Onwards and Upwards

Although the mission statement of this blog clearly states it's passion for reporting the ups and downs of the Steel City's three storied professional sports teams, it has become commonplace to include early spring articles regarding the most consistent of all Pittsburgh programs: the University of Pittsburgh Panthers Men's Basketball Team.

Following last week's robust performance that included a tough road win over Marquette and a strong victory over Final Four candidate Villanova, the Pitt hoops squad once again galvanized interest and optimism of yet another potentially memorable season. Considering that the team is perched at #12 in the AP Poll with a more than respectable record of 21-6 while in the midst of the so-called 'rebuilding season' following the exodus of both Dejuan Blair and Sam Young, one must now recognize the strength of this program and it's unflappable coach. Ron Cook's recent PG article convincingly argues that Pitt has not only been one of the strongest basketball programs in the Big East over almost an entire decade, they have been one of the toughest and most consistent teams in the nation over that time frame. The fact that coach Jamie Dixon holds the Big East all time league win percentage lead over names like Boeheim, Thompson, and Pitino is a staggering source of pride, and a testament to consistent excellence. Consistent excellence...isn't that a wonderful phrase to have associated with an organization?

With four regular season games remaining against four opponents all located in the bottom half of the Big East, Pitt is once again posturing themselves for an intriguing spring. Where this year's ride ends is anyone's guess. We all know that Pitt tends to ramp it up in the Big East Tourney, only to underachive in the big dance of the NCAA's. The latter is another boogeyman that Dixon will one day confront and overcome. For today, let's embrace my newest 5 cent accolade...Consistent Excellence.

Finally Elite

Another typical night of texting for me and A Dawg. Another typical scenario. A Dawg reclined in his living room throne in suburban Pittsburgh, me relaxed in my newly finished basement in suburban Philly. The scenario was the same, The University of Pittsburgh men's basketball squad locked into a seemingly unnecessary tussle with an overzealous upstart, from a school that is probably a seven hour bus ride from nowhere. Tonight it was the Xavier Musketeers. The opponent never really matters, the story line always reads the same way.

Clock ticking low, finger nails getting even lower, our texts move to small talk to break the tension. "How's the cat?", he'd ask..."how's the baby?", I'd inquire. The clock was getting lower, the sands were slipping through another hour glass. We just went through this four days ago. Wait, we just went through this a week ago, against a lowly #16 seed! As a man who possesses a fairly robust frame, I've never been a fan of the David vs. Goliath story. Now three times in a week? Under three minutes now, down by two. It was going to come, we knew it, just be patient.

Another silly turnover, as the clock ticked lower, ouch...I'm into cuticle. "Is this how Pitt chokes, once again, in the Round of 16?" It was going to come, surely it was going to come, it always comes. More small talk texting "Pens having a great week"..."yeah, you got your Steelers tickets yet?" Under 90 seconds, it was going to come, right? At times like these one starts pondering the origin of expressions like "it's now or never" or "up against the wall"...really, what wall? Almost down to one minute, still deadlocked.

Is it going to come? Under a minute, down by a deuce. Ok, start moving past denial and towards acceptance. Another great season. Just can't quite get over that hump. These upsets are common in the NCAA. Still have the Penguins, right? Steelers training camp in four months, right? If only it had come...

And then, BANG! IT CAME! In a scene practically scripted for Hollywood, it came. The "it" being another timely deliverance of salvation from Oakland's resident (and often tardy) superhero, Levance Fields. For a guy who can be an unremarkable everyman for the first 90% of a game, he surely knows how to step it up when the drama is peaking.

Should they ever make an action movie based on Fields' heroics, here's a tip: stay in the parking lot and drink beer, enter the cinema about three minutes before they roll the final credits. You won't miss a thing. The Clark Kent portion of Fields' game is just not worthy of mention. But wow, when he dons that cape...

