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
Watching curling.
February 5, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Watching curling.
Reposted by Stephen Thompson
‘Be intentional’: Cory Sanders sets the tone in his first weeks as Pitt's defensive coordinator
‘Be intentional’: Cory Sanders sets the tone in his first weeks as Pitt's defensive coordinator
Cory Sanders didn’t have to say it for everyone to notice, but practice looks different for him now.
For eight seasons, Sanders’ routine was...
www.post-gazette.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:48 PM
‘Be intentional’: Cory Sanders sets the tone in his first weeks as Pitt's defensive coordinator
“IKF”? More like “IDK”! (what to make of this signing but seems like everyone thinks he sucks)
February 5, 2026 at 12:38 AM
“IKF”? More like “IDK”! (what to make of this signing but seems like everyone thinks he sucks)
Reposted by Stephen Thompson
Instant analysis: Pitt outworked by No. 17-ranked Virginia in blowout loss
Instant analysis: Pitt outworked by No. 17-ranked Virginia in blowout loss
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Offensive woes traveled with Pitt from Clemson, S.C., back home and with them on a road trip back south to Virginia. The previous...
www.post-gazette.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:33 AM
Instant analysis: Pitt outworked by No. 17-ranked Virginia in blowout loss
Pitt 47, No. 17 Virginia 67 -- Final
The Panthers gave their opponent free chances it didn't need over and over again as they fall to 2-8 in ACC play. SMU visits the Pete on Saturday.
The Panthers gave their opponent free chances it didn't need over and over again as they fall to 2-8 in ACC play. SMU visits the Pete on Saturday.
February 4, 2026 at 4:04 AM
Pitt 47, No. 17 Virginia 67 -- Final
The Panthers gave their opponent free chances it didn't need over and over again as they fall to 2-8 in ACC play. SMU visits the Pete on Saturday.
The Panthers gave their opponent free chances it didn't need over and over again as they fall to 2-8 in ACC play. SMU visits the Pete on Saturday.
After Pitt had cut the deficit to 12 briefly, Virginia hit a couple 3s to earn its largest lead of the night at 55-37 with 7:04 to play.
February 4, 2026 at 3:43 AM
After Pitt had cut the deficit to 12 briefly, Virginia hit a couple 3s to earn its largest lead of the night at 55-37 with 7:04 to play.
Pitt 37, UVA 49 -- 8:52 2H
UVA hasn't scored in 2:15 and Pitt has the ball after forcing a shot clock violation. Ryan Odom calls timeout to get his team organized. Panthers shooting 46% from the field in the second half and have made all 5 free throws.
UVA hasn't scored in 2:15 and Pitt has the ball after forcing a shot clock violation. Ryan Odom calls timeout to get his team organized. Panthers shooting 46% from the field in the second half and have made all 5 free throws.
February 4, 2026 at 3:36 AM
Pitt 37, UVA 49 -- 8:52 2H
UVA hasn't scored in 2:15 and Pitt has the ball after forcing a shot clock violation. Ryan Odom calls timeout to get his team organized. Panthers shooting 46% from the field in the second half and have made all 5 free throws.
UVA hasn't scored in 2:15 and Pitt has the ball after forcing a shot clock violation. Ryan Odom calls timeout to get his team organized. Panthers shooting 46% from the field in the second half and have made all 5 free throws.
Virginia and Pitt are both shooting 27% from 3, but Virginia has 22 attempts to Pitt's 11. This game will be won by the team that's valued the basketball more.
February 4, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Virginia and Pitt are both shooting 27% from 3, but Virginia has 22 attempts to Pitt's 11. This game will be won by the team that's valued the basketball more.
Pitt 29, UVA 45 -- 14:45 2H
UVA's attempted 11 more shots than Pitt. Home team is only shooting 3% better from the field, but it's had more opportunities and made 6 3s to Pitt's 2.
UVA's attempted 11 more shots than Pitt. Home team is only shooting 3% better from the field, but it's had more opportunities and made 6 3s to Pitt's 2.
