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Abby Schnable's Pitt sports chat: 11.25.25
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Abby Schnable
1:01
Hello everyone! It's a good day for a live chat with a lot going on in Pitt sports. Both football and volleyball are fighting for ACC championships. Basketball is doing...well not great. But we've got a lot of questions so let's get started.
Fort Mac
1:01
More than likely Pitt will not make the ACC Championship game even if it upsets Miami.  What kind of bowl game would indicate a successful season for the Panthers?
WaltHarrisInstituteForElegantSpeech
1:01
Hi Abby - are you hearing anything from inside the program on likely bowl destinations (win or lose Saturday)?  To me it seems like the chance to make an ACC Tier 1 game hinges on the outcome.
Abby Schnable
1:01
I'm going to combine these two bowl game questions for simplicities sake.
1:04
Pitt’s bowl game predictions are kind of all over the place. I’ve seen the Holiday Bowl, Gator Bowl and the most common is the Pin Stripe Bowl. I think in terms of success all of those would be good indications of a solid season. I’d also Duke’s Mayo Bowl or the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Really I’m looking for WHO they’re playing as opposed to where. It’d really show success to me if they were matched up against other bubble CFP teams. I haven’t heard much from inside the team. They’re very focused on Miami right now.
demosthenes98
1:04
So what's next for the Fitzgerald Field House now that the women's volleyball team no longer plays there?
Abby Schnable
1:06
There are very little clear answers about what’s happening to the Fitz. I’ve heard the possibilities of making it more of a track/cross country facility. I’ve also heard maybe more parking or even a new recreation center. I wish I had more answers for you, but it's something I'm digging into.
Matt from LA
1:06
Although the coach has acknowledged the stupidity of the fake punt call, was that the worse call you have ever seen in college football game? It certainly was for me.
Abby Schnable
1:09
It was a pretty bad call. I’m not sure about the worst, but it’s definitely up there. It seriously opened the door for Georgia Tech when he could’ve just punted the ball and at least made it not a short field opportunity. Luckily, Boosie Turner bailed them out on the next offensive drive. I'm glad Narduzzi owned up to how bad it was.
Matt from LA
1:09
Although the first half and final score were impressive, the reality was that we only scored one offensive touchdown in the second half. Instead of playing to win in the second half, we seemed to be playing not to lose. What happened to the offense?
Abby Schnable
1:12
There are a couple of reasons. 1) Georgia Tech made offensive adjustments. They were better at flustering Mason Heintschel which led to some iffy choices by the freshman. 2) Pitt seemed to have rested on its heels a bit — which goes back to the West Virginia and Louisville games too. The Panthers were comfortable when they should’ve have been. It’s just beneficial that they were able to overcome a potential comeback this time.
1:15
There was a question about why Torrey Stafford left Pitt volleyball that I seemed to have accidentally deleted. Anyway, here's that answer:

I’ve heard that she was dealing with some mental health struggles during last season, so it might have been as simple as that. I also wouldn’t be surprised — and this is pure speculation — if there were some frustrations about not being the No. 1 on the team. Olivia Babcock and Stafford were on the same club team. There she was the No. 1. At Pitt, she wasn’t. But, we don’t know the exact reason and likely never will. She’s killing it over at Texas though. It’d be cool if the two teams met in the tournament.
Adam
1:15
Do you think weather can play a big factor in the game?  Maybe not quite SMU/PSU-level from last year, but Miami seems to have played in mostly all warm games?
Abby Schnable
1:18
The farthest north Miami has played this season is Dallas when the Hurricanes travelled to play SMU. It’s supposed to be a high of 36 on Saturday. I would think Miami might struggle, but I was told that a couple of years ago the Hurricanes were here on a really cold day and some players were warming up shirtless. So, I guess we’ll have to see.
Jock Sutherland
1:18
I’ve heard NCAA was perhaps looking into changing the woman’s NCAA VB tourney to follow D2 or D3 format.  Two weekends total  and 8 teams at each site.   Final site would be Final 8 instead of final 4.  Teams could play 3 matches over 4 days.   Have you heard if that is being considered?   
Also any talk of the ACC adding back an end of season tourney like SEC did this year?
Abby Schnable
1:21
I personally have not heard that and would be a little shocked if that was the case — but it’s totally possible I just missed the conversation. The D1 tournament tends to draw good viewership, especially lately. Condensing it might hurt that. Coaches also don't like having to play two games in three days. I can't imagine they'd want to play three in four days. As for a conference tournament, I was surprised the SEC started doing it again and would be even more surprised if the ACC did it. It’s an unnecessary risk at this point in the season. It could impact RPI, especially if a team were to lose early when they shouldn’t have. It could be the difference between a No. 1 and No. 2 seed for teams.
SDWC
1:21
Potentially not having Trey Butkowski concerns me, as this game could be close.  Any update on his likelihood of returning?  Can Junko also placekick?
ralph
1:21
When , if ever, is Reid returning? Pitt could have a DYNAMIC Duo at running back!
