2008 Great Miami River Days
2008 Greek Festival
Miami RedHawks football
Crowd won't bother Pitt
Saturday, December 29, 2007
DAYTON — University of Dayton coach Brian Gregory wants a sell-out crowd at UD Arena to scream itself hoarse tonight, but sixth-ranked Pittsburgh is so accustomed to nasty receptions that it may seem like nothing more than Muzak during an elevator ride.
"We have a great opportunity with our crowd, but they've played (Syracuse) at the Carrier Dome. They've played at UConn. They don't get rattled," Gregory said.
Extras
The Panthers certainly didn't get unnerved while beating Duke, 65-64, in overtime before a pro-Blue Devil crowd of 19,544 in Madison Square Garden last week. The victory pushed Pitt's non-conference record in the last seven years to 80-5.
The Panthers are the highest-ranked team to play at Dayton since a visit from No. 3 DePaul in 1984, and Gregory believes the Flyers and their fans should savor the moment.
"It's great for our program, facing that level of competition. And it's great for Dayton fans to have a team of that caliber come in," he said.
"I think our guys are feeling confident in the fact that they're continuing to improve, and that's the thing we really stress."
Pep band coming
The Flyers won't have their usual throng in the student section because of Christmas break — about 500 tickets have been claimed, roughly half the typical number — but the pep band will be making its usual ruckus.
Band director Willie Morris implored his charges to return for the Pitt game, telling them how much they'll be needed. But the speech wasn't necessary.
"I said, 'Guys, we're playing Pitt. I don't know what they're ranked, but they beat us last year on their home court. Everyone knows when the students and band are back, we have a stronger presence in the arena. You need to come back,' " Morris said. "They said, 'Of course we're coming back.' "
Blair a load
Pitt freshman DeJuan Blair, a 6-foot-7, 275-pound man-child, had scholarship offers from basketball powers such as Tennessee and Indiana and even one for football from Penn State — despite never having played the sport.
Blair, who grew up next to Pitt's campus, has dropped about 30 pounds since joining the team last summer. He's averaging 12.1 points and 10.1 rebounds, and he's flourished in big games.
He had 15 points and 20 boards against Duke, and he notched 20 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a romp over Oklahoma State.
"He's very athletic, very quick," said UD's 6-10, 240-pound center, Kurt Huelsman, who will be assigned to Blair. "He's got great hands for a man his size. He's definitely a hustler. He never gives up, he's always working, and that's one of the keys to his success."
Media converging
UD planned to put up extra tables to accommodate all the media coming to the game, but sports information director Doug Hauschild also has had to reserve a row in the stands to make sure they all have seats.
"I've never had to do that before," said Hauschild, the SID since 1983.
