Miami Game & Other Dribbles ...

[Fredact]

** Walking out of the Peterson Events Center tonight on the steps to Terrace Street, I heard a wonderful sound.

** Among the thrilled mass which was ambling past the exit doors at the moment, there sprouted an impromptu chant of “LET'S GO PITT." While it didn’t last especially long, the chant certainly didn't lack conviction nor attention.

** I’m wondering when was the last time I heard such an impromptu “LET'S GO PITT” in conjunction with our Basketball Team.

** In the first half of today’s contest, we honored the 2003 Big East Tournament Championship Team. There were plenty of chants of “LET'S GO PITT” that Championship night. Heck, I even recall extremely fondly walking out of Madison Square Garden while chanting with and actually hugging none other than Chancellor Nordenberg.

** Of course, this win does not rise in stature anywhere near the win in New York in March of 2003. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t pretty glorious in its own right.

** In fact, my 17 year old son said it was the most fun he’s ever had watching a basketball game in person. He’ll be making his college selection in the next several weeks. He’s looking at a remarkably elite group of schools including the likes of NYU, Georgetown, William and Mary, Penn, Case Western, Penn and others. Yet, it’s possible today’s game provided the kind of experience that tilts his matriculation toward the University of Pittsburgh.

** The 2002-2003 group of Panthers were a pretty special bunch. They were tough, experienced and talented. Yet I can’t recall any game when they scored the last 11 points of the game to steal a victory against a top 20 team.

** Most of the game today, my Son kept repeating a phrase about this game which seemed all too true. “Miami is simply just a better team” he offered. And I won’t try to disagree with that notion.

** But it’s likely also true that our Panthers were simply the team who wanted this game more.

** I often wonder what phrases such as “wanted it more” really mean. Should we really say that Miami didn’t actually want to win in the final minutes?

** Yet we made every single play in the fateful final 2:30, while the Canes didn’t seem to make a single one. I’ll leave it to you to create your own explanation why.

** I’m not going to try to decipher Fede Federiko’s personal motivations and whether he wants to win a game more than anyone else. What I will say instead is that his efforts and subsequent results were incredibly meaningful, while also completely timely, to the Panther’s victory.

** I’ll even go as far as to say that if Fede doesn’t rebound Nelly’s miss and return it through the basket at the 2:00 minute mark, no one would have ever been chanting “LET'S GO PITT” on the steps on the way out of the Pete tonight.

** My other takeaway from today’s game is that this year’s Panthers don’t seem to play the game with very much fear. They certainly almost never seem to be afraid to shoot the ball and that’s allowed them the confidence to shoot the ball whenever and wherever it’s needed. This is especially true for Blake Hinson who’s three to cut it to three with a minute and a half to go was among a handful of the biggest shots in a year that’s already had a pretty nice share of big shots.

** And while I liked that three, whether it was the game plan or personally choice, it was good to see Blake take the ball to the hoop today in addition to letting it fling from outside the line.

** Perhaps even more than Hinson, it would seem to me that Coach Capel continually encourages Nelly Cummings to keep shooting when I know many fans would rather he wouldn’t. But one way or another, his shot with a minute to found someway to fall through the hoop.

** In the game’s final minutes, the Panthers never appeared to fear playing defense. Conversely, the usually well coached Canes looked tentative and undisciplined. And that made all of the needed difference to move the Panthers ahead of Miami in the ACC standings.

** Going back to our 2002-2003 team, the Pete they returned to today looked not all that unlike the one they left in at the end of that season 20 years ago. The crowd certainly numbered clearly over 10K while the Oakland Zoo was packed and in the final minutes was bouncing just like they did 20 years ago. It was pretty wonderful actually.

** Lots of things today seemed like they did 20 years ago. But the only thing that will really matter to me is returning to the NCAA Tournament like the 02-03 team and 12 other groups did to start this millennium.

** This outcome is far from being set in stone just yet. But today’s big win was a huge step in that direction.

** “LET’S GO PITT! … LET’S GO PITT!! … LET’S GO PITT!!! …”

It’s so much fun having a team that can shoot threes like this. 8 points down, “we’re still in this thing”. Though my wife had long given up.

But what a different feeling at the end of this one than at the end of the Wake game. Instead of feeling like you’d almost drowned, it was like you just emerged and got that gulp of air.

 

[Oregon_Panther]

One of the key moments was when Hinson was pulled in first half (his coverage of Miller at that juncture was off putting to say the least)—I thought it was Capel’s way to say play D or don’t play.

 

[Chairman Moe]

One of the key moments was when Hinson was pulled in first half (his coverage of Miller at that juncture was off putting to say the least)—I thought it was Capel’s way to say play D or don’t play.

I won't disagree; and to Hinson's credit, he didn't allow the benching to sour his attitude later on

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

I don't hate baseball, I love it. But being a native and fan of the local team baseball has become irrelevant to me because the Pirates are simply not allowed to play at the top level.

