Pitt game

[keysersosay#1]

We are all happy with the W last night.... BUT we have a HUGE game in less than 48 hours. Pitt on the road will be TOUGH and being the old coot that I am, and also remembering they were within a whisker of beating us at DES center, I will be very happy with a one point WIN...since we only won by two at home.

 

[imajericho]

Pitts confidence is destroyed and they have quit on their coach. Be surprised for it to be competitive despite what the FSU result may have you thinking.

 

[DSouthr]

I believe this is Pitt's senior night so if they are going to pull together a game it is going to be this one. We beat them by 2 at the dome, 80-78. They shot 55.6% for that game and almost 45% from trey on 13 made 3pt attempts. They played us a closer game at our place than any other ACC team did this season so far.

I don't take this one lightly and with a bit of a cushion now in this race for the ACC regular season crown, we need to maintain that cushion and not let it slip to a team we should beat. There are 2 games in our loss column however that suggest this is the kind of game that if we are not careful can upset us, don't forget Miami and GT. No road win in this ACC is easy and as Pitt showed us the first time we played them, they can hot their treys when they are allowed clean looks and we gave them a bunch of clean looks last time.

 

[Archer2]

I'm expecting a tough game and I hope the players are too. No time for complacency with a high NCAAT seed at stake. Pitt recently beat FSU in Tallahassee by 14, beat Syracuse who's playing well right now, and lost by 8 at dook. They've had some bad losses and some good wins. We'd better be prepared for a battle.

 

[dadika13]

Look up trap game in the dictionary and you'll see a link to this game. Really hope our boys come out ready to play tomorrow.

 

[heels05champs]

Look up trap game in the dictionary and you'll see a link to this game. Really hope our boys come out ready to play tomorrow.

Yep. This defines trap game.

 

[alabamaheel]

I do believe this is a trap game, but also remember that Johnson had the game of his life and oh yeah.... Theo didn't play the first game. Big diff in my opinion.

 

[ohio tarheels]

Pitts confidence is destroyed and they have quit on their coach. Be surprised for it to be competitive despite what the FSU result may have you thinking.

I haven't watched them since our last game but looking at stats they seem to be playing better now then they were before our first meeting... Couple wins over FSU and Cuse and their losses have been close.... Artis, Johnson and Young always scare me because they have the potential to go nuts in any given day.... I do think we should be able to pull out the W but don't know if I would say they have quit on Stallings.... Plus they are hanging on to the proverbial bubble so this would be huge for their tourney chances

 

[RP12]

The tape from the game at our place should let our guys know they could lose this one easily. I don't expect Johnson to be as good but Young could make that up. It's a clear challenge to take on that they made 13 threes last time and goal should be to limit them to half that.

 

[al would]

I do believe this is a trap game, but also remember that Johnson had the game of his life and oh yeah.... Theo didn't play the first game. Big diff in my opinion.

yeah .. Pitt won't (or shouldn't) see the same team they saw at the DES a few weeks ago .. but ACC road games have not been easy for visiting teams this season. Once again our defensive intensity and effort will determine the outcome... jmho.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

Once again our defensive intensity and effort will determine the outcome... jmho.

Which is why I don't love the fact it's a noon game.

 

[Heelicious]

they are hanging on to the proverbial bubble so this would be huge for their tourney chances

No doubt this will be a very tough game that scares me a lot. Any road win even by one point, I'll gladly take.

But Pitt is 4-11 in the conference. Those 4 wins would have to be against Cleveland Cavs and Golden State Warriors to get them in the tourney. Even if they win out, which is extremely unlikely, they are 7-11 in the conference. If they get in then that means the ACC probably sends like 13 teams to the tourney, which would require a tourney field of 100+ teams.
They are playing for pride, senior day, maybe NIT, etc..... which shouldn't be underestimated, but zero chance they make the big tourney. Zero.

 

[strummingram]

Which is why I don't love the fact it's a noon game.

that's my biggest concern. That, and UVA will be on Monday.

 

[SKYBLUEWITCHEESE]

They will be fine for this one. Properly prepared and motivated. It's the UVA game on Monday that will be a challenge. Quick turnaround and traveling involved. Roy has already said, "No team should have to do this." So the excuse is already there. UVA badly in need of another quality win. They are in a free fall. Their crowd will be insane for that game.

 

[shane023]

While I agree that Pitt is out of the tourney, ESPN has them listed in the next 4 out section of the bracket. A win over the Heels would certainly move them to another line. Let me also note that I think I'm looking at the most recent bracketology, but could be wrong.

 

[lerario]

If we play well we should be fine, but that hasn't always been a given on the road this year. I expect us to play better defense against them then we did the first go around, but we better be locked in and ready for a fight. It would be huge to get out to an early lead and keep the crowd out of it. If we let them hang around like CH or worse yet play with the lead for most of the game then we could easily slip up and lose.

 

[Heelicious]

While I agree that Pitt is out of the tourney, ESPN has them listed in the next 4 out section of the bracket. A win over the Heels would certainly move them to another line. Let me also note that I think I'm looking at the most recent bracketology, but could be wrong.

I saw that too. And I respect Lunardi, but that on the bubble listing seems way out of line. I know the field is weak this year, especially after top 15-20... and Pitt's RPI isn't terrible, but at some point you have to actually win some games.

When was the last time a team 4+ games under .500 in their conference made the big tourney? I doubt if its ever happened. (note: except for winning their conference tourney and getting the auto bid, obviously)

 

[ohio tarheels]

I saw that too. And I respect Lunardi, but that on the bubble listing seems way out of line. I know the field is weak this year, especially after top 15-20... and Pitt's RPI isn't terrible, but at some point you have to actually win some games.

