During the layoff, Coach Jamie Dixon did see basketball. He went to check on one member of the 2006 recruiting class, Gilbert Brown, but was also able to watch another once-and-possibly-future recruit Mike Davis.
Husky big man Mike Davis (6-ft-9 inches, 250 pounds) verbally committed to the University of Pittsburgh two year ago. He attended Xaverian High School and at one time played alongside former Pitt standout Chris Taft. Davis was considered the top big man in New York City. His teammate, Levance Fields, eventually chose Pitt as well. Due to academic shortcomings, Mike was forced to attend a number of prep schools until he settled at Notre Dame Prep School.
The PantherDigest.com spoke with Notre Dame Prep Head Basketball Coach Bill Barton to receive an update on Davis. “Mike continues to improve on and off the court. He’s a totally different person and player than the one that first came here,” said Coach Barton.
His talent and game have never really been in question. It has been his grades and his willingness to keep after them — as illustrated by being forced out of Xaverian and bouncing through a few prep schools. It is still unclear as to just how well he is actually doing with his grades, but his coach is trying to get Pitt to officially offer once again.
Coach Barton indicated that Davis is still very high on the Panthers but the competition for his services will begin to stiffen the longer they process continues. “I think Pitt could land him if they wanted to. With the pool of great big men dwindling, the competition is only going to get tougher,” he said. Schools from the Big East, Big Ten and ACC have inquired about his services.
Pitt is definitely looking for a Center or Power Forward who can play Center for the 2006 class. Davis’ classroom performance make him a risk. Not just because he could end up academically ineligible at Pitt if he loses interest once he gets to Pitt. There’s been a lot of questioning and slowly increasing focus on prep schools and what they do regarding grades. Teams really have to look carefully at that part now.
Yesterday night, Coach Dixon attended the Beaver Falls-Aliquippa High School match-up. Along with plenty of others.
Pitt coach Jamie Dixon was in the capacity crowd. In the first row of bleachers behind Aliquippa’s bench was none other than Louisville coach Rick Pitino. Aliquippa coach Marvin Emerson actually turned to Pitino a few times and asked him if he had any pointers.
Pitt football players Tyler Palko and Darelle Revis were in the house, as well as former Pitt basketball players Brandin Knight and Curtis Aiken. Current Schenley High stars DeJuan Blair and D.J. Kennedy made the trip from the city.
Junior Herb Pope, of course, was the reason Pitino was there, and the primary reason for Dixon. Lance Jeter, the Beaver Falls Senior, was just at Pitt for a football recruiting weekend. Some of the younger talent also was impressive.
