Pittsburgh ‘09-10 Preview

by Zach Smart DeJaun Blair’s rapid ascension to surefire stardom came at the right time for him, the wrong time for Pitt coach Jamie Dixon, who’s made his Frank White-like presence recognizable amongst New York area recruits. While Blair posted eye-opening numbers (15.2 points, 12.3 boards per) and cooked Hasheem Thabeet to the recipe of 23 points and 22 rebounds during one of the best individual performances by a collegiate player last season, the NBA scouts lured in the homegrown product. Thus, Blair—who muted pundits’ popped lips by proving his height (6-foot-7) wouldn’t scare off teams who feared he may be a tweener in the L, followed the paper trail to the professional ranks. He leaves a void, albeit it could be quickly filled with this year’s incoming class. Field’s is one piece of a vaunted triumvirate also featuring LeVance “Mr. Big Shot” Fields and Sam Young, who also bolted for the L. Fields was a calming influence, a composed, innate floor general who never wilted under p...