This is where college basketball was for me. I got into college basketball not because of Pitt, because I loved it so. Pitt was never relevant. Even when we got collections of talent that would make Carolina and Kentucky blush, we still weren't really relative.

When we became not just relative but a true power in the 2000's I was acutlely aware of the college basketball scene. Who was playing who that weekend, recruiting, it was awesome being one of the college basketball powers. Legit. Not some program who got hot two weeks in March. But we would go weeks and weeks and years and years ranked....not just top 25 but top 10, top 5.

How many other programs out there had two #1 seeds in March Madness within 3 years?? That was Duke, Kansas, Kentucky level stuff.

And it all went away. Literally. Gone. A joke.


It has been years now........................This is the very best moment since we have fallen. Let's hope this is the star of something good again. Really good.

 

[NCanton Panther]

-Really improbable, big time win! We kept climbing the hill and we’d get almost all the way to the top and Miami would knock us down again. From 11 to 5, then back to 11 and down to 6. Back again to 11 and then down to 4. And then, Wong hit 2 big baskets to again give them leads of 5 and 6.

-It was about this time that I figured we were going to come up a bit short. I wasn’t overly discouraged. We had played a really nice 2nd half.

-And then just like that, a Fede putback, a Hinson 3, a Nelly 2 and then Hinson’s tip in and we were somehow ahead. Now thinking, “wow, can we steal this one?”

-it really was an amazing win and all 5 of our starters made huge plays down the stretch.

-Couldn’t make it today, but the crowd sounded great. Hope this is the start of something special again.

-3rd place in the ACC sounds great. Need to keep winning though, not much margin for error. Games at UNC, FSU, Va Tech, ND and Miami won’t be easy. FSU played a really good game against Clemson today, Va Tech is healthy and playing well again and ND will be playing their hearts out for Brey in his last home game.

I still can’t believe we won that game. Watching I was feeling/thinking just as you describe it in your first bullet…from 11 to 5, back to 11 then down to 6, back up to 11. I resigned myself to thinking we’re putting up a good fight repeatedly getting that 11-pt lead down to 5 but a chance at the W just isn’t there. And then the last 2 minutes were unbelievable.

And during the 1st half I felt them same as what DT noted his son saying….Miami is just better than us. I thought they looked a good bit quicker and more physical. To my surprise when checking out the box score after the game….offensive rebounds Pitt 10 / Miami 0. Now that stat sure doesn’t say Miami was quicker or more physical.

 

[Duneaux Harm]

First off, glad to see your son inherited your wife’s intelligence gene. LOL

Second of all, we had folks visiting us today and I did not get to turn the game on until the last five minutes. During that time all I could say was wow the bookies got this line right because the two teams look even. So at no point during when I watched did I think MIami was the better team. I think it goes to show that the best you can ever say is a team is the better team right at that moment. No more. No less.

 

[wbrpanther]

** Walking out of the Peterson Events Center tonight on the steps to Terrace Street, I heard a wonderful sound.

** Among the thrilled mass which was ambling past the exit doors at the moment, there sprouted an impromptu chant of “LET'S GO PITT." While it didn’t last especially long, the chant certainly didn't lack conviction nor attention.

** I’m wondering when was the last time I heard such an impromptu “LET'S GO PITT” in conjunction with our Basketball Team.

** In the first half of today’s contest, we honored the 2003 Big East Tournament Championship Team. There were plenty of chants of “LET'S GO PITT” that Championship night. Heck, I even recall extremely fondly walking out of Madison Square Garden while chanting with and actually hugging none other than Chancellor Nordenberg.

** Of course, this win does not rise in stature anywhere near the win in New York in March of 2003. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t pretty glorious in its own right.

** In fact, my 17 year old son said it was the most fun he’s ever had watching a basketball game in person. He’ll be making his college selection in the next several weeks. He’s looking at a remarkably elite group of schools including the likes of NYU, Georgetown, William and Mary, Penn, Case Western, Penn and others. Yet, it’s possible today’s game provided the kind of experience that tilts his matriculation toward the University of Pittsburgh.

** The 2002-2003 group of Panthers were a pretty special bunch. They were tough, experienced and talented. Yet I can’t recall any game when they scored the last 11 points of the game to steal a victory against a top 20 team.

** Most of the game today, my Son kept repeating a phrase about this game which seemed all too true. “Miami is simply just a better team” he offered. And I won’t try to disagree with that notion.

** But it’s likely also true that our Panthers were simply the team who wanted this game more.

** I often wonder what phrases such as “wanted it more” really mean. Should we really say that Miami didn’t actually want to win in the final minutes?

** Yet we made every single play in the fateful final 2:30, while the Canes didn’t seem to make a single one. I’ll leave it to you to create your own explanation why.

** I’m not going to try to decipher Fede Federiko’s personal motivations and whether he wants to win a game more than anyone else. What I will say instead is that his efforts and subsequent results were incredibly meaningful, while also completely timely, to the Panther’s victory.

