Happy New Year to my fellow Pitt Hoops Fans (and a couple other "Dribbles") ...

[DT_PITT]

** For me, it seems fitting that the remainder of this season begins on New Year's Day, because it's been quite some time since I've gone into a New Year this excited about the status of the Pitt Hoops Team.

** In fact, you have to go all the way back to the 2012-2013 Hoops Season when our team was even ranked once in the AP poll before January 1. That's 12 seasons ago.

** And the number 18 ranking we achieved (then lost) a few weeks ago was the highest ranking the team has at all enjoyed since the 2013-2014 season (when we were also 18th).

** Sure two years ago, on New Year's Eve Eve, we beat the #25 UNC team to go 10-4 at the moment. But it really wasn't until 3 days past the ball dropping when we beat the #11 Cavaliers when things started getting really interesting.

** Anyway, mostly I'm really excited thinking abut where this season goes. We will end up being decent (bubbly once again this year like the last two), good (legit NCAA team), or really good (competing for a protected seed)?

** At the moment, most signs point to good. But there are three real opportunities to move to the latter.

** First, Damian returns. Second, GDG should get better, even if just shooting 30% from three the rest of the way. Third, yes, I still believe that Amsal could join the mix in a meaningful way.

** But in the next few months of 2025, I'm pumped thinking about what's going to happen in those next 19 ACC games, followed by a to-be-determined number of post season games.

** In short, it's the first time in a long time I'll be looking forward to March with our Panthers while sipping Champaign when the ball drops.

** Along those lines, I hope our the Panthers receive a near packed house at 2:00pm on New Year's Day! Roll Call! Who else will be there?

** So once again, Happy New Year to my fellow Pitt Hoops Fans!

** Here's to 2025!

 

[Pittisit4me]

** For me, it seems fitting that the remainder of this season begins on New Year's Day, because it's been quite some time since I've gone into a New Year this excited about the status of the Pitt Hoops Team.

** In fact, you have to go all the way back to the 2012-2013 Hoops Season when our team was even ranked once in the AP poll before January 1. That's 12 seasons ago.

** And the number 18 ranking we achieved (then lost) a few weeks ago was the highest ranking the team has at all enjoyed since the 2013-2014 season (when we were also 18th).

** Sure two years ago, on New Year's Eve Eve, we beat the #25 UNC team to go 10-4 at the moment. But it really wasn't until 3 days past the ball dropping when we beat the #11 Cavaliers when things started getting really interesting.

** Anyway, mostly I'm really excited thinking abut where this season goes. We will end up being decent (bubbly once again this year like the last two), good (legit NCAA team), or really good (competing for a protected seed)?

** At the moment, most signs point to good. But there are three real opportunities to move to the latter.

** First, Damian returns. Second, GDG should get better, even if just shooting 30% from three the rest of the way. Third, yes, I still believe that Amsal could join the mix in a meaningful way.

** But in the next few months of 2025, I'm pumped thinking about what's going to happen in those next 19 ACC games, followed by a to-be-determined number of post season games.

** In short, it's the first time in a long time I'll be looking forward to March with our Panthers while sipping Champaign when the ball drops.

** Along those lines, I hope our the Panthers receive a near packed house at 2:00pm on New Year's Day! Roll Call! Who else will be there?

** So once again, Happy New Year to my fellow Pitt Hoops Fans!

** Here's to 2025!

Happy new year DT! Looking forward to some post-season dribbles this year. I'm hoping for Beebah to make a splash for us as the conference season wears on. Happy new year to all on the Lair!

 

[MorningCoffee13]

I certainly will feel better if we sweep the next two games. The thing that I hate about the portal and NIL is you no longer go into conference play “knowing” what to expect. There are probably a couple guys that you know will continue to perform well. The rest you don’t know who will step up or shy away from the glare of the conference spotlight.

 

[DT_PITT]

I certainly will feel better if we sweep the next two games. The thing that I hate about the portal and NIL is you no longer go into conference play “knowing” what to expect. There are probably a couple guys that you know will continue to perform well. The rest you don’t know who will step up or shy away from the glare of the conference spotlight.

