Sweet 16

[Pitt79]

That's more of a better example what I was talking about. There's no proof to suggest Kentucky cheats so if we're assuming they're not, nothing is wrong with Kentucky. But, I would not want a championship won or final four that will be vacated, such as Memphis.

I'd love, a championship won or final four that will be vacated, such as Memphis. Since I lived it, I'd record it as it happened and rewatch it and relive the joy, it could never be taken away if it really happened, "vacating" is the dumbest BS I ever heard of. If that happened, I'd still make a point of celebrating the REAL EVENT that happened and laugh at the phony asss "vacation" of the game.

 

[levance2]

I'm not talking about their vacated F4. I'm talking about their program. They made a title game, lost, lost their coach, and basically faded to be the predestined auto-bid from a crappy C-USA. They've won 2 NCAA games in 6 years, which is worse than Pitt.

Cheating can get you a winning season, or a short set of them, but it isn't going to advance your program in the long-term. Most of the examples people bring up these days (OSU, Miami, UNC, Cuse) are all established high-level programs in their respective sports. If Pitt cheats and gets caught doing it, they will return to the same level of modest success they have now, or even worse.

I'd rather have a fighting chance in 15 of 20 years than make one suspect run, fail, and end up like Pitt was in the 90s. Just wait to see the long-term feasibility at Baylor or ISU. Indiana is still trying to figure out WTF to do with themselves.

 

[Pitt79]

I'm not talking about their vacated F4. I'm talking about their program. They made a title game, lost, lost their coach, and basically faded to be the predestined auto-bid from a crappy C-USA. They've won 2 NCAA games in 6 years, which is worse than Pitt.

Cheating can get you a winning season, or a short set of them, but it isn't going to advance your program in the long-term. Most of the examples people bring up these days (OSU, Miami, UNC, Cuse) are all established high-level programs in their respective sports. If Pitt cheats and gets caught doing it, they will return to the same level of modest success they have now, or even worse.

I'd rather have a fighting chance in 15 of 20 years than make one suspect run, fail, and end up like Pitt was in the 90s. Just wait to see the long-term feasibility at Baylor or ISU. Indiana is still trying to figure out WTF to do with themselves.

You're acting as if Pitt is somehow head and shoulders above Memphis right now, I have news for you, Pitt has sunk pretty low as of the current moment.

 

[Zaratoughda]

They went to a Final 4 and didn't lose anything really. "Vacating" the game is fake asss BS that I laugh at, they where there, it happened, their fans enjoyed it, they lived it, it was fun that day, it can't be taken away.

I would imagine the banners that the NCAA gave for making the Final Four... were indeed taken away.

 

[levance2]

You are definitely entitled to your dumb opinion.

 

[Ambst95]

At this point Pitt is closer to being "back in the 90s" than going on a run like we did in the 00s. The assistants on JDs staff are not very good and our recruiting has fallen off the map. PSU is outrecruiting Pitt in basketball. This should never happen. We are looking at another CBI or bust kind of season. I don't understand how the OP can be so positive about A Sweet 16 appearance this year or others can wax poetic about Sweet 16s from a decade ago. I wouldn't mind enjoying a FF run that gets vacated years after the fact vs the past 5 seasons and I'm sure most Pitt Fans would feel the same way. The same goes with football as well and a CFP invite. No one gets the death penalty so at worst you end up back where we are right now.

 

[levance2]

I wouldn't mind enjoying a FF run that gets vacated years after the fact vs the past 5 seasons and I'm sure most Pitt Fans would feel the same way.

We had an Elite 8 run about 5 years ago and nobody seems to wax poetic about that. If Pitt went on a run like Memphis did, and dropped as far back as Memphis has, Pitt fans would be even more outraged than they already are.

 

[Pittx9]

"vacating" is the dumbest BS I ever heard of

On that level I will agree with you, unfortunately that's how it is though. But you don't see the NFL taking away championships from the Patriots, yet in college it happens every single season it seems that a team from 5 years ago gets wins vacated. I still wouldn't want it to happen, but can't argue the fact that is pretty dumb to try and change history. Case in point, every single person who was alive knows Reggie Bush won a Heisman Trophy.

