That was vintage Pitt to me. Reminded me of some of the old Big Monday games when Pitt would go to UConn or Syracuse and just absorb body blow after body blow. Nothing would shake them. They just coming back. That is what last night reminded me of. There have been a handful of games or so in the Capel era where people have said that Pitt was back. We can discuss what that even means and whether or not it was valid. But I have to say last night felt like the first time I could get behind it. And maybe it is just this team and not the program. Who knows. That is a discussion for a few months from now. When it comes to this team, I think I can finally say it.
There were so many times where Carolina could have pulled away. By the way, what a ridiculous announcing crew again When you mention that "this could get away from Pitt right here" about five times, it loses its luster a bit. You could understand why it was said the first time maybe. But then the recognition should have taken place. Nothing is getting away from this team right now. Not to say they can't drop a game by double digits this season, but the schedule is manageable.
All of the discussion about last four in and all that seems crazy to me. I know they have a few bad losses and the league is really bad, but this is a tournament team. This is a completely different team from November.
These kids are a little much with the attitude at times for me, but this is just who they are. This is a group of tough kids that are just fed up and sick of it. Combine that with a group that gets along well and can shoot the ball a bit, and you have a dangerous team with experience all of a sudden. I think they put a target on their back when it's not needed at times, but they feed off of that energy and love it. They were just flat out looking to make a statement last night.
All the credit in the world to Nelly last night. His play has been up and down all season and can't say that I love his game, but the kid is Midland tough. He singlehandedly made sure they did not fall back too far last night. Those three threes were all daggers. He was big time in every sense last night.
Fede deserves a ton of credit as well. Talk about a perfect fit. There were so many years in the old Big East and in this league where teams just won with length inside. Nothing special or all that talented, but just what is needed. Centers are not going to dominate in college now. Or if they do, it will be for a year at most. For a school like Pitt, a kid like Fede is just about perfect. Has the size and length to make an impact, but not nearly good enough to leave early. His style and personality is also perfect. He is perfectly fine with defending and sprinting the floor. You could find a more skilled and offensively productive center, but he has to be a coach's dream at this point. The old Pitt teams probably would have needed more from Fede and he wouldn't have been a good fit. He is just perfect on this particular team. His effort against Bacot was big time and exactly what was needed.
Imagine if I told you Blake Hinson would go 1-7 and score 2 points before the game. Probably would have predicted a double-digit loss. We have seen this team get poor shooting nights from different guys and have still found a way. Very encouraging.
Thought Jamarius was just okay overall too. This team just finds a way.
All the discussion about the last play is wild to me. What a waste of time. Love didn't even get the shot off in time. Even if he somehow got it off and made it, I think they would have had to review it. I didn't think there was any chance he could have executed what he did in that amount of time. The catch and entire movement to elevate and release in .8, no way. Thought it was a very slow clock.
It's too bad that the circus after the game is getting most of the attention rather than this win and the team. It's been way too long, enjoy this.
theathletic.com
