That’s really what the DePaul game felt like — at least for a fan. Yes, DePaul is technically a Big East team and has some talent. They just aren’t that good, and Pitt was at home. I never even thought for a minute that Pitt would do anything but rip through the Blue Demons. This is rare for me. I worry, angst and naturally expect worst case scenarios.  Yet not with this game.

Thankfully, Pitt proved my lack of concern to be justified. I know I’ll be back to worrying and normal for Tuesday night’s road game at Providence. Instead for this game, we had comedy.

In the opening minute of Saturday night’s game with DePaul, Pitt’s DeJuan Blair and center Matija Poscic were fighting for a rebound when the two got tangled.

The 6-foot-10, 245-pound Poscic found himself with one arm locked against Blair’s body.

Blair had the ball. There was no changing that.

As visions of flailing Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet came to mind, Poscic pulled his arm away and let the Pitt sophomore center have his prize.

Blair flashed a wide smile, and the sold-out crowd cheered knowingly at the reminiscent scene.

“That’s why I started laughing,” Blair said. “He got his arm out of there quick. I was snatching the ball. He wasn’t going to go over me and go flying into the (Oakland) Zoo.”

And that moment was also sent out on the AP wire story across the country, to further the legend of  Blair. Blair only had 23 minutes of action, but he dominated as usual.

DePaul coach Jerry Wainwright said a guy like Blair comes around only every so often. He actually pitied Poscic, Kene Obi, Devin Hill and the rest of his backcourt.

“You put them in and ask them to wrestle with a bear for 10 minutes,” Wainwright said. “And, your arms are tied. And we hope you live to fight again.”

Few get out alive. Thabeet, an NBA lottery pick if he chooses to go early, was severely outplayed by Blair. Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody, a few weeks ago, was outplayed by Blair. The anonymous DePaul forward/centers were outplayed by Blair.

He’s leaving a path of big men in his Big East wake.

And inspiring others.

All mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine.

Credit to Justin M. for this creation.

The other big thing of the game was seeing Larry Fitzgerald at the Pete.

Fitzgerald, sitting in the seat typically occupied by Steelers kicker Jeff Reed, also received large cheers when he entered the arena a couple of minutes before tip-off.

In the second half, Fitzgerald autographed a rolled-up shirt for the promotional T-shirt toss. The Panther mascot feigned throwing the item into the frenzied masses in the Oakland Zoo but instead gave the shirt to a young boy sitting courtside. The Zoo promptly booed the stunt.

Fitzgerald stuck around after the game, greeting well-wishers and posing for photographs at midcourt for at least 15 minutes.

He chose the right home game to visit. The fans could actually take the time to acknowledge him.