This Is It, Don't Get Scared Now

Pittsburgh. No. 1 RPI. Defending Big East Champions. These, and many other adjectives describing Pitt may make them sound like a formidable opponent, but that's because they are.

Later today, our mighty Bearcats will make the trek to the Steel City for a showdown that could go down in the books as one of epic proportions. Just think how awesome it'd be if we wake up tomorrow morning, fresh off of our victory celebration, to watch 3 straight hours of Sportscenter, just too see the likes of Scott Van Pelt and Stu Scott recap what some may call an "upset." Pretty awesome, huh?

The thing is: it could happen. Yes, Pittsburgh has 3 potential All-Big East picks in Young, Blair, and Fields, but we have a little unknown player named "Deonta Vaughn" who could, at any time, score 100 straight points, and a growing man-child in Yancey Gates, hungry for annihilation. It won't be easy. Some people aren't too optimistic about this game, but I say, "Be optimistic." Here are some key strategies, surely to allow us to come out the victor.

Rebound the Frickin' Ball
Everyone knows we got manhandled against St. John's, but we were the better team, so it could more or less "slip by." Pittsburgh is not going to miss easy shots, and they are not going to let us get any. Come on, Cats (Gates, Williams, Toyloy), get in there and throw some D's and bows on it!

Literally Shoot the Lights Out
We shot 62% against St. John's. 62%?!?! Now I'm not expecting another performance like that, but honestly, it has to be close. The way this is accomplished is to NOT SETTLE FOR 3's! I know we have some shooters, but it's not alwaysthe best option. Unless it's Vaughn. We need to work their inside men with some shots down low, maybe try to get them into foul trouble.

Don't Get Intimidated
Most important point. Gates has shown he can roll with just about anyone, and Vaughn is one of the best pure shooters in the league, so why not take that into this game and act like you own Pitt's gym? Yes, there'll be thousands of screaming Pitt fans, but do what they you should do, and picture them all naked, then chuckle because who comes to a basketball game naked? That'll ease the tension. You could even play that "ooh ooh oh OOH OHH Oh Oh oh oh" song they play before every game, that'll get'em fired up.