** My heart is still racing. I’m exhausted and overwhelmed. Most of my muscles still feel tight. And it feels so incredibly great!
** That was without a doubt one of the absolute best college basketball games I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching in my lifetime. I’ve been watching for over 42 years. That's easily over 4,200 college hoops games. Maybe many more than that.
** But at a minimum that’s among the best dozen or so Pitt games I’ve ever watched.
** A few days ago, someone asked when was the last time the Panthers hit a last second winning shot to win an NCAA game. I had to go all the way back to Dwayne Wallace’s shot to beat Idaho in 1981.
** I believe this poster’s take was this might be the year we see it again. I’ll have go back and dig up the thread, because that’s one wise poster!
** But was there any doubt Jamarius was going to take that winning shot? There shouldn’t have been. It’s what he does. It’s what he’s done most of this year. It’s why the Panthers journey in this year’s NCAA tournament moves past the First Four to the next 64.
** But let’s get to that “other shot." You know the one. That freakishly stone coldish ridiculously balsy deep three by Blake. Who among you didn’t think for a moment when he let that go that something was amiss? Maybe Blake thought there were just 5 seconds left on the shot clock instead of 15?
** And as the Blake’s fling traversed its way to the rim, who else thought like I did that it might just barely graze the front rim?
** But that’s not what happened. Instead it flew through. At the DT_PITT household, there erupted a blast of elation mixed with amazement among it’s trio of occupants. It hasn’t been that loud in our residence for some time. Just an extraordinary moment.
** But a moment that came close was the haze of the last 2.7 seconds and the realization that this one was over. Lots of screaming then too. It’s a good thing it’s cold outside and the windows were closed. Otherwise there might have been plenty of waking the neighbors tonight.
** This entire game seemed like it was just incredible moment after incredible moment. Important play after important play. And our Panthers who were never perfect, also never flinched. And one flinch might have been the difference between heading to Greensboro or heading back to Pittsburgh.
** I’ve mentioned the big shots of JB and Blake, so now it’s time to move to the big game from Nelly. If my math is correct, he’s averaging 17.5 PPG in his two NCAA contests while being his team’s leading scorer in both.
** I’ve already fessed up many times expressing how much I underestimated Nelly early on in the season. For now I’ll just say great game young man!!
** And a shout out to Nike and Greg too, because their contributions were invaluable.
** But allow me to get to my game ball. Mr. Guillermio Diaz Graham it’s yours. You earned it. You used all 200 pounds of your frail physique to battle and claw against a superior foe. But somehow you did just enough to not allow the Bulldogs best player bully his to way to bettering your Panthers. You gave it your all, and for the Panthers this night, it was enough. Right down to your block with 2.8 seconds to go.
** 600 words or so later, my heart rate has now slowed closer to normal, but my feeling joy has only percolated even more.
** We got to experience a game today that Pitt fans will talk about more for many years to come. It’s all been a part of a season that has provided so much excitement and satisfaction.
** And it’s not even over! Who already can’t wait until Friday? I just can’t wait to see what the Panthers might be able to provide for an encore.
** But for tonight, I will leave with my greatest possible offer of congratulations to our coaching staff, our players, and the entire Pitt program for a great game, a great night and our first NCAA Tournament win in nine years.
** Hail to Pitt!