** I’ll even go as far as to say that if Fede doesn’t rebound Nelly’s miss and return it through the basket at the 2:00 minute mark, no one would have ever been chanting “LET'S GO PITT” on the steps on the way out of the Pete tonight.

** My other takeaway from today’s game is that this year’s Panthers don’t seem to play the game with very much fear. They certainly almost never seem to be afraid to shoot the ball and that’s allowed them the confidence to shoot the ball whenever and wherever it’s needed. This is especially true for Blake Hinson who’s three to cut it to three with a minute and a half to go was among a handful of the biggest shots in a year that’s already had a pretty nice share of big shots.

** And while I liked that three, whether it was the game plan or personally choice, it was good to see Blake take the ball to the hoop today in addition to letting it fling from outside the line.

** Perhaps even more than Hinson, it would seem to me that Coach Capel continually encourages Nelly Cummings to keep shooting when I know many fans would rather he wouldn’t. But one way or another, his shot with a minute to found someway to fall through the hoop.

** In the game’s final minutes, the Panthers never appeared to fear playing defense. Conversely, the usually well coached Canes looked tentative and undisciplined. And that made all of the needed difference to move the Panthers ahead of Miami in the ACC standings.

** Going back to our 2002-2003 team, the Pete they returned to today looked not all that unlike the one they left in at the end of that season 20 years ago. The crowd certainly numbered clearly over 10K while the Oakland Zoo was packed and in the final minutes was bouncing just like they did 20 years ago. It was pretty wonderful actually.

** Lots of things today seemed like they did 20 years ago. But the only thing that will really matter to me is returning to the NCAA Tournament like the 02-03 team and 12 other groups did to start this millennium.

** This outcome is far from being set in stone just yet. But today’s big win was a huge step in that direction.

** “LET’S GO PITT! … LET’S GO PITT!! … LET’S GO PITT!!! …”

I'm thinking all the great plays they made in the last 2:30 of the game evened out all the screw up plays they had during the first 17:30. Every time they got themselves back in the game they would do some insanely bad thing to ruin it. That's what made this win so unbelievable to me. LET'S GO PITT!!!!!

 

[TWPitt]

** Walking out of the Peterson Events Center tonight on the steps to Terrace Street, I heard a wonderful sound.

** Among the thrilled mass which was ambling past the exit doors at the moment, there sprouted an impromptu chant of “LET'S GO PITT." While it didn’t last especially long, the chant certainly didn't lack conviction nor attention.

** I’m wondering when was the last time I heard such an impromptu “LET'S GO PITT” in conjunction with our Basketball Team.

** In the first half of today’s contest, we honored the 2003 Big East Tournament Championship Team. There were plenty of chants of “LET'S GO PITT” that Championship night. Heck, I even recall extremely fondly walking out of Madison Square Garden while chanting with and actually hugging none other than Chancellor Nordenberg.

** Of course, this win does not rise in stature anywhere near the win in New York in March of 2003. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t pretty glorious in its own right.

** In fact, my 17 year old son said it was the most fun he’s ever had watching a basketball game in person. He’ll be making his college selection in the next several weeks. He’s looking at a remarkably elite group of schools including the likes of NYU, Georgetown, William and Mary, Penn, Case Western, Penn and others. Yet, it’s possible today’s game provided the kind of experience that tilts his matriculation toward the University of Pittsburgh.

** The 2002-2003 group of Panthers were a pretty special bunch. They were tough, experienced and talented. Yet I can’t recall any game when they scored the last 11 points of the game to steal a victory against a top 20 team.

** Most of the game today, my Son kept repeating a phrase about this game which seemed all too true. “Miami is simply just a better team” he offered. And I won’t try to disagree with that notion.

** But it’s likely also true that our Panthers were simply the team who wanted this game more.

** I often wonder what phrases such as “wanted it more” really mean. Should we really say that Miami didn’t actually want to win in the final minutes?

** Yet we made every single play in the fateful final 2:30, while the Canes didn’t seem to make a single one. I’ll leave it to you to create your own explanation why.

** I’m not going to try to decipher Fede Federiko’s personal motivations and whether he wants to win a game more than anyone else. What I will say instead is that his efforts and subsequent results were incredibly meaningful, while also completely timely, to the Panther’s victory.

** I’ll even go as far as to say that if Fede doesn’t rebound Nelly’s miss and return it through the basket at the 2:00 minute mark, no one would have ever been chanting “LET'S GO PITT” on the steps on the way out of the Pete tonight.

** My other takeaway from today’s game is that this year’s Panthers don’t seem to play the game with very much fear. They certainly almost never seem to be afraid to shoot the ball and that’s allowed them the confidence to shoot the ball whenever and wherever it’s needed. This is especially true for Blake Hinson who’s three to cut it to three with a minute and a half to go was among a handful of the biggest shots in a year that’s already had a pretty nice share of big shots.

