SB Nation Pittsburgh - Pitt Midnight Madness: Panthers begin work on last Big East seasonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2012-10-13T10:21:40-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/32563032012-10-13T10:21:40-04:002012-10-13T10:21:40-04:00Pitt holds Midnight Madness on Friday night
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<p>On a chilly night in Pittsburgh, eager fans gathered to celebrate the start of another Pitt Panther basketball season at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pittnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70114:jokes-dunks-highlight-outdoor-midnight-madness-event&catid=120:hot-for-home-page&Itemid=479">Midnight Madness</a>. And even though their season-opener is four weeks away, Pitt's coaches, players, and fans have plenty to be excited about.</p>
<p>Highlights of the night included dunk and 3-point contests, and a recreation of some of Pitt's most famous basketball memories. Junior <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124156/j-j-moore" class="sbn-auto-link">J.J. Moore</a> won the dunk contest, and then gave the crowd an encore performance, jumping over freshman center Steven Adams and then dunking the ball.</p>
<p>One of the moments they reenacted was <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26095/ronald-ramon" class="sbn-auto-link">Ronald Ramon's</a> 3-point buzzer-beater against West Virginia in 2008. Sophomore guard John Johnson successfully drained Ramon's shot from the same exact spot on the court.</p>
<p>Oh, by the way, coach Jamie Dixon came out dressed as Jackie Moon from Will Ferrell's film, Semi-Pro. Dawning his orange wig and Flint Tropics jersey, Dixon conducted a serious interview with ESPN's Bob Picozzi and Bill Raftery.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/10/13/3497394/pittsburgh-midnight-madness-recapBrandon Kline2012-10-12T16:52:31-04:002012-10-12T16:52:31-04:00Pitt is ready to put last season behind them
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<p>The Pitt basketball team is set to start practice on Friday night with Midnight Madness, and it is ready to put a disappointing 2011-12 campaign in the rear-view mirror. The Panthers struggled to a 5-13 Big East conference record before winning the CBI tournament to end last season.</p>
<p>The players are ready to improve on that result, and get back to the top of the conference in their final season as a Big East member. Head coach Jamie Dixon is armed with one of the nation's top recruiting classes, and he wants to end this season strong, <a target="_blank" href="http://triblive.com/sports/2742810-85/season-pitt-adams-panthers-dixon-east-center-forward-media-players#axzz293aV96z2">according to triblive.com</a>:</p>
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<p>"We want to finish it out the right way," coach Jamie Dixon said. "That’s what we’re trying to do."</p>
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<p>Midnight Madness festivities are set to begin at 10 p.m. ET. The event will be held outdoors, on a court along Bigelow Boulevard. It will be streamed live on ESPN3 and will be covered by ESPNU.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/10/12/3495128/pitt-basketball-midnight-madnessCraig Powers2012-10-08T12:53:02-04:002012-10-08T12:53:02-04:00Pitt basketball to host Midnight Madness on Friday
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<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Pitt basketball to tip off season with Midnight Madness on Friday.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/pittsburgh-panthers">Pittsburgh Panthers</a> men's basketball program will hold its annual Midnight Madness event Friday at 10 p.m. ET. The event, a yearly tradition that encourages fans to get excited for the upcoming hoops season, will be a part of the university's Homecoming Weekend and will be held outdoors on a court on Bigelow Boulevard. (If there's bad weather, the event will be moved to the Petersen Events Center.)</p>
<p>The showcase will be televised on ESPN3 and will be a part of <i>ESPNU's Midnight Madness</i> special which will provide live interviews and updates. Pitt's first exhibition game is schedule for Friday, Oct. 26, against Indiana (Pa.). Tipoff is at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Pitt's Midnight Madness will be the first of three major events being held on campus during the weekend, as on Sunday the Maggie Dixon Heart Health Fair will begin at noon while the Blue-Gold Scrimmage start at 2 p.m. All three events are free and open to the public.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/100812aaa.html">A complete schedule of Homecoming events can be seen here</a>.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-panthers/2012/10/8/3474018/pitt-basketball-midnight-madness-scheduleJared E. Smith