Bobby Nutty
1:22
What is up with Trey Butkowski? Some illness he must have. I hope he gets healthy, but wow! It hurts not having a reliable FG kicker.
Abby Schnable
1:25
Let's knock out all the injury questions. We've been told Butkowski is sick. We also saw him warming up for the Notre Dame game, which is confusing if he's sick. When Pat Narduzzi was asked he said there was no timeline and he wish they had one — which isn't very comforting. As for Reid, he's going to play if he can. He's definitely injury prone and we've been given no updates for Miami. It'd be great to have a duo, but I do think it's been really impressive what Boosie Turner has done. I'm not sure you NEED Reid anymore. It'd definitely be an advantage to have him.
Cj
1:25
With the transfer portal, NIL, have you heard any concern about Pitt being worried about being able to keep Babcock for her final year?
Abby Schnable
1:27
This should be the least of your concerns about Pitt volleyball in the offseason — not that there are many to begin with. Babcock is very devoted to Pitt. She's gotten pro offers since her freshman season and continues to decline them. I've gotten to know her family very well and they always laugh when people speculate she's leaving. I think it would be the biggest plot twist if she did.
Cj
1:27
Is there anyone on the volleyball team who is not graduating  but who you could see not coming back?
Abby Schnable
1:30
I've been keeping my eye on Ryla Jones. I heard rumors that she considered transferring last season, but was never able to confirm it. Her playing time has decreased with Abbey Emch taking the spot lately so I wouldn't be surprised at this point if Jones left. I hope she doesn't though, this middle blocker group is stacked. I'm also paying attention to the outside hitters. Not because I think they're disgruntled, but because Pitt will return four and adds two as part of it's freshman class. If someone thinks they can get more playing time elsewhere they might bounce.
Burt Grossman's Python
1:30
Did they hit practice the week of the Notre Dame game? When I say 'hit" I mean "HIT!" like in games! B/c it looked like they didn't take that game seriously and just tried tog get out of there healthy for ACC competition, and Darduzzi's pregame comments about not caring if they lose non-conference games by 100 points makes me think he views those games as friendlies so-to-speak.
Abby Schnable
1:31
We only get to see about 30 minutes of practice a week and it's never the heavy hitting stuff. So it's possible they hit practice hard. However, they were also banged up so I wouldn't be surprised if they were taking things lightly to be at full strength.
JC
1:32
Do we know why Torrey Stafford left Pitt? Was it money or not wanting to play second fiddle to Liv?
Abby Schnable
1:32
JC! I think I accidentally deleted your question earlier, but I did answer it up higher.
Burt Grossman's Python
1:32
As an amateur archeologist, I'm curious what Pitt does with it's old 'artifacts.' Helmets, equipment, marketing materials, flags and banners, apparel, etc. That stuff is often pushed out of the way in dark rooms, forgotten about, then rediscovered by new maintenance workers and coaches. I know a lot was boxed away at Pitt Stadium and unbelievably thrown out rather than saved or sold to fans. I wonder what's been sitting in the dark forgotten corners of the Field House?
Abby Schnable
1:33
Oh I'd be very interested to see the things they uncover. I'd have to imagine a lot of random trophies between volleyball, wrestling, track/field and maybe even gymnastics.
Matt from LA
1:33
How much longer will Pitt hoop fans have to endure another mediocre, non-tournament team? Capel may be a good guard recruiter but his inability to recruit or develop underneath players kills the program.
Abby Schnable
1:35
If they can keep and develop the young guys on the current roster, add in some transfers on top of this great incoming recruiting class — next year is looking really solid. But retaining and development is key. To your point, Capel hasn't exactly been great at that.
Burt Grossman's Python
1:35
Please tell me no Pitt Legends are going to be on the sidelines for the Miami game. The only time I remember Pitt ever playing well, or even competently, when they brought back all the legends was the 2016 Penn State game.
Abby Schnable
1:36
I haven't heard who is coming. They'll have an honorary captain, but it's not always a legend. I wouldn't be surprised if you have some legends simply because of the stakes of the game.
Matt from LA
1:38
What is worse at this point: The men's basketball team losing to Quinnipiac or the women's team losing to a Division III school? Both programs are embarrassing!
Abby Schnable
1:38
I'd say WBB losing to Scranton. While the men's basketball win is bad at least Quinnipiac is supposed to be a decent mid major squad.
JR
1:38
Any rumors regarding a bowl location for Pitt?
Abby Schnable
1:39
Hey JR, I talked about this as the first question so check that out.
Bruce
1:39
After losing a buy game  against Quinnipiac, and being beaten decisively by West Virginia and Central Florida, this may be the worst team Jeff Capel has put on the floor. At what point does Pitt just bite the bullet and move on?
Abby Schnable
1:40
You'd think soon, right? Unfortunately he's got a pretty decent buy out and his recruiting class coming in next season might bail him out. I do think Allen Greene might have a shorter leash so there might be a little hope, but I wouldn't count on it.
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