... there have been several nostalgia threads lately, including the threads about best "eras" in Pitt Hoops and the loudest moment at the Pete.
In these threads I noticed that so many of the items mentioned included memorable three point shots.
The three point shot started in College Basketball with the 1986-1987 season, meaning this is the 33rd season with the three point shot.Therefore, I decided to give it a go selecting the "biggest" 33 three point shots in Pitt Hoops history.
By biggest, I mean most memorable, important, meaningful or even most cluch. After putting the list together, I realized it was heavily waited to more recent years. Much of this has to do with memory of course, and perhaps much also has to do with the bigger and more important games played over the last 18 years or so. But it should also be noted that it also has a great deal to do with the growing importance of the three point shot in the game.
Please feel free to offer disagreements and a few of your own that I'm sure I missed.
33. Trey McGowens – Louisville – 2019 – Trey ends an incredible half with a three to give him a total of 20 points.
32. Jason Matthews – Providence – 1988 – Jason’s second consecutive three in the final two minutes of the game gives the Panthers a one point road win.
31. Jamel Artis – Syracuse – 2015 – Jamel’s three with a minute to go pushes the lead to five on the way to the Panther victory at the Pete.
30. Cameron Johnson – Syracuse – 2016 – Cam’s fourth three in the ACC Tourney game pushes the Panther lead to 10 resulting in an NCAA tournament berth clinching victory.
29. Sheldon Jeter – Virginia – 2017 – Sheldon’s second straight three in OT gives the Panthers a six point lead on the way to a huge upset of Virginia.
28. Curtis Aiken – Illinois – 1986 – In the first big “three point performance” in the first year of three point shot, Curtis’ last of five threes cuts the Illini lead to two in the final minutes. On the radio, Billy Hillgrove said it came from “5th and Bouquet.”
27. Xavier Johnson – Louisville -- 2019 – X answers an OT opening three by the Cards with one of his own and the Panthers take it from there to end the 23 game conference losing streak.
26. James Robinson – Virginia Tech – 2014 – With 40 seconds to go, James’s three plus a foul erases a four point Hookie lead sending the game into OT and the eventual win.
25. Carl Krauser – Syracuse – 2005 – Carl’s three in the final minute in the Dome was “Onions!”
24. Ron Ramon – Georgetown – 2008 – Maybe this shot isn’t quite the magnitude of some of the others. But I love the image of Ron flicking his wrist after a big three down the stretch of the Big East Tournament victory.
23. Brandin Knight – Uconn – 2003 – Another shot that doesn’t quite have the same magnitude as others, but I love the image of Brandin’s three near the start of the game symbolizing he was healthy and ready to lead the Panthers to their first Big East Tournament Title.
22. Jason Maile – Villanova – 1997 – Since Jason hit 8 threes during his incredible 40 point outburst, even if one particular one does not stand out, I’m sure one of them could.
21. Lamar Patterson – Marquette – 2103 – Lamar drains a three off an inbounds play to tie the game and sent it into OT.
20. Levance Fields – OK State – 2006 – The Panthers were down four when Mike Cook hit the first of two foul shots, missed the second, Aaron Gray got the rebound and fired to Levance who hit the three to send the game into a second OT.
19. Rod Brookin – Boston College – 1987 – Rod sinks a buzzer beater three from the corner in the first OT allowing the Panthers to be victorious in the second OT. The is the first buzzer beater three I can recall for the Panthers.
18. Ashton Gibbs – Texas – 2010 – Ashton drains an unconscious three against the Longhorns with under 2 minutes to go to put the Panthers in the lead to stay.
17. Antonio Graves – Louisville – 2007 – Antonio’s 4th three caps a 20-2 run to start the second half vaulting the Panthers to a Big East Tournament Semi-final victory.
16. Lamar Patterson – Clemson – 2014 – Let’s put two LP shots to together for this entry. Lamar hits a three with three seconds to cut the Tigers lead to 2, opening the door for Josh Kirkirk’s miracle. Then Lamar hits a three to opening the OT and the Panthers never look back.
15. Sam Young – Villanova – 2009 – Sometimes forgotten with everything else that happened in the Elite 8 game was the three Sam hit to cut the Wildcat lead from four points to one in the final minute.
