Thomas Robinson wants to play early. He wants to know his situation, and is paying attention as the attention on him increases.

Unlike a lot of prospects, Robinson also knows a lot about where he stands with each team.

“Bob Huggins called yesterday,” says Redd, “and he was telling Thomas that their was an opening for him, but Thomas asked him about (incoming freshman) Roscoe Davis. Thomas knows who everybody has.”

That may impact one of the perceived favorites for Robinson, Pitt.

“He came off the floor after the game the other day and I told him that Dante (Taylor) signed with Pittsburgh and he said ‘Well, that’s a done deal with them then,’” says Redd. “But I told him to wait and let me see what’s going on. So Jamie Dixon called this morning and I mentioned Taylor, and Dixon said that they want to play both together, with Thomas at the three, but I don’t know. It’s something Thomas will have to sit down and think about it.”

Redd says that a decision could come at the end of the summer.

“That’s the plan right now,” he says. “In August, he will sit down, take a deep breath, and see who everybody has and what kind of style they play. Then he will pick three or four schools to visit.”

I can’t say I fault him for being cautious. College sports is littered with implied promises of early playing time and slavish praise and devotion on one player as being the centerpiece only to learn otherwise.

If you want to start focusing on 2010 and 2011, NBE Basketball Report has some more on youngsters Pitt is very interested in pursuing.

Victor Olidipo – If there is a rising junior that could end up being the next Thomas Robinson – being in time one of the most highly recruited players in the East – it is Victor. Though he’s getting an early start, and has a long way to go, the 6’3”, 180 pound Olidipo always leaves onlookers shocked at some athletic play, whether it is a follow up slam, fast break move, or blocked shot. More and more, Olidipo is impacting the game down offensively, including open court patting, good spot up shooting, and always making the right play.

Providence has offered, while Pittsburgh is very interested. Joining Providence in tendering a scholarship offer are Oklahoma, Maryland, George Mason, James Madison and UNC-Greensboro, while Clemson, BC and VCU can be placed along with Pitt has expressing interest.
…
Mike Gbinije – A 6’6”, 180 pound rising sophomore, Gbinije may be a ‘golden child’ in that he can do it all, including shoot, defend, drive, and pass. Even more impressive is he does all of this in a team setting.

Not surprisingly, the heavies are starting to contact, with Georgetown and Pittsburgh (who has offered) hot in pursuit from a Big East bent, while Texas, North Carolina and Virginia Tech (another offerer) have joined the parade. Recently, Florida may have also offered.

Rivals.com already has Olidipo as a 4-star prospect, #52 in the country and #11 among shooting guards. Gbinije is merely an entry in the database right now.

Useless information that only I might find interesting: college basketball rosters for the 2008-09 season are supposed to be updated and available to the media starting on Monday. Why? Because of the preview magazine business. They have to start work in July to get them out in September and October. That means collecting the basic information, as early as they can.

It can also mean that the never-ending Mike Cook-NCAA-Eligibility saga should get a little more media attention in the next week or two. Someone will have their curiosity piqued if Pitt gives them a roster with an asterisk or a blank spot. That is unless the NCAA finally makes a decision today.

It’s also why Austin Wallace is getting his paperwork in order for a medical hardship application.

Pitt forward Austin Wallace is going through the paperwork for a medical hardship because of a serious knee injury he suffered last December practicing before Pitt’s game against Washington. The move will free up a scholarship for Pitt, yet allow Wallace to retain a scholarship to attend the school.

It’s not a surprising move since Wallace’s injury was known to require a good two-years of recovery. kind of a surprise they waited until now. His basketball career is still at risk with a fractured left patella.

Pitt’s troubles to find an opponent for Madison Square Garden continues. Maybe Stanford?

Odjakjian said it’s unlikely Pitt would play a smaller school at the Garden, even if it’s a New York-area school. The gate wouldn’t justify such a matchup at a 19,000-seat arena.

“It’s certainly up to the Garden if a lesser opponent would be acceptable,” Odjakjian said. “If the game is not going to draw a lot of people, they aren’t going to bother.”

Which is why they wanted a team from a BCS school. Even if they weren’t particularly good. As long as there was an alumni base of some size in the area to buy tickets. I’m guessing Pitt isn’t being picky at this point.

According to this report the Memphis deal fell through for more than just timing issues.

Pittsburgh Sports Insider has been told that Pitt has been trying hard to schedule Memphis, however, Tigers head coach John Calipari wants too much in return.

The obvious implication being a road game to Memphis next year and no true home game for Pitt.

If you are in Pittsburgh, have diabetes, or want to know more about diabetes there is the Diabetes Expo at the David Lawrence Convention Center this Saturday. Oh, and the Pitt men’s and women’s basketball team will be there signing autographs.