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Men’s Basketball
Pitt Basketball Schedule shaping up
Jun 10th
The Pitt basketball schedule is starting to shape up for the upcoming 2010/2011 season.
It was announced yesterday that Pitt will be a part of the Big East/SEC Invitational. They will play a host to the invitational and will play Tennessee on December 11 at the Consol Energy Center. It will be the second game of the double header with the other game being Rutgers and Auburn. Tip offs have yet to be announced and the Pitt game will be televised on ESPN.
Pitt was previously announced to play in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic and will play two of the three, Illinois, Maryland, and Texas. And will host preliminary games against Rhode Island and Illinois-Chicago.
Pitt and Duquesne will play again this year in the City Game and it is expected to be the first college basketball game in the Consol Energy Center.
Expansion Buzz: The FACTS
Jun 7th
So Pitt related news is rather slow during these down months. Basketball is taking a break. Football has completed spring camp and will be rather quiet until later in the summer. Not much else is going on in Pitt Sports that’s news-worthy right now.
However, there has been a lot of buzz in general in the college sports world these days. Almost all of it relates to conference expansion and realignment.
We learned our lesson once already when we reported on speculation and rumors the last time we heard them. Those rumors turned out to be completely false and we were left standing in public with our pants down. So you won’t hear any more reports on rumors from us. But we would like to address all the expansion/realignment talk that’s going on right now. More specifically, we’d like to point out the facts to all of our readers so that they know which reports to listen to, and which reports to let pass in one ear and out the other.
Let’s take a look at the facts surrounding conference expansion/realignment.
FACTS:
1. The Big Ten Conference is exploring expansion options. This one is no secret. The Big Ten’s announcement back in December has caused quite a stir in the college sports world. This is what started the whole fuss. We’ve heard countless rumors and speculation since the announcement. Almost all of it has been unfounded (and false). The simple fact is that the Big Ten is EXPLORING expansion on a 12-18 month timetable. The keyword here is “exploring”. The Big Ten has not made a decision on whether or not they will expand. They’re simply looking into the possibility. That means we might wait until fall just to hear the Big Ten tell everyone that they’re ok without expanding. Whatever the case, their timeline remains the same. So unless something changes, the Big Ten will announce their plans no sooner than late fall.
2. The PAC 10 Conference is exploring expansion options. This is recent news. The PAC 10 has just recently decided that they will explore their own expansion options this year as well. Again, they’re just exploring options. This doesn’t mean that they will expand. Just like the Big Ten, the PAC 10 is taking a look at the options for expansion and whether or not it makes sense for the conference.
That’s it. There are no more facts. Everything else that you read out there is speculation and unfounded rumors. The only tidbit of information that even approaches the credibility of a fact is that Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany and Michigan State president Lou Anna Simon, also the chair of the Big Ten’s council of presidents/chancellors, both mentioned that if other conferences take action before the Big Ten has decided what to do about expansion, it may speed up the Big Ten’s timeline. Keep in mind though, the PAC 10′s timeline ends at about the same time as the Big Ten’s original timeline, and the PAC 10 is the only other conference that’s even mentioned expansion. So the chances of seeing something from the Big Ten sooner than their original timeline are still somewhat small.
It’s somewhat surprising that after all of the rumors we’ve seen fall through so far, the major networks like ESPN are still reporting on these rumors that are floating around. But then again, ESPN also erased all of their stories on the “Pitt to the Big Ten” rumor once it turned out to be false. I guess it’s easy to report on rumors when you don’t have to own up to your coverage, isn’t it?
Big East Hires Paul Tagliabue
Apr 22nd
Well the Big East has taken its first step towards protecting itself from possible conference expansions in the coming years. Yesterday, the conference announced that the former NFL commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, will give advice on strategic planning to the Big East.
This is clearly a step taken in light of the Big Ten’s plans to examine the possibility of expanding. Amidst all of the rumors, one thing is clear: The Big Ten is seriously considering expansion. Whether or not Pitt, or any other Big East team, is on the list of possible expansion candidates, it’s clear that the Big East will need to do something. Hopefully Tagliabue brings some fresh ideas to the table.
