The Case Against Pittsburgh

A friend of mine believes Pittsburgh is headed for a national championship. Further, he argues that if the Panthers beat Oklahoma State, they become the odds-on favorite to cut down the nets in San Antonio.

Yeah, right.

1) Pittsburgh is coached by Jamie Dixon, a rookie. No first-year coach has won a national championship in at least twenty years. I don't care if Dixon spent seven years as a child model, he doesn't have the experience to lead the Panthers to the promised land.

2) Their leading rebounder, forward Chris Taft, is a 6-10 freshman. Inexperienced front lines are rarely a good bet to go the distance in the NCAA Tournament.

3) Free-throw shooting. As a team, the Panthers make 65 percent of their free throws. Only one starter, Carl Krauser, shoots 'em better than 75 percent.

4) Offensive production. Sure, Pitt plays great defense. But you get the feeling that sooner or later, a team will have a good night against the Panthers. Page and Co. won't be able to respond; the team's star has been in a shooting slump of late, and Krauser, the club's key drive-and-dish guy, is foul-prone and may be unavailable during the game's critical stretch.

The Panthers will soon play in the team's third straight Sweet Sixteen. Congrats to Pittsburgh. But the University hasn't been to an Elite Eight since 1974. A streak I'd argue is unlikely to be broken against Oklahoma State.

Pittsburgh has never won a national championship. There's a first time for everything, but even if the Panthers get by the Cowboys, don't expect the Panthers' first to come in 2003-2004.