Stephen Thompson
@stephenthompson.bsky.social
I write about Pitt athletics for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette | Boston Celtics fan | he/him | be where your feet are
Pinned
Column | All I need to know, I learned at Trees - The Pitt News
Outgoing sports editor Stephen Thompson has spent four years playing on and learning from Pittsburgh’s pick-up basketball courts. This is what they taught him and why he’s sad to leave them behind aft...
pittnews.com
Re-sharing this here because:
a) I want to pin it to my profile again
b) it's my favorite piece of original published writing and
c) it's 70° and I'm playing pickup later.
“Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday School.” — Robert Fulghum
a) I want to pin it to my profile again
b) it's my favorite piece of original published writing and
c) it's 70° and I'm playing pickup later.
“Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday School.” — Robert Fulghum
Reposted by Stephen Thompson
Abby Schnable's Pitt sports chat: 02.17.26
Abby Schnable's Pitt sports chat: 02.17.26
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www.post-gazette.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Abby Schnable's Pitt sports chat: 02.17.26
However much Jim Croce you are listening to, it’s not enough.
February 17, 2026 at 2:16 PM
However much Jim Croce you are listening to, it’s not enough.
I knew he wasn't Mother Theresa but the "Legal issues" section on Tyreek Hill's Wikipedia page is a lot longer than I had remembered.
February 16, 2026 at 5:59 PM
I knew he wasn't Mother Theresa but the "Legal issues" section on Tyreek Hill's Wikipedia page is a lot longer than I had remembered.
Pitt lacrosse is now ranked in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) poll for the first time in program history at No. 25.
Previously No. 23 ranked PSU won yesterday, so should be a ranked-on-ranked matchup when Pitt travels to State College for a 5 pm game Wednesday.
Previously No. 23 ranked PSU won yesterday, so should be a ranked-on-ranked matchup when Pitt travels to State College for a 5 pm game Wednesday.
Pitt women's lacrosse by a touchdown over No. 14 Duke at Highmark Stadium this afternoon. The 2-0 Panthers visit Penn State next week.
February 16, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Pitt lacrosse is now ranked in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) poll for the first time in program history at No. 25.
Previously No. 23 ranked PSU won yesterday, so should be a ranked-on-ranked matchup when Pitt travels to State College for a 5 pm game Wednesday.
Previously No. 23 ranked PSU won yesterday, so should be a ranked-on-ranked matchup when Pitt travels to State College for a 5 pm game Wednesday.
My prediction about the Pitt basketball game went really well so I’m gonna offer up another: Roman Anthony will hit 40 homers if he stays healthy.
February 15, 2026 at 2:47 AM
My prediction about the Pitt basketball game went really well so I’m gonna offer up another: Roman Anthony will hit 40 homers if he stays healthy.
Pitt 65, UNC 79 -- Final
Pitt and UNC ended up with even 47% shooting marks but a hot start from the Tar Heels offensively put this game out of reach early. Pitt has lost 5 in a row since beating Wake Forest and gets a week off before hosting Notre Dame.
Pitt and UNC ended up with even 47% shooting marks but a hot start from the Tar Heels offensively put this game out of reach early. Pitt has lost 5 in a row since beating Wake Forest and gets a week off before hosting Notre Dame.
February 14, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Pitt 65, UNC 79 -- Final
Pitt and UNC ended up with even 47% shooting marks but a hot start from the Tar Heels offensively put this game out of reach early. Pitt has lost 5 in a row since beating Wake Forest and gets a week off before hosting Notre Dame.
Pitt and UNC ended up with even 47% shooting marks but a hot start from the Tar Heels offensively put this game out of reach early. Pitt has lost 5 in a row since beating Wake Forest and gets a week off before hosting Notre Dame.
Pitt 50, UNC 70 -- 7:40 2H
Pitt closed the first half well defensively but UNC is back to shredding them. Heels are shooting 52.6% from the floor this half. Corhen has 21 points to pace the game.
Pitt closed the first half well defensively but UNC is back to shredding them. Heels are shooting 52.6% from the floor this half. Corhen has 21 points to pace the game.
February 14, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Pitt 50, UNC 70 -- 7:40 2H
Pitt closed the first half well defensively but UNC is back to shredding them. Heels are shooting 52.6% from the floor this half. Corhen has 21 points to pace the game.
Pitt closed the first half well defensively but UNC is back to shredding them. Heels are shooting 52.6% from the floor this half. Corhen has 21 points to pace the game.
Pitt 36, UNC 53 -- 15:52 2H
Cam Corhen hit his 3rd triple at the 13:36 mark of the first half and Pitt has missed six attempts in a row from beyond the arc ever since.
