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Notebook: Pitt anxious to play

By Dave Mackall, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, February 24, 2006
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After a day off, Pitt resumed practice Thursday at Petersen Events Center in preparation for its next game, Saturday against visiting Providence. The Panthers have not played since losing Saturday at Marquette, 84-82. Prior to that game, Pitt won Feb. 15 at Providence, 85-77.

"We haven't played in so long, it seems. I know the guys are anxious to play," Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. "I'm sure glad it's Saturday. I don't know how much longer we could wait to play a game. The guys want to play, and I'm ready to play."

Providence (12-12, 5-8) is coming off a 77-56 victory over visiting South Florida on Tuesday, as Randall Hanke scored 22 points and Donnie McGrath added 20. Providence remains in the running for a spot in the Big East Conference Tournament, while South Florida (6-20, 0-13) lost its school-record 15th consecutive game and has yet to win a conference game in its first year in the Big East.

  • Dixon spoke as though he wasn't interested in being anywhere else than with the Panthers, when he addressed the program's continuing Centennial Celebration plans for Saturday. Pitt will honor more than 80 former players, by wearing blue throwback uniforms for their game against Providence.

    "It is exciting," he said emphatically. "I'm proud of the history of basketball here. I'm proud of the university. I'm always interested in the history of what we've done and of the players. It's also exciting to be in the situation where I think the people are proud and the guys that played here are proud of what we're doing. That's what makes it a little more special."

  • Tony Salesi, who has served as a team athletics trainer at Pitt for the past two decades, was promoted to assistant director of the Pitt Performance Team. In his new position, Salesi, a native of Perryopolis, will assist Rob Blanc, the director, in overseeing the athletic training and strength and conditioning programs for more than 450 Pitt student-athletes. In addition, he will continue to serve as head athletics trainer for the men's basketball team and coordinator of Clinical Services for Pitt Olympic Sports.


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