The numbers almost seem random at this point, but some more 2007 basketball recruiting class rankings.

Apparently in HoopScoop, Pitt’s recruiting class clocked in at #16. Syracuse, DePaul and Villanova were placed ahead from the Big East.

Rivals.com put Pitt at #26.

The Panthers inked a class that fits perfectly for the style of play that Jamie Dixon wants to employ in the Big East. Local big man Dejuan Blair will be looked at early and often. The space-eater could be one of the best instant impact players in the league next year. Philadelphia-area guard Bradley Wannamaker gives the lineup some toughness. Darnell Dodson, from the D.C. area, is versatile and should help immediately. Gary McGhee and Cassan Diggs round out the class.

The numbers next to the class rank mean little. It’s how they develop and how quickly they contribute.

Apparently Pitt gear is on sale for a Father’s day promotion. If you order stuff online, and add the promotion code “DAD” in the spot at checkout, you get 20% knocked off the total purchase. That isn’t half bad.

The deal runs until June 16.

Pitt baseball got about as much media coverage they’re going to get this week for making it into the Big East Tournament. Not only did they get the rare mention here, but the local papers, radio stations, and TV news also had their stories on the team. They excited me enough that I pulled up the live GameCast from the Big East website and checked on in every few minutes when they played against USF.

What a way to kill everything you had going for you. On Tuesday they managed to put six (six!) errors on the scoreboard and yet only one run — not a recipe for success. USF’s pitcher was unreal though.

USF senior right-hander Danny Otero worked a complete game and limited the Panthers to just three hits, while walking just one batter.

Going into Wednesday’s game I figured we could at least pick up one win at the tourney. I wasn’t nearly as quick to pull up the GameCast for this one though. Playing the worst seeded team in the tourney, UConn at #8, we managed to leave the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth.

Connecticut lefty Mike Tarsi worked eight innings, struck out seven and allowed just two runs as he collected his sixth win of the season. Junior lefty Matt Karl came on in the ninth inning and recorded his team-best 11th save of the season. The Panthers loaded the bases in the top half of the ninth inning with no outs, but were not able to take the lead en route to being eliminated from the championship.

I’m willing to bet that these two pitchers just happened to have the games of their lives against Pitt. Either that, or the Panthers need a new hitting coach. Maybe someone to tell them how to work their gloves, too.