Think we are well past the point of waiting to make judgements on teams. We have seen enough of a sample size. This team is good. They have their faults, but it is a good team. It is all relative because the league and sport in general is down a bit. Which is why I think this team could be just as dangerous as some of Pitt's better teams. The reason I say that is the style and personality.

Some of Pitt's best teams lived possession by possession and approached it like a football game. This team does not. I'm not saying this is Pitt's best team or anything like that, but I am saying that I feel like they are dangerous. Several experienced guards and several players that can make threes. They have a center that runs the floor and at least provides length. When things get tight and the shot clock runs down, Burton can take you off the dribble. Not to look ahead, because there is a lot of season left. There is no reason this team shouldn't make the tournament. It should be about positioning now.

There were a few bad losses, but I don't even look at those at this point. This is an entirely different team. Not even sure why, because it is not injury or suspension related or anything. It is really hard to pinpoint the exact reason to how this team completely transformed.

Part of it is how they are allowed to play. Sometimes it can get out of control and there are stretches of bad offense. That is all part of it though. These guys play with a confidence and looseness that is dangerous. It can work against them at times because they struggle to get easy ones. However, it is why they are never out of a game and why they are a dangerous team.

Jamarius had a rough stretch and was not playing all that well for a while, and they still came through in the end. He obviously turned it on and took over the game. That is what first team all-ACC players do. Wong is really talented, but I think we saw the difference yesterday. Jamarius came through and got it done, while Isaiah struggled and made a poor decision on that last chance before the final heave. That is basically game there. The Panthers did get lucky because Miami missed an easy lay-up and threw the inbounds pass too late that led to a steal. That is all part of it though. This staff and program have received their share of bad luck recently. Things are starting to turn for them.

Yesterday just felt different. Maybe for the first time under this staff to me, and maybe it was the 03 team being around. To me, it just felt like the first true time that there were high expectations in a big game at home with so much on the line, and they came through. It feels like things just may finally be different. Part of this season does feel like some good luck finally, but it is more than that. Even if that is the case, they were due and this staff has three really good players coming in next year. Not to look ahead again, but you can feel and see signs of something building.

They will lose again, but I just don't see a team in this conference that they aren't capable of beating. We have seen it firsthand.

I will miss the purple and orange.

Is his body just too disproportional? I also wonder if some of these guys who look 10-20 years older (like Greg Oden) have issues with their bodies breaking down 10-20 years before they should. Believe it or not, I'm not a scientist, but if you are 16 and can pass for 38, I'm not sure that's a good thing for your long-term physical health. The same goes for that 12 year old football player with a beard who can easily pass for late 30s. He will be THE MAN on the recruiting trail but I wouldn't be surprised if his body starts breaking down.

The worst beer thread is making me nauseous.

I like a beer here and there but I prefer wine or spirits. I have been making cocktails a lot the last year or so…

I just finished making an Aviation. My wife doesn’t really like gin so round 2 subbed out the gin for vodka.

I am sipping on a Salidito, pretty nice but someone (daughter and wife) told me it smells like a marks a lot marker and I might be ruined for life with mezcal.

What ya got panther nation? @Titos Panther

Pitt is getting set for a big game at North Carolina tonight, but before that one tips off, we're asking a question on today's Morning Pitt:

What makes this year's Pitt team likable?

Here's the full transcript of everything Jeff Capel said during his Monday press briefing. There's some really good stuff in here.

Login to view embedded media
🤭 🤭 🤭 🤭 🤭 🤭

I didn't see this posted yesterday, but ESPN named Coach Capel the "Coach of the Week": https://www.espn.com/mens-college-b...men-college-basketball-power-rankings-2022-23

I'm surprised that he's not gotten much love on here for the season that Pitt's having, but the turnaround is nothing short of remarkable. Unbelievable, really. The scouting on Hinson, Elliott, Federiko, and the Diaz Graham twins was phenomenal. I only leave Cummings out because he was a well-established player at Colgate. The development of Burton has been a joy to watch. He's a tremendous representative of the University and leader. To accomplish what this team has without its presumed best player, Hugley, and after blowout losses to WVU and Michigan to start the season, is quite a story line.

I suppose there's some anxiety of what this means for the future of Pitt basketball. Is the season a fluke? Did the staff just get incredibly lucky? What will life look like without Burton and Cummings (not Burton Cummings, for you Guess Who fans)? Are Hugley and Johnson effectively gone? Can Carrington and Lowe really contribute? Too many question marks to get too excited. That said, if Capel takes the blame for the chemistry problems and transfers in past seasons, he has to get some of the credit for this really fun and exciting version of Pitt basketball. H2P!

3rd year in the Horizon. Rough go the 1st 2 but they are 6-6 and tied for 6th. That league has never recovered from losing Butler and Valpo and has become a 15 seed type league. Ironically, Valpo has sucked since they left and Loyola (who sucked in the Horizon) turned into mini-Gonzaga since they left. There's no dominant team this year so if RMU can pull an upset on the road as a 6 or 7 seed, they go to the semis on a neutral floor in Indy with a legit shot to win 2 and get to Dayton.

You’d think with the way under .500 big ten teams are being pumped up they won and went like 10-4.

The ACC won 8-6. It’s pretty out of control

I'm thinking Miami right? The more games they win it will make our victory more impressive to the selection committee.

with depleted Clemson's loss tonight to BC. I would think we haven't been this close to 1st place this late in the season since 2011.

Are we expecting any 2023 kids to sign tomorrow? Or are we done?

7pm - Schedule Announced on ACCN

1- How is it that we never seem to move up despite beating another ranked team?

2- Is this actually a good model?

3- How is VT multiple spots above us in this model?

4- Is it just me or does it seem like with this model, wins barely matter? Seems like it’s 95% about avoiding a loss than winning a game.

I am sorry, I think they are dead. I mean they barely showed up last night. Crosby has what, 1 point in the last 5 games? They have had two measly wins against two of the very worst teams in the league over the past month.

They are hurt. Old. Cap strung. Stale. They can't move anyone. Can't bring anyone in. I am totally unimpressed by Hextall. Sullivan's message is no longer working.

Of all of the sports teams in Pittsburgh including Pitt, I think they have the bleakest future in the next 5-7 years.

They should have ripped off the bandaid and not resigned Letang and Malkin now in hindsight. And as much as it may be painful to say it, if Sid doesn't like it, then maybe move him for a huge return.

Again, root for the logo on the front, not the name on the back.