Pitt-VMI Open Game Thread

Opponent: VMI Keydets

Conference: Southern

Current Record: 1-0 (0-0)

Last Game: Nov 6, W 89-56 over Washington College

2017 Season: 9-21 (4-14) 9th place

Key Losses: G Keith Smith (7.0 ppg, transfer)

Key Returnees: G Bubba Parham (14.6 ppg), G Austin Vereen (10.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg)

Like most small schools, VMI is guard-heavy. Their scorer is Bubba Parham, a 5’10” sophomore guard who put up 23 points in the opener. Their backcourt also includes Greg Parham, who had a double double in the first game (11 points, 10 assists) and is somehow not related to Bubba. Vereen did not play in the first game for whatever reason. Their leading returning rebounder is Tyler Creammer, a 6’10” forward.

Last Meeting: Dec 6, 2011. Pitt 97 VMI 70

What I said in the recap: “Game Ball goes to Nas, went 19 14 and 5 with 0 turnovers. He was just making plays everywhere, shining glass. What a player. I could list all the plays he made, but I don’t have enough time. Grade A+”

I miss you, Nas.

Prediction: VMI is another team that any P5 team should beat. The Keydets (“Cadets with a southern twang”) have not made the NCAA tournament since 1977 (and their first round opponent was Duquesne so you know that was a lifetime ago). Pitt should roll, 82-52.

Hail to Pitt.