Yes, there are still more than a few articles out there bringing up Pitt’s past disappointments and saying that this will be more of the same. The fact is, the number and breadth of punditry putting Pitt in the Final Four and even in the Championship game (and dare we say cutting down the final net) are much higher. So much so, that it really is difficult to gather all the links.

It will take some effort and a bit of denial to build up the requisite outrage and righteous indignation at being disrespected at this point. And plenty already have issued their dire warnings of the disappointment if it does not happen.

Nice feature length piece on Pitt and DeJuan Blair from Dick Weiss.

Meanwhile Sam Young took it upon himself to talk with Blair.

“The main thing,” Young said, “and I’ve talked to DeJuan about it, is making sure that he stays on the floor.

“He agreed with me 100 percent.”

Young — and the rest of college basketball — realizes the importance of Blair, the 6-foot-7 All-America center, staying out of foul trouble as No. 1 seed Pitt (28-4) prepares for a hopeful deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

…

Young’s message was clear: Don’t take any unnecessary chances. You are too valuable.

“If we can keep everybody on the floor, I don’t think we will have a problem offensively,” Young said. “I told (Blair) I feel like he can score with the best of them. If someone scores on you, you can come right back and score on them. And if you don’t score, you are going to get the rebound.

“But we need you in the game, point blank. He definitely agreed with me and he’s going to make sure he stays in the game.”

It can’t hurt.