SB Nation Pittsburgh: All Posts by Jonathan Krounerhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2012-10-18T15:42:14-04:00https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/authors/jonathan-krouner/rss2012-10-18T15:42:14-04:002012-10-18T15:42:14-04:00Pitt's non-conference schedule among weakest
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<p>Pitt's non-conference schedule is one of 10 worst in nation</p> <p>The Pitt Panthers non-conference schedule is one of the lowest-rated in the country, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing according to SB Nation's <b><a href="http://www.cardiachill.com/2012/10/18/3504818/pitt-basketball-schedule-2012-13-pittsburgh-panthers-jamie-dixon-steven-adams-recruiting">Cardiac Hill</a>. </b></p>
<p>The Panthers are likely to play Michigan and either Virginia or Kansas St. in the pre-season NIT, according to ESPN, but their next toughest non-conference game is against Detroit on Dec. 1.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh muddled through a 22-17 record last season, including a 5-13 Big East conference record, that landed the Panthers in 13th place in the hotly-contested Big East. </p>
<p>Cardiac Hill believes that the soft non-conference schedule will allow the Panthers' younger players to gain experience and develop chemistry before heading into the rigors of the conference schedule. </p>
<p>Cardiac Hill wrote:</p>
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<p>Could it be stronger? Of course. Would I prefer to see another quality team or two in there? Absolutely. But when it's all said and done, with a lot of new parts this year (i.e. Steven Adams, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123328/trey-zeigler">Trey Zeigler</a>, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">James Robinson</a>, most notably), playing some weaker teams up front to develop a bit of chemistry probably isn't the worst thing in the world. And after last season's nightmare, getting some wins under their belt might not be a bad little confidence booster. </p>
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<p>The rest of the Panthers' non-conference schedule is listed below:</p>
<p>Mount St. Mary's (Nov. 9),Fordham (Nov. 12), Oakland (Nov. 17), Howard (Nov. 27), vs. Duquesne (Dec. 5 at Consol Energy Center), North Florida (Dec. 8), Bethune Cookman (Dec. 15), Delaware State (Dec. 19), Kennesaw State (Dec. 23) </p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/10/18/3522520/pitt-basketball-scheduleJonathan Krouner