A comment from Ol' Bob Smizik I will never forgive ...

[DT_PITT]

Perhaps some will remember Bob Smizik's comment after Pitt's 2008 run to win the BET. He called Pitt's effort to win the BET that year as "over the top."

He claimed that had they not used so much "effort" to make a four day run to win the BET tournament that year, they wouldn't have lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Michigan State. They were too "tired" after four games in the BET tournament. This was his actual take.

The following year, he proclaimed that he would like Pitt's chances in the NCAA tournament much more if they would lose in the first round of the BET (which they did). Ron Cook politely took him to task with his disagreement.

The bottom line for Bob is that ever since the 80's and at large bids, he simply hated Conference Tournaments. He just didn't understand their purpose anymore.

Well ... anyone (and everyone except Bob) who is watching this great game between UNC and Florida State would completely understand conference tournaments.

In my opinion, Smizik should have been put out to pasture after that 2008 column. It was simply ridiculous. And to this day, I wonder what Bob Smizik though of UConn's 5 day run to win the BET in 2011, followed by their 6 game run to win the NCAA tournament. I never heard him comment on that.

Anyway ... I'm loving this game tonight. Too bad for Bob that he isn't.

 

[FireballZ]

Perhaps some will remember Bob Smizik's comment after Pitt's 2008 run to win the BET. He called Pitt's effort to win the BET that year as "over the top."

He claimed that had they not used so much "effort" to make a four day run to win the BET tournament that year, they wouldn't have lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Michigan State. They were too "tired" after four games in the BET tournament. This was his actual take.

The following year, he proclaimed that he would like Pitt's chances in the NCAA tournament much more if they would lose in the first round of the BET (which they did). Ron Cook politely took him to task with his disagreement.

The bottom line for Bob is that ever since the 80's and at large bids, he simply hated Conference Tournaments. He just didn't understand their purpose anymore.

Well ... anyone (and everyone except Bob) who is watching this great game between UNC and Florida State would completely understand conference tournaments.

In my opinion, Smizik should have been put out to pasture after that 2008 column. It was simply ridiculous. And to this day, I wonder what Bob Smizik though of UConn's 5 day run to win the BET in 2011, followed by their 6 game run to win the NCAA tournament. I never heard him comment on that.

Anyway ... I'm loving this game tonight. Too bad for Bob that he isn't.

I’ve got over 145.5 so I’m also especially enjoying this second half. I’d love OT.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

I’m enjoying Pitt baseball on ACCN. Big comeback to take the lead in the 9th.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Perhaps some will remember Bob Smizik's comment after Pitt's 2008 run to win the BET. He called Pitt's effort to win the BET that year as "over the top."

He claimed that had they not used so much "effort" to make a four day run to win the BET tournament that year, they wouldn't have lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Michigan State. They were too "tired" after four games in the BET tournament. This was his actual take.

The following year, he proclaimed that he would like Pitt's chances in the NCAA tournament much more if they would lose in the first round of the BET (which they did). Ron Cook politely took him to task with his disagreement.

The bottom line for Bob is that ever since the 80's and at large bids, he simply hated Conference Tournaments. He just didn't understand their purpose anymore.

Well ... anyone (and everyone except Bob) who is watching this great game between UNC and Florida State would completely understand conference tournaments.

In my opinion, Smizik should have been put out to pasture after that 2008 column. It was simply ridiculous. And to this day, I wonder what Bob Smizik though of UConn's 5 day run to win the BET in 2011, followed by their 6 game run to win the NCAA tournament. I never heard him comment on that.

Anyway ... I'm loving this game tonight. Too bad for Bob that he isn't.

I cant stand to hear about the "fatigue factor" in these tournaments. These are great athletes in the prime of their career. They dont get tired. They are used to playing 8 AAU games in a weekend. These guys dont get physically tired, I'm sorry.

 

[DT_PITT]

I’ve got over 145.5 so I’m also especially enjoying this second half. I’d love OT.

LOL -- best of luck to you. But you'll need OT to get the over.

 

[JD1976]

I cant stand to hear about the "fatigue factor" in these tournaments. These are great athletes in the prime of their career. They dont get tired. They are used to playing 8 AAU games in a weekend. These guys dont get physically tired, I'm sorry.

The conference tourney fatigue factor was squashed forever by UCONN back in 2011 winning 5 games in 5 days and then winning a National title.

 

[Duneaux Harm]

I think UVA is hating conference tournaments right now. Lol

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Man, I don't know why tonight..................................but wow do I really miss those days. I miss tonight especially, say Pitt/Syracuse and UConn/Villanova in the BET semis. It was so great, we were so relevant in the college basketball biosphere. I can't believe we had media, and media guys who were around long before this was even a possibility dismissing it like it was an exhibition.

