Many of you might find this a little hard to believe…but for the first time in a very long time…maybe ever…I actually do not have the answers to a major Pittsburgh sports situation. I know, I know, I am as surprised as you are.
That being said, I’ll tell you what a famous man once said: “I don’t know much, but I know what I know!” (I don’t know who, Mark Twain or Socrates or maybe it was Chris Rock…let me finish, will you…)
Now, keep in mind, so that you’re comfortable with this report, I do have a Pitt connection. Aside from my grad degree, I had that great pleasure of being a volunteer assistant coach with Tim Grgurich and Dr. Roy Chipman. And the real icing on the cake is the countless hours me and all the fellas spent playing basketball at Trees Hall. And anybody reading this that balled there knows what I am talking about. Those were the best days of our lives.
With that in mind, you can trust that my unnamed sources will be on-point. I’ll deliver it to you in typical “Overtime” fashion; but remember, this information is pure speculation!
:10—The number one problem we’re hearing with the Pitt Panthers’ men’s basketball team is that there may have been some ongoing locker room problems…maybe some player jealousy?
:09—It was understood by the players that there are consequences for getting technical fouls! Getting techs will affect your playing time. And it’s important to note that Xavier Johnson received three technical fouls in the Panthers’ last five games, one of which pretty much cost them the game.
:08—It’s been a moment, but remember, Shamiel Stevenson entered the transfer portal and signed on to play in Lincoln, Nebraska…???
:07—When former Panthers guard Trey McGowens entered the portal, Stevenson immediately reached out to him along with assistant coach and former recruiter Matt Abdelmassih.
:06 — I don’t think it’s a shock to anyone that Johnson had his ups and downs primarily with discipline, decision-making and control. Nonetheless, the X-Man was to be a promising NBA draft selection.
:05—However, if you followed the Panthers you witnessed the X-Man’s problems and the slow on-court development.
:04—Of course there is some speculation as to why and how Au’diese Toney would leave the team in the same 24-hour time period as Johnson???
:03—I am going to guess…bet…that Johnson and Toney end up at the same school???
:02—I know there’s a lot of question marks…that’s because I don’t have the answers (duh!).
:01—“However,” I know this…at the end of the day my bet is on Coach Jeff Capel. We’re talking top-of-the-line basketball royalty as a player and assistant coach at Duke…and the old-school teachings that build champions. When it’s all said and done…Pitt will roar again!
:00—GAME OVER.
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