The Sweet 16, Elite 6, and Final Four, is something that the Pitt Panthers will not reach this year in the 2011 NCAA Tournament. People are now saying that the Big East is not all it is made out to be. The conference has 16 teams, and out of those 16 teams 11 made it into the tournament, out of the 11 teams that qualified for the tournament 7 have already been eliminated. This is the second time in three years that Pitt has been awarded the number one seed, and failed to reach the final four.
This past Saturday, number one seed Pitt played number eight seed Butler in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The end of the game seemed as if it was going to go into overtime, due to the missed foul shot by Pitt’s Gilbert Brown, but crucial mistakes ended the game in a heart breaking loss with Pitt losing to Butler. Due to the missed free throw Pitt’s Nasir Robinson went for Brown’s missed shot and fouled Matt Howard of Butler with .8 seconds remaining on the game clock with the score tied. Howard then got his chance to win the game shooting one and one from the free throw line. Howard sunk the front end of the one and one to give Butler the upset victory over number one Pitt, with a score of 71-70.
Pitt has every tool needed to win an NCAA Tournament, but always fail to do so. They have the depth in which many teams wish to have, but sometimes Pitt does not realize the talent in which there team holds, and they do not play to the level in which they are anticipated to, but play to the level of the opponents in which they play. Some may say it is the coaching, and some don’t blame the coach’s but they players, but all in all it is the team as a whole with players and coaches combined. Simple mistakes cause them to lose close games, games in which should have never been close to start with. In 2009 Pitt lost to Villanova in the final seconds in the Elite Eight. It seems as though no matter how good of a season the Panthers seem to have, they always fall short in the tournament. Every year fans continue to cheer on the Panthers, in hopes that one season they will pull through and be the National Champions, but when that season will come only time will tell.
Man now that was a game to watch. I remember sitting and watching as Pitt was shooting the free throws to ice the game. As Brown missed the second of two and then the foul on Robinson took place I lowered my head and turned the channel. I had Pitt in the Final Four this year but so much for that part of my bracket. Enjoy your post keep me informed on the brackets.
ReplyDeleteChris Harris
Cassie,
ReplyDeleteI don't watch sports, but I know that basketball is a big topic of conversation right now. Thanks for the overview.
Samantha
Cassie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the information on Pitt. I totally agree with your points of view. I liked how you chose a college team vs. a nba team.
Good Work
Alison
Chris,
ReplyDeleteI did not do a bracket this year because i knew it was going to be crazy. With Duke losing last night, my two favorite teams are out of the tournament.
Cassie
Ali,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback. I will always choose college basketball over the NBA, I personally think its more exciting.
Cassie, I liked your perspective on this as well. Another good sports story. This blog is turning out to be quite the place to visit for sporting news. That's a testament to all of you. Nice job.
ReplyDelete