Additionally, Pomeroy predicts we will beat Cal and Stanford by 16 and 11 respectively. Even if they are wins, but both games are neck and neck battles, this could be telling.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

** Along those lines, I hope our the Panthers receive a near packed house at 2:00pm on New Year's Day! Roll Call! Who else will be there?

Unfortunately, I don't think that many people will be joining us in celebrating our holiday at the Petersen Center.

 

[DT_PITT]

Unfortunately, I don't think that many people will be joining us in celebrating our holiday at the Petersen Center.

Probably. I was hoping this post could generate even a few more folks.

 

[Franb]

Probably. I was hoping this post could generate even a few more folks.

I had almost forgotten about the game, see you there!

 

[DT_PITT]

I had almost forgotten about the game, see you there!

See @Joe the Panther Fan — there’s one!

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

See @Joe the Panther Fan — there’s one!

Success!

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Unfortunately, I don't think that many people will be joining us in celebrating our holiday at the Petersen Center.

Allan Greene has to figure out a way to get more people to these games. Maybe not this year but you can't just say "win and they'll come." This team is NEVER going to have the sustained success of Howland/Dixon I. These Dixon II/Capel II teams are about what this program will be. Maybe a one-off team who is Sweet 16 caliber, maybe that's this team. But we are never going to be THAT good for THAT long ever again. So when you admit that to yourself, you have to figure out a way to get more people to attend all the games, not just Saturday games in January/February. They didn't come close to selling out WVU and though Cal isn't a big name opponent, is watching Texas pound Arizona State that important that its keeping everyone away? Tickets are going to be $5 or $6 by game time.

 

[4Mark_Marty]

I’ll be there!!

 

[hilltoppanther]

I'll be there!

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

** In fact, you have to go all the way back to the 2012-2013 Hoops Season when our team was even ranked once in the AP poll before January 1. That's 12 seasons ago.

I was trying to figure this out myself. Was 2012-13 really the last time where we felt we were pretty much guaranteed a bid as the calendar turned over to the new year? I dont want to jinx anything but it does seem like we are playing for seeding as it would take injuries or a collapse to keep us out.

 

[DT_PITT]

Allan Greene has to figure out a way to get more people to these games. Maybe not this year but you can't just say "win and they'll come." This team is NEVER going to have the sustained success of Howland/Dixon I. These Dixon II/Capel II teams are about what this program will be. Maybe a one-off team who is Sweet 16 caliber, maybe that's this team. But we are never going to be THAT good for THAT long ever again. So when you admit that to yourself, you have to figure out a way to get more people to attend all the games, not just Saturday games in January/February. They didn't come close to selling out WVU and though Cal isn't a big name opponent, is watching Texas pound Arizona State that important that its keeping everyone away? Tickets are going to be $5 or $6 by game time.

Are YOU going on Wednesday?

 

[DT_PITT]

I was trying to figure this out myself. Was 2012-13 really the last time where we felt we were pretty much guaranteed a bid as the calendar turned over to the new year? I dont want to jinx anything but it does seem like we are playing for seeding as it would take injuries or a collapse to keep us out.

We felt pretty good about a bid in 2013-2014 as well. We just weren't ranked before Jan 1. A one point loss at Cincy kept us from being ranked, until early January as we went 16-1 (we were #18).

Still wish that team hadn't lost Durand Johnson.

 

[thom67]

Allan Greene has to figure out a way to get more people to these games. Maybe not this year but you can't just say "win and they'll come." This team is NEVER going to have the sustained success of Howland/Dixon I. These Dixon II/Capel II teams are about what this program will be. Maybe a one-off team who is Sweet 16 caliber, maybe that's this team. But we are never going to be THAT good for THAT long ever again. So when you admit that to yourself, you have to figure out a way to get more people to attend all the games, not just Saturday games in January/February. They didn't come close to selling out WVU and though Cal isn't a big name opponent, is watching Texas pound Arizona State that important that its keeping everyone away? Tickets are going to be $5 or $6 by game time.

