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May 26, 2010

Well, I was going to pass the bit that Pat Skerry, a Providence assistant, may now be the front runner for Pitt’s assistant coach opening. Pitt Script blog, however, has it covered with all the relevant details. So just head there for the info.

Of course, there might be need for a new entry level coaching spot as “video coordinator” Rasheen Davis is getting interest.

Davis is overqualified as a video guy and has relationships throughout basketball with players and AAU program directors and coaches. He’s definitely a guy just waiting for a shot and has been hesitant to jump at just any opening, knowing that he’s in a good place at Pitt. But it seems as if others are starting to contact Davis and the latest inquiry has come from Western Kentucky. Davis, according to several sources, interviewed for the position on Ken McDonald’s staff late last week in Bowling Green.

Interesting, and I would hate to lose Davis. What I do find positive is that while Davis is overqualified in his position, he feels comfortable enough at Pitt to take his time about jumping for any job. That doesn’t just speak to liking the staff and players.

It also touches on how well he is being compensated in the position. That’s always reassuring to think that the Pitt athletic department is keeping compensation for the assistants competitive — and not trying to skimp.

ESPN.com has a “grade” for Big East recruiting. Pitt got a “B”

Coach Jamie Dixon locked up this excellent group early. Isaiah Epps (Plainfield, N.J./Hargrave Military Academy) is a speedy point guard, while wings J.J. Moore (Brentwood, N.Y./South Kent) and Cameron Wright (Cleveland, Ohio/Benedictine) have good size. Moore is an ESPNU 100 prospect who can score and Wright, a former Ohio State commit, is a versatile athlete who can defend and excels in the open court. The Panthers filled their needs and added quality depth.

They put Providence just ahead of Pitt with a “B+”. Hmmm.

Then there was this good bit on DeJuan Blair being back in Pittsburgh over the past week.

Blair is back home for a while visiting with friends and family. He will play host to the DeJuan Blair Basketball Camp July 6-9 at Robert Morris University, where he hopes to pass on some of his expertise to boys and girls ages 9-18.

After his camp, Blair will turn his attention to the NBA summer league. He said his main goal during the summer league is to play power forward well enough to convince the Spurs that he can play that position full-time next season.

Hope that mid-range shot is coming along, then.





I would like to address an issue that I believe was asked on this blog just last week. It is my understanding that JJ Moore still has yet to qualify …. is this correct?

Right after Herrion signed on with Marshall, I recall there was a long list of really qualified possibilities to replace him but don’t believe Skerry was a part of that list. That doesn’t mean Skerry would be a good choice although I starting to wonder if Dixon should maybe consider someone with midwest ties.

Comment by wbb 05.26.10 @ 11:52 am

wbb,

1. I’ve read nothing to say one way or the other about J.J. Moore. That’s why there has been nothing posted.

2. Dokish mentioned Skerry as a possibility way back when the search started. Pitt Script even mentioned that.
link to bebballreportpitt.blogspot.com

Comment by Chas 05.26.10 @ 1:02 pm

wbb–Some speculation on my part–High schools are just now finishing the school year where I live. My HS senior has one final exam left to take this week before graduation next week. Since high schools and prep schools in other geographic locations may be on different academic calendars (some finishing earlier and some later than my kid’s school) it may be too early for anyone to know whether Moore has qualified because he may not have final grades yet. It is entirely possible there may not be a definitive answer available until July (if his school goes to late June), or even late August when Pitt’s fall term begins, if an NCAA clearinghouse ruling on core courses is needed. Doubt Pitt is going to risk a repeat the Darnell Dodson scenario if it can help it.

Comment by pitt1972 05.26.10 @ 2:15 pm

I stand corrected on Skerry not being a part of that listing but there was not much about him .. the best part was that he is a ‘rising star’

I know the inital prime candidate decided not to accept but I’m wondering why this process seems to be taking so long

Comment by wbb 05.26.10 @ 4:30 pm

I believe that there is a dead period for recruiting that goes maybe through the end of June. I would expect that if the potential hire is not “officially” hired until that period is over, they could go out see guys on the AAU circuit and start building relationships while most coaches aren’t able to do so. Then the hire could be made official once the dead period is over.
I’m not sure that is what is going on, but just a possibility.

Comment by PITTapotamus 05.26.10 @ 4:46 pm

Of course that only makes sense if the guy is not under contract and coaching somewhere.

Comment by PITTapotamus 05.27.10 @ 11:18 am

wbb–I checked out of curiosity–Moore’s South Kent Prep school is having final exams this week. So I assume we likely won’t know anything for certain concerning his qualifying (assuming it depends on this weeks exams) for at least a week or two–or even longer if there will be a wait for the NCAA clearinghouse needed as well.

Comment by pitt1972 05.27.10 @ 1:38 pm

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