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UNC Basketball looks to start 2024 on strong note against Pittsburgh

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UNC Basketball looks to start 2024 on strong note against Pittsburgh


As the UNC basketball program begins the 2024 calendar year, one of their New Year’s resolutions should be focused on playing better against Pittsburgh.

The Panthers have essentially owned the Tar Heels of late, as Jeff Capel’s squad has won each of the last three meetings and five of the last six dating back to the 2019-2020 season.

Of course, North Carolina starts off the 2024 calendar with who else, Pittsburgh, as the Tar Heels will hit the road for their first road conference game of the season on Tuesday night.

9-3. UNC/Pitt. 9-4. 444. . 7:00 PM EST . 441. ESPN. Tuesday, January 2, 2024

It’s been a while since the UNC basketball program played a conference game, as their first (and only) ACC game up to this point came back on December 2. Pittsburgh is already two conference games in, but the first two didn’t go particularly well, as the Panthers suffered losses to Clemson and Syracuse.

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For the Tar Heels, the hope is that Pittsburgh still won’t have a conference victory under their belt after Tuesday night’s contest.

When you look at what Pittsburgh has done so far in conference play, one area really seems to stand out.

Pittsburgh finds a way to get to the free throw line, but has struggled to capitalize.

Against Clemson, the Panthers knocked down 10 of 22 attempts at the charity strike. They went on to lose that game by 9, as the Tigers knocked down 12 of their 15 attempts.

In the recent loss to Syracuse, Pittsburgh made just 11 of 24 attempts, in comparison to the Orange making 24 of their 30 free throws. Syracuse made just three of 17 three-point field goal attempts but still went on to win the game by eight.

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Free throws matter, ladies and gentlemen!

The Tar Heels have been effective at the line, knocking down 76.5 percent of their attempts. In order to win this game, capitalizing at the line may ultimately be the difference, as Pittsburgh has a knack for getting to the line, but hasn’t be able to take advantage of the opportunities up to this point.

The Tar Heels have played on the road this season, but this will be their first true road game of the 2023-2024 campaign.

North Carolina went 3-3 in neutral site games during non-conference play, as the Tar Heels saw a majority of top-25 caliber opponents in those games.

Heading into this game, it will be interesting to see how this Tar Heels team handles a true road game, especially against a conference opponent. Given what we’ve seen from this year’s group, the veteran presence should help calm the storm of playing in front of an opposing team’s crowd, but the first three games of the new year (all on the road) will give us more insight as to what this team is capable of doing this season.

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The UNC basketball program lost both contests against Pittsburgh a season ago, with the latest coming in a heartbreaking fashion back on February 1, 2023.

North Carolina shot just 35 percent from the floor in a 65-64 loss on their home floor. Caleb Love led all scorers with 22 points, 13 of which came in the first half. Armando Bacot finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds as he set the UNC basketball record for double-doubles in a career with 62. Pete Nance was also in double-figures, as he scored 13 points in the loss.

No. 2 Elliot Cadeau (Fr. 6-1, 180) 7.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 3.7 apg
No. 3 Cormac Ryan (Sr. 6-5, 195) 11.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.4 apg
No. 4 RJ Davis (Sr. 6-0, 180) 21.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.6 apg
No. 5 Armando Bacot (Gr. 6-11, 240) 14.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 1.3 apg
No. 55 Harrison Ingram (Jr. 6-7, 235) 13.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.5 apg



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Written off in Pittsburgh: 5 former Steelers looking for redemption in UFL

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Written off in Pittsburgh: 5 former Steelers looking for redemption in UFL


Spring football may not carry the same weight as the NFL, but it still offers an opportunity for everyone involved. Fans can satisfy the urge to watch the game they love, while players in the United Football League work to earn another shot at the NFL. No one should expect top-tier play from these teams, but the UFL can still deliver compelling storylines.

Several recognizable names will take the field this spring, including personnel with ties to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

One reason or another, things didn’t work out between the Steelers and these members of the UFL, and that’s why they are attempting a comeback. Pittsburgh either cut them or let them go, and few have heard much from these former members of the Steelers since. The United Football League will see them be thrust back into the spotlight in hopes of landing a shot in an NFL training camp.

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Fans will witness several Ex-Pittsburgh Steelers making a comeback in the UFL

Benny Snell Jr., RB, Louisville Kings

The name Benny Snell Jr. has disappeared from football conversations in Pittsburgh since he left the team in 2022. A fourth‑round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Snell never fully found his footing with the Steelers. He was known as a tough, physical runner who could contribute on special teams, but his role in the NFL rarely extended beyond that.

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Snell struggled to make a lasting impact in Pittsburgh, and the UFL now offers him a chance to rebuild his reputation and revive his professional prospects.

Todd Haley, OC, Columbus Aviators

It has been nearly a decade since Todd Haley left the Steelers after his stint as offensive coordinator. His last NFL role came in 2018 with the Browns, and since then, his coaching career has taken a winding path that has included high school football and spring league opportunities. Haley’s role with the Aviators could provide him with a chance to re-enter the NFL coaching conversation.

Anthony McFarland Jr., RB, Birmingham Stallions

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Many had high expectations for Anthony McFarland Jr. when the Steelers selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. His speed stood out immediately, but he struggled to develop into a complete running back. McFarland now enters his second season in the UFL after a solid stretch of production in 2025. He will need to take the next step and show more consistency this spring.