Fields' crazy, off balanced three pointer from way downtown was the most recent in his season of late awakenings. Of course, it didn't hurt when he thrust the dagger further into his opponents' breastbone, as he raced for two more off a Dejuan Blair poke steal a few seconds later. Game, set, match. It came, like it always does.

The texts became light hearted and jovial once again. We savored our customary electronic victory hug, and then bid each other a good night. Until we text again. Such is life for a Pitt basketball fan. For one more night, it came.

Another Sticky Sweet Sunday

Hey Sweet 16...

For the fifth time in eight years, the Pitt Panthers have earned a trip to the NCAA tourney third round, with their strong second half showing against the spunky Oklahoma State Cowboys yesterday. In another see saw nail biter which has become the norm this spring, Sam Young showcased some future NBA skills, while floor general Levance Fields reminded us all that when the game is on the line, his blood runs colder than the Ohio River in mid December.

Fields getting healthy for his trip to Beantown

Kudos to coach Jamie Dixon as he became the winningest coach in NCAA history through the first six seasons of a career. Hopefully, he'll widen that margin by two or three more wins!

Me and My Big Mouth

So much for my media politicking for Pitt's #1 seed. In less than 36 hours after being voted the best squad in the land, the Panthers immediately invited doubt into all our minds with an embarrassing upset at the hands of the Providence Friars. Let's face it, when you lose to a team named after fat, drunken Olde English clergymen, you have more issues than worrying about a top seed.

Along those lines, the team now needs to buckle down and win at least two of these three final regular season games, and then make a strong showing in the Big East tourney if they still wish to grab a top seed. Victories against UConn and Marquette would quickly bring atonement for
this sin.


a worthy foe

Pitt is It...Again

Late February is the doldrums of Pittsburgh sports reporting. Without the distraction of an NBA franchise (sorry, Pisces), the expanse between the end of the Steelers season and the beginning of the Buccos annual crusade for 73 wins is generally occupied by the Penguins. Since the 'Guins are working on one of the NHL's greatest all time horror stories this season, the prettiest gal at the dance these days seems to be that hoops squad from Oakland. Today is another great day in a season of great days for the Panthers, as they re-claim the #1 spot in the weekly polls.

With four regular season games remaining, and then the Big East tourney, the PF stats guys tell me that the "magic number" for a #1 seed in the NCAA's is no greater than five. Meaning; should Pitt sweep these four regular season games, they would need no more than a quarter final victory up in Madison Square Garden to basically assure themselves of that elusive top seed. Any losses down the stretch would need to be offset with additional victories in New York, which, let's face it, never seems to be a problem for these guys. As a side note, let's remember that due to the format changes in the Big East Tournament this year, the top four seeds each draw two rounds of byes,...meaning that's it's essential to Pitt's overall plans that they avoid complete meltdown over these last four games.

The real challenge here is not the regular season, nor the Big East tourney, but whether Jamie Dixon and crew can finally stave off early extinction in the NCAA's. Anything short of the Elite 8 will probably be remembered as a major disappointment. Another baby step can be taken tonight, with a game up in Providence. A victory just puts the Oakland kids that much closer to greatness.

Panthers, Blair Keep Rolling

The Pitt Panthers and their star big man continued their spring rampage through the Big East last night. DeJuan Blair once again proved to be the unstoppable force as the Panthers grabbed win #25 in a route of the mediocre Midwesterners, DePaul. Blair tore it up with a gaudy 20/18 night as Pitt most likely placed themselves back at the #1 spot in the weekly polls. With four remaining games and then the Big East Tourney, the Oakland squad has all but assured themselves a #1 or #2 seed in the NCAA's. Conventional wisdom says four total losses or less and a berth in the Big East finals (or better) and the Panthers will have a #1 seed in the bank.

As for Blair, the Big East Player of the Year Award seems to be looming larger and larger as the monster sophomore continues to drop double/doubles while making key defensive plays when his team needs them.

Blair looking more and more like Big East POY