February 4, 2026 at 3:20 AM
Pitt 29, UVA 45 -- 14:45 2H
UVA's attempted 11 more shots than Pitt. Home team is only shooting 3% better from the field, but it's had more opportunities and made 6 3s to Pitt's 2.
UVA's attempted 11 more shots than Pitt. Home team is only shooting 3% better from the field, but it's had more opportunities and made 6 3s to Pitt's 2.
Thijs DeRidder caught elbow from Barry Dunning Jr. in his head and a common foul was upgraded to a flagrant 1.
February 4, 2026 at 3:13 AM
Thijs DeRidder caught elbow from Barry Dunning Jr. in his head and a common foul was upgraded to a flagrant 1.
Pitt 20, UVA 33 -- Halftime
Panthers had a chance to cut their deficit to single digits with 75 seconds left but UVA big man Ugonna Onyenso hit a 3, then blocked Roman Siulepa twice in 5 seconds to secure a double digit lead at intermission.
Pitt has 10 turnovers, 9 made FGs.
Panthers had a chance to cut their deficit to single digits with 75 seconds left but UVA big man Ugonna Onyenso hit a 3, then blocked Roman Siulepa twice in 5 seconds to secure a double digit lead at intermission.
Pitt has 10 turnovers, 9 made FGs.
February 4, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Pitt 20, UVA 33 -- Halftime
Panthers had a chance to cut their deficit to single digits with 75 seconds left but UVA big man Ugonna Onyenso hit a 3, then blocked Roman Siulepa twice in 5 seconds to secure a double digit lead at intermission.
Pitt has 10 turnovers, 9 made FGs.
Panthers had a chance to cut their deficit to single digits with 75 seconds left but UVA big man Ugonna Onyenso hit a 3, then blocked Roman Siulepa twice in 5 seconds to secure a double digit lead at intermission.
Pitt has 10 turnovers, 9 made FGs.
Pitt 18, UVA 28 -- 2:58 1H
Nojus Indrusaitis has scored back-to-back buckets to pull Pitt within 10 and he'll have a chance to make it a single digit deficit with a free throw after the break. Pitt isn't shooting all that much worse than the Hoos, but has 7 fewer shot attempts.
Nojus Indrusaitis has scored back-to-back buckets to pull Pitt within 10 and he'll have a chance to make it a single digit deficit with a free throw after the break. Pitt isn't shooting all that much worse than the Hoos, but has 7 fewer shot attempts.
February 4, 2026 at 2:44 AM
Pitt 18, UVA 28 -- 2:58 1H
Nojus Indrusaitis has scored back-to-back buckets to pull Pitt within 10 and he'll have a chance to make it a single digit deficit with a free throw after the break. Pitt isn't shooting all that much worse than the Hoos, but has 7 fewer shot attempts.
Nojus Indrusaitis has scored back-to-back buckets to pull Pitt within 10 and he'll have a chance to make it a single digit deficit with a free throw after the break. Pitt isn't shooting all that much worse than the Hoos, but has 7 fewer shot attempts.
Some rare good news for the Panthers: Cam Corhen is back in the game. They had been getting killed on the glass without him.
February 4, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Some rare good news for the Panthers: Cam Corhen is back in the game. They had been getting killed on the glass without him.
Virginia's been aggressive defensively, but I can't say they have really "forced" a lot of these turnovers. I think Pitt's mostly just giving it away.
February 4, 2026 at 2:40 AM
Virginia's been aggressive defensively, but I can't say they have really "forced" a lot of these turnovers. I think Pitt's mostly just giving it away.
Pitt 13, UVA 22 -- 7:13 1H
Hoos have made 5 of their last 7 shots. Pitt's made 6 field goals for the game and committed 8 turnovers, which have led to 10 Virginia points.
Hoos have made 5 of their last 7 shots. Pitt's made 6 field goals for the game and committed 8 turnovers, which have led to 10 Virginia points.
February 4, 2026 at 2:33 AM
Pitt 13, UVA 22 -- 7:13 1H
Hoos have made 5 of their last 7 shots. Pitt's made 6 field goals for the game and committed 8 turnovers, which have led to 10 Virginia points.