 

[Pitt79]

On that level I will agree with you, unfortunately that's how it is though. But you don't see the NFL taking away championships from the Patriots, yet in college it happens every single season it seems that a team from 5 years ago gets wins vacated. I still wouldn't want it to happen, but can't argue the fact that is pretty dumb to try and change history. Case in point, every single person who was alive knows Reggie Bush won a Heisman Trophy.

And if I was a USC fan, I'd be like "F**k it!" and celebrate those teams forever.

Now we see Pitt basketball, once a very hot ticket, begging fans to buy 3 game packages. If we had Calipari or Pitino recruiting studs, NO MATTER what tactics they used, the place would still be sold out and there would be a waiting list... YOU KNOW IT'S TRUE.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

The desire to win dishonestly opinions expressed on here are not morally better than the approach taken at PSU to cover up pedophilia. Its the same win at all costs attitude.

 

[Pitt79]

The desire to win dishonestly opinions expressed on here are not morally better than the approach taken at PSU to cover up pedophilia. Its the same win at all costs attitude.

Good, if giving a recruit some money or a new car to win a championship is equal to pedophilia, then f**K it, I'm all in!

AND, so is the vast majority of ALL OF YOU. They went 19-15 last year and are struggling to sell tickets now. If it was 30-4 instead, NO MATTER HOW they achieved it, nobody would ask any questions, there would not be 3 game packages available, and there would be a waiting list, and people camping outside the Pete overnight to get tickets.

 

[Thee Jackie Treehorn]

Looking past the fact that you appear to be a sociopath, you still haven't addressed the very strong probability that the NCAA would penalize Pitt harshly for violations. Pitt wouldn't benefit from the leniency you see with the high revenue programs. A postseason ban of any significance could take the program into rubble. If you truly believe that one 8-10 ACC season is rock bottom, I don't know how to speak to you rationally.

 

[Pittx9]

Now we see Pitt basketball, once a very hot ticket, begging fans to buy 3 game packages. If we had Calipari or Pitino recruiting studs, NO MATTER what tactics they used, the place would still be sold out and there would be a waiting list... YOU KNOW IT'S TRUE.

Again, I can agree with a portion of what you're saying. No doubt if that were happening the arena would have a waiting list decades long and be packed every single night. But think about this. Even just on this message board most would not want to see this situation we are speaking of. Think of the Pitt alumni and also look at how the football games struggle to bring in big crowds already. How many alumni do you think would be there the next year for the games, if we a) had our previous season vacated and b) had no chance of making the tournament because of being banned? I'd say a vast majority would give their season tickets up, and we'd really hit a bigger decline.

It's frustrating to see Pitt come so close with having great teams earlier in the 2000's and come up short every time. So yes winning a National Championship here would be one of the greatest things ever. I'm personally still holding out hope though that Jamie coaches here for 30+ years and eventually wins that championship (sooner rather than later would be nice though!)

To be honest, right after Howland left I was very critical of Dixon. I thought that Howland left him with a great team and in just Dixon's second year we went backwards. However, among other things there was a particular date where I really realized Jamie Dixon was the real deal. The year after the Elite Eight we played WVU at home and they were ranked #5. They were far and away a superior team. But Jamie had the team ready and we pulled off a wild victory. Then I realized, this team beats the top teams more times than not, without as much as talent as those teams. That to me has to reflect on great coaching.

I don't know if it will ever happen, but if Jamie ever recruits an almost full team of really good recruits, Pitt could most definitely win big. It is almost unreal to think he has the highest winning percentage in the history of the sport's toughest conference going up against legendary coaches that had way more talent on their teams.

 

[Pitt79]

Looking past the fact that you appear to be a sociopath...

If I'm a sociopath, then so are the entire fan bases of UK, tOSU, Michigan, Florida State, 'Bama, Texas, Clemson, UNC, USC, Auburn... the list goes on and on and on.