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The University of Pittsburgh Panthers were victorious over Providence on Wednesday evening, thrashing the Friars an 82-63, advancing their record to 94-9 at the Petersen Events Center.  To be honest, the trips into and out of slush-covered, construction-filled Oakland were more exciting than anything at the game.  I’m exhausted and in no condition to write a recap, but I’ll still provide a handful of observations from the victory.

• Sam Young is a ballhog, but as long as he makes the shots, we have no reason to complain.  That alley-oop better be headlining SportsCenter.
• Since when does Bradley Wannamaker have the guts to shoot? And when did he get good at it?  He has shown a lot of improvement over the past two games, and he looks like he could run the point in a few years.  He reminds me of Antonio Graves, and should continue to get better over the course of his career.
• Jeff Xavier of Providence was on fire, hitting three contended three-pointers in the first three and a half minutes, but disappeared for the rest of the game.  He went 1-5 from beyond the arc after the first few minutes, with the only made basket occurring in garbage time.
• I will never again argue a travelling no-call after Young picked up the ball beyond the arc and ran in for a layup in the second half.
• I don’t like you, Geoff McDermott.  And neither does anyone at the University of Pittsburgh, for that matter.  From the start, you were a jerk, making hard fouls that easily could have been called technicals.  You failed the first time when you tried a monster dunk, but you had to go and try it again.  Even after you made it, the student section chanted “You still suck!”  Was it really worth it?
• McDermott also took the full media timeout before sitting down after fouling out. The student section still yelled “Left, Right, Left, Right” with every step he took over the course of five minutes.
• Gary McGhee is incredibly clumsy. He couldn’t hang onto the ball and took a few bad fouls. He got a standing ovation when a failed dunk rolled around the rim and in. I still think he can be a valuable contributor in the long run.  When he stays out of foul trouble, he’s good for a few points and some time to breathe for Young and DeJuan Blair.
• Is Keith Benjamin hurt? He had 2 consectutive steals that led to fastbreaks, but he didn’t dunk either time. Coming from one of the best dunkers on the team, I’m slightly concerned. And where did those 10 points come from?
• I don’t know whether to congratulate or smack Tim Frye. The fan-favorite walk-on got into the game with a minute to go and had a WIDE open three (no one within 10 feet), but he didn’t take the shot. He held the ball for the final 15 seconds of the game. It was either a fine display of sportsmanship, or a stupid move by a player who should be making the most of his playing time. I can’t decide.
• Ronald Ramon got his touch back, netting 15 points, all on three-pointers.  I’m sure he can’t wait for the return of Levance Fields so that he doesn’t have to run the point and has more scoring opportunities.
• Speaking of injured players, I’ve been wondering where Austin Wallace and Mike Cook sit during games, both of whom are out for the year after knee surgeries.  Are they even at the PEC?  Fields has been making fashion statements on the bench and is a very vocal cheerleader for the team, but the other two are nowhere to be found.
• Gilbert Brown is one of my favorite players on the team, whether he performs or not.  He has the potential to be the next Julius Page, and not just because he wears a headband.  Brown can shoot from anywhere on the floor and has the highest vertical leap I’ve ever seen.  He’s been with the team for two years, but is only a freshman due to a medical redshirt last year.  By the time his eligibility expires, he will be the star player on this team.

That’s all I’ve got for now.  Time for some sleep.

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