 

[DT_PITT]

Man, I don't know why tonight..................................but wow do I really miss those days. I miss tonight especially, say Pitt/Syracuse and UConn/Villanova in the BET semis. It was so great, we were so relevant in the college basketball biosphere. I can't believe we had media, and media guys who were around long before this was even a possibility dismissing it like it was an exhibition.

Indeed.

 

[NTOP]

Perhaps some will remember Bob Smizik's comment after Pitt's 2008 run to win the BET. He called Pitt's effort to win the BET that year as "over the top."

He claimed that had they not used so much "effort" to make a four day run to win the BET tournament that year, they wouldn't have lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Michigan State. They were too "tired" after four games in the BET tournament. This was his actual take.

The following year, he proclaimed that he would like Pitt's chances in the NCAA tournament much more if they would lose in the first round of the BET (which they did). Ron Cook politely took him to task with his disagreement.

The bottom line for Bob is that ever since the 80's and at large bids, he simply hated Conference Tournaments. He just didn't understand their purpose anymore.

Well ... anyone (and everyone except Bob) who is watching this great game between UNC and Florida State would completely understand conference tournaments.

In my opinion, Smizik should have been put out to pasture after that 2008 column. It was simply ridiculous. And to this day, I wonder what Bob Smizik though of UConn's 5 day run to win the BET in 2011, followed by their 6 game run to win the NCAA tournament. I never heard him comment on that.

Anyway ... I'm loving this game tonight. Too bad for Bob that he isn't.

He was born a jackass. And that was a good game. Guys taller than 6-7 who can actually play...both squads. Scottie Barnes is fun to watch. Even with that name!

 

[Gep Dawg]

Winning the BET in 2003 and 2008...along with the Elite 8 run (and maybe beating Duke) were easily the most important accomplishments of the basketball program in the 21st Century. Even more important than any sweet 16 run. What a tournament that was. ACC will never compare.

 

[Pittparade]

My guess is that Bob Smizik would say the Connecticut run in 2011 was a fluke and an exception to the rule, and perhaps he would be right.

As a fan I enjoy getting to watch all of these teams play in the tournament. In a concentrated period of time, it's just a chance to watch some of these teams that we may not have been able to catch during the season. That means a lot to me as a fan.

I can't really speak for the rest of the conferences but winning the Big East regular season and tournament meant something back in the day.

 

[wbrpanther]

Perhaps some will remember Bob Smizik's comment after Pitt's 2008 run to win the BET. He called Pitt's effort to win the BET that year as "over the top."

He claimed that had they not used so much "effort" to make a four day run to win the BET tournament that year, they wouldn't have lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Michigan State. They were too "tired" after four games in the BET tournament. This was his actual take.

The following year, he proclaimed that he would like Pitt's chances in the NCAA tournament much more if they would lose in the first round of the BET (which they did). Ron Cook politely took him to task with his disagreement.

The bottom line for Bob is that ever since the 80's and at large bids, he simply hated Conference Tournaments. He just didn't understand their purpose anymore.

Well ... anyone (and everyone except Bob) who is watching this great game between UNC and Florida State would completely understand conference tournaments.

In my opinion, Smizik should have been put out to pasture after that 2008 column. It was simply ridiculous. And to this day, I wonder what Bob Smizik though of UConn's 5 day run to win the BET in 2011, followed by their 6 game run to win the NCAA tournament. I never heard him comment on that.

Anyway ... I'm loving this game tonight. Too bad for Bob that he isn't.

I would still like to punch Smizik in the mouth over the way he demonized Marc Blount and Pitt in and ignorant article he wrote back in the day. Then his vote for Jason White over Fitz for Heisman and these ridiculous rants he wrote over the issues you mentioned. Bob Smizik, the once and future dickwad.

 

[FreeportPanther]

Smizik was a contrarian prick who took controversial positions to generate interest.
He had an especially big hard on for Pitt, odd his being an alum n'at.
In any event, shame on you for bringing up his name. I had thankfully not even thought of him for years!

 

[FrogmoreZeke]

As a Pitt bball fan going back to the mid 70s, there was a time when, if someone offered me 3 wishes, the first would have been to see pitt in a final 4. I attended 2 BE tournaments in the late 80s and both times we lost in the first round so I had a more ambivalent attitude towards the BE tourney. However, now that we have lost most of the rivalries and lost our recruiting edge in the NY area, I long for the days of the BE conference and the tournament and the excitement of NY city on a Friday and Saturday night.

 

[LeftCoastPanther]

Amazing how irrelevant Pitt has been during conference tournament time since that 2008 run. Winning two games in 2014 was enjoyable but that’s not nearly enough to be proud of as a fan.

 

[FrogmoreZeke]

And it kills me to see teams like Creighton, Xavier, and Butler playing at MSG on Friday or Saturday night!