Jamie Dixon Signs 2 Year Contract Extension
Mar 31st
Head coach of the Panthers’ Men’s Basketball team, Jamie Dixon, signed a 2 year contract extension today. This extends Coach Dixon’s contract out until 2018.
Yesterday it was Wanny, today it was Jamie. The two big sports are looking good at Pitt. Most importantly, both programs look promising in the upcoming seasons and are stable. Coaching stability leads to good, solid recruiting.
Despite still mourning over the “early” loss in the NCAA tournament, Panther fans should be happy. This was a great week for Pitt sports.
NCAA Tournament Preview
Mar 14th
So now that the brackets are released its time to discuss the brackets and do some research for filling the brackets. All year, its been tough to pick winners and losers of games because there is that much parity, and I feel like this year will be the toughest year to fill out your bracket in recent memory. Lets look at each region.
Midwest – #1 Kansas
Kansas is the #1 overall seed and rightfully so. Kentucky didn’t have a tough schedule, and they looked weak coming down the stretch. Bill Self looks to return his Jayhawks to the National Title game and I feel like he has a very good chance to at least return to the Final Four.
The remaining top 4 seeds of this region are Ohio St, Georgetown, and Maryland. Ohio St. was in the running for a 1 seed, and could have a had a 1 seed if they had a better Big Ten tournament. Georgetown had the toughest schedule in the nation and are very dangerous as Pitt fans saw this year. Maryland is a weak four seed and I could say Michigan St could have been the 4 instead.
Looking at this region we could see a fun Elite Eight matchup between either Kansas and Ohio St or Georgetown. And I would say in the end it is Kansas and Georgetown.
Best first round matchup: Maryland-Houston
Best potential matchup: Georgetown-Ohio St.
Winner of Region: Kansas
East – #1 Kentucky
Wow, that’s all I can say. If this is how the committee rewards the number 2 #1 seed, that’s pretty tough. This is by far the hardest region in the bracket. While Kentucky has great talent and a great coach who has been there before, they are also a young team. While they have the talent and coach, the youth of this team, the way they played down the stretch, and the region itself is why Kentucky will not make the Final Four. Kentucky has a brutal second round match against Texas, who at one time was ranked #1; a Sweet Sixteen matchup against Wisconsin, Temple, or Cornell; an Elite Eight game against West Virginia.
The remaining top 4 seeds of this region are West Virginia, New Mexico, and Wisconsin. West Virginia was also in the running for a 1 seed. New Mexico could be dangerous, I’m not going to lie, I don’t know much about them. Wisconsin is also a very good team with a very good coach. This region goes beyond the top 4 seeds though, Temple and Cornell are both well underseeded, Marquette showed flashes throughout the year, and Texas who underachieved down the stretch was very good to start.
This will be the toughest bracket to pick and to find an Elite Eight matchup is tough, but I feel it will be, West Virginia and Kentucky or Temple.
Best first round matchup: Temple-Cornell
Best potential matchup: Kentucky-WVU.
Winner of this region: WVU
South – #1 Duke
Duke returns as a #1 seed, and I have no problem with that, but to call them a #1 seed over Syracuse, I do have a problem with. While Syracuse lost their last two games, they won the regular season Big East tournament, while Duke won a down ACC. Both teams deserve the #1 seed, but flip them. This is an easy region for Duke if they can take care of business, but this is also a region where anyone can come from it. Duke plays either Cal from a terrible Pac-10 or a dangerous Louisville team, who could beat Duke.
The remaining top 4 seeds in this region, Villanova, Baylor, Purdue. Nova looked terrible down the stretch, Baylor is a dangerous team and one of the teams to beat, and Purdue is not the same without Robbie Hummel. This is the weakest of the remaining top 4 seeds in the bracket. This region can provide a lot of upsets.
I think this Elite Eight matchup will be Duke and Baylor. If Villanova finds themselves, then you can replace Baylor with Nova, it’s a coin flip.
Best first round matchup: Texas A&M-Utah St.
