Your new No. 1: Pitt (and it's not debatable)

Pittsburgh, you may now proceed to the top of the national rankings.

That's the end result of a wild Saturday on which No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 3 North Carolina both lost (to unranked Texas and unranked Maryland), clearing the way for the Panthers -- who beat top-ranked Connecticut last Monday -- to rise to the top of the Top 25 (and one) late Sunday night, then the AP and Coaches polls on Monday. It's the only logical move, so much so that I imagine Pitt will get all 72 first-place votes in the AP poll and all 31 in the Coaches poll. Anything short of that will be proof that somebody with a vote isn't paying attention, and if such a person presents himself (or herself), that person will be Poll Attacked on Monday afternoon.

Here's all you need to know:

Pitt is 25-2 overall.
Nobody has more wins or fewer losses.
Pitt has compiled this record against a schedule rated 12th nationally.
Pitt has six wins against the top 25 of CBSSports.com's RPI rankings.
Nobody else has more than four.
Both of Pitt's losses came on the road.
The losses were to the schools ranked seventh (Louisville) and 12th (Villanova) in the latest AP poll.

So to summarize, the Panthers have more good wins (i.e., wins against the top 25 of CBSSports.com's RPI rankings) than anybody, just as few losses as the other elite teams, and no bad losses (like Oklahoma's loss to Arkansas, North Carolina's loss to Boston College, Connecticut's loss to Georgetown, etc.).

Best I can tell, that makes Jamie Dixon's team the easy No. 1.

Any other opinion is a faulty opinion.

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wormmurphy Reputation: 43 Level: Rookie Since: Feb 28, 2008	Posted on: February 25, 2009 4:23 pm Score: 97 Your new No. 1: Pitt (and it's not debatable) The only thing that can stop Pitt is a whistle...you are right, but it's too bad that Blair doesn't understand how to play organized basketball. He should know that you cant bulldoze your way through everyone and expect not to get whistled. Blair better learn some finesse or Pitt will be bounced early. Refs in the tourney will not tolerate his Captain Caveman tendencies. [ Reply to Comment ]
ulvsky Reputation: 65 Level: Pro Since: Nov 4, 2006	Posted on: February 24, 2009 3:18 pm Score: 42 Your new No. 1: Pitt (and it's not debatable) WAIT< WAIT>>>>> ; Louisville beat Pitt this year. Here is a little fact for you. If Louisville and Pitt both win out they coule be in a tie for the Big East reg season. Since Louisville BEAT Pitt, Louisville would be #1 in the Big East. And a #1 in the NCAA tourney. [ Reply to Comment ]
timgeary Reputation: 89 Level: All-Star Since: Jul 4, 2008	Posted on: February 23, 2009 10:38 pm Score: 97 Your new No. 1: Pitt (and it's not debatable) Hey, get off your soap box. If dixon looks like a rat calhoun is a chipmunk with stripes like a skunk and a pimple or a tzantza between his shoulders. His tirade this week after a legit question, was hilarious reminds me of jim mora tirades. He coaches a "game" at a public school, while others in america are scraping by, wonder if he donates his money. [ Reply to Comment ]
nellieh Reputation: 84 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 20, 2006	Posted on: February 23, 2009 1:53 pm Score: 51 Your new No. 1: Pitt (and it's not debatable) Compare their records at MSG. I think they are close or Pitt is ahead. And why would UConn do better at a neutral floor than at home? [ Reply to Comment ]
nellieh Reputation: 84 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 20, 2006	Posted on: February 23, 2009 1:48 pm Score: 69 Your new No. 1: Pitt (and it's not debatable) They play like that if the refs let them. The officiating has been way to inconsistent. Especially in the Big East. Their reputation is a 'banger league' and if the refs from other conferences call the ticky tacks, Pitt could be in trouble. Especially if they are against Blair. They do have a shot though. [ Reply to Comment ]
hailtopitt Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 31, 2006	Posted on: February 23, 2009 9:24 am Score: 54 Your new No. 1: Pitt (and it's not debatable) What?!?!?!?! Pitt relies on one player too much? Well, I have to presume you are talking about DeJuan Blair. Well, yes, Blair had a monster game against UConn and he and Levance Fields, after his two late three-pointers, get all the accolades. But guess what? Neither was even the high scorer in the game for Pitt. That would be Sam Young, who averages 18 a game. So what team are watching, exactly? [ Reply to Comment ]
IRONCITY09 Reputation: 84 Level: All-Star Since: May 27, 2008	Posted on: February 23, 2009 8:00 am Score: 20 Your new No. 1: Pitt (and it's not debatable) wvpappy They are good, but on a neutral floor (MSG) I believe UCONN will prevail didnt pitt win at uconn? [ Reply to Comment ]
wvpappy Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Feb 23, 2009	Posted on: February 23, 2009 5:50 am Score: 63 Your new No. 1: Pitt (and it's not debatable) They are good, but on a neutral floor (MSG) I believe UCONN will prevail. I also believe Bob Huggins has done an outstanding job with what he had to work with coming in especially using 3 freshmen most of the time. They are currently No. 6 in the conference and were picked to finish 9th or lower in some polls. Therefore, I would not only like to commend Coach Huggins for the job that he and his staff have done, but if I had a vote, he would be the Big East Coach of the Year !!!!! [ Reply to Comment ]
SteelMafia43 Reputation: 89 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 30, 2009	Posted on: February 23, 2009 3:27 am Score: 52 Your new No. 1: Pitt (and it's not debatable) PITT is hands down the most dominant, physical, and most talented group of experienced players. Its like watching men playing boys half the time. My only worry, PITT has not had the most impressive March Madness runs in recent history. They have never made it past the elite 8. But as I observe the other top teams in the country, UCONN (beat in convincing fashion by PITT), OKLAHOMA (Lost to unranked Texas), UNC (lost to Maryland).... the ball is in PITT's court [ Reply to Comment ]
Bodie Reputation: 86 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 20, 2008	Posted on: February 23, 2009 1:14 am Score: 142 Your new No. 1: Pitt (and it's not debatable) You are not seeing the whole picture with Blair. He is vital to Pitt's success against elite teams. Sure they can beat avg. teams without him. His rebounding is hiding a weakness of Pitt's which is their shooting. He is able to grab the rebounds and reduce pressure on the shooters. He will be needed to play against the top 15 teams. Sam Young is a great player under the radar and does have a higher scoring average than Blair. Where will the rebounding come from if Blair is in foul trouble??? Fields is a great ball handler and passer but his shooting is very suspect. He seems to make them in the clutch but his percentage overall is average. Jermaine Dixon (somehow only a 2 star JV recruit hidden gem) has been shooting well lately and will be needed during tourney time along with Gibbs and, Wanamaker. I am a Pitt alumni myself and cautiously optimistic of their prospects in the tourney. I have watched many of their games and noticed their shooting isn't great and foul shooting is also not too good either. Blair is absolutely needed for their success past the sweet 16. [ Reply to Comment ]

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