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Blair's next stop is NBA
Try this Big East Conference trio on for size:
On Sunday, it's a trip to West Virginia, a place Pitt loses with regularity.
On Wednesday, it's a trip to Villanova, where like at WVU's Coliseum, the Panthers have one win the past four years.
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Those are three teams expecting to play in the NCAA Tournament and three games Pitt could lose. Winning two of the three would keep No. 4 Pitt at the front of the conference pack. Winning one wouldn't be devastating to Pitt's conference hopes.
Getting through the Big East with less than four or five losses ranks as a surprise. Even a bigger shock than Pitt winning its next three games.
It can happen if Sam Young plays aggressively and DeJuan Blair stays out of foul trouble. The latter is far more important to this critical stretch and Pitt's prospects of advancing past the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1974.
Pitt goes as Blair goes. If the undersized sophomore center keeps going at his current pace, he may be headed to the NBA Draft this year.
With every double-double against an overmatched opponent, Blair's stock rises and the chances that Pitt's best offensive rebounder since Jerome Lane leaves school early for the riches of the NBA increases.
Get used to the idea.
Blair could become the first sophomore to leave Pitt since the Golden State Warriors selected Chris Taft in the second round of the 2005 draft. Yeah, I know, Taft didn't work out at the next level. He played only one year before fizzling out.
While it's difficult to project how Blair fits into the NBA, this much is certain, he's no Taft.
Outside of six feet, Blair struggles on offensive. He could use a mid-range jumper and a signature baseline move but his 265-pound plus frame and his ability to use it makes him the best offensive rebounder in college basketball.
Blair plays as if possessed. He comes up with offensive rebounds in the most improbable situations.
He plays ferocious.
And, he's always smiling.
It's a personality that is drawing more attention after a 20-point, 17-rebound effort at Georgetown that propelled Pitt (17-1, 5-1 Big East) to its first No. 1 ranking in men's basketball.
Blair followed with 23 points and 15 rebounds against St. John's, then a 13-point, 18-rebound performance against South Florida. For the season, Blair is averaging 14.6 points and 12.8 rebounds.
Combine the effort with his quick hands - Blair leads Pitt with 32 steals - and it's no wonder why his name is popping up on mock drafts.
Some have Blair going as high as 19. Others have him being selected late in the first round. ESPN describes Blair as a "late first, early second round" pick.
First-round money in the NBA is almost impossible to pass up. First-rounders are guaranteed two years of a contract.
Plus, he can look at Young.
Widely praised for returning for his senior year and wanting to win a championship, Young hasn't done much to improve his draft status. His jump shot looks a little better but his ballhandling is shaky and his offensive creativity doesn't inspire.
Blair has his own problems but his national profile continues to raise with every big-game performance.
Should Pitt make a deep run, possibly reach the final four or even win a championship, don't be surprised if Blair declares. Here's betting he gets selected ahead of Young.
Mike Kovak can be reached at mkovak@observer-reporter.com.
no way : 1/24/2009
he is way to short for center and he cant cover power forwards away from hoop he cant make career on his only move which is a put back from offensive rebound