** And while I liked that three, whether it was the game plan or personally choice, it was good to see Blake take the ball to the hoop today in addition to letting it fling from outside the line.

** Perhaps even more than Hinson, it would seem to me that Coach Capel continually encourages Nelly Cummings to keep shooting when I know many fans would rather he wouldn’t. But one way or another, his shot with a minute to found someway to fall through the hoop.

** In the game’s final minutes, the Panthers never appeared to fear playing defense. Conversely, the usually well coached Canes looked tentative and undisciplined. And that made all of the needed difference to move the Panthers ahead of Miami in the ACC standings.

** Going back to our 2002-2003 team, the Pete they returned to today looked not all that unlike the one they left in at the end of that season 20 years ago. The crowd certainly numbered clearly over 10K while the Oakland Zoo was packed and in the final minutes was bouncing just like they did 20 years ago. It was pretty wonderful actually.

** Lots of things today seemed like they did 20 years ago. But the only thing that will really matter to me is returning to the NCAA Tournament like the 02-03 team and 12 other groups did to start this millennium.

** This outcome is far from being set in stone just yet. But today’s big win was a huge step in that direction.

** “LET’S GO PITT! … LET’S GO PITT!! … LET’S GO PITT!!! …”

Honestly got chills reading this. Took me back to yesterday. So damn much fun.

Missed the Pete being loud. Nice to show Wong and Walker what they missed out on not coming here.

Looking forward to unc and beating RJ next.

 

[sonofabit]

Fede’s presence late in the game can’t be taken for granted. Staying out of foul trouble is key going forward. However, I like the first half multiple player subbing - though it may make some here cringe. Think it was Carolina years ago that had a whole team come in together to give a spell to the starters. This Pitt team seems to have enough in the tank at the end and not exhausted when cheap fouls can occur.

 

[pittchagg]

Fede’s presence late in the game can’t be taken for granted. Staying out of foul trouble is key going forward. However, I like the first half multiple player subbing - though it may make some here cringe. Think it was Carolina years ago that had a whole team come in together to give a spell to the starters. This Pitt team seems to have enough in the tank at the end and not exhausted when cheap fouls can occur.

You might be thinking of Kentucky’s “platoon” team in 2014-15.

 

[Pittisit4me]

Fede's block on the dunk attempt early in the game was pretty damn good! He did everything you could ask of him again today, blocks, rebounded and scored when desperately needed.

He is no Oscar Tshiebwe. That said, he sure as hell ain't no Terrell Brown. Without his defense and timely contributions on offense, I would hate to see where this team would be!!

 

[docpanther26]

He is no Oscar Tshiebwe. That said, he sure as hell ain't no Terrell Brown. Without his defense and timely contributions on offense, I would hate to see where this team would be!!

What I appreciate most about Fede is he embraces his role and plays as hard as he can. Seems like a very coachable young man.

 

[PittMan 72]

** Walking out of the Peterson Events Center tonight on the steps to Terrace Street, I heard a wonderful sound.

** Among the thrilled mass which was ambling past the exit doors at the moment, there sprouted an impromptu chant of “LET'S GO PITT." While it didn’t last especially long, the chant certainly didn't lack conviction nor attention.

** I’m wondering when was the last time I heard such an impromptu “LET'S GO PITT” in conjunction with our Basketball Team.

** In the first half of today’s contest, we honored the 2003 Big East Tournament Championship Team. There were plenty of chants of “LET'S GO PITT” that Championship night. Heck, I even recall extremely fondly walking out of Madison Square Garden while chanting with and actually hugging none other than Chancellor Nordenberg.

** Of course, this win does not rise in stature anywhere near the win in New York in March of 2003. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t pretty glorious in its own right.

** In fact, my 17 year old son said it was the most fun he’s ever had watching a basketball game in person. He’ll be making his college selection in the next several weeks. He’s looking at a remarkably elite group of schools including the likes of NYU, Georgetown, William and Mary, Penn, Case Western, Penn and others. Yet, it’s possible today’s game provided the kind of experience that tilts his matriculation toward the University of Pittsburgh.

** The 2002-2003 group of Panthers were a pretty special bunch. They were tough, experienced and talented. Yet I can’t recall any game when they scored the last 11 points of the game to steal a victory against a top 20 team.

** Most of the game today, my Son kept repeating a phrase about this game which seemed all too true. “Miami is simply just a better team” he offered. And I won’t try to disagree with that notion.

** But it’s likely also true that our Panthers were simply the team who wanted this game more.

** I often wonder what phrases such as “wanted it more” really mean. Should we really say that Miami didn’t actually want to win in the final minutes?

** Yet we made every single play in the fateful final 2:30, while the Canes didn’t seem to make a single one. I’ll leave it to you to create your own explanation why.

** I’m not going to try to decipher Fede Federiko’s personal motivations and whether he wants to win a game more than anyone else. What I will say instead is that his efforts and subsequent results were incredibly meaningful, while also completely timely, to the Panther’s victory.

