New to the board here, so if this has been discussed in the past, my apologies.
In honor of the current team, my Top 8 Pitt hoops "eras" for being fun:
8. Billy Knight Era-One very nice season. Good memories as a kid, to include an NCAA win in Morgantown over St. Joes. This team started my appreciation of Pitt hoops.
7. Gibbs/Wannamaker Era-Some real good teams who won a lot, with some very high rankings. However, the team had the NCAA underachievement pressure and lacked the NYC BE magic that I had become accustomed to.
6. Capel/X/McGowens Era-Yes, this era has just started and most likely a good number of losses are still coming this season. But, first seasons after being dead are always fun. And, the future seems quite bright. Most importantly, X, McGowens, and Toney seem to have the mentality that will thrive some day in an NCAA tourney atmosphere, unlike some past teams that shrunk. An era that could rise in my personal ranking.
5. Clyde Vaughn Era-Team was not a major player in national rankings. It included moving from Eastern Eight to Big East. Field House rocked. I will never forget the fun of sitting on the floor at the Fitz at a noon game in February when Vaughn, Culbertson, Allen, and WIlliams took down Patrick and G-Town. Pitt basketball had moved to the big time league.
4. Sam Clancy Era-A high personal ranking compared to quality of team because of Sam the Man Clancy! Games rarely on TV, but even radio games like Pitt beating Duke on the road were fun. A really good era of Pitt/Dukes City Games.
3. Knight/Page Era-During that time Pitt BB transitioned from Fitz to Pete. Last year home record at the Fitz 16-1. First year at Pete 16-0! Strong teams, great at home, surprising emergence as a power, and a BE Tourney championship. Winning and winning in the biggest places like MSG is more fun.
2. Smith/Gore/Lane/Aiken Era-This era had the best players of any era and was strong nationally and won regular season championships. Memory high point Jerome Lane backboard incident; the low point Goheen.
1. Blair/Fields Era-This team won the most NCAA tourney games. They had a legitimate chance at National Championship without the Reynolds dagger. Many big moments at MSG ("Onions!") Ramon's 3 pointer over WVU, and U Conn to name a few.
In honor of the current team, my Top 8 Pitt hoops "eras" for being fun:
8. Billy Knight Era-One very nice season. Good memories as a kid, to include an NCAA win in Morgantown over St. Joes. This team started my appreciation of Pitt hoops.
7. Gibbs/Wannamaker Era-Some real good teams who won a lot, with some very high rankings. However, the team had the NCAA underachievement pressure and lacked the NYC BE magic that I had become accustomed to.
6. Capel/X/McGowens Era-Yes, this era has just started and most likely a good number of losses are still coming this season. But, first seasons after being dead are always fun. And, the future seems quite bright. Most importantly, X, McGowens, and Toney seem to have the mentality that will thrive some day in an NCAA tourney atmosphere, unlike some past teams that shrunk. An era that could rise in my personal ranking.
5. Clyde Vaughn Era-Team was not a major player in national rankings. It included moving from Eastern Eight to Big East. Field House rocked. I will never forget the fun of sitting on the floor at the Fitz at a noon game in February when Vaughn, Culbertson, Allen, and WIlliams took down Patrick and G-Town. Pitt basketball had moved to the big time league.
4. Sam Clancy Era-A high personal ranking compared to quality of team because of Sam the Man Clancy! Games rarely on TV, but even radio games like Pitt beating Duke on the road were fun. A really good era of Pitt/Dukes City Games.
3. Knight/Page Era-During that time Pitt BB transitioned from Fitz to Pete. Last year home record at the Fitz 16-1. First year at Pete 16-0! Strong teams, great at home, surprising emergence as a power, and a BE Tourney championship. Winning and winning in the biggest places like MSG is more fun.
2. Smith/Gore/Lane/Aiken Era-This era had the best players of any era and was strong nationally and won regular season championships. Memory high point Jerome Lane backboard incident; the low point Goheen.
1. Blair/Fields Era-This team won the most NCAA tourney games. They had a legitimate chance at National Championship without the Reynolds dagger. Many big moments at MSG ("Onions!") Ramon's 3 pointer over WVU, and U Conn to name a few.