The University of Pittsburgh Panthers mens basketball team has again beat another team on their way to dominance of the Big East. For a team considered in their “rebuilding” stages, they sure look like they haven’t missed a beat from last year. I also believe that head coach Jamie Dixon is very much deserving of the Head Coach of the year award again, as he’s doing this with freshman who are just getting their feet wet in a ultra-tough Big East conference.
Pitt went into a tough UCONN building last night and came out with a dominating performance against one of their biggest rivals. A 10 point victory against UCONN is nothing to sneeze at. Sure they are ranked 15th, but UCONN is ultra gritty, and plenty talented. However with the likes of Ashton Gibbs and Brad Wanamaker scoring 19pts a piece, it becomes all to clear that this tandem is doing work against top defenses in the NCAA.
Coach Jamie Dixon is quote as saying:
“I know other people may look at us differently and where we’re picked,” said coach Jamie Dixon. “But I believe any team that commits to one another and commits to playing together can be as good as they want to be.”
Jim Calhoun on the other hand, came away from the game feeling dissapointed with the way his team has played against top Big East teams.
“I’m not used to coming down to games where the other team grabs control of the game, as both Georgetown and Pittsburgh did the last two games,” said UConn coach Jim Calhoun. “It’s very disappointing.”
I was always a fan of Calhoun. He’s a great coach whether anyone from Pitt wants to admit that or not. I do enjoy beating him almost what feels like every year though. Jamie Dixon has his number most any given time.
In other news, and rather sad news at that. A police officer was shot and killed yesterday answering the call of duty. It happened in Venango, around noon, when the police were going to check on an employee that had missed work a few days. As they were approaching, the person who shot at the officers appeared and hit at least one of the, kill him on the scene.
I can’t say this or stress this enough. Bless these guys that are willing to put their life on the line every day. I fall under the category that has given them a hard time, and normally when they are more aggressive than I felt they had to be, but with instances like yesterday happening, it’s very clear to see that anything at any moment can happen. Even their most routine checks or daily duties can be deadly and their last. RIP.
An excerpt from the Tribune Reviews Website:
Trooper Paul G. Richey, 40, a 16-year veteran of the state police, died Wednesday responding to a domestic call on Bredinsburg Road in Cranberry.
Authorities said Michael J. Smith, 44, fatally shot his wife, Nancy Frey-Smith, 53, and Richey before killing himself in his home.
“I believe this was premeditated to the extent that Trooper Richey did not have an opportunity to defend himself. He was ambushed,” said state police Lt. Col. Tedescung “Lenny” Bandy. “The citizens of Pennsylvania and the state police lost a hero today.”
It’s always hard to swallow sometimes how unfair life can be. It’s also a shame this man took the easy way out and killed himself. I’m a firm believer in making an example out of people like this.
Thu, Jan 14, 2010
Daily, Sports