Okay, everyone has been waiting for the announcement. Here it is.

Elite Fitness Systems (www.elitefts.com), an established leader in strength training and fitness products, has provided the University of Pittsburgh football team with its signature strength training equipment to help upgrade the program’s weight room.

The equipment that the London, Ohio-based company supplied to the Duratz Athletic Complex includes: eight EFS Collegiate Power Racks on Platforms, each of which are equipped with a custom chin bar, EFS signature band pegs, and storage for chains and bands; and eight EFS 0-90 Collegiate Benches, which are built for bigger players. Each power rack and bench also comes with a customized Pitt logo.

Well, there it is.

Oh, right, the new Pitt gear was supposed to be swtiching to Nike. Well, still nothing. In the mean time, if you want to buy Pitt gear at the Team Store, you can take 20% off your order through Sunday. Use promotion code: SEASON.

Not sure what the Venn diagram looks like for Pitt fans outside of the Pittsburgh media market that would want to watch a rebroadcast of the Blue-Gold game and has the NFL Network. I’m guessing it’s kind of small.

Nonetheless, if you fit that intersect tune into the NFL Network at 3pm (EST) on Saturday, April 18:

The two-hour telecast gives the Panther Nation an early look at the new faces and established stars on this year’s Pitt team, which is already receiving advance praise as one of the country’s Top 25 teams.

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt provides color commentary during the game, while Rob King calls the play-by-play action. Additionally, former Pitt coach Serafino “Foge” Fazio and Jory Rand give special reports from the field.

Fans will also be treated to an array of special features and guest appearances by former Pitt linebacker H.B. Blades, now of the Washington Redskins, and Jeff Otah, an offensive tackle with the Carolina Panthers.

Well, I know how I’m wasting my Saturday afternoon.

Well before getting to that, incoming recruit Lamar Patterson got a review of what he is still working on from the ESPN Rise National HS Invitational.

Patterson (#93 Scout, #109 Rivals, #94 ESPN) will bring his tough style of play to the Big East next season, but looks like he is still making the transition to perimeter player. The undersized forward spent a lot of his time in the post and was able to be successful thanks to his excellent strength and toughness with the basketball. Patterson got the bulk of his points on offensive rebounds and sealing hard on the block. We didn’t see too much in the area of extensive ball handling, but he did attempt a fair number of shots from the perimeter in catch and shoot situations. Patterson has a bit of an inconsistent release point, but having knocked down a couple of threes, he appears to have the range to develop into at least a decent shooter at the next level. The biggest key for him now will be improving his quickness and his ball-handling skills in order to transition smoothly to the small forward spot full time.

With Nasir Robinson and Gilbert Brown as the only other small forwards on the team, Patterson does stand a good chance at getting some early playing time in 2009-10. The descriptions of his toughness, liking to play inside and rebounding is a lot like Robinson. Patterson, though, seems to be a bit of a better shooter coming out of HS.

Of course, it could be that Patterson won’t be the only small/wing forward that comes in this class. Pitt still has a scholarship that is burning a hole in its pocket. The coaching carousel might bring back a player they were not getting. Kevin Parrom was a Xavier commit, but is reopening.

Providence and Rhode Island made sense as early thoughts being that they were listed by him in his initial process, and word is Parrom would be interested in taking an unofficial visit with a hopeful date of this coming Monday if a release from the LOI with Xavier is granted prior to that.

Pittsburgh and St. John’s also previously offered Parrom and both were said to have asked about his situation, along with Connecticut and Boston College.

Arizona is in the picture as well. It should be noted that former Xavier and now Arizona head coach Sean Miller hired Emmanuel Richardson at Xavier and offered him to join the staff at Arizona as well, which Richardson accepted. Richardson is a New Yorker who helped recruit Parrom to Xavier.

He’s not exactly dissimilar to Patterson in that his perimeter and ball-handling skills still need work, so that would be question. Still, he’s a 4-star and a top-100 player.

In another case where Arizona and Sean Miller are pursuing the same big man, JUCO player Jarrid Famous is the man in play.

“Jarrid plans to visit Arizona this weekend,” WCC assistant Dave Vandiver said in a text. “Mizzou head coach Mike Anderson and assistant Melvin Watkins visited with Jarrid this past weekend at his home.”

Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon and associate head coach Tommy Herrion and Seton Hall head coach Bobby Gonzalez watched Famous work out last Friday.

Famous has taken officials to Seton Hall, Missouri and South Florida.

