Not a complete shock when Dominic Cheek decided to go to Villanova. They had been recruiting him the longest and they are a guard-dominant team. It makes it an attractive choice.

The choice of Cheek has meant that Pitt has returned to DeAndre Kane. Actually, Pitt had never stopped showing interest in Kane. They helped him get into prep school, and of course DeJuan Blair is a former teammate of his from Schenley. If Pitt has made a formal offer at this point, then it means that Kane has his academics in shape at long last.

Of course, if Kane were to sign with Pitt, that would leave Pitt one over on available scholarships. That fuels speculation over possible transfers or if Pitt would go UConn and push players who weren’t producing out the door. I’m not stressing over the issue at this point. More often, than not, these have ways of working themselves out.

I don’t know if Kane even fits well with Pitt. I sometimes think Pitt pursues some of the local players more out of obligation, than actual desire. That there have been so few local products in the past 20 years, that it matters in perception that Pitt keeps them here.

Pitt, though, already has several signed recruits that look really good, and there comes a time when you have to stop angsting over the ones that didn’t commit. Dante Taylor and Talib Zanna both looked great in a recent Nike sponsored event.

Dante, capable of running the floor, finishing stick backs and in certain situations shooting jumpers out to around three point land will fit in well at Pittsburgh, with not only his skill set, but toughness also. He didn’t display the low post spins in his repertoire during Festival action, but will in college.

At Pitt, expect the suburban New York City native to work on a go to move – jump hook, baseline fade, etc – and also eliminate his current desire to at times handle the ball, center position, on the break. He’ll also need to rely on more footwork and finesse then brute strength, as the Big East’s frontcourt players are notoriously strong and aggressive.

Zanna, also a forward/center, stands 6’8”, weighs around 235 pounds and is also headed to Pitt. On the way to earning first team All-Festival honors, Zanna, originally from Northern Nigeria and a member of the country’s Hausa group, illustrated not only interior strength and aggressiveness, but a good jump hook going over his left shoulder. He finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds for Bishop McNamara (MD) in a win.

Talib has improved his basketball awareness in high school, become stronger, as well as developed a nasty baseline spin move – one that wasn’t on display much in Festival play as he relayed “My coaches told me not to do it, because they may call a foul on me”.

Panther fans and haters alike will see him line up at both forward positions in Big East action, something he favorably anticipates. To achieve success, particularly at the small forward position, Zanna will have to fine tune his midrange to three ball face up shot, along with conduct continued strength, dribbling and balance development/enhancement.

The similar demands placed on ‘threes’ and ‘fours’ at Pitt should aid Talib’s utilization…

Lots to look forward to, even as this year offers plenty.

Even though, MLB Scott McKillop was excluded from being even a finalist for the various defensive player awards, he did take home the Big East Defensive Player of the Year Award along with being named as a 1st team All-American.

McKillop, a native of Export, Pa., and graduate of Kiski Area, is the second Pitt linebacker in the past three seasons to be selected to the prestigious FWAA All-America Team. H.B. Blades, now with the Washington Redskins, was honored following his senior season in 2006.

For more than six decades the FWAA has selected an All-America team with the help of its members and an All-America Committee which represents all the regions in the country.

“On the field and off, Scott McKillop exemplifies what it means to be an All-American,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. “He will leave a tremendous legacy at Pitt, not only because of how many tackles he made, but more importantly because of the type of leader and person he has been. Our entire program is incredibly proud of Scott. He is very deserving of this recognition.”
…
Heading into the 2008 bowl season, he ranks second nationally in solo stops (tied, 6.50 solos/game), 11th in total tackles (tied, 10.50 tackles/game) and 20th in tackles for loss (tied, 1.38 TFLs/game). He leads the Big East in each of those categories.

Overall this year, McKillop has compiled 126 tackles, 16.5 TFLs, four sacks and one interception (returned 18 yards for a TD vs. Louisville).

In 2007, his first season as a starter, McKillop led the entire country in tackles (12.58 tackles/game). He has compiled an astonishing 277 tackles over his junior and senior seasons.

The only one who isn’t surprised by McKillop’s accomplishments seems to have been H.B. Blades.

McKillop said Blades taught him to play the position and he’s proud to share the honor with him as well as his current teammates.

“It is an unbelievable honor to be in the same category with guys like Dan Marino, Tony Dorsett, Larry Fitzgerald, Bill Fralic in Pitt history,” McKillop said. “But when I look back the thing that I’ll cherish most is that I’m there with H.B. because of how much he meant to my career and his friendship.”

Blades, unlike a lot of others, had no doubt that McKillop would have a chance to be a good player because, unlike a lot of the other younger players Blades encountered, McKillop was a better listener than talker.

“I’m not surprised at all by what he’s accomplished. Scott has one of the strongest work ethics of any player I’ve been around,” Blades said.

And like his predecssor, Blades, there will be a big question as to who will fill the spot and how effectively next year? Heck, that goes for all 3 LB spots, but that’s definitely an issue for off-season debate.

LeSean McCoy took home Big East Offensive Player of the Year Honors. I’m a little surprised that Donald Brown didn’t grab it.

Both McCoy and McKillop were unanimous selections to the All-Big East team. Also on the squad were K Conor Lee, TE Nate Byham and OG C.J. Davis. On the second team it was DE Greg Romeus and CB Aaron Berry. The latter had everyone scratching their head a bit.

SDWC: Hi Paul, Do you really think that Aaron Berry is deserving of 2nd team all Big East recognition?

Paul Zeise: Based on his ability — yes. Based on the way he played this year — no, not at all. He didn’t have a very good year on so many levels but he did play well in the final two games when they needed him too.

I’d say “competently,” not “well.” But that’s just me. I guess the question is, who got snubbed by the pick?