** I’ll even go as far as to say that if Fede doesn’t rebound Nelly’s miss and return it through the basket at the 2:00 minute mark, no one would have ever been chanting “LET'S GO PITT” on the steps on the way out of the Pete tonight.

** My other takeaway from today’s game is that this year’s Panthers don’t seem to play the game with very much fear. They certainly almost never seem to be afraid to shoot the ball and that’s allowed them the confidence to shoot the ball whenever and wherever it’s needed. This is especially true for Blake Hinson who’s three to cut it to three with a minute and a half to go was among a handful of the biggest shots in a year that’s already had a pretty nice share of big shots.

** And while I liked that three, whether it was the game plan or personally choice, it was good to see Blake take the ball to the hoop today in addition to letting it fling from outside the line.

** Perhaps even more than Hinson, it would seem to me that Coach Capel continually encourages Nelly Cummings to keep shooting when I know many fans would rather he wouldn’t. But one way or another, his shot with a minute to found someway to fall through the hoop.

** In the game’s final minutes, the Panthers never appeared to fear playing defense. Conversely, the usually well coached Canes looked tentative and undisciplined. And that made all of the needed difference to move the Panthers ahead of Miami in the ACC standings.

** Going back to our 2002-2003 team, the Pete they returned to today looked not all that unlike the one they left in at the end of that season 20 years ago. The crowd certainly numbered clearly over 10K while the Oakland Zoo was packed and in the final minutes was bouncing just like they did 20 years ago. It was pretty wonderful actually.

** Lots of things today seemed like they did 20 years ago. But the only thing that will really matter to me is returning to the NCAA Tournament like the 02-03 team and 12 other groups did to start this millennium.

** This outcome is far from being set in stone just yet. But today’s big win was a huge step in that direction.

** “LET’S GO PITT! … LET’S GO PITT!! … LET’S GO PITT!!! …”

So many great things about that win vs the U as you’ve described: the crowd; the atmosphere; the enthusiasm; the effort; the resolve; the fearlessness; the WIN!!!! Over a PDG Miami team, too.

But my biggest takeaway is that this team CAN play DEFENSE. GREAT defense, at that. The last minute defense in particular was a clinic from ALL of them. A few of which I hadn’t been convinced could play that type of lockdown, stay in front, guarding. They defended like a mirror image of the Miami player with the ball. And without fouling. Had to put a smile on the 2003 team’s faces. It sure put one on mine!😃

 

[bayardstreet]

great stuff as usual. My question is what is the tuition cost plus room and board for Georgetown?

Since you are going through the application process I am curious about the price of the most elite private universities? My last child graduated from Pitt 12 years ago so that tuition cost is well in my rear view mirror. good luck to your son !

 

[HailToPitt1985]

So many great things about that win vs the U as you’ve described: the crowd; the atmosphere; the enthusiasm; the effort; the resolve; the fearlessness; the WIN!!!! Over a PDG Miami team, too.

But my biggest takeaway is that this team CAN play DEFENSE. GREAT defense, at that. The last minute defense in particular was a clinic from ALL of them. A few of which I hadn’t been convinced could play that type of lockdown, stay in front, guarding. They defended like a mirror image of the Miami player with the ball. And without fouling. Had to put a smile on the 2003 team’s faces. It sure put one on mine!😃

And that's how you win games and championships....great, lock down defense.

 

[PittMan 72]

And that's how you win games and championships....great, lock down defense.

It’s a VERY BIG part of it for sure. Making FG’s and FT’s helps, too. But if you need a comeback and then have to hold a slim lead at the end, like yesterday, you absolutely have to defend and rebound.

 

[Protes]

** Walking out of the Peterson Events Center tonight on the steps to Terrace Street, I heard a wonderful sound.

** Among the thrilled mass which was ambling past the exit doors at the moment, there sprouted an impromptu chant of “LET'S GO PITT." While it didn’t last especially long, the chant certainly didn't lack conviction nor attention.

** I’m wondering when was the last time I heard such an impromptu “LET'S GO PITT” in conjunction with our Basketball Team.

** In the first half of today’s contest, we honored the 2003 Big East Tournament Championship Team. There were plenty of chants of “LET'S GO PITT” that Championship night. Heck, I even recall extremely fondly walking out of Madison Square Garden while chanting with and actually hugging none other than Chancellor Nordenberg.

** Of course, this win does not rise in stature anywhere near the win in New York in March of 2003. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t pretty glorious in its own right.

** In fact, my 17 year old son said it was the most fun he’s ever had watching a basketball game in person. He’ll be making his college selection in the next several weeks. He’s looking at a remarkably elite group of schools including the likes of NYU, Georgetown, William and Mary, Penn, Case Western, Penn and others. Yet, it’s possible today’s game provided the kind of experience that tilts his matriculation toward the University of Pittsburgh.

