Pitt's NCAA chances plummeted from 32% to 12% following last night's loss. That effectively removes them from the bubble and makes them an NIT team. So this is the final Bubble Report.
This year's Pitt team gave us a gift. Yes, a gift. Not the one we wanted, but a gift nonetheless.
They reminded us just how hard it is to go the NCAA tournament every year. That it shouldn't be taken for granted. That it should be savored. That regular season games MATTER, and we should quit being spoiled brats who only care about March. There is a process to getting to March, and we've taken it all for granted.
The Panthers will now miss the NCAA tournament for the 2nd time in 14 years, barring a very unlikely miracle run in the ACC tournament.
And for this particular Pitt fan, I have great hope for the 2015-16 season that I simply did not have two months ago. I see where Jamie is taking this team and where we will be next year. And I, for one, can't wait.
I enjoyed watching them grow this year. With the exception of one Mr. Newkirk, every sophomore made a pretty decent leap forward this year. Jamel Artis has become a 15-20 PPG go-to-guy. Mike Young has become a VERY good post player. Sheldon Jeter went from looking-like-a-bust to an exciting and valuable player with promise in about 6 weeks. Chris Jones showed he can be a decent shooter and one of the few who got better defensively.
I like this team. I think next year is a Top-25, potentially protected-seed type of year.
Two months ago, most of us thought CBI at best.... and potentially 4-14 or 5-13 in conference. They gave us a ride and a reason to be interested again. The Zoo was definitely NCAA-protected-seed caliber this year, better than they've been in some of our better years on the court.
So with that... the Bubble Report says goodbye. Hopefully next year, we are so solidly in the dance that the Bubble Report can remain in hibernation.
This year's Pitt team gave us a gift. Yes, a gift. Not the one we wanted, but a gift nonetheless.
They reminded us just how hard it is to go the NCAA tournament every year. That it shouldn't be taken for granted. That it should be savored. That regular season games MATTER, and we should quit being spoiled brats who only care about March. There is a process to getting to March, and we've taken it all for granted.
The Panthers will now miss the NCAA tournament for the 2nd time in 14 years, barring a very unlikely miracle run in the ACC tournament.
And for this particular Pitt fan, I have great hope for the 2015-16 season that I simply did not have two months ago. I see where Jamie is taking this team and where we will be next year. And I, for one, can't wait.
I enjoyed watching them grow this year. With the exception of one Mr. Newkirk, every sophomore made a pretty decent leap forward this year. Jamel Artis has become a 15-20 PPG go-to-guy. Mike Young has become a VERY good post player. Sheldon Jeter went from looking-like-a-bust to an exciting and valuable player with promise in about 6 weeks. Chris Jones showed he can be a decent shooter and one of the few who got better defensively.
I like this team. I think next year is a Top-25, potentially protected-seed type of year.
Two months ago, most of us thought CBI at best.... and potentially 4-14 or 5-13 in conference. They gave us a ride and a reason to be interested again. The Zoo was definitely NCAA-protected-seed caliber this year, better than they've been in some of our better years on the court.
So with that... the Bubble Report says goodbye. Hopefully next year, we are so solidly in the dance that the Bubble Report can remain in hibernation.
