RTC Live: Long Beach State @ Pittsburgh
Posted by rtmsf on November 16th, 2011
After another exhausting but fun Hoops Marathon, RTC Live is back tonight with a couple of Big East teams taking on motivated mid-majors at home. Pitt comes in with a 2-0 record and is looking to avoid the upset bug among highly ranked teams that has already struck a few others. Join the conversation from the Steel City, after the jump.
Game 17: Welcome college basketball fans to Petersen Events Center on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh for a matchup between Pittsburgh and Long Beach State. This will be the biggest test of the young season for each team. Last season’s Big East regular season champion will battle it out at home against Long Beach State, the preseason Big West favorite. Pittsburgh’s formula for success has been to play tough defense, win on the boards, and knock down high percentage shots. That formula has already been tested: Rider shot over 50% from the field, more than 40% from three-point range, and put up close to 80 points at home in its last outing. Long Beach State is coming into the game with a hard fought win over Idaho. Going against #9 Pittsburgh in one of the toughest places in the nation for opponents to win will be the first of many challenges during a very tough pre-season schedule. Get ready for an action packed Wednesday night of college hoops in Pittsburgh.
Recap
Pitt came into the game having escaped a near disaster against Rider, only to have a similar performance come back to haunt them against a much better Long Beach State team tonight, losing 86-76. The 49ers literally ran away with it, outscoring Pitt on fast break after fast break. Pitt didn’t find a way to implement their formula of success (rebounding, tough defense, and high percentage shots). They will need to find that one or a new one if they don’t want to be in the middle of the pack in the Big East this year.