Cam Corhen hit his 3rd triple at the 13:36 mark of the first half and Pitt has missed six attempts in a row from beyond the arc ever since.
February 14, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Pitt 36, UNC 53 -- 15:52 2H
Cam Corhen hit his 3rd triple at the 13:36 mark of the first half and Pitt has missed six attempts in a row from beyond the arc ever since.
Cam Corhen hit his 3rd triple at the 13:36 mark of the first half and Pitt has missed six attempts in a row from beyond the arc ever since.
North Carolina made as many field goals in the first 6 minutes of the first half as they did in the final 14 minutes. After starting 8 for 8 from the field, it made only 8 of 22 shots (38%) to close the period.
February 14, 2026 at 7:52 PM
North Carolina made as many field goals in the first 6 minutes of the first half as they did in the final 14 minutes. After starting 8 for 8 from the field, it made only 8 of 22 shots (38%) to close the period.
Pitt 32, UNC 46 -- Halftime
Pitt eventually got a handle on the game defensively but some untimely turnovers and missed shots meant they couldn't claw any closer than 10 points for most of the half.
Pitt eventually got a handle on the game defensively but some untimely turnovers and missed shots meant they couldn't claw any closer than 10 points for most of the half.
February 14, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Pitt 32, UNC 46 -- Halftime
Pitt eventually got a handle on the game defensively but some untimely turnovers and missed shots meant they couldn't claw any closer than 10 points for most of the half.
Pitt eventually got a handle on the game defensively but some untimely turnovers and missed shots meant they couldn't claw any closer than 10 points for most of the half.
Cam Corhen's most recent foul, his second, got upgraded to a flargant one. Can't say I got a good look at it.
February 14, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Cam Corhen's most recent foul, his second, got upgraded to a flargant one. Can't say I got a good look at it.
Pitt 28, UNC 38 -- 2:23 1H
Carolina hasn't scored in 2:40 and is 0 for its last 7 shots, but Pitt's own poor offense has meant the deficit's held at 10 points or more. Foul trouble brewing for the visitors -- Siulepa has 2 and Corhen just picked up his 2nd too.
Carolina hasn't scored in 2:40 and is 0 for its last 7 shots, but Pitt's own poor offense has meant the deficit's held at 10 points or more. Foul trouble brewing for the visitors -- Siulepa has 2 and Corhen just picked up his 2nd too.
February 14, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Pitt 28, UNC 38 -- 2:23 1H
Carolina hasn't scored in 2:40 and is 0 for its last 7 shots, but Pitt's own poor offense has meant the deficit's held at 10 points or more. Foul trouble brewing for the visitors -- Siulepa has 2 and Corhen just picked up his 2nd too.
Carolina hasn't scored in 2:40 and is 0 for its last 7 shots, but Pitt's own poor offense has meant the deficit's held at 10 points or more. Foul trouble brewing for the visitors -- Siulepa has 2 and Corhen just picked up his 2nd too.
Pitt seems to have a hard time picking up defensive assignments in transition today. They were horrendous at it against SMU, better against Duke and back to being pretty poor now.
February 14, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Pitt seems to have a hard time picking up defensive assignments in transition today. They were horrendous at it against SMU, better against Duke and back to being pretty poor now.
Pitt 19, UNC 28 -- 7:44 1H
After starting the game 8-8, UNC has missed 6 of it's last 10 shots. But every time the Panthers have a chance to put some more pressure on the Tar Heels, it's a turnover or missed shot.
After starting the game 8-8, UNC has missed 6 of it's last 10 shots. But every time the Panthers have a chance to put some more pressure on the Tar Heels, it's a turnover or missed shot.
February 14, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Pitt 19, UNC 28 -- 7:44 1H
After starting the game 8-8, UNC has missed 6 of it's last 10 shots. But every time the Panthers have a chance to put some more pressure on the Tar Heels, it's a turnover or missed shot.
After starting the game 8-8, UNC has missed 6 of it's last 10 shots. But every time the Panthers have a chance to put some more pressure on the Tar Heels, it's a turnover or missed shot.
Pitt 15, UNC 23 -- 11:12 1H
For a team shooting 83% from the field, Carolina hasn't separated as much as they might have hoped. Cam Corhen's knocked down 3 triples to keep the Panthers in it and he's the game's leading scorer at 11 points.
For a team shooting 83% from the field, Carolina hasn't separated as much as they might have hoped. Cam Corhen's knocked down 3 triples to keep the Panthers in it and he's the game's leading scorer at 11 points.
