sports on TV all weekend.

Let’s start with a lookback on the opening loss at Navy.

(more…)

9:00 CBSSN (it’s a real channel, dammit).

I’m sick. Have that whole mucous running down the back of my scratchy throat, stuffed nose, bloated head feeling. It’s probably just a cold that has been long overdue.

And yet…

There was this game yesterday…

I’m not saying that Pitt’s performance last night against UNC is responsible. I’m the the first to say that correlation does not equal causation. I’m just not willing to rule it out either.

(more…)

7:30, ESPN.

Nippy, clear Thursday night.

North Carolina hasn’t had much going right with its quarterbacks and injuries. Out of nowhere, a week-and-a-half ago, they nearly upset Miami. So, there’s always the possibility.

(more…)

12:30 pm

Multiple RSNs and ACC Network Extra/WatchESPN.

Stuck on the couch as my back flared up this week, and driving 4-5 hours in a day was not on the table.

Fun times to be in the football equivalent of bubble watch with bowl eligibility.

(more…)

12:20pm.

Various Network affiliates, and on theACC Digital Network.

Since Pitt joined the ACC, the games with Duke have been almost absurd offensive showcases.

The first two games saw the teams combine for 113 and 99 points respectively. Last year, Pitt hung 56 on Duke.

Even in the relatively tame 2015 game, Pitt put forth 31 points en route to a win. That was Pitt’s lowest scoring output. Outside the Rice, game, Pitt hasn’t put 31 points or moreup in their other 6 games.

(more…)

12:00 pm

RSNs or ACC Network Extra/WatchESPN.

Homecoming. James Conner bobblehead day.

The noon and noon-adjacent home games on Saturday will continue until Pitt can be a consistent factor in the ACC. It sucks, but at least Pitt is getting paid. Another morning of trying to get out the door before 7 am and hitting the road. Whee.

Another top-20 team, though I didn’t see this coming with NC State.

(more…)

It’s not a rivalry, but there have been enough open threads over the years for the need to differentiate in the permalink.

12:30 pm on various RSNs (whatever the hell they are calling the Pittsburgh sports channel these days, NESN, YES and others) and WatchESPN/ACC Digital Network Extra.

(more…)