When Pitt was in the planning stages of designing Petersen Events Center, it took a tour of Wisconsin's Kohl Center for inspiration.
It wasn't just because Pitt chancellor Mark Nordenberg is a graduate of Wisconsin Law School, although Pitt coach Jamie Dixon doesn't mind getting his digs in.
The Panthers were looking for an intimidating atmosphere to emulate, and they couldn't have picked a tougher place to play. That made a Pitt-Wisconsin home-and-home series a natural, albeit one that was years in the making.
When No. 2 Pitt (10-0) visits No. 7 Wisconsin (10-1) at 12 p.m. Saturday in Madison, Wis., it could be a classic. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
"There's no other game like that this year, with two top-10 ranked teams," Dixon said. "It's probably the premier match-up in the college basketball in the non-conference season that was a home-and-home event."
As good as Pitt is at the Pete - winning 71 of 76 games there - the Badgers are even better on their home court. Wisconsin boasts an 80-6 record at the 17,142-seat Kohl Center in five-plus seasons under coach Bo Ryan.
Both have lively student sections. Where the Panthers have the Oakland Zoo, the Badgers feature the Grateful Red. And Wisconsin's final exams aren't until next week, so a strong showing and loud crowd is expected.
"We have a tremendous crowd. That's what helps us out a lot," said Wisconsin senior forward Alando Tucker, who leads the Badgers in scoring at 20.2 points per game. "The whole feel of the Kohl Center, the way it was designed, is strange. It's a different look. It's almost like a dungeon look, a dark atmosphere. That makes it hard on an opponent. A lot of teams realize the record coming in, the whole aura of our winning record there, and that scares their players. I've heard players say it."
Pitt players are certainly aware of Wisconsin's home-court advantage, but they are looking forward to the challenge.
"We know how hard it is to play at Wisconsin," Pitt junior small forward Mike Cook said. "We know there is going to be a lot of hype around this game, so it's pretty exciting right now."
Because of their winning home records, both schools have trouble finding non-conference opponents willing to play on their home floor. So they found each other, even if it means Pitt risking its perfect season.
Not to mention Dixon's 26-0 December mark.
"I knew that before, when we scheduled it," Dixon said. "It's a tough place to play. I haven't been in there, but supposedly it's very similar to this - just a little bit bigger - and has the same kind of atmosphere. There's only a few in the country that do it, and you have two of them matching up."
Pitt has won the last two meetings against Wisconsin, taking a 73-64 home victory last Dec. 31 and a 59-55 victory in the second round of the 2004 NCAA Tournament at Marquette's Bradley Center.
Note: Aaron Gray has strep throat and did not practice Thursday, but Dixon is optimistic that the 7-foot senior center will be ready Saturday. "It's something you have to deal with, and we'll see how it is," Dixon said. "It's guesswork right now. I'd like to have Aaron against pretty much any team. I think that's safe to say on that one."
It wasn't just because Pitt chancellor Mark Nordenberg is a graduate of Wisconsin Law School, although Pitt coach Jamie Dixon doesn't mind getting his digs in.
The Panthers were looking for an intimidating atmosphere to emulate, and they couldn't have picked a tougher place to play. That made a Pitt-Wisconsin home-and-home series a natural, albeit one that was years in the making.
When No. 2 Pitt (10-0) visits No. 7 Wisconsin (10-1) at 12 p.m. Saturday in Madison, Wis., it could be a classic. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
"There's no other game like that this year, with two top-10 ranked teams," Dixon said. "It's probably the premier match-up in the college basketball in the non-conference season that was a home-and-home event."
As good as Pitt is at the Pete - winning 71 of 76 games there - the Badgers are even better on their home court. Wisconsin boasts an 80-6 record at the 17,142-seat Kohl Center in five-plus seasons under coach Bo Ryan.
Both have lively student sections. Where the Panthers have the Oakland Zoo, the Badgers feature the Grateful Red. And Wisconsin's final exams aren't until next week, so a strong showing and loud crowd is expected.
"We have a tremendous crowd. That's what helps us out a lot," said Wisconsin senior forward Alando Tucker, who leads the Badgers in scoring at 20.2 points per game. "The whole feel of the Kohl Center, the way it was designed, is strange. It's a different look. It's almost like a dungeon look, a dark atmosphere. That makes it hard on an opponent. A lot of teams realize the record coming in, the whole aura of our winning record there, and that scares their players. I've heard players say it."
Pitt players are certainly aware of Wisconsin's home-court advantage, but they are looking forward to the challenge.
"We know how hard it is to play at Wisconsin," Pitt junior small forward Mike Cook said. "We know there is going to be a lot of hype around this game, so it's pretty exciting right now."
Because of their winning home records, both schools have trouble finding non-conference opponents willing to play on their home floor. So they found each other, even if it means Pitt risking its perfect season.
Not to mention Dixon's 26-0 December mark.
"I knew that before, when we scheduled it," Dixon said. "It's a tough place to play. I haven't been in there, but supposedly it's very similar to this - just a little bit bigger - and has the same kind of atmosphere. There's only a few in the country that do it, and you have two of them matching up."
Pitt has won the last two meetings against Wisconsin, taking a 73-64 home victory last Dec. 31 and a 59-55 victory in the second round of the 2004 NCAA Tournament at Marquette's Bradley Center.
Note: Aaron Gray has strep throat and did not practice Thursday, but Dixon is optimistic that the 7-foot senior center will be ready Saturday. "It's something you have to deal with, and we'll see how it is," Dixon said. "It's guesswork right now. I'd like to have Aaron against pretty much any team. I think that's safe to say on that one."
