On Wednesday, Ron Cook published a negative column in the Post-Gazette about the previous day's win against Wake Forest. The players played fabulously to come back from being behind twice (at the end of the game and during the first overtime) to win in the second overtime. They never quit. James Robinson stole an inbounds pass, when any other play would have lost the game. It was, perhaps, his best play ever as a Panther.

There was a lot to like in Pitt's come-backs. But Ron Cook emphasized the negative. He is not the Post-Gazette beat writer who covers the Panthers, and may not know much about the team. But there is one thing that he does know -- how to sell newspapers. His column was witty and nasty. Here's his key paragraph in which he ridiculed Coach Dixon for having a positive attitude after the win:

Pitt coach Jamie Dixon tried to put a positive spin on it. "This was a great win for us. We beat a good team. We battled. We competed. I’m very proud of our kids." That might sound nice, but it’s utter nonsense. The Pitt program, so strong and so proud for so long, is a mess right now. It’s hard to believe it won the Big East championship and was a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament just five years ago.

I remember one time when former Pitt basketball coach Paul Evans told the press that his players were overrated. His negative attitude was off-putting. In contrast, Dixon emphasizes the positive. He's the sort of coach that parents want their kids to play for, because he makes them better people.

And Dixon's enthusiasm can be contagious! Check out this CBS video clip of Dixon in the locker room today, complimenting the team on their defensive effort in beating Syracuse:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25489933/watch-pitt-celebrate-in-the-locker-room-after-a-huge-win-at-syracuse

His players celebrated their defensive effort and the fact that they held Syracuse to a field goal percentage of just 37.6%. If the team continues to take pride in good defense, they could finish the season strong. There are just four games left. If they win two, they will make the NCAA tournament. If they finish the season strong, they will go into the post-season with momentum.

Cook was wrong to criticize Dixon for having a positive attitude. Cook's negativity sells newspapers. But Dixon's positive attitude turns his players into a better team.