No, not the football Panthers, the hoops Panthers.  As another fruitless November/December schedule commences, I'm yawning at the prospect of huge, meaningless victory margins over the likes of Akron and Vermont.  There are a few decent games sprinkled in, but for the most part, the wins will easily mount. 

My question is will a similar late season fade set in after January?  If Monday's game with Miami of Ohio can be a measuring stick, this Pitt team may be the deepest we've seen in the Jamie Dixon, Ben Howland era.  They have size, speed, shooting ability and an incredible depth. Even the frosh contributed against Miami. 

In the past, the Panther teams have been a little thin and the wear and tear of a full season seemed to take it's toll on them.  Their depth may be a great asset in trying to avoid a fade.  On Monday they played without Gilbert Brown, a starter, who is one of their better players.

I'm not getting too far ahead of myself here.  The Panthers take on Akron tonight.  Not a game which will tell us much.  Pitt will fight a Penguin game at Atlanta and the Steelers' game with Cincinnati for attention.  The spotlight will be on them in March.  Here's hoping they're peaking instead of fading by then.