Seton Hall, Missouri, South Florida, UConn and a few others had been in the mix for a while, but Arizona and Pitt are now making a hard push just days before the late signing period is to begin.

Seton Hall needs another big man now that Mike Davis (yes, the same Mike Davis who several years and schools ago was a Pitt commit) is transferring.

And because Pitt might only have one scholarship for 2010 (already filled with Isiah Epps)  if they use this final one on a player now, the focus of recruiting increasingly has to look to 2011.

Pitt has interest in a number of guards that Pitt has interest were at the Virginia’s Hoop Magic Sports Academy for a tournament.  The names to watch are: Quinn Cook, Juan’Ya Green, Terry Brutus and Tavon Sledge.

Lots of chatter about it. More than a couple people e-mailed me to say it was happening. The one thing that hasn’t occurred — no press releases or actual press conference unveiling the change in apparel and shoe deals from Adidas to Nike. So, I don’t know anymore than the rest of you.

I have to admit that I don’t have any strong feelings one way or the other about this. When Pitt switched to Adidas from Nike for all gear (at the time Adidas was already the basketball supplier and other sports and Nike was only the football supplier), that there was some acrimony as Pitt had to file suit to get out of the deal.

The deal with Adidas was more lucrative, and Adidas was the company that produced the very pleasant throwback gear. (Hmm. Might have to buy some more, just in case Nike doesn’t continue that line.) Plus, it meant avoiding the dreaded “System of Fit.”

Of course, money talks, and this time it seems Nike has decided that it is willing to pay to get Coach Jamie Dixon (no offense to Coach Dave Wannstedt, but for sneakers the B-ball coach has the value) and Pitt’s apparel. I’m a little surprised that Adidas let Pitt go, considering their investment and actually marketing the team a bit this past March.

Honestly, I’m not sure what difference it makes for the fans. It may be gear in styles we like more. I really don’t see it getting more market penetration. That sort of thing is dependant on the success of the football and basketball programs, than Nike or Adidas. Both have a strong interest in making sure they make money off the deal, so I did not see Adidas as holding Pitt sales back in that regard.

I’m just happy I do not have to worry about learning to spell Kyryl Natyazhko on a consistent basis.

Instead he heads to Arizona to be with Sean Miller and get a chance at starting immediately. The pain is more acute at Arizona State where the pupil bested the master and really re-energizes that rivalry, barely a week after Miller’s hiring.

I’m not so bothered since I wasn’t overly enthused about whether Pitt got him or not. He has the 4-star thing, but by all accounts he was a project. Not exactly a player to count on to step in right away unless you are in a complete rebuilding state — like in Arizona.

His potential eligibilty problems are not a shock. Whether he’s been at the IMG Academy for the past year or not, he’s still a foreign-raised player, and education eligibility and potentially playing on pro teams over in Europe are common issues.

Eligibility problems have seemingly become the norm rather than the exception with the NCAA. Ator Majok at UConn, Cinci might still be waiting on their own East European player. That’s just in the Big East.

The decision by DeJuan Blair to not just turn pro, but to eliminate the chance of his return has sparked plenty of debate and discussion. Much of it on the subject of, “Why?”

Please, tell me:

Where’s the harm in keeping all of your options?

“I’m guaranteed being a first-round pick,” Blair said at his news conference.

NBA scouts tell me differently.

They say — as of this moment — that Blair should be picked in the bottom half of the first round.

But they also say — quite definitively — that there is no guarantee.

Even those who agree with the mock draft projections, find themselves questioning the decision to go irrevocable.

At the very least, I see Blair making an impact in the League in the Brandon Bass/Leon Powe fashion, an energy rebounder off the bench who’s invariably more valuable to a contender than to a Lottery team.

But listed at 6-6 or 6-7, with a game that’s strictly low-post and under the glass, Blair is a lock to get drafted lower than his talent warrants. It also doesn’t help that he’s got a history of knee surgeries, and he’s struggled to keep his weight under control in the past. Eliminating the possibility of pulling his name out of the draft before teams even get to take his true measurements and test out his knees could come back to bite Blair in the end.

Then again, I can see why going all-in is the smart play. First, there’s the risk of getting injured again if Blair goes back to college. And it’s not like he’s going to grow any taller if he stays at Pitt. If Blair measures out to be 6-6 or even 6-5, another All-American campaign and constant double-doubles won’t make him any more attractive to NBA scouts. By coming out now, Blair at least has youth and potential on his side (he turns 20 this month), and the most recent memories of him are of a relentless warrior who led a team that was ranked No. 1 in the country at one time.

