0 Pitt is it

So I'm following my label-mate, and writing a post about Pitt basketball because I can't think of anything clever or unique. I am going to do a game by game prediction, but not venture into any post-season prognostications. So without further ado, here are my predictions. I am going to start with the first Big East game, since its hard to guess for the early season tournaments and most if not all of the non-conference games are cupcakes.


Monday, Dec. 31 *CINCINNATI (ESPN2) Petersen Events Center Noon  WIN (Cincy is a team to watch and Cronin is doing good things. However, the home court advantage, even with Pitt on winter break will carry them to victory)
Saturday, Jan. 5 at *Rutgers (ESPN2) Piscataway, N.J./RAC 11 a.m. WIN (Rutgers stinks. End of story)
Tuesday, Jan. 8 at *Georgetown (ESPNU)  Washington, D.C./Verizon Center 9 p.m. (A tough game, away late at night) LOSS
Saturday, Jan. 12 *MARQUETTE (ESPNU) Petersen Events Center Noon (Marquette always plays Pitt tough, but home court advantage can not be discounted) WIN
Wednesday, Jan. 16 at *Villanova (ESPNU) Villanova, Pa./The Pavilion 7 p.m.  (Villanova used to be an elite team in the Big East, but Jay Wright has fallen on hard times as of late. This used to be a guard-centric program, but no one has stepped up since Scottie Reynolds was still lacing them up) WIN
Saturday, Jan. 19 *CONNECTICUT (ESPN2) Petersen Events Center Noon (An interesting game and the first one without Jim Calhoun, either in person or his presence looming, coaching the team.) WIN
Tuesday, Jan. 22 at *Providence (ESPN2) Providence, R.I./Dunkin Donuts Center 7 p.m. WIN
Saturday, Jan. 26 *DEPAUL (ESPN-R/ROOT) Petersen Events Center 4 p.m. (You have to feel for Depaul. So much basketball talent comes out of Chicago, but it either heads down state to Champaign-Urbana or leaves the state entirely) WIN
Monday, Jan. 28 at *Louisville (ESPN) Louisville, Ky./KFC Yum! Center 7 p.m. (Louisville always plays Pitt tough. Pitt has trouble breaking the press and Rick Pitino teams are so well coached and generally very well disciplined. A nationally televised game on the road in front of an extremely hostile crowd, this will be the first big test for the Pitt Panthers. Beat Louisville and the sky is the limit) WIN!!
Saturday, Feb. 2 *SYRACUSE (ESPN)  Petersen Events Center Noon  (A tough game against an always tough team. Home court advantage, which has been my theme wins out) WIN
Monday, Feb. 4 *SETON HALL (ESPNU) Petersen Events Center 9 p.m. WIN
Saturday, Feb. 9 at *Cincinnati (ESPN2/ESPN) Cincinnati, Ohio/Fifth Third Arena 6/9 p.m. LOSS
Saturday, Feb. 16 at *Marquette (CBS) Milwaukee, Wis./Bradley Center 1 p.m.  WIN
Monday, Feb. 18 *NOTRE DAME (ESPN) Petersen Events Center 7 p.m. (Notre Dame always plays Pitt tough. Always. Mike Brey is an awesome coach and his players buy into whichever system he institutes.) LOSS
Sunday, Feb. 24 at *St. John’s (ESPN-R/ROOT)  New York, N.Y./Madison Square Garden Noon WIN
Wednesday, Feb. 27 *SOUTH FLORIDA (ESPN-R/ROOT) Petersen Events Center 7 p.m. WIN
Sunday, March 3 *VILLANOVA (ESPN-R/ROOT) Petersen Events Center Noon WIN
Saturday, March 9 at *DePaul (ESPN-R/WTAE) WIN

The final tally: Pitt finishes 13-3 in the Big East and earns a 2 or 3 seed in the NCAA Tourney