I've got to admit that while 40ish-point blowouts can be fun, the Pitt-Penn State basketball rivalry isn't nearly as fun as the football series. Still, new Nittany Lions coach Pat Chambers wants to renew the series and I can't give him enough credit.
Unlike the football issues with money, etc., I've got no clue why this game isn't still being played annually. So, to me, now's a good a time as any to start it back up.
Chambers, while acknowledging the game can't happen immediately, does want to play the game:
Newly named Penn State basketball coach Pat Chambers already is willing to do something that football coach Joe Paterno won't.
Chambers wants to revive the Nittany Lions' series with Pitt.
"I like [Pitt coach] Jamie Dixon," Chambers said Monday after his introductory news conference at the Bryce Jordan Center. "He's a friend. I would definitely be open to playing Pitt."
I've been all over Penn State in the past for not coming flat out and saying they wanted to play Pitt, so I'm glad to hear this and I give him all sorts of credit. Now, it's up to Jamie Dixon and Pitt to get it done.
Again, I don't consider this a big-time rivalry because it's not. I'd rather play Duquesne than Penn State in basketball any day of the week because I think the City Game, after taking a while off, is really starting to take off again. But with so many games against teams like Illinois-Chicago and North Florida, there's no reason this game can't happen...
If Penn State will settle for a two-for-one.
Had to throw that in there.
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