Last week, when I read that the 5th ranked PITT men's basketball team would be opening up against 24th ranked Rhode Island, I experienced a feeling of deja vu. Not too long ago, PITT's football team started the year ranked 15th in the nation and there was plenty of hype as they opened up on the road at Utah. PITT lost in overtime, and although they still have a great shot at winning the Big East conference, they clearly haven't lived up to their lofty preseason praise.
The basketball team has been another story for quite some time, and they did defeat Rhode Island in a hard-fought game. They won another tough battle tonight against Maryland and improved to 4-0 to start the young season. Nothing new for the program. They've been doing this since the 2001/2002 season and they've turned the basketball progam into one of the most consistent in the country. Clearly a tribute to Jamie Dixon for continuing what Ben Howland started 9 seasons ago.
As is usually the case, there is much hype associated with them this year, but I have no doubt that they'll remain near the top of the rankings for the entire year.
I'm sure the pressure to advance to that elusive Final 4 will rear its ugly head as we get closer and closer to The Madness, but, for now, I'm easing into the college basketball season. Enjoying the games and knowing that even an early season loss by the Panthers won't cripple them, because, in college basketball, they have something called a playoff tournament. Pretty innovative.
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