14. James Robinson – Villanova – 2013 – James’ three with about 30 seconds to go ties the game where the Panthers win it in OT.
13. Levance Fields – VCU – 2007 - After missing foul shots to win in regulation, Fields’ three gives the Panthers a four point lead on the way to the Sweet 16.
12. Julius Page – UCF – 2004 -- Julius’ three point shot had failed him late in this fine Panther season. And he started off this game 0-5 from three (and a couple them weren’t close). But his sixth three point shot was dagger that allowed the Panthers to take control of this NCAA tourney game.
11. Ron Ramon – Notre Dame – 2006 – Ron’s three with less than 20 seconds to go gives the Panthers a 2OT win.
10. Levance Fields – OK State – 2009 – Levance’s three in the final minute and a half gives the Panthers the lead for good on their way to the Sweet 16. (Of note, he also hit a three with a couple seconds left in the first half which tied the game going into the break.)
9. Jason Matthews – Georgia – 1991 – Jason’s three late ties the game sending it into OT where the Panthers were victorious.
8. Tim Glover – Georgia – 1991 – Tim’s 4th three of the half tied the game late in the second period leading to the eventual Pitt win in OT.
7. Garrick Thomas – Seton Hall – 1993 – Freshman Garrick hits an incredible deep bomb at the buzzer to beat the Pirates.
6. Ashton Gibbs – Providence – 2010 – Ashton’s 30 foot bomb at the buzzer snags a victory from the jaws of defeat.
5. Levance Fields – UConn – 2009 – Levance’s 2nd three in the game’s final three minutes gives the Panthers a six point lead on their way to their first victory ever over a #1.
4. Ashton Gibbs – WVU – 2010 – Ashton’s three caps the Panthers 7 point comeback in the final minute to send the game into OT.
3. Levance Fields – Xavier – 2009 – An out of nowhere three gives the Panthers the lead they never lose on their way to the Elite 8.
2. Ron Ramon – WVU – 2008 – Second greatest moment ever at the Pete.
1. Levance Fields – Duke – 2007 – Maybe the biggest single shot in Panther’s history.
In these threads I noticed that so many of the items mentioned included memorable three point shots.
The three point shot started in College Basketball with the 1986-1987 season, meaning this is the 33rd season with the three point shot.Therefore, I decided to give it a go selecting the "biggest" 33 three point shots in Pitt Hoops history.
By biggest, I mean most memorable, important, meaningful or even most cluch. After putting the list together, I realized it was heavily waited to more recent years. Much of this has to do with memory of course, and perhaps much also has to do with the bigger and more important games played over the last 18 years or so. But it should also be noted that it also has a great deal to do with the growing importance of the three point shot in the game.
Please feel free to offer disagreements and a few of your own that I'm sure I missed.
33. Trey McGowens – Louisville – 2019 – Trey ends an incredible half with a three to give him a total of 20 points.
32. Jason Matthews – Providence – 1988 – Jason’s second consecutive three in the final two minutes of the game gives the Panthers a one point road win.
31. Jamel Artis – Syracuse – 2015 – Jamel’s three with a minute to go pushes the lead to five on the way to the Panther victory at the Pete.
30. Cameron Johnson – Syracuse – 2016 – Cam’s fourth three in the ACC Tourney game pushes the Panther lead to 10 resulting in an NCAA tournament berth clinching victory.
29. Sheldon Jeter – Virginia – 2017 – Sheldon’s second straight three in OT gives the Panthers a six point lead on the way to a huge upset of Virginia.
28. Curtis Aiken – Illinois – 1986 – In the first big “three point performance” in the first year of three point shot, Curtis’ last of five threes cuts the Illini lead to two in the final minutes. On the radio, Billy Hillgrove said it came from “5th and Bouquet.”
27. Xavier Johnson – Louisville -- 2019 – X answers an OT opening three by the Cards with one of his own and the Panthers take it from there to end the 23 game conference losing streak.
26. James Robinson – Virginia Tech – 2014 – With 40 seconds to go, James’s three plus a foul erases a four point Hookie lead sending the game into OT and the eventual win.
