Andy Katz puts that good relationship with Coach Jamie Dixon to use with his blog post for today.

Pitt coach Jamie Dixon is protecting his investment and will accompany junior center Aaron Gray to Orlando on Wednesday for a workout currently scheduled for Thursday in front of NBA personnel.

Gray will be in town for a physical at the Orlando predraft camp, but will have the private workout instead of participating in the camp. Dixon said the schedule still isn’t set, but that this was the best-case scenario to put Gray on display. Gray had considered going through a workout in the Northeast, but couldn’t settle on a date or place.

Gray is considered by most NBA personnel to be a first-round pick. How high he could go is still unknown. In a one-on-none workout, Gray’s athleticism issue likely won’t be solved. It’s not known how drill and skill work will move him up, but NBA folks have seen these kinds of workouts from big men for years.

Well, if he is almost a 1st round lock, then it will come down to a decision of whether he wants to finish his education now and see what can happen on the court with Pitt this year or just go with the money now. Not an easy decision.

Katz also notes that ESPN, CBS and the Big East are all watching this decision carefully since it will effect the games shown and who will be the favorite in the BE this season.

Bonus Non-Con Schedule Alert: Katz’s blog also said that Pitt will be playing a neutral court game at Madison Square Garden against South Carolina on December 21. This will be the early game before Gonzaga-Duke. Pitt just completed a home-and-home with South Carolina winning both games