** The 2002-2003 group of Panthers were a pretty special bunch. They were tough, experienced and talented. Yet I can’t recall any game when they scored the last 11 points of the game to steal a victory against a top 20 team.

** Most of the game today, my Son kept repeating a phrase about this game which seemed all too true. “Miami is simply just a better team” he offered. And I won’t try to disagree with that notion.

** But it’s likely also true that our Panthers were simply the team who wanted this game more.

** I often wonder what phrases such as “wanted it more” really mean. Should we really say that Miami didn’t actually want to win in the final minutes?

** Yet we made every single play in the fateful final 2:30, while the Canes didn’t seem to make a single one. I’ll leave it to you to create your own explanation why.

** I’m not going to try to decipher Fede Federiko’s personal motivations and whether he wants to win a game more than anyone else. What I will say instead is that his efforts and subsequent results were incredibly meaningful, while also completely timely, to the Panther’s victory.

** I’ll even go as far as to say that if Fede doesn’t rebound Nelly’s miss and return it through the basket at the 2:00 minute mark, no one would have ever been chanting “LET'S GO PITT” on the steps on the way out of the Pete tonight.

** My other takeaway from today’s game is that this year’s Panthers don’t seem to play the game with very much fear. They certainly almost never seem to be afraid to shoot the ball and that’s allowed them the confidence to shoot the ball whenever and wherever it’s needed. This is especially true for Blake Hinson who’s three to cut it to three with a minute and a half to go was among a handful of the biggest shots in a year that’s already had a pretty nice share of big shots.

** And while I liked that three, whether it was the game plan or personally choice, it was good to see Blake take the ball to the hoop today in addition to letting it fling from outside the line.

** Perhaps even more than Hinson, it would seem to me that Coach Capel continually encourages Nelly Cummings to keep shooting when I know many fans would rather he wouldn’t. But one way or another, his shot with a minute to found someway to fall through the hoop.

** In the game’s final minutes, the Panthers never appeared to fear playing defense. Conversely, the usually well coached Canes looked tentative and undisciplined. And that made all of the needed difference to move the Panthers ahead of Miami in the ACC standings.

** Going back to our 2002-2003 team, the Pete they returned to today looked not all that unlike the one they left in at the end of that season 20 years ago. The crowd certainly numbered clearly over 10K while the Oakland Zoo was packed and in the final minutes was bouncing just like they did 20 years ago. It was pretty wonderful actually.

** Lots of things today seemed like they did 20 years ago. But the only thing that will really matter to me is returning to the NCAA Tournament like the 02-03 team and 12 other groups did to start this millennium.

** This outcome is far from being set in stone just yet. But today’s big win was a huge step in that direction.

** “LET’S GO PITT! … LET’S GO PITT!! … LET’S GO PITT!!! …”

Miami was the better team for 47:34 of the game. But luckily the game doesn't end with 2:26 to go, and for those last precious 146 seconds we were the better team. And that's all that mattered. Sometimes it's not the more talented team that prevails; it's simply the grittier one that does. Such is the beauty of sports! #H2P

 

[New York Panther]

Heck, I even recall extremely fondly walking out of Madison Square Garden while chanting with and actually hugging none other than Chancellor Nordenberg.

I had my own post-game encounter with Chancellor Nordenberg, DT. But it was at a different game in a different sport.

My wife and I had just emerged from Notre Dane Stadium after Pitt's dramatic victory over the Irish in four overtimes when I ran almost directly into the Chancellor. I yelled, "Great game, Chancellor" and shook his hand. What a thrill that game was too!

 

[New York Panther]

In fact, my 17 year old son said it was the most fun he’s ever had watching a basketball game in person. He’ll be making his college selection in the next several weeks. He’s looking at a remarkably elite group of schools including the likes of NYU, Georgetown, William and Mary, Case Western, Penn and others.

He must have a smart daddy.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

To my surprise when checking out the box score after the game….offensive rebounds Pitt 10 / Miami 0.

That isn't exactly right. It doesn't include the team rebounds. It ended up 12-1. Which led to us having a 17-2 advantage in second chance points.

 

[gary2]

Miami was the better team for 47:34 of the game. But luckily the game doesn't end with 2:26 to go, and for those last precious 146 seconds we were the better team. And that's all that mattered. Sometimes it's not the more talented team that prevails; it's simply the grittier one that does. Such is the beauty of sports! #H2P

Right - looking at yesterdays games

Miami, Wake and FSU all looked like great bets to win late in thegame.

They all lost.

 

[Vader_Storm]

Right - looking at yesterdays games

Miami, Wake and FSU all looked like great bets to win late in thegame.

They all lost.

Florida State had Clemson beat. They choked that game away. With a 2 point lead, Clemson scores with around 3 seconds left to go in the game and the FSU player fouled him on top of it. He makes the shot at the line and Clemson wins the game. If he didn't foul him, the game at least goes to overtime. It took massive mistakes for FSU to lose that game in the last 2 minutes and FSU was in control in the closing minutes.