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

And it kills me to see teams like Creighton, Xavier, and Butler playing at MSG on Friday or Saturday night!

That doesn't kill me because while the Big East is still a really good league, for me, it has more of a mid-major/A10 feel. Obviously I know its way better than that. But small regional catholic schools + UConn just doesnt do it for me.

 

[Thee Jackie Treehorn]

Winning the BET in 2003 and 2008...along with the Elite 8 run (and maybe beating Duke) were easily the most important accomplishments of the basketball program in the 21st Century. Even more important than any sweet 16 run. What a tournament that was. ACC will never compare.

Yes. What Pitt did in the Big East tournaments of the 2000s had a high, high degree of difficulty. Advancing to the championship game 7 out of 8 years at a time when that conference was the most competitive in the country. Those were highly contested games played by great teams with talented players giving maximum effort. The fact that Smizik could watch those tournaments and come away with the suggestion that Pitt should have just played to lose early makes you wonder how and why he had a career in sports journalism. Those were intense, meaningful games.

Another thing about Smizik, I remember that after Pitt won the BE tournament in 2008 he declared that Georgetown was the true BE champion because they won the regular season title. Even though Pitt beat the Hoyas in the BE title game. Yet three years later when Pitt finished first in the regular season but lost early in the BE tournament, I recall Smizik making no such declaration that Pitt was the true conference champion.

But enough about that little buffoon.

 

[Parkview57]

but wow do I really miss those days

Hang tough, only 1096 days until the 2024 NIT reveal show.

 

[NGPittCali]

Won what is front of you. Keep doing that and you're a champion.

Good clubs do this year in and year out.

 

[Saboteur II]

Yes. What Pitt did in the Big East tournaments of the 2000s had a high, high degree of difficulty. Advancing to the championship game 7 out of 8 years at a time when that conference was the most competitive in the country. Those were highly contested games played by great teams with talented players giving maximum effort. The fact that Smizik could watch those tournaments and come away with the suggestion that Pitt should have just played to lose early makes you wonder how and why he had a career in sports journalism. Those were intense, meaningful games.

Another thing about Smizik, I remember that after Pitt won the BE tournament in 2008 he declared that Georgetown was the true BE champion because they won the regular season title. Even though Pitt beat the Hoyas in the BE title game. Yet three years later when Pitt finished first in the regular season but lost early in the BE tournament, I recall Smizik making no such declaration that Pitt was the true conference champion.

But enough about that little buffoon.

Is he pushing up daisies yet?

 

[Upg bobcat]

I do not necessarily agree with Smizik, but I would be curious what Tony Bennett would say if you could get a candid, honest answer from him about Smizik's comment ... in 2018, UVA won the ACC tournament, locked up the #1 overall seed, and proceeded to get blown out by 16 seed UMBC. The next year, they win their first game and lose the next in the ACC tourney, then proceed to win the NCAA tournament. Maybe he is testing Smizik's theory this year by withdrawing from the ACC tournament after 1 game?

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I do not necessarily agree with Smizik, but I would be curious what Tony Bennett would say if you could get a candid, honest answer from him about Smizik's comment ... in 2018, UVA won the ACC tournament, locked up the #1 overall seed, and proceeded to get blown out by 16 seed UMBC. The next year, they win their first game and lose the next in the ACC tourney, then proceed to win the NCAA tournament. Maybe he is testing Smizik's theory this year by withdrawing from the ACC tournament after 1 game?

The ONLY thing I can somewhat agree with is "mental fatigue" as in the letdown factor. You go win a big tournament in front of 20K fans and then you open up the NCAAT vs a noname school in a half-empty arena.

 

[MarshallGoldberg]

I think even young players can get tired...after about 60-70 physical NBA games with lots of travel. Or beyond 32 minutes in a game, when a very disproportionate amount of injuries occur.

The idea of getting exhausted playing 4 or so games at Madison Square Garden is indeed the classic of Smizik's bad takes. Guys were playing less minutes than they would in practice and were staying in the same hotel.

I do think there is an interesting argument against conference tournaments in one bid leagues (I have heard Andy Toole, who is form the Ivy League, make it): it basically cancels out the regular season. Like team X has a great regular season but then a .500 team Y upsets them in a conference tournament. Now only team Y goes to the NCAA tournament...I see his point though even the Ivy League finally gave in.

 

[Wanstash21]

Perhaps some will remember Bob Smizik's comment after Pitt's 2008 run to win the BET. He called Pitt's effort to win the BET that year as "over the top."

He claimed that had they not used so much "effort" to make a four day run to win the BET tournament that year, they wouldn't have lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Michigan State. They were too "tired" after four games in the BET tournament. This was his actual take.

