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
Pittsburgh officials are partnering with a nonprofit to provide a unique way to thank veterans for their service while getting a grand look at the Steel City.
A 90-foot Ferris wheel dubbed the Salute to Service Wheel will be spinning on the North Shore from Wednesday through Sunday.
It’s provided by Piatt Companies and Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty with half of ticket sale proceeds going to Veterans Leadership Program.
First launched in 1982, VLP helps veterans navigate life’s transitions. Efforts include wellness services, housing, career development and various support programs.
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Mayor Corey O’Connor, parks and recreation director Eric Sloan, Piatt Companies CEO Lucas Piatt and representatives from the Veterans Leadership Program are expected to host a grand opening celebration Wednesday around 12:30 p.m. at North Shore Drive and Art Rooney Avenue and take the first rides.
It is part of Pittsburgh’s Independence Day celebration.
Tickets are on sale now and cost $11.20, including a $1.20 service fee. They can be found at pittsburghpa.gov.
Bookings are in hour intervals from 2-9 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday and from 2-8 p.m. Sunday.
Riders smaller than 48 inches tall must be accompanied by an adult.
Several communities in the Pittsburgh area have adjusted their trash pickup times as the region is bracing for a heat wave with temperatures and heat indexes expected to be near 100 degrees this week.
The hottest temperatures of 2026 are expected this week and by Tuesday afternoon, temperatures are anticipated to reach into the 90s. This, coupled with extremely high humidity levels, means the heat index — also known as the “feels like” temperature — will flirt with triple digits.
In Mt. Lebanon, trash and recycling pickup routes will begin earlier than normal to help keep workers safe amid the extreme heat.
“All trash and recycling should be placed at the curb the night before your scheduled collection day, as collection times may occur earlier than usual,” a notice posted on municipality’s Facebook page said.
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Shaler Township said that it received an update from County Hauling that collection crews will begin their routes earlier than normal this week as well.
“Please place all trash and recycling at the curb the night before your scheduled collection day,” the township said.
In Robinson Township, trash collection will begin at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, one hour earlier than normal.
People are being asked to have their trash and recycling at the curb at least one hour prior to their normal pickup time.
Pleasant Hills Borough said it had adjusted its trash pickup schedule for earlier in the day on Friday to “help reduce employee exposure to hazardous temperatures.”
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“This temporary adjustment is being made in the interest of employee health and safety,” the borough said. “We kindly ask that you help notify your residents that all trash and/or recycling should be placed at the curb the night before their scheduled collection day, as collection times may occur earlier than usual.”
In Brentwood Borough, Noble Environmental will begin earlier collection on pickup routes as well.
People are being asked to place their trash and recycling at the curb the night before their scheduled collection day.
The borough added that collection days are not changing, only the start time of the pickup routes.
“Thank you for your cooperation as crews work safely during this week’s heat wave,” the borough said.
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The Library Volunteer Fire Company said that trash pickup in South Park Township is being moved earlier on Thursday.
“We kindly ask Township residents to place trash and recycling at the curb the night before Thursday, July 2nd pickup, as collection times may occur earlier than usual,” the notice said.
