Laurels & lances: March Madness edition
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Laurel: To sweet victory. In a city filled with colleges and sports teams, it can be hard to stand out. The Duquesne Dukes are doing just that.
It started with the Atlantic 10 championship in New York City, as the Dukes took the crown. The 57-51 win over Virginia Commonwealth was only the start.
The team followed up with something that hasn’t happened in 47 years. The Dukes snagged a coveted spot in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
If you think there is March Madness in a regular year, you don’t know what it’s like to be a hungry underdog who finally gets a chance to go to the Big Dance. Duquesne does now.
It comes at a perfect time. PPG Paints Arena is host to early rounds of the tournament, and Duquesne is serving as master of ceremonies for the seventh time since 1997.
“The opportunity for Pittsburgh to shine on a national and international stage just shows how active of a sports community Pittsburgh is,” said Jennifer Hawkins, executive director of SportsPittsburgh.
And how is it going? Duquesne won its first-round matchup against BYU on Thursday.
Lance: To bowing out. There was quite a bit of speculation Pittsburgh could have two teams in the tournament, but that didn’t happen. Pitt wasn’t picked, despite a good record and solid showing in the ACC Tournament. However, a couple of unexpected conference wins changed the algebra, putting in teams such as N.C. State and Oregon.
You can’t blame Pitt for being unhappy about that. The Panthers are a good team with good players.
But the school decided not to accept a bid for the National Invitation Tournament in a very “take-my-ball-and-go-home” moment.
“It was a difficult choice but ultimately what is best for our student-athletes,” coach Jeff Capel said in a statement.
Was it, though? Or would it be a valuable lesson for students — athletes or otherwise? Sometimes you work really hard for something, and, for whatever reason, you don’t get it. Sometimes you applaud for the person who won and accept an honor many teams in the country would still be delighted to have. Villanova, Wake Forest and Providence didn’t get to go to the NCAA tournament but still showed up for the NIT.