That was exciting
WHEW!!!!
Q "Why do you like Duke, you didn't even go there." A "Because my art school didn't have a basketball team."
That was exciting
Kyle gets BUCKETS!
https://youtu.be/NJWPASQZqLc
Nail-biter! Capel looks like he's having fun
Survive and advance
Congratulations, Pitt!
ACC 1-0
Coaching Tree 1-0
Wow, how about dodging a bullet?!? I mean, Miss St got as good a shot as you could ask for and then could have gotten a point blank tip. But Pitt wins and the SEC goes down while the ACC advances.
Why are you wasting time here when you could be wasting it by listening to the latest episode of the DBR Podcast?
Great game!
And glad this was a separate thread fwiw.
What was Greg Elliott doing?! Wow was he the happiest guy in the building when that didn't go in. Congrats to Coach Capel!
The First Four games are supposed to be between teams that are evenly matched, and that has certainly proven to be the case so far. Both of those games were in doubt late on. Glad Pitt held on after I went to bed.
Pitt has some capable shooters. If they would play with just a little more discipline I would have more faith in my choice to pick them over Iowa State. I have them getting knocked out by Xavier in the Round of 32.
I almost can’t believe that Pitt managed to win that game. With the injury to Frederiko, Pitt was down to 7 players - 4 guards, 6-7 Blake Hinson, and the extremely raw Diaz-Graham twins. Pitt was completely overmatched inside and Pitt’s second leading scorer, Jamarius Burton, only played 19 minutes due to foul trouble.
It felt a bit like watching a 14 seed try to upset a 3 seed. Every rebound Pitt managed to get seemed like a minor miracle. I kept waiting for Miss St to go on a 15-2 run and put it out of reach for Pitt.
Yet, Capel came up with a strategy - occasionally triple teaming the post and having Diaz-Graham aggressively trap ball screens 35 feet from the basket - which kept Miss St from completely obliterating Pitt in the paint. And the payers executed that strategy brilliantly.
Much respect to Pitt’s players for battling out the win!
Go Coach Capel! Go Pitt! Go ACC!
Helping out inside. I think Pitt was primarily concerned about Diaz-Graham getting out-muscled down low for an easy two. Elliott helped impede the path of the Bulldogs' center across the lane. Msst had the perfect play called for a good second option as Elliott's man broke for the corner. Just missed a wide open shot.
Man, if your Mom made you wear that color when you were a baby, and you're still wearing it, it's time to grow up!
Agreed, MSU blew the chance to get separation in the first half with too many turnovers- many of which were offensive fouls. Pitt was barely trying to get defensive rebounds and was incredibly weak around the basket. Yet guys hit big 3s and miraculously had the lead at the half. Great effort and Capel’s upbeat attitude in those courtside interviews had me smiling.
I couldn't find a postgame presser, but here is a collection of locker room videos with Pitt players.
Pitt's season could have been even better if it still had 6'9", 265-pound John Hughley, their best player from last year. I had forgotten about him until his recent transfer portal news, so I Googled for more back story. After a suspension due to criminal theft charges a couple of years ago, he went on leave this year, citing mental health issues. I just saw the first half last night, but Graham looked very frail, unable to finish what should have been easy dunks inside and being dominated on the boards. Hughley's beef would have addressed that issue.