25. Carl Krauser – Syracuse – 2005 – Carl’s three in the final minute in the Dome was “Onions!”
24. Ron Ramon – Georgetown – 2008 – Maybe this shot isn’t quite the magnitude of some of the others. But I love the image of Ron flicking his wrist after a big three down the stretch of the Big East Tournament victory.
23. Brandin Knight – Uconn – 2003 – Another shot that doesn’t quite have the same magnitude as others, but I love the image of Brandin’s three near the start of the game symbolizing he was healthy and ready to lead the Panthers to their first Big East Tournament Title.
22. Jason Maile – Villanova – 1997 – Since Jason hit 8 threes during his incredible 40 point outburst, even if one particular one does not stand out, I’m sure one of them could.
21. Lamar Patterson – Marquette – 2103 – Lamar drains a three off an inbounds play to tie the game and sent it into OT.
20. Levance Fields – OK State – 2006 – The Panthers were down four when Mike Cook hit the first of two foul shots, missed the second, Aaron Gray got the rebound and fired to Levance who hit the three to send the game into a second OT.
19. Rod Brookin – Boston College – 1987 – Rod sinks a buzzer beater three from the corner in the first OT allowing the Panthers to be victorious in the second OT. The is the first buzzer beater three I can recall for the Panthers.
18. Ashton Gibbs – Texas – 2010 – Ashton drains an unconscious three against the Longhorns with under 2 minutes to go to put the Panthers in the lead to stay.
17. Antonio Graves – Louisville – 2007 – Antonio’s 4th three caps a 20-2 run to start the second half vaulting the Panthers to a Big East Tournament Semi-final victory.
16. Lamar Patterson – Clemson – 2014 – Let’s put two LP shots to together for this entry. Lamar hits a three with three seconds to cut the Tigers lead to 2, opening the door for Josh Kirkirk’s miracle. Then Lamar hits a three to opening the OT and the Panthers never look back.
15. Sam Young – Villanova – 2009 – Sometimes forgotten with everything else that happened in the Elite 8 game was the three Sam hit to cut the Wildcat lead from four points to one in the final minute.
14. James Robinson – Villanova – 2013 – James’ three with about 30 seconds to go ties the game where the Panthers win it in OT.
13. Levance Fields – VCU – 2007 - After missing foul shots to win in regulation, Fields’ three gives the Panthers a four point lead on the way to the Sweet 16.
12. Julius Page – UCF – 2004 -- Julius’ three point shot had failed him late in this fine Panther season. And he started off this game 0-5 from three (and a couple them weren’t close). But his sixth three point shot was dagger that allowed the Panthers to take control of this NCAA tourney game.
11. Ron Ramon – Notre Dame – 2006 – Ron’s three with less than 20 seconds to go gives the Panthers a 2OT win.
10. Levance Fields – OK State – 2009 – Levance’s three in the final minute and a half gives the Panthers the lead for good on their way to the Sweet 16. (Of note, he also hit a three with a couple seconds left in the first half which tied the game going into the break.)
9. Jason Matthews – Georgia – 1991 – Jason’s three late ties the game sending it into OT where the Panthers were victorious.
8. Tim Glover – Georgia – 1991 – Tim’s 4th three of the half tied the game late in the second period leading to the eventual Pitt win in OT.
7. Garrick Thomas – Seton Hall – 1993 – Freshman Garrick hits an incredible deep bomb at the buzzer to beat the Pirates.
6. Ashton Gibbs – Providence – 2010 – Ashton’s 30 foot bomb at the buzzer snags a victory from the jaws of defeat.
5. Levance Fields – UConn – 2009 – Levance’s 2nd three in the game’s final three minutes gives the Panthers a six point lead on their way to their first victory ever over a #1.
4. Ashton Gibbs – WVU – 2010 – Ashton’s three caps the Panthers 7 point comeback in the final minute to send the game into OT.
3. Levance Fields – Xavier – 2009 – An out of nowhere three gives the Panthers the lead they never lose on their way to the Elite 8.
2. Ron Ramon – WVU – 2008 – Second greatest moment ever at the Pete.
1. Levance Fields – Duke – 2007 – Maybe the biggest single shot in Panther’s history.
