I'll start with the basketball stuff, there wasn't much of that really but anyway:
- the most important takeway of the whole night was when Jay Williams was interviewing Jamie, Jay said that he watched Pitt practice that day and Jamie told him that they were back to playing "Pitt basketball" and playing defense. I cant remember the exact quote but it sounded as if Jamie is happy with the way the team is playing defense. As we know, this is the most important area we need to sure up. I think our rebounding will be pretty good with Young playing smaller and the Ivy League Rebounding Champ (3 years in a row) and I think we'll be able to score enough. Just need to play D.
- The first basketball-related thing they did was the player intros. The women were entertaining during their intros, most of them doing a few dance moves. The men were really laid back, just walking out, waving to the crowd. Chris Jones did a nice dance (first time I think I've discussed dancing on this board). Nix wore the Biggie costume. It kind of hit me when they were going through the intros how many Western PA guys we have on this team. I mean I always knew but when you hear half the players get announced from PA, it kind of hits you. Plus, the 3 walk-ons are from semi-Western PA (2 from West Central). The walk-on from St. Mary's, PA looks like a 6'5/6'6 "PIAA Center." What I mean by that is one of those 6'5 kids who had to play on the block his whole life because he was the biggest guy on the court. He's a wide body.
- Damon Wilson was the only guy Jay Williams hyped up at all, said something like "you guys are really going to like this guy."
- After the player intros, Jamie and Suzie came out together, not in costume this time. They had a quick interview with Jay, nothing really of note. Jamie said the team is going to play tough, take charges, and push the ball when they can.
- They did that Shooting Stars competition which they do at NBA All-Star Weekend. I think Krauser was supposed to captain a team but wasn't there (or at least I didnt see him) so BK took his place. When BK was introduced, Jay said how BK beat him twice in HS and they go way back. They intereviewed each team captain. When Tray was introduced, he brought up Nick Rivers to give his "Blue and Gold" twist to Wiz's "Black and Yellow." Not sure if that part was planned but Nick did a nice job. I've always thought Pitt should contract with a local rapper to come up with a Pitt rap theme song for the year, maybe Nick can do it.
- Tray's team won. Jamie did the play by play and was pretty funny. The Pitt players involved were Artis, Johnson, Robinson, and Jeter. Artis missed about his first 8 3's and Jamie was saying things like "these guys want to see Wiz. Wiz has to come on at some point. These kids have to go to bed." I had that kinda sick feeling for Jamel seeing him miss so much out on island like that but Jamie at least made light of it.
- wished they could have fit in a little scrimmage but that's not what most people were there for.
- I saw some people estimating attendance in the other thread. Really, GA events are the easiest to estimate attendance because everyone matriculates to the best available seat. They put the stage in front of the courtside luxury boxes so seating behind those in Sections 117-125 were closed. But the rest of the lower bowl was nearly 100% full, at least full enough that the only seats available were some scattered seats so the people coming in a little late had to move to the loge level (which was also full) and the upper deck. If we say the lower bowl seats 7500 with 60% of available seating open, thats 4500 in the lower bowl. I'd estimate another 500-1000 in the loge and upper deck. Attendance somewhere between 5000-6000. In the other thread, someone said they heard an official count but there couldnt' have been one as there were no turnstiles.
- Be sure though, that the VAST majority of the students at this thing were there ONLY to see Wiz Khalifa. I'm sure a lot of them didnt even know it was a basketball event. To set the scene, just picture those old Thursday/Friday/Saturday nights in Oakland where everyone is buzzed or drunk and in their party gear. I forgot how slutty college girls dress for stuff like that. Geez, I hope that's not my daugther when the time comes. To be honest, I felt out of place, not because I was older than most people but because I had a Pitt shirt on. I looked like a Pitt fan when just about everyone there was dressed to party.
- It was late on a Friday night and a lot of students were drunk, but not really annoying. Honestly, I kinda wished they'd get drunk for our games because there was this constant "buzz" (no pun intended) even way before Wiz came out. People were just fired up.