Hoos have made 5 of their last 7 shots. Pitt's made 6 field goals for the game and committed 8 turnovers, which have led to 10 Virginia points.
After committing a foul, Cam Corhen hustles off to the locker room. Not sure what happened there. He's Pitt's leading scorer with 9 points so far.
February 4, 2026 at 2:30 AM
After committing a foul, Cam Corhen hustles off to the locker room. Not sure what happened there. He's Pitt's leading scorer with 9 points so far.
Pitt 7, UVA 13 -- 12:34 1H
Jeff Capel, after using his first timeout of the game, gives Nojus Indrusaitis an earful for passing up a transition layup. Panthers have 5 turnovers in the last 5 minutes, opening up a 10-run for the Hoos.
Jeff Capel, after using his first timeout of the game, gives Nojus Indrusaitis an earful for passing up a transition layup. Panthers have 5 turnovers in the last 5 minutes, opening up a 10-run for the Hoos.
February 4, 2026 at 2:21 AM
Pitt 7, UVA 13 -- 12:34 1H
Jeff Capel, after using his first timeout of the game, gives Nojus Indrusaitis an earful for passing up a transition layup. Panthers have 5 turnovers in the last 5 minutes, opening up a 10-run for the Hoos.
Jeff Capel, after using his first timeout of the game, gives Nojus Indrusaitis an earful for passing up a transition layup. Panthers have 5 turnovers in the last 5 minutes, opening up a 10-run for the Hoos.
Pitt 7, UVA 5 -- 15:41 1H
Panthers have made 3 of 6 field goals to start. UVA made its first 3-point attempt off an offensive rebound but missed three straight from long-range since.
Panthers have made 3 of 6 field goals to start. UVA made its first 3-point attempt off an offensive rebound but missed three straight from long-range since.
February 4, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Pitt 7, UVA 5 -- 15:41 1H
Panthers have made 3 of 6 field goals to start. UVA made its first 3-point attempt off an offensive rebound but missed three straight from long-range since.
Panthers have made 3 of 6 field goals to start. UVA made its first 3-point attempt off an offensive rebound but missed three straight from long-range since.
Couple nice passes for Omari Witherspoon, who's handled the ball a bunch in these first few minutes. First was a lob which Cam Corhen finished. The second led to a missed Dunning 3 but he was wide open after Witherspoon drew a crowd in the paint.
February 4, 2026 at 2:12 AM
Couple nice passes for Omari Witherspoon, who's handled the ball a bunch in these first few minutes. First was a lob which Cam Corhen finished. The second led to a missed Dunning 3 but he was wide open after Witherspoon drew a crowd in the paint.
Pitt wins the tip and we're underway.
February 4, 2026 at 2:07 AM
Pitt wins the tip and we're underway.
If Pitt misses two consecutive free throws, everyone in attendance tonight wins free Smithfield bacon. If that is of any interest to you, I saw $6 on VividSeats a couple minutes ago.
February 4, 2026 at 1:49 AM
If Pitt misses two consecutive free throws, everyone in attendance tonight wins free Smithfield bacon. If that is of any interest to you, I saw $6 on VividSeats a couple minutes ago.
Starters for Pitt and Virginia tonight.
February 4, 2026 at 1:42 AM
Starters for Pitt and Virginia tonight.
Interesting matchup of freshmen tonight in Charlottesville between Thijs De Ridder, UVA's leading scorer at 17 ppg, and Roman Siulepa. De Ridder draws the 13th-most fouls per 40 minutes of anyone in the ACC. I expect Siulepa to be his primary defender, so discipline is critical.
February 4, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Interesting matchup of freshmen tonight in Charlottesville between Thijs De Ridder, UVA's leading scorer at 17 ppg, and Roman Siulepa. De Ridder draws the 13th-most fouls per 40 minutes of anyone in the ACC. I expect Siulepa to be his primary defender, so discipline is critical.
Reporting Live From The Gutter
February 4, 2026 at 12:23 AM
Reporting Live From The Gutter