Okay, there’s a bunch of stuff I haven’t linked to from yesterday and today. Still waiting for something else. It’s been a strange few days in the offline world.
Villanova wants to increase the energy at the Pavilion by retiring Randy Foye’s jersey on Saturday morning during the Gameday telecast. There’s an Allan Ray eyeball joke rolling around, but I’m not going near it.
A Pirates fan since he was a child, Dixon credited the Steelers and Penguins with helping inspire him as a coach.
“I thank the Rooneys, I thank [Penguins president] David Morehouse and the Penguins for giving us a great example for what to be like as we try to build our program to be champions like the Steelers and the Penguins,” Dixon said.
In case you somehow missed it, Khem Birch, part of Pitt’s 2011 recruiting class was named a McDonald’s All-American. The Canadian native who plays in Massachusetts was placed on the West squad.
Biancardi’s breakdown: He is a terrific, young athlete and tremendous shot-blocker. Defensively, Birch can cover a lot of ground and is one of the few prospects who can influence the game without leaving the paint. Telep’s take: The 2010 LeBron James Academy was the setting, and Derrick Favors comparisons were ringing out from the crowd. Months later, Birch would switch from the class of 2012 back into the 2011 class. He played beat the buzzer, then inked with Pittsburgh giving Jamie Dixon his highest-rated recruit ever as Panthers head coach.
If Coach Dixon can get a few more in the next few years, there is a 20% chance that pundits will stop talking about how Pitt doesn’t recruit big name, top recruits.
