Blair makes big debut in scrimmage

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DeJuan Blair is a Pittsburgh kid. On Sunday afternoon, the 6-foot-7-inch forward impressed his hometown crowd with a 17-point, 17-rebound performance in Pitt’s annual Blue-Gold scrimmage at the Petersen Events Center.

Blair’s efforts, however, failed to carry his Gold squad past the Blue squad. Blue won 74-69 in a fast-paced, fiercely competitive contest.

“It was a little early to be doing a game like this, after eight practices,” Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon said. “It was good for our guys. We had enough healthy bodies, and I’m very happy with how we performed.”

Pitt’s top interior-scoring option Sam Young led the victorious Blue squad with 19 points and six rebounds. Young, who missed practices and some game time last year with knee problems, appeared fully healthy on Sunday.

Coaches worked with Young in the offseason to quell the junior’s desire to play as much basketball as possible. The 6-foot-6-inch forward wanted to play every chance he got against anyone willing to play him, but the constant playing wore his knees down.

After a specific conditioning program and a carefully crafted schedule for when Young plays, the Clinton, Md., native displayed his developments.

His game featured numerous parts – a soft mid-range jumper, a nice touch from 3-point land and the usual prowess around the basket.

“Overall, I think I did pretty well,” Young said. “We want to get back down into the top five. I believe we have a real special team.”

The Blue-Gold exhibition has two purposes – to show the fans the new teams and to get a feel for five-on-five live action for the players.

The Panthers showed an offensive power that hasn’t surfaced in recent years at Pitt, but with a handful of scorers on the roster, 2007-08 might see a change in ways of offensive attacking.

With six quality perimeter players, Dixon said he can let his team run and score in transition with relative ease.

Junior guard Levance Fields led all scorers with 23 points, highlighted by his five 3-pointers. Fields also had eight assists.

Fields’ point-guard counterpart Ronald Ramon had eight points and six assists, while 6-foot-4-inch senior Mike Cook added nine. Keith Benjamin totaled nine points on three 3-pointers, compiling six rebounds and four assists.

Dixon said he was happy with his team’s conditioning. But, the coach added, it’s early, and there are some things he wants his team to improve upon.

News and notes

Junior Tyrell Biggs played the scrimmage with his hand taped. The 6-foot-8-inch post player felt uncomfortable with the tape, Dixon said, but he had played well in the practices leading up to the exhibition.

Biggs played 25 minutes for the Gold squad, scoring 11 points and grabbing five rebounds.

The slimmed down Biggs, who Dixon said mostly will be featured at center, displayed an improved scoring touch in the low post.

Trio of newcomers dominate

Along with Blair, redshirt freshman Gilbert Brown and freshman Brad Wanamaker wowed the crowd.

Brown hit back-to-back 3-pointers in a 30-second span in the middle of the second half, but that wasn’t all the 6-foot-6-inch wing did.

Brown showed his ability to get to the basket at will, stretch the defense with comfortable range and take defenders head on.

Brown made six of his nine shots and all three of his 3-pointers. He hauled in seven rebounds and dished out five assists in 32 minutes.

After a rocky start to last season, which saw Brown miss last year’s Blue-Gold scrimmage and eventually take a redshirt, Brown said he felt much more comfortable this time around.

“It feels great to be out there on the court,” Brown said.

“It’s good to be 100 percent and ready to go.”

Wanamaker paired up with Brown and senior guard Ronald Ramon to power the Blue squad’s backcourt. The 6-foot-4-inch Wanamaker worked off the ball, and even ran the offense from the point later in the game.

Wanamaker shot 6 of 13 for 14 points, and compiled eight assists, working well with Ramon and Brown.

The freshman from Philadelphia said he was still learning Pitt’s defense, but he’s adjusted well to the new level of play.

“In high school, you can hand-check a little,” Wanamaker said, “but in here you can’t. I have to give my player a step. I’m getting it, though.”

Dodson sits out

Freshman Darnell Dodson hasn’t practiced or been cleared to play.

“He’s had some clearing house issues,” Dixon said. “He’s working through it.” Click here to view slideshow