PITT Cracks the Top 10

At the end of last season, Pitt fans were troubled with All-American and Big East POY Dejuan Blair's decision to go pro. Finding solace in the high school tapes of High School McDonald's All American Dante Taylor, Panther followers like myself could only hope for an invitation to the big dance, much less a top seed in the tournament.

Yet, the way Pitt is executing this season-solid defense and clutch offensive streaks-it looks like Pitt is making another run at the Final Four; Ashton Gibbs, Brad Wanamaker, Jermaine Dixon, Nasir Robinson, Gilbert Brown, and Gary McGhee have ALL proved their ability to make big plays in big games, especially in Pitt's most recent comeback win against Louisville.

Pitt has cracked the top 10 in the AP poll for the first time this season with wins against #15 UConn and Louisville. After losing their top 3 scorers in Dejuan Blair, Sam Young, and Levance Fields, Pitt's success is nothing less than a tribute to Jamie Dixon's outstanding coaching and detailed recruiting.

Ron Cook wrote a fantastic article on the play of Gary McGhee, the Pitt center who went from nothing more than a practice player to the big-man replacement for Dejuan Blair. McGhee's ability to fight of Dante Taylor for a starting role is a statement in itself, but Jamie Dixon has coached this tree of a man to guard the paint against any Big East frontcourt.

For now, we can enjoy these under-recruited, well-coached players embarrassed the All-Americans. We can watch Brad Wanamaker get what he deserves after 3 years of unselfish bench play. Let's face it, Pitt's success is an unexpected gift to all Pittsburgh fans, and a lesson to all of us to never underestimate this team.

This team is the essence of Jamie Dixon, and his players are showing their eagerness to prove it night after night.