When was the last time a team 4+ games under .500 in their conference made the big tourney? I doubt if its ever happened. (note: except for winning their conference tourney and getting the auto bid, obviously)

I was just going by what I read when I wrote they were on bubble earlier... I guess he is think if they win last 3 regular season and somehow at least 2 in AccT that would put them over 20 wins??

 

[ohio tarheels]

They will be fine for this one. Properly prepared and motivated. It's the UVA game on Monday that will be a challenge. Quick turnaround and traveling involved. Roy has already said, "No team should have to do this." So the excuse is already there. UVA badly in need of another quality win. They are in a free fall. Their crowd will be insane for that game.

I would think though that after leaving Pitt Sat evening we would just stay in Charlottesville instead of coming all the way back to Chapel Hill

 

[Prof C]

that's my biggest concern. That, and UVA will be on Monday.

I'm not too worried about Pitt tomorrow. UNC should be ready for them.

At Virginia on 2 days rest however is troubling. The only saving grace is that UVA only gets 2 days rest also.

 

[gary-7]

that's my biggest concern. That, and UVA will be on Monday.

2 of our ACC losses have come in the dreaded Saturday lunchtime road game, and we didn't exactly dominate BC in the other one. Definitely on my worry list.

 

[coryfly]

I think how Berry plays early will be a good barometer. He hasn't been as good on the road and we need him tomorrow on both ends to play big. If he does, I think it makes a huge difference and forces any team to play really well to beat us. He played well against Pitt last time as well so that is a good sign. I hate the Saturday games at this time. Always have.

 

[Tigertown_a_Rick]

2 of our ACC losses have come in the dreaded Saturday lunchtime road game, and we didn't exactly dominate BC in the other one. Definitely on my worry list.

Pitt seniors Young and Artis shot the lights out at Wake the other night, and this will be their final game in front of the home folks at the Zoo, so they will be ready to play, and we know how Johnson lit the scoreboard up at the DES center a couple weeks ago, so yeah, I'm worried for all the reasons that Gary-7 is....We're coming off an emotional big win over Louisville, and we now have a 2 game cushion on the rest of the ACC, so that is a reason for concern due to complacency....I just hope the team is focused for today's game with the rematch with Virginia looming on Monday followed by the game with Dook a week from today?.....The ACC is right there for the taking, so let's hope our seniors remember that today!

 

[TPFKAPFS]

Complacency has set in at times this season and this is a real cause for concern. I am very optimistic this time (despite the dreaded noon time) because TP is back and playing even better than even his supporters expected. I expect him to impact them on offense, but also to challenge their big 3 point shooters with length. Our perimeter defense is better now and Meeks seems to be figuring out how to impact guards on pick & rolls. Hicks could be a difference maker in this game also since he could force one of those bigs to tire out playing physical interior D. If we continue the aggressive attacking O their legs should be tired in the second half causing those dreaded 3s to fall short at winning time.

Listening to our peeps' clips, I feel that they all understand the opportunity we have right now and will go all out for that #1 ACC and NCAA seed!

 

[DSouthr]

Pitt seniors Young and Artis shot the lights out at Wake the other night, and this will be their final game in front of the home folks at the Zoo, so they will be ready to play, and we know how Johnson lit the scoreboard up at the DES center a couple weeks ago, so yeah, I'm worried for all the reasons that Gary-7 is....We're coming off an emotional big win over Louisville, and we now have a 2 game cushion on the rest of the ACC, so that is a reason for concern due to complacency....I just hope the team is focused for today's game with the rematch with Virginia looming on Monday followed by the game with Dook a week from today?.....The ACC is right there for the taking, so let's hope our seniors remember that today!

I am more worried about this game than I am UVa, the short turn around is going to be tuff but we match up IMO MUCH better vs UVa than we do Pitt. Pitt may have only won 4 conference games, they may be bottom 4 in the conference but they are one of the most potent bottom 4 teams you are going to find. They have jump shooters with Length that you just have to stay closer to in order to hinder a shot. I think you have to make sure Johnson and Young are not getting clean looks. Artis can hurt ya when his shot is on, but when Young and Johnson get it going they can beat any team in the league. So you have to stop them from getting off early, keep them cold early and they wil not hurt you late.

 

[toophly1124]

I'm having to DVR the game. Can't find the channel. I live in the high point area and have directv. Can anybody advise?

 

[ohio tarheels]

Over in the foothills it's on WBTV (local cbs), channel 3

 

[toophly1124]

Thanks. My local CBS is showing SMU v UCONN. Maybe it's a mistake. If I can't get a definite I may just record that hoping it shows the unc game instead.

 

[coryfly]

It is on ESPN3 if you have that access. It is on one of the ESPN extra channels (789 on DTV). Sometimes I actually get those games for some reason so maybe I'll get lucky today.

 

[toophly1124]

I do have access to espn3 so maybe I'll just watch on my phone. Thanks for the help.

 

[DSouthr]

It is on ESPN3 if you have that access. It is on one of the ESPN extra channels (789 on DTV). Sometimes I actually get those games for some reason so maybe I'll get lucky today.

Looks like it will be streamed on ESPN Go.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

Any questions?

 

[SKYBLUEWITCHEESE]

I would think though that after leaving Pitt Sat evening we would just stay in Charlottesville instead of coming all the way back to Chapel Hill

Nope. They always come home, as they did on Saturday.