3 one point wins for Clemson in the acc play in like their last 6 games. They are a good team, but their luck continues.

 

[DT_PITT]

He must have a smart daddy.

All his best genetics come from Mom fortunately.

 

[UPitt '89]

Miami was the better team for 47:34 of the game. But luckily the game doesn't end with 2:26 to go, and for those last precious 146 seconds we were the better team. And that's all that mattered. Sometimes it's not the more talented team that prevails; it's simply the grittier one that does. Such is the beauty of sports! #H2P

Game was only 40:00 long. This ain't the NBA.

 

[Pittisit4me]

What I appreciate most about Fede is he embraces his role and plays as hard as he can. Seems like a very coachable young man.

I don't know if he will ever be strong enough and develop a low post move(s) that we can depend on, but we have more years to get there. I am just damn thankful we have him. He has given this team something it hasn't had. A mobile 5, with solid coordination that is helping at both ends.

 

[Thee Jackie Treehorn]

But what a different feeling at the end of this one than at the end of the Wake game. Instead of feeling like you’d almost drowned, it was like you just emerged and got that gulp of air.

That expresses my own feelings of the last two games really nicely.

 

[Protes]

Game was only 40:00 long. This ain't the NBA.

I stand corrected. ;-)

 

[Gregpitt]

While watching the game on TV, the announcers were constantly saying, "Wong is going to play at the next level" and "he is an NBA player" etc etc etc over and over again.

Then with the game on the line in the final minute, down by 1 and with the ball, this "NBA player" throws the ball away and we steal it and win!

Now, he may play in the NBA, and good for him, but this over the top announcing was frustrating and it was fun to see it end that way...for the good guys! #H2P

 

[USAF Phantom]

Florida State had Clemson beat. They choked that game away. With a 2 point lead, Clemson scores with around 3 seconds left to go in the game and the FSU player fouled him on top of it. He makes the shot at the line and Clemson wins the game. If he didn't foul him, the game at least goes to overtime. It took massive mistakes for FSU to lose that game in the last 2 minutes and FSU was in control in the closing minutes.

3 one point wins for Clemson in the acc play in like their last 6 games. They are a good team, but their luck continues.

 

[USAF Phantom]

During the last minute, Burton made a steal under their basket and then got fouled. He flicked the ball high into the air. Not sure if he was sending the ball to the ref or just a flick into the air. I surely was waiting for a Technical Foul.

 

[gary2]

During the last minute, Burton made a steal under their basket and then got fouled. He flicked the ball high into the air. Not sure if he was sending the ball to the ref or just a flick into the air. I surely was waiting for a Technical Foul.

I was waiting on the technical on Lebrion James end game against the Celtics.

Yeah, he did get fouled on the play, but....

His longggggg period of crying about it after the no call, would have been called on anyone else.

 

[upj87]

I bought a beer with a $20 bill today actually.

that's only because they take exact change...

 

[DT_PITT]

that's only because they take exact change...

LOL ... well ... even I wouldn't pay $20 for a beer!! The Bell's Two Hearted was $12.

 

[JS School]

** I’m wondering when was the last time I heard such an impromptu “LET'S GO PITT” in conjunction with our Basketball Team.

The students were chanting "Let's Go Pitt" walking down the hill after the NC game. Some posters would probably say that's only because it's too difficult to walk down Cardiac Hill in a crowd while looking at a cell phone, so they had nothing better to do.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this enjoyable season is watching Fede's progress. I'm guessing some of the same posters mentioned above might disagree, but I think Tim O'Toole probably deserves a pat on the back.

 

[4Mark_Marty]

The students were chanting "Let's Go Pitt" walking down the hill after the NC game. Some posters would probably say that's only because it's too difficult to walk down Cardiac Hill in a crowd while looking at a cell phone, so they had nothing better to do.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this enjoyable season is watching Fede's progress. I'm guessing some of the same posters mentioned above might disagree, but I think Tim O'Toole probably deserves a pat on the back.

I watched early warm ups before Miami. I got there over an hour before the game. TO worked vigorously with the big men before the game. He is really involved in their progress. Love that dude.

 

[Chairman Moe]

While watching the game on TV, the announcers were constantly saying, "Wong is going to play at the next level" and "he is an NBA player" etc etc etc over and over again.

Then with the game on the line in the final minute, down by 1 and with the ball, this "NBA player" throws the ball away and we steal it and win!

Now, he may play in the NBA, and good for him, but this over the top announcing was frustrating and it was fun to see it end that way...for the good guys! #H2P

I recall the two announcers mentioning this over and again during the broadcast. It's not hyperbole; Wong should get a look at the next level for sure. Glad that he was not on his "NBA" game over the last couple minutes

 

[JS School]

I recall the two announcers mentioning this over and again during the broadcast. It's not hyperbole; Wong should get a look at the next level for sure. Glad that he was not on his "NBA" game over the last couple minutes

Seems like Wong for Miami and Clark for Virginia have each been in college for about eight years.