The following year, he proclaimed that he would like Pitt's chances in the NCAA tournament much more if they would lose in the first round of the BET (which they did). Ron Cook politely took him to task with his disagreement.

The bottom line for Bob is that ever since the 80's and at large bids, he simply hated Conference Tournaments. He just didn't understand their purpose anymore.

Well ... anyone (and everyone except Bob) who is watching this great game between UNC and Florida State would completely understand conference tournaments.

In my opinion, Smizik should have been put out to pasture after that 2008 column. It was simply ridiculous. And to this day, I wonder what Bob Smizik though of UConn's 5 day run to win the BET in 2011, followed by their 6 game run to win the NCAA tournament. I never heard him comment on that.

Anyway ... I'm loving this game tonight. Too bad for Bob that he isn't.

I don't think it's crazy to say teams that expend a ton of energy (3+ days of straight hoops) one week before the tourney are at a disadvantage. Obviously the Kemba run with Uconn is the argument against it, but there's plenty the other way - many with our Panthers involved.

I still enjoy the BET and now ACCT, but if your spot is locked, I wouldn't be opposed to not running your horses 35+ min in those games.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I think even young players can get tired...after about 60-70 physical NBA games with lots of travel. Or beyond 32 minutes in a game, when a very disproportionate amount of injuries occur.

The idea of getting exhausted playing 4 or so games at Madison Square Garden is indeed the classic of Smizik's bad takes. Guys were playing less minutes than they would in practice and were staying in the same hotel.

I do think there is an interesting argument against conference tournaments in one bid leagues (I have heard Andy Toole, who is form the Ivy League, make it): it basically cancels out the regular season. Like team X has a great regular season but then a .500 team Y upsets them in a conference tournament. Now only team Y goes to the NCAA tournament...I see his point though even the Ivy League finally gave in.

My idea for this is that if the regular season champ doesn't win the conference tournament then a 1 game playoff for the bid should be played between the regular season champ and the tourney champ

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I think even young players can get tired...after about 60-70 physical NBA games with lots of travel. Or beyond 32 minutes in a game, when a very disproportionate amount of injuries occur.

The idea of getting exhausted playing 4 or so games at Madison Square Garden is indeed the classic of Smizik's bad takes. Guys were playing less minutes than they would in practice and were staying in the same hotel.

I do think there is an interesting argument against conference tournaments in one bid leagues (I have heard Andy Toole, who is form the Ivy League, make it): it basically cancels out the regular season. Like team X has a great regular season but then a .500 team Y upsets them in a conference tournament. Now only team Y goes to the NCAA tournament...I see his point though even the Ivy League finally gave in.

These kids simply dont get tired. Its just something for announcers and writers to talk about. Remember when Georgia won 2 games in 1 day then came back the next day to win the SECT?

I remember playing 9 games in a little over 48 hours at a camp before my senior year. We only had 8 players so we all played a lot. I wasnt in nearly the shape these guys are in but I wasn't tired at all. Could have played 3 games a day every day for a year and not be tired.

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

does anyone other than PittPoker read the tweets of that sh**head Smizik? One of the most miserable sportswriter in a city littered with them. Quite the accomplishment

 

[MarshallGoldberg]

These kids simply dont get tired. Its just something for announcers and writers to talk about. Remember when Georgia won 2 games in 1 day then came back the next day to win the SECT?

I remember playing 9 games in a little over 48 hours at a camp before my senior year. We only had 8 players so we all played a lot. I wasnt in nearly the shape these guys are in but I wasn't tired at all. Could have played 3 games a day every day for a year and not be tired.

I mean that's just wrong. There is an NBA rookie wall, I think there is something to do it after a grueling season. Just not in the shorter NCAA season even with back to back to backs. I don't think it's about being "winded" or anything; just losing some lift, sore joints, some mental stress, learning how to better recover from games etc.

It's behind a pay wall but The Athletic had a good piece summarizing it, there is enough evidence fo me to buy it.

 

[snaphook297]

Dude that’s a long time ago ! Let it go

 

[Pitt79]

Winning the BET in 2003 and 2008...along with the Elite 8 run (and maybe beating Duke) were easily the most important accomplishments of the basketball program in the 21st Century. Even more important than any sweet 16 run. What a tournament that was. ACC will never compare.

I agree, right now, I'd take an ACCT Championship over a Sweet 16. In the P5 leagues, the conference tourney is harder competition than at least the first two rounds of the NCAA. Winning 4 BE games in 4 days, in 2008, is harder than reaching an Elite 8.

 

[Pitt79]

My idea for this is that if the regular season champ doesn't win the conference tournament then a 1 game playoff for the bid should be played between the regular season champ and the tourney champ

No, then it's crap LIKE COLLEGE FOOTBALL, where BAMA and Clemson lose and make the playoff anyways. You're so f'ing good, then don't lose in the tournament.