Counting Down the Top 10 Pittsburgh Sports Moments of 2013
By Matt Shetler
4. RMU basketball upsets Kentucky
RMU’s win over Kentucky reminded many folks that the local college sports scene is more than just Pitt and Duquesne. Did Moon native John Calipari do the Colonials a favor in agreeing to play at the Sewell Center? Surely, but his agreeableness gave the RMU athletic department a boon it otherwise could only dream about. In a year that the university administration decided to cut several teams, it’s important the “revenue sports” carry the banner even more than before. RMU didn’t make a huge impact in the NIT after its big moment against UK, but the recruiting benefits should be felt soon, if they haven’t been already. (Gajtka)
I had the privilege of covering this game courtside and I have to hand it to the RMU crowd. It may have only been an NIT game, but even an hour before tipoff the host crowd was roaring and that gym had the feel of so much more. As RMU hung around and eventually slayed the giant Kentucky, the crowd literally gave me goose bumps, right up until the moment they stormed the court. (M. Shetler)
3. The streak is over
Pirates win No. 82 was huge. McCutchen’s expression caught on camera after was great. You don’t need to say much about how much that win meant. (Zac Weiss)
Finally is really the only thing that needs to be said. It was a very long ride that finally culminated in celebration among Pirates fans everywhere. (M. Shetler)