 

[NTOP]

** Walking out of the Peterson Events Center tonight on the steps to Terrace Street, I heard a wonderful sound.

** Among the thrilled mass which was ambling past the exit doors at the moment, there sprouted an impromptu chant of “LET'S GO PITT." While it didn’t last especially long, the chant certainly didn't lack conviction nor attention.

** I’m wondering when was the last time I heard such an impromptu “LET'S GO PITT” in conjunction with our Basketball Team.

** In the first half of today’s contest, we honored the 2003 Big East Tournament Championship Team. There were plenty of chants of “LET'S GO PITT” that Championship night. Heck, I even recall extremely fondly walking out of Madison Square Garden while chanting with and actually hugging none other than Chancellor Nordenberg.

** Of course, this win does not rise in stature anywhere near the win in New York in March of 2003. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t pretty glorious in its own right.

** In fact, my 17 year old son said it was the most fun he’s ever had watching a basketball game in person. He’ll be making his college selection in the next several weeks. He’s looking at a remarkably elite group of schools including the likes of NYU, Georgetown, William and Mary, Case Western, Penn and others. Yet, it’s possible today’s game provided the kind of experience that tilts his matriculation toward the University of Pittsburgh.

** The 2002-2003 group of Panthers were a pretty special bunch. They were tough, experienced and talented. Yet I can’t recall any game when they scored the last 11 points of the game to steal a victory against a top 20 team.

** Most of the game today, my Son kept repeating a phrase about this game which seemed all too true. “Miami is simply just a better team” he offered. And I won’t try to disagree with that notion.

** But it’s likely also true that our Panthers were simply the team who wanted this game more.

** I often wonder what phrases such as “wanted it more” really mean. Should we really say that Miami didn’t actually want to win in the final minutes?

** Yet we made every single play in the fateful final 2:30, while the Canes didn’t seem to make a single one. I’ll leave it to you to create your own explanation why.

** I’m not going to try to decipher Fede Federiko’s personal motivations and whether he wants to win a game more than anyone else. What I will say instead is that his efforts and subsequent results were incredibly meaningful, while also completely timely, to the Panther’s victory.

** I’ll even go as far as to say that if Fede doesn’t rebound Nelly’s miss and return it through the basket at the 2:00 minute mark, no one would have ever been chanting “LET'S GO PITT” on the steps on the way out of the Pete tonight.

** My other takeaway from today’s game is that this year’s Panthers don’t seem to play the game with very much fear. They certainly almost never seem to be afraid to shoot the ball and that’s allowed them the confidence to shoot the ball whenever and wherever it’s needed. This is especially true for Blake Hinson who’s three to cut it to three with a minute and a half to go was among a handful of the biggest shots in a year that’s already had a pretty nice share of big shots.

** And while I liked that three, whether it was the game plan or personally choice, it was good to see Blake take the ball to the hoop today in addition to letting it fling from outside the line.

** Perhaps even more than Hinson, it would seem to me that Coach Capel continually encourages Nelly Cummings to keep shooting when I know many fans would rather he wouldn’t. But one way or another, his shot with a minute found someway to fall through the hoop.

** In the game’s final minutes, the Panthers never appeared to fear playing defense. Conversely, the usually well coached Canes looked tentative and undisciplined. And that made all of the needed difference to move the Panthers ahead of Miami in the ACC standings.

** Going back to our 2002-2003 team, the Pete they returned to today looked not all that unlike the one they left in at the end of that season 20 years ago. The crowd certainly numbered clearly over 10K while the Oakland Zoo was packed and in the final minutes was bouncing just like they did 20 years ago. It was pretty wonderful actually.

** Lots of things today seemed like they did 20 years ago. But the only thing that will really matter to me is returning to the NCAA Tournament like the 02-03 team and 12 other groups did to start this millennium.

** This outcome is far from being set in stone just yet. But today’s big win was a huge step in that direction.

** “LET’S GO PITT! … LET’S GO PITT!! … LET’S GO PITT!!! …”

NTOP's Cliff Notes: (By popular demand.....3 dummies)

1, Solid effort by everyone. Capel seems to be in control.

2. Fede attacked the rim. Must have read my complaint.

3. Blake Hinson has no restraint. Our best sniper since Gibbs.

4. Miami failed to attack inside, we held our own.

5. Loved Elliott redeeming himself. Those 2 FTs gave them only a chance to tie.

6. Sure looked like Pitt hoops is important again.

7. If John were ready to go, we'd be ranked by now. Hope he can make it back.

 

[NTOP]

I recall the two announcers mentioning this over and again during the broadcast. It's not hyperbole; Wong should get a look at the next level for sure. Glad that he was not on his "NBA" game over the last couple minutes

He's a player. From my old high school. They showed my tapes.

 

[Chairman Moe]

He's a player. From my old high school. They showed my tapes.

Now you have me wondering if what YOU said IS hyperbole