He has better way to improve attendance. He is reseating the Pete in 25. Have had season tickets for over 40 years. If I lose my seats again, I am done with Pitt basketball. A great way to award Pitt faithful!

 

[Chairman Moe]

Are YOU going on Wednesday?

I was wondering the same thing. Maybe he's buying them on the open market for pennies on the dollar

 

[bobfree]

I will NOT be there.

But all 6 of my tickets and will be used and my son will be there, 3rd game ever.

 

[DT_PITT]

I will NOT be there.

But all 6 of my tickets and will be used and my son will be there, 3rd game ever.

This “counts” as being there!

It especially counts as you have 6 tickets to begin with.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I was wondering the same thing. Maybe he's buying them on the open market for pennies on the dollar

I have had season tickets every year since the Pete opened until the last few years of Dixon 2 and picked them back up again when they hired Capel. So yes, I will be there. I dont need to watch Texas/Arizona State like all the other yinzers.

I liked the idea of this NYD games and thought it would be good for attendance. I was at the last one in 2014 and it was full and was at some NYE afternoon games and they were full. But doesn't look like this one will be.

 

[pittjas]

He has better way to improve attendance. He is reseating the Pete in 25. Have had season tickets for over 40 years. If I lose my seats again, I am done with Pitt basketball. A great way to award Pitt faithful!

Well, he isn’t doing it. Heather did. Agree though it’s garbage

 

[SteelBowl70]

** For me, it seems fitting that the remainder of this season begins on New Year's Day, because it's been quite some time since I've gone into a New Year this excited about the status of the Pitt Hoops Team.

** In fact, you have to go all the way back to the 2012-2013 Hoops Season when our team was even ranked once in the AP poll before January 1. That's 12 seasons ago.

** And the number 18 ranking we achieved (then lost) a few weeks ago was the highest ranking the team has at all enjoyed since the 2013-2014 season (when we were also 18th).

** Sure two years ago, on New Year's Eve Eve, we beat the #25 UNC team to go 10-4 at the moment. But it really wasn't until 3 days past the ball dropping when we beat the #11 Cavaliers when things started getting really interesting.

** Anyway, mostly I'm really excited thinking abut where this season goes. We will end up being decent (bubbly once again this year like the last two), good (legit NCAA team), or really good (competing for a protected seed)?

** At the moment, most signs point to good. But there are three real opportunities to move to the latter.

** First, Damian returns. Second, GDG should get better, even if just shooting 30% from three the rest of the way. Third, yes, I still believe that Amsal could join the mix in a meaningful way.

** But in the next few months of 2025, I'm pumped thinking about what's going to happen in those next 19 ACC games, followed by a to-be-determined number of post season games.

** In short, it's the first time in a long time I'll be looking forward to March with our Panthers while sipping Champaign when the ball drops.

** Along those lines, I hope our the Panthers receive a near packed house at 2:00pm on New Year's Day! Roll Call! Who else will be there?

** So once again, Happy New Year to my fellow Pitt Hoops Fans!

** Here's to 2025!

DT - many thanks for your posts which help make the year better.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Well, he isn’t doing it. Heather did. Agree though it’s garbage

I dont understand the need to re-seat people. Nobody buys season tickets anymore. Is this such a huge necessity? Is there some way, any way, to get Pitt alums, local yinzers, or random basketball fans to come out to watch a bubble-type program? Its still pretty good basketball.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

I dont understand the need to re-seat people.

They see it as a way to get people to donate a little extra money in an effort to keep their seats.

The one and only reason why they have never done a reseat for football is because it's a much larger, much more difficult process. If they could figure out a relatively easy way to do it for football they'd have done that too.

 

[12162022]

This “counts” as being there!

It especially counts as you have 6 tickets to begin with.

I'll be home, hoping to harass my oldest daughter during dinner at 5:00........she went to Berkeley .

 

[KennyTheKangaroo]

Dt you are da man thanks for always providing good perspective on Pitt hoops through the good times and bad . It’s easy to get caught up in all the distractions with college sports right now and I appreciate that you focus on the team and the games instead of NIL and realignment and all the stuff that can be a drag.