Great Pitt-WVU Battle

Only one word can properly describe the Pitt-West Virginia game last night; “Wow”! If you did not see the game for yourself I apologize, but I cannot properly do it justice in writing. Pitt erased a 7 point deficit in the final minute of the game, thanks in large part to WVU’s failure from the free throw line and a very costly turnover. West Virginia then rallied in the final seconds of each of the first two overtimes, including a long three by Truck Bryant at the end of the first overtime (why did Pitt not foul in this situation!), until the game was finally decided in the third overtime. My wife and I were actually at the same bar/restaurant that we watched the Syracuse-Connecticut six overtime contest last year in the Big East Tournament and this battle had the exact same feel. It is a shame we had to settle for ONLY three overtimes this time.

Pitt got great contributions from a host of players last night including leading scorers Brad Wannamaker and Ashton Gibbs, but the two who really stood out for me were Travon Woodall and Gary McGhee. Woodall played 31 minutes with Jermaine Dixon fouling out before eventually fouling out himself. Woodall contributed 12 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and most importantly 0 turnovers. He would have been the hero as well had his fade-away jumper at the end of the 2nd overtime left his hand a split second earlier. If Woodall can contribute like this going forward it would be a huge boost to the Pitt rotation, allowing Gibbs to play off the ball at times as well as getting some meaningful rest during games. McGhee only had 6 points but he was a monster presence down low collecting 12 rebounds and 2 blocks, including a monster one late in the 2nd overtime. I thought Pitt’s defense was shaky for most of the game and overall was not their best performance of the year. However, if they are able to get contributions from the number of players they did against West Virginia, last night could mark the true turning point of the season.