Pittsburgh 2006 = Boston College 2005?

By Yoni Cohen on Mon Jan 16, 2006 at 03:11:27 AM EST

As I watched Pittsburgh defeat Villanova, it occurred to me that the Panthers might have much in common with last season's Boston College Eagles.

The Panthers are to date 14-0. Last year's Eagles? Started 20-0.

The Panthers yesterday bested Louisville on the road, in large part thanks to their confident play in the first half. The Eagles last January defeated Connecticut away from home, in large part thanks to their confident play in the first half.

Both victories were seen as watershed moments on the national stage.

But once Notre Dame identified the chink in Boston College's armor, the Eagles lost three of their next seven before an early exit from the NCAA Tournament.

Will the same fate befall Pittsburgh? Perhaps starting when Syracuse or Connecticut come calling in late January?

Commentary ::


Display:
Pittsburgh 2006 = Boston College 2005? | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 hidden)

Pitt vs Villanova? (none / 0)

Your tv must be way better than mine, because I didn't get that game.

by Anonymous Hero on Mon Jan 16, 2006 at 11:28:09 AM EST

ESPN Plus (none / 0)

came through...

by Yoni Cohen on Mon Jan 16, 2006 at 12:59:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Pitt's good (none / 0)

But beating Louisville isn't that hard.  A team with three losses has no business being ranked when they haven't beaten a solid tournament team all year.  The Kentucky loss is looking more and more embarassing with each passing week.

Still, I'm impressed with Pitt.  Who knows if they'll keep it up, but that win against Wisconsin is starting to look pretty impressive, and it's hard to pick against a team that hasn't lost yet.


by Slic on Mon Jan 16, 2006 at 12:45:43 PM EST

Pitt (none / 0)

Big difference between Pittsburgh and Louisville is that Pitt is one of the top 5 winningest teams over the last 4 1/2 years and has been to 4 straight NCAA's and 3 sweet 16's in that time frame, so, this is not really anything new for Pitt.

I do think Pitt has some losses coming up, I mean, in the Big East, you are going to lose games, it is a tough, tough conference, top to bottom.

It seems like many think they have come out of nowhere, just that most people overrated the impact of players leaving the program and severely underrated the players returning.


by Anonymous Hero on Mon Jan 16, 2006 at 02:51:21 PM EST

Pitt (none / 0)

Sorry, meant to say biggest difference between Pitt and BC (not Pitt and Louisville).

by nbeblogger on Mon Jan 16, 2006 at 02:52:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Pitt (none / 0)

It's the guards!  BC did not have guards, Pitt does.

by Anonymous Hero on Tue Jan 17, 2006 at 02:24:48 PM EST
Pittsburgh 2006 = Boston College 2005? | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 hidden)
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