Tre Norwood, S, Birmingham Stallions

Another United Football League veteran with ties to Pittsburgh is Tre Norwood.

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A seventh-round pick by the Steelers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Norwood used his positional flexibility to carve out a role early in his career. He now enters his second season with the Stallions after posting modest production last year. If the versatile defensive back hopes to earn another opportunity in the NFL, he will need to make a stronger impact in 2026, particularly by creating turnovers.

Roc Taylor, WR, Columbus Aviators

Fans were hopeful for Roc Taylor after he signed with the Steelers last year as an undrafted free agent. The wide receiver group on the roster lacked depth at the time, but Taylor was unable to make it through training camp. Despite that setback, his talent remains evident, and the UFL may represent his best path forward. Taylor has a valuable opportunity in front of him to take advantage of.



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Get PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle event Saturday night.

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Get PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle event Saturday night.


MMA Fighting has PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle fight card and more from UPMC Events Center in Pittsburgh on Saturday night.

In the main event, former Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen tries to earn another title shot with a win over Bryan Battle, who makes his PFL debut. Eblen (16-1) suffered his first career loss against Costello van Steenis in a PFL title bout in his most recent outing.

Dalton Rosta and Impa Kasanganay clash in a middleweight contest in the co-main event.

Check out PFL Pittsburgh results below.

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Main Card (ESPN2 at 10 p.m. ET)

Johnny Eblen vs. Bryan Battle

Dalton Rosta vs. Impa Kasanganay

Ariane Lipski da Silva vs. Sumiko Inaba

Alexei Pergande vs. Julio Arce

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Lazaro Dayron vs. Jacob Thrall

Prelims (ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET)

Allan Begosso vs. Jack Cartwright

Natan Schulte vs. Jakub Kaszuba

Robert Watley vs. Dakota Bush

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Ernesto Rodriguez vs. Masayuki Kikuiri

Tatiana Postarnakova vs. Elora Dana

Josh Fremd vs. Jarrah Al Salawi

Ethan Goss vs. Fred Dupras



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Pittsburgh has rainiest March in nearly 60 years as flooding causes issues across area

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Pittsburgh has rainiest March in nearly 60 years as flooding causes issues across area


Several areas across western Pennsylvania were hit by flooding as overnight rainfall pushed Pittsburgh past a nearly 60-year-old record.

Pittsburgh has recorded 6.18 inches of rain in March, breaking the record of 6.10 inches, which was set in 1967. The rain caused issues in several communities on Friday, including some in Washington and Westmoreland counties. 

Major road flooded in Washington County 

Communities across Washington County spent Friday cleaning up after flooding from Thursday night’s storms. 

Roads were closed, and ballfields were wrecked because of the rain. Ponds that aren’t supposed to be there could be found all over the county.

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“As long as it rains and the creek is flooded, then the road is flooded,” Ruth Mahoney, the owner of The Glass Place in Cecil Township, said.

Georgetown Road in Cecil Township turned into a lake at the bottom of a hill and underpass. Dispatchers said the driver of a car stuck in the water didn’t have to be rescued or taken to the hospital. The flooding ties up the area as the road connects Interstate 79 to Route 19.

“It’s a main artery,” Mahoney said. “Tons of cars come down here every day.”

North Strabane Township saw more of the same. The Lindenwood Golf Club had some new water hazards on the course on Friday. As the water receded into the Linden Creek, a mess was left behind. 

It was the same story in Houston.

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“When I looked out the window, I was like, ‘woah.’ It’s just rising fast,” said Rogelio Esteris. “My daughter was here playing baseball yesterday because she’s on the softball team and now the field is ruined.”

South Strabane Township had a landslide on Locust Road as well. Mother Nature didn’t take it easy on Washington County. Mahoney said it’s affecting her business. 

“When people call, they want to know how to get here,” she said. “You have to tell them, you can’t come because it’s closed today or there’s a backroad, but they don’t understand how to come on the backroad.”

Mahoney said the water should take about a day to recede. Officers told KDKA the car would have to wait to be towed until the water goes down.

Loyalhanna Creek rises, flooding yards 

As dawn broke on Friday morning and the rain from the previous night began to cease, some residents of Westmoreland County who live close to the Loyalhanna Creek saw flooding around their homes and along their local roads. 

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Paul Faust, who lives in the Darlington area of Ligonier Township, has a small tributary to the Loyalhanna Creek in his backyard, but on Friday, that run was acting less like a stream and more like a moat.

“I was up probably about 5 a.m., and it was high,” Faust said. “But it wasn’t over the bank like this and then the next following two hours it started going up. But that is always how it is after it rains.”

Faust says that he and his wife have a system for when their area floods, including tying down outdoor furniture and moving their cars to the top of their driveway.

Many people that KDKA spoke with in Ligonier Township on Friday who live in low-lying areas said they are used to this type of thing and while this flash flood was unexpected, it was not out of the ordinary.

Some water had already begun to recede by Friday afternoon, but Ligonier Valley Police Chief Michael Matrunics still wanted to urge caution, especially for people driving on side roads that may still be flooded around the township.

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“It might not look it, but it could be deeper than you expect,” Matrunics said. “And keep in mind, if you go past signs that are posted here, you could be cited for that. Also, if emergency services have to come out and rescue you or tow companies, you’re responsible for the cost. And your safety. Let’s put that at number one. So don’t drive through standing water on these bad weather dates.”



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