- I felt bad for the basketball team in a way because I had the feeling like most people were just hoping the bball stuff would end as soon as possible. I was hoping there would be more of it. They were definitely upstaged but I"m sure they didnt mind. When you have one of the world's most popular rappers performing, that's going to happen. I kept thinking though that there are places in this country where the students are THAT excited to see their basketball team. Places like Creighton, Memphis, Iowa State, Kansas, and could get 10,000, 15,000 just to see their team at a Midnight Madness.
- It was a great idea to not announce Wiz until 30 hours before the event. If there had been any prior notice, the place would have been packed and the intention was not to have a 10,000 person free Wiz Khalifa concert. This was to give something back to the Zoo. Honestly though, I wished they would have played up that aspect and said things like "you guys have been with us, this night is for you, we need you to come out and support us." Stuff like that.
- My only knitpicking of the whole night is that Wiz didnt say anything about Pitt. Mentioned "Pittsburgh" a few times between songs but it would have been cool to hear him say "Pitt" or say something to the Zoo or a few players. I dont know if he's a Pitt fan or even knows any of the players' names but it would have been cool for him to call Mike Young on stage, for example, and say he's a local guy like him and he's going to do big things. I mean Wiz is a megastar so you can't expect him to do stuff like that. They're lucky they got him to show up but I felt the night would have been perfect if Wiz incorporated Pitt into his performance.
- All in all, it was probably one of the best things the Ath. Dept. has ever done. Congratulations to whoever's idea this was
I hope we see more "cool" stuff like this. Recruiting is just crazy and for the demographic we are recruiting, it doesnt get much bigger than Wiz Khalifa. I said before we should contract with him to come to some games, sit courtside, etc. I dont think anybody's going to come to Pitt just because of Wiz Khalifa but if you turn on Pitt/Duke and the cameras show Wiz in a Pitt hat sitting courtside, that opens up a lot recruits' eyes. SHould it? Probably not but that's how it is. Pitt has a unique opportunity. I'd even take it a step further and pay him to wear a Pitt bball jersey in a rap video......you know like the one that has been seen a BILLION times on Youtube. Product placement, you know. I'm sure this was probably just a one-off event but with this new ACC money coming in, I would spend $100K-$250K to incorporate Wiz into the program with some of this stuff. Got to think outside the box.
- the most important takeway of the whole night was when Jay Williams was interviewing Jamie, Jay said that he watched Pitt practice that day and Jamie told him that they were back to playing "Pitt basketball" and playing defense. I cant remember the exact quote but it sounded as if Jamie is happy with the way the team is playing defense. As we know, this is the most important area we need to sure up. I think our rebounding will be pretty good with Young playing smaller and the Ivy League Rebounding Champ (3 years in a row) and I think we'll be able to score enough. Just need to play D.
- The first basketball-related thing they did was the player intros. The women were entertaining during their intros, most of them doing a few dance moves. The men were really laid back, just walking out, waving to the crowd. Chris Jones did a nice dance (first time I think I've discussed dancing on this board). Nix wore the Biggie costume. It kind of hit me when they were going through the intros how many Western PA guys we have on this team. I mean I always knew but when you hear half the players get announced from PA, it kind of hits you. Plus, the 3 walk-ons are from semi-Western PA (2 from West Central). The walk-on from St. Mary's, PA looks like a 6'5/6'6 "PIAA Center." What I mean by that is one of those 6'5 kids who had to play on the block his whole life because he was the biggest guy on the court. He's a wide body.
- Damon Wilson was the only guy Jay Williams hyped up at all, said something like "you guys are really going to like this guy."
- After the player intros, Jamie and Suzie came out together, not in costume this time. They had a quick interview with Jay, nothing really of note. Jamie said the team is going to play tough, take charges, and push the ball when they can.
- They did that Shooting Stars competition which they do at NBA All-Star Weekend. I think Krauser was supposed to captain a team but wasn't there (or at least I didnt see him) so BK took his place. When BK was introduced, Jay said how BK beat him twice in HS and they go way back. They intereviewed each team captain. When Tray was introduced, he brought up Nick Rivers to give his "Blue and Gold" twist to Wiz's "Black and Yellow." Not sure if that part was planned but Nick did a nice job. I've always thought Pitt should contract with a local rapper to come up with a Pitt rap theme song for the year, maybe Nick can do it.