February 14, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Pitt 15, UNC 23 -- 11:12 1H
For a team shooting 83% from the field, Carolina hasn't separated as much as they might have hoped. Cam Corhen's knocked down 3 triples to keep the Panthers in it and he's the game's leading scorer at 11 points.
For a team shooting 83% from the field, Carolina hasn't separated as much as they might have hoped. Cam Corhen's knocked down 3 triples to keep the Panthers in it and he's the game's leading scorer at 11 points.
Pitt 5, UNC 12 -- 15:39 1H
Carolina hasn't missed yet and Pitt is shooting 33% from the field. Omari Witherspoon, with one of the ACC's best defensive guards in Seth Trimble hounding him, is 0-3. I think if UNC continues to shoot 100% from the field, they have a chance to win.
Carolina hasn't missed yet and Pitt is shooting 33% from the field. Omari Witherspoon, with one of the ACC's best defensive guards in Seth Trimble hounding him, is 0-3. I think if UNC continues to shoot 100% from the field, they have a chance to win.
February 14, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Pitt 5, UNC 12 -- 15:39 1H
Carolina hasn't missed yet and Pitt is shooting 33% from the field. Omari Witherspoon, with one of the ACC's best defensive guards in Seth Trimble hounding him, is 0-3. I think if UNC continues to shoot 100% from the field, they have a chance to win.
Carolina hasn't missed yet and Pitt is shooting 33% from the field. Omari Witherspoon, with one of the ACC's best defensive guards in Seth Trimble hounding him, is 0-3. I think if UNC continues to shoot 100% from the field, they have a chance to win.
Pitt wins the tip and we're underway.
February 14, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Pitt wins the tip and we're underway.
UNC, the worst 3-point defense in the ACC during league play, is also down its two leading scorers. The opportunity is as ripe as it'll ever be for Pitt to spring an upset on a top 15 team today.
February 14, 2026 at 6:57 PM
UNC, the worst 3-point defense in the ACC during league play, is also down its two leading scorers. The opportunity is as ripe as it'll ever be for Pitt to spring an upset on a top 15 team today.
Starters for Pitt and UNC this afternoon.
Nojus Indrusaitis starts over Damarco Minor. Henri Veesaar, the Tar Heels' second-leading scorer who was listed as a game time decision, is not in the starting lineup.
Nojus Indrusaitis starts over Damarco Minor. Henri Veesaar, the Tar Heels' second-leading scorer who was listed as a game time decision, is not in the starting lineup.
February 14, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Starters for Pitt and UNC this afternoon.
Nojus Indrusaitis starts over Damarco Minor. Henri Veesaar, the Tar Heels' second-leading scorer who was listed as a game time decision, is not in the starting lineup.
Nojus Indrusaitis starts over Damarco Minor. Henri Veesaar, the Tar Heels' second-leading scorer who was listed as a game time decision, is not in the starting lineup.
Damarco Minor's baby girl was born at 1:24 am today. He flew commercial back to Chapel Hill and arrived in the locker room at 1:07 pm. Some fantastic hustle by the new father.
Starting PG Damarco Minor is listed as a game time decision on Pitt's latest availability report. He told @abbyschnable.bsky.social before the season began that he would be anticipating the birth of his first child around this weekend, so we're on alert for that.
February 14, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Damarco Minor's baby girl was born at 1:24 am today. He flew commercial back to Chapel Hill and arrived in the locker room at 1:07 pm. Some fantastic hustle by the new father.
If Damarco Minor hits a 3 and doesn't do some kind of "rock the craddle" celebration today, I'm gonna be pissed.
February 14, 2026 at 6:21 PM
If Damarco Minor hits a 3 and doesn't do some kind of "rock the craddle" celebration today, I'm gonna be pissed.
Reporting Live From The Gutter
February 14, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Reporting Live From The Gutter
Damarco Minor has arrived at the Dean Dome. A last-minute flight arrived on time.
February 14, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Damarco Minor has arrived at the Dean Dome. A last-minute flight arrived on time.
ACC Commissioner Jimmy Phillips is in the house for Pitt-UNC this afternoon. Source: he just walked past me.
February 14, 2026 at 6:02 PM
ACC Commissioner Jimmy Phillips is in the house for Pitt-UNC this afternoon. Source: he just walked past me.
Reposted by Stephen Thompson
Both Cameron Corhen and Damarco Minor are listed as ‘game time decisions’ in today’s ACC Availability report. Leading scorer Brandin Cummings remains ‘Out’ with an ongoing ankle injury.
February 14, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Both Cameron Corhen and Damarco Minor are listed as ‘game time decisions’ in today’s ACC Availability report. Leading scorer Brandin Cummings remains ‘Out’ with an ongoing ankle injury.