Dixon Says Sanctions Won't Slow Down Syracuse, Says Pitt Can Be A Tourney Team
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan)- Pitt Men's Head Basketball Coach Jamie Dixon called into the Cook and Poni Show on Friday morning to help preview the Pitt-Syracuse game.
Dixon says he and Syracuse Head Coach Jim Boeheim are good friends and he's not looking at him any differently for the sanctions that prompted a self-imposed ban on the program.
"I have great respect for him and in no way am I judgmental of their program for anything that has come up," Dixon said. "You try and do everything right, but things do occur. I still have respect for him."
Dixon thinks that the sanctions will have no lingering effects on the Syracuse players and it will be a typical Pitt-Syracuse game.
"I think you are going to see two great teams fighting for a win," Dixon added.
The Pitt Panthers are also still fighting for a shot at the NCAA Tournament but Dixon feels that they can make it but it has to start now.
"We know we can do it," Dixon said. "We just have to play better."
Pitt-Syracuse will tip off at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Peterson Events Center where the Panthers will debut their new black uniforms.
Listen to the full interview on The Cook and Poni Show Podcast page here.