Penn State @ Pitt

[abpk2903]

Get off the Dixon isn't a good coach discussion, it's going nowhere. I did hear some grumbles on some Pittsburgh radio/TV call in stations wanting to know what they are rewarding Dixon for. I in a way understand he needs to at some point put another deep tourney run together. At the same time, his job is no where near in jeopardy. Maybe if he misses the tournament 2 of the next 3 years and gets bounced in first round of the other year. That's not gonna happen though with the young talent he has in Pitt.

[KirkHerbstreit]

Penn State Football and Pitt basketball are not currently elite. However, both have a much greater shot of becoming elite in the future than either Penn State Basketball or Pitt Football. So, in my eyes, it sounds like jealousy and sour grapes when fans of either Penn State basketball or Pitt football talk down on the other school. They are standing on a platform quite a few levels below their audience.

[bleacherbum]

I can't believe I'm going to post this, but I couldn't AGREE with Kirk any more!!!!!
Well said.

[abpk2903]

Who has the better chance of a national title in he next 10 years....Pitt Basketball by a landslide.

[KirkHerbstreit]

Who has the better chance of a national title in he next 10 years....Pitt Basketball by a landslide.

Landslide? Completely disagree with this, but would like to hear your rational. I don't think either has a great shot, but Penn State was ranked as high as #2 in the nation twice in the past 8 years, finishing 3rd once overall, with an 80 year old coach who didn't recruit. 2005 they were an upset from playing in the National Title game. Pitt hasn't made the final 4 in it's lifetime. It will be interesting to see how Pitt competes in the ACC.

[abpk2903]

Penn State has to compete with Ohio State in its own conference. Unlike basketball 8-9 teams in the conference don't get a shot at the dance. The B1G may get 1 rep a year in the college football playoff but only if they go undefeated or maybe one very close loss. The point is as long as Pitt makes the tourney they have the chance to make a run. Over the next 10 years, I can see Pitt making the tourney at least 7 or times. If Penn State makes the 4 team playoff twice I would be highly surprised. Even then, they have to travel to a warm climate or dome and probably beat 2 teams from the south. I don't see that happening.

[bleacherbum]

Who has the better chance of a national title in he next 10 years....Pitt Basketball by a landslide.

Landslide? Completely disagree with this, but would like to hear your rational. I don't think either has a great shot, but Penn State was ranked as high as #2 in the nation twice in the past 8 years, finishing 3rd once overall, with an 80 year old coach who didn't recruit. 2005 they were an upset from playing in the National Title game. Pitt hasn't made the final 4 in it's lifetime. It will be interesting to see how Pitt competes in the ACC.

Pitt basketball was ranked as high 4th just 3 years ago in the polls. Were they the 4th best team in the nation? No. So if your national title theory is based on rankings maybe PSU stands a chance. But the last time I checked you need to win the title game. Which I don't see happening any time soon.

[KirkHerbstreit]

Penn State has to compete with Ohio State in its own conference. Unlike basketball 8-9 teams in the conference don't get a shot at the dance. The B1G may get 1 rep a year in the college football playoff but only if they go undefeated or maybe one very close loss. The point is as long as Pitt makes the tourney they have the chance to make a run. Over the next 10 years, I can see Pitt making the tourney at least 7 or times. If Penn State makes the 4 team playoff twice I would be highly surprised. Even then, they have to travel to a warm climate or dome and probably beat 2 teams from the south. I don't see that happening.

I honestly do not feel we have seen Penn State's full potential as a football program in over 20 years. The Joe Paterno led a staff that did very little traveling to recruit. He had his clueless son as the offensive coordinator. It was the good ol boy network of coaches. Penn State has everything in place to be just as powerful as Ohio State. In fact, when Penn State entered the Big 10 it was assumed Michigan and Ohio State would be their B****. There is more untapped potential in the Penn State football program than the Pitt's basketball program in my eyes. We won't begin to see the results for 3 years and we might not see them under O'Brien, but I think we will. It is easy to look up to Ohio State under sanctions and say Penn State can't reach that level, but I think their is a level at Penn State we have not seen. Many thought Ohio State wasn't capable of winning a National Champ under John Cooper. Look how that has changed.

[konjo78]

I dont think either school has a good shot at winning a national title. Pitt you can be ranked high but you lose in the tourney. What makes me think they'll get a deep run?????


Penn state is going to be crippled by the sanctions until 6 years from now I would say. Then you still need to go undefeated I. CFB to gave a chance.


I put both odds at 10%

[abpk2903]

Konjo how long are you going to go on about Pitt's tourney struggles. They do have sweet 16 and elite 8 runs to hang their hat on. To win 3 games in the NCAA is an amazing accomplishment. I don't think anyone on here really even understands what you are arguing...is it that Pitt has a bad program, Pitt will never make a final four, you don't like Pitt, or what?

Kirk, I don't think a bounce back to the top is going to be that quick for Penn State. It is hard for B1G schools that requiring basic math skills for admittance to compete with the $EC and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Academic institutions struggle to compete with a conference that is constantly being reported as having paid it's athletes and their parents. Look up where Alabama, Auburn, and Ole Miss rank as an academic institution...

I don't measure a B1G program's success against a lot of programs because they simply aren't on a level playing field. I know you and I have differed for years on the importance if education in NCAA sports. You don't seem to value it near as much as I do. IMO what Stanford and Duke did this year is amazing with the academic restrictions those universities face.

I do understand where you see the optimism for the Penn State program but I'm just not as confident it will happen as easily as it seems. I certainly don't want Penn State to compromise their academic integrity for a few more football wins. If you look up grad rates, Penn State is the best academic sports program in the country. To me that us something to hang your hat on.