Mark Madden: Pitt basketball should stick to its word, play Duquesne

Pitt should play Duquesne in men’s basketball for any number of reasons.

But the main reason is because Pitt said it would.

In March 2019, a statement released by Pitt quoted athletic director Heather Lyke thusly: “The City Game is a time-honored basketball tradition in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, our scheduling dynamics will not allow us to play the game in 2019. We look forward to resuming the game with great anticipation in 2020 and 2021.”

But Pitt coach Jeff Capel made Lyke into a liar. Pitt notified Duquesne that it won’t play the Dukes at PPG Paints Arena in either of the next two seasons.

Duquesne AD Dave Harper once said the Dukes would play at Pitt and not ask for a guaranteed fee or ticket allotment. Pitt is offering to host Duquesne in 2021-22. But Pitt reneged on the original deal, so Harper should tell Pitt to kick rocks. (Duquesne graduates three key seniors after the coming season. Pitt’s willingness to play in 2021-22 is convenient.)

Pitt shouldn’t be scared of Duquesne, and likely isn’t. But that’s sure what it looks like.

Pitt’s record against Duquesne is 17-1 dating to 2001. But Duquesne isn’t the school pulling out.

The teams have met 87 times. Pittsburgh isn’t a college basketball town. The City Game interested casual fans. Or, perhaps it didn’t anymore.

But it was an oasis of something traditional and local in the middle of a whole bunch of seasons when Pitt and Duquesne are nothing special. Pitt hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2016 and hasn’t had a winning season since, going 13-61 in ACC play. Duquesne hasn’t gone to March Madness since 1977.

The City Game gave the schools a chance to be champions of something, even for just one night.

Pitt’s decision is condescendingly justified by Pitt fans, the implication being that Duquesne is beneath Pitt. But Duquesne (21-9) had a winning season last year. Pitt (16-17) didn’t.

The haughtiness of Pitt supporters is ironic. Their attitude toward Duquesne hoops reflects the attitude Penn State has toward Pitt in football. That rivalry goes dormant again, the four-year resumption concluded this past season. Penn State gains nothing by playing Pitt, but Panthers fans boil because Penn State brushes Pitt off.

Does Pitt gain anything by playing Duquesne in basketball? Yes. The City Game might sell out Petersen Events Center. The Pete holds 12,508. Pitt averaged just 8,825 last season. Strength of schedule and the other mumbo-jumbo that goes into making the NCAA Tournament doesn’t matter. Pitt is nowhere close to getting that invite.

The City Game averaged 12,794 at PPG Paints Arena. It would sell out the Pete. Penn State football doesn’t need help selling out home games. Pitt basketball does.

Look at Pitt’s record and attendance in basketball (and football, too). You’re struck that Pitt athletics have arrogance without accomplishment. All hat, no cattle.

The basketball program is rotten. The football program is mediocre. Pittsburgh is a pro sports town. Pitt is depressingly low on the totem pole. Basketball has particularly suffered since the old Big East imploded. Seven seasons later, the ACC still seems foreign. Capel and football coach Pat Narduzzi wouldn’t be recognized by most in a typical Pittsburgh bar. Pitt isn’t it.

But fans and the athletic department have their collective noses in the air. It’s inexplicable. Somebody tell Capel he’s not in Durham anymore. Same goes for Narduzzi and East Lansing.

It has been years since Pitt sports hit the heights the school’s more influential fans unrealistically expect. Tony Dorsett isn’t coming back, nor is Charles Smith. But Pitt sports have gone from likable to loathsome in fairly quick order, and Pitt’s handling of the situation with Duquesne is exemplary.

Pitt should play Duquesne for several reasons: To continue the tradition of having played 87 times. The universities are two miles apart on Forbes Avenue. It creates interest in local college hoops, if only for a day. Pitt has won 17 of the last 18 meetings. It’s a fun game and a fun night.

But mostly, Pitt should play Duquesne because Pitt promised. Keep your word.