Best potential matchup: Baylor-Nova
Winner of this region: Baylor
West – #1 Syracuse
This should be the region headlined by Duke, but it is what it is. Syracuse has an easy road to the Elite Eight especially if Arinze Onuake’s strained quadriceps heals quickly. The toughest matchup for Syracuse will be Butler in the Sweet 16, who went undefeated in the Horizon league, and played some very good non-conference opponents.
This is Pitt’s region, and they have a very generous draw. They open with Oakland in a game they should win, and will play either Xavier or Minnesota in the second round. If Pitt makes it out of the first weekend, they will get Kansas St in the Sweet Sixteen and will be a very tough challenge for Pitt. I really hope to see this matchup, because it will be a lot of fun to watch. Digger Phelps likes Pitt’s draw and sees them as a solid team in this region. If Pitt can survive Kansas St, they will get a rematch with Syracuse, a team they beat in the Carrier Dome and there anything will be possible. Can Pitt make the Final Four? Yes. Will they? No. Pitt played extremely well in the Big East, but they don’t have the superstars this year, and that’s what you need to do well in this tournament.
The remaining top 4 seeds in this region are Kansas St, Pitt, and Vanderbilt.
I see this Elite Eight matchup being Syracuse-Kansas St. with Syracuse making its way to the Final Four.
Best first round matchup: Butler-UTEP or Xavier-Minnesota
Best potential matchup: Pitt-Kansas St.
Winner of this region: Syracuse
It will be a fun tournament to watch, we will bring you more in-depth Pitt coverage later in the week and perhaps some more tournament thoughts as Thursday gets closer. Have fun filling out your sheets and please leave your thoughts on the brackets on who you think will win each region and more.
NCAA Tournament Update: Pitt a 3 seed
Mar 14th
It has just been announced that Pitt is a 3 seed in the West Region. They will play Oakland on Friday, time unannounced. If they win they will play on Sunday against either #6 Xavier or #11 Minnesota.
Look for an in depth look at the tournament after the selection show.
Tournament Update: Semifinals
Mar 12th
So yesterday the quarterfinal round turned out to be a day of upsets in the Big East. Top seed Syracuse lost to Georgetown, Villanova lost to Marquette, and Pitt lost to Notre Dame. WVU was the only top seed team to win yesterday with their buzzer-beater win over Cincinnati.
Pitt’s game against Notre Dame was a defensive battle as Notre Dame did their best to keep the score low all game. The Irish used the shot clock to play to their advantage all game. In the end it payed off as their defense held the Panthers to just 45 points. Notre Dame has now defeated Pitt in two games this season. The Panthers will try to move on from this loss and prepare for the NCAA tournament.
The semifinal games will take place tonight in the Garden. Georgetown vs. Marquette will be on ESPN at 7 PM and Notre Dame will take on WVU at 9 PM also on ESPN.
Here’s a look at the brackets:
Tournament Update: Marquette defeats Villanova
Mar 11th
In the second upset of the day, Marquette defeated Villanova by a score of 80-76. Marquette moves on to the semifinal round to play Georgetown tomorrow at 7 PM (ESPN).
Pitt is up next. The Panthers will take on Notre Dame in less than 20 minutes. The game will be televised on ESPN.
Tournament Update: Georgetown upsets Syracuse
Mar 11th
In a bit of a shocking outcome, at least to us, Georgetown defeated Syracuse by a score of 91-84 in the first quarterfinal game today. Georgetown will play the winner of the next quarterfinal game, which will be Marquette vs. Villanova. That game tips off in less than 10 minutes and can be found on ESPN.
Tournament Update: The Quarterfinals
Mar 11th
The second round of the 2010 Big East Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament concluded last night with a win by Cincinnati over Louisville (69-66). Cincinnati advances to the quarterfinals to face WVU today at 9 PM on ESPN.
The quarterfinals will be played today starting at noon with Georgetown vs. Syracuse. All of the quarterfinal games will be televised on ESPN.
Pitt will play its first game of the tournament tonight at 7 PM against Notre Dame. The Panthers will be seeking revenge for their regular season loss in February to Notre Dame (68-53).
Here’s a look at the brackets before today’s games start:
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