- Tray's team won. Jamie did the play by play and was pretty funny. The Pitt players involved were Artis, Johnson, Robinson, and Jeter. Artis missed about his first 8 3's and Jamie was saying things like "these guys want to see Wiz. Wiz has to come on at some point. These kids have to go to bed." I had that kinda sick feeling for Jamel seeing him miss so much out on island like that but Jamie at least made light of it.
- wished they could have fit in a little scrimmage but that's not what most people were there for.
- I saw some people estimating attendance in the other thread. Really, GA events are the easiest to estimate attendance because everyone matriculates to the best available seat. They put the stage in front of the courtside luxury boxes so seating behind those in Sections 117-125 were closed. But the rest of the lower bowl was nearly 100% full, at least full enough that the only seats available were some scattered seats so the people coming in a little late had to move to the loge level (which was also full) and the upper deck. If we say the lower bowl seats 7500 with 60% of available seating open, thats 4500 in the lower bowl. I'd estimate another 500-1000 in the loge and upper deck. Attendance somewhere between 5000-6000. In the other thread, someone said they heard an official count but there couldnt' have been one as there were no turnstiles.
- Be sure though, that the VAST majority of the students at this thing were there ONLY to see Wiz Khalifa. I'm sure a lot of them didnt even know it was a basketball event. To set the scene, just picture those old Thursday/Friday/Saturday nights in Oakland where everyone is buzzed or drunk and in their party gear. I forgot how slutty college girls dress for stuff like that. Geez, I hope that's not my daugther when the time comes. To be honest, I felt out of place, not because I was older than most people but because I had a Pitt shirt on. I looked like a Pitt fan when just about everyone there was dressed to party.
- It was late on a Friday night and a lot of students were drunk, but not really annoying. Honestly, I kinda wished they'd get drunk for our games because there was this constant "buzz" (no pun intended) even way before Wiz came out. People were just fired up.
- I felt bad for the basketball team in a way because I had the feeling like most people were just hoping the bball stuff would end as soon as possible. I was hoping there would be more of it. They were definitely upstaged but I"m sure they didnt mind. When you have one of the world's most popular rappers performing, that's going to happen. I kept thinking though that there are places in this country where the students are THAT excited to see their basketball team. Places like Creighton, Memphis, Iowa State, Kansas, and could get 10,000, 15,000 just to see their team at a Midnight Madness.
- It was a great idea to not announce Wiz until 30 hours before the event. If there had been any prior notice, the place would have been packed and the intention was not to have a 10,000 person free Wiz Khalifa concert. This was to give something back to the Zoo. Honestly though, I wished they would have played up that aspect and said things like "you guys have been with us, this night is for you, we need you to come out and support us." Stuff like that.
- My only knitpicking of the whole night is that Wiz didnt say anything about Pitt. Mentioned "Pittsburgh" a few times between songs but it would have been cool to hear him say "Pitt" or say something to the Zoo or a few players. I dont know if he's a Pitt fan or even knows any of the players' names but it would have been cool for him to call Mike Young on stage, for example, and say he's a local guy like him and he's going to do big things. I mean Wiz is a megastar so you can't expect him to do stuff like that. They're lucky they got him to show up but I felt the night would have been perfect if Wiz incorporated Pitt into his performance.
- All in all, it was probably one of the best things the Ath. Dept. has ever done. Congratulations to whoever's idea this was
I hope we see more "cool" stuff like this. Recruiting is just crazy and for the demographic we are recruiting, it doesnt get much bigger than Wiz Khalifa. I said before we should contract with him to come to some games, sit courtside, etc. I dont think anybody's going to come to Pitt just because of Wiz Khalifa but if you turn on Pitt/Duke and the cameras show Wiz in a Pitt hat sitting courtside, that opens up a lot recruits' eyes. SHould it? Probably not but that's how it is. Pitt has a unique opportunity. I'd even take it a step further and pay him to wear a Pitt bball jersey in a rap video......you know like the one that has been seen a BILLION times on Youtube. Product placement, you know. I'm sure this was probably just a one-off event but with this new ACC money coming in, I would spend $100K-$250K to incorporate Wiz into the program with some of this stuff. Got to think outside the box.