With the NBA season coming to its end, the few teams that can’t make the playoffs start to focus on the draft. That means the local media there is focused on who they might pick.

The problem is that the NBA draft — like the NFL draft — is full of misinformation. What a team says versus what it does are different things.

The Indiana Pacers, for example are likely picking at the end of the lottery. Here’s what they are saying they need — and thus where the speculation goes.

“We need an athletic big who has a little bit of nastiness offensively and defensively within 10 feet of the basket,” O’Brien said before Saturday’s game against the Detroit Pistons. “That would be our top priority.”

Of course, there aren’t a lot of those kinds of players in this draft. Blake Griffin surely will go first. Then there are names like Arizona’s Jordan Hill, Kentucky’s Patrick Patterson and my early favorite, Pitt’s DeJuan Blair.

“We could try to get that player in a number of ways,” O’Brien said. “We’ve got a little bit of money to work with. There are trade possibilities. The problem is, if it’s a rookie, it’s a rookie. To ask a rookie to be that tough, nasty hombre inside, that’s a lot to ask.”

If the power forward the Pacers want isn’t available when they pick, they won’t hesitate to jump on the point guard of the future. How does Ty Lawson of North Carolina sound? Or Memphis’ Tyreke Evans?

Or how about New Jersey?

Nets team president Rod Thorn likely will dial NBA central casting this summer with a simple but awfully hard-to-fill request.

“Get me a moose.”

That will be among the Nets’ chief priorities this offseason — if not the No. 1 quest. In a perfect world, a 25-year-old Charles Oakley would walk into Thorn’s office, solving several major headaches.

“A guy who can defend, a guy who can rebound, a guy who does all the little dirty work out on the floor, sets screens,” Thorn said. “A guy like that is invaluable.”

And a guy like that answers the Nets’ glaring needs — defense and rebounding — as they move forward from a second straight lottery season.

“We need a guy who just cleans up the glass,” said Vince Carter, who sees some of that in Ryan Anderson. “We have a lot of scoring. We have a lot of shooters.”

As DraftExpress observes, “Sounds like DeJuan Blair to us. New Jersey currently is slated to draft 10th or 11th depending on tiebreakers at the moment, unless a shake-up occurs in the lottery.”

All of that means nothing at this point. It’s just chatter and speculation with more than two months before the draft. I keep coming back to what Darrelle Porter said the day before Blair made his announcement.

“I think DeJuan’s confident in his abilities and confident enough to put his name in, so he’ll probably stay in,” Porter said. “It’s hard to tell someone to come back and work on some things when he’s looking at a guaranteed contract. It’s been a goal of his for a long time.

“Now, he’s got a chance to reach his dream.”

He believes in his own abilities. He has always succeeded when people told him he couldn’t. He’s used it as fuel. As motivation. I have no doubt, he is saving every comment he reads saying he’s making a mistake or questioning the decsisions. That is just more for him to motivate.

Like everyone else, I hope it is enough.

Wow. Nearly 48 hours away from the computer and my hands aren’t even shaking. Little twitchy, but better than the withdrawl symptoms expected.

Well, judging by the comments from those who were there and watched the local telecast, one thing that remains consistent since 2000 will be this conversation:

Brain (stalking out of Heinz Field from the Blue-Gold Game): Come Pinky, we must prepare our angst and concern for the upcoming Pitt football season.

Pinky (bounding about Brain): Why? Wot we going to worry about this season, Brain?

Brain: The same thing we worry about every season, Pinky. … The offensive line!

Theme song.

That said, it should not be a shock that the defense dominated and the offense struggled. The offense put up a total of 10 actual points (as opposed to the way the scrimmage was scored).

That was the extent of the offensive output as the defense completely dominated the rest of the scrimmage at Heinz Field. The Panthers managed to run the ball for only 16 yards on 37 carries and the quarterbacks combined to throw three interceptions.

It was certainly not the impression the Panthers were hoping to leave fans with, but there is no question it was a tough day for the offense.

“Last year we walked out of the spring game and we had scored a bunch of points and I remember saying to myself, ‘We need to get better on defense,’ and, offensively, I was very pleased,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said when asked if he was concerned about the Panthers’ lack of production on offense.

“It will even itself out, this was one day and the defense didn’t give up anything cheap. We have work to do in all phases and we know that, so I am not going to overreact. I will say, if we do not run the football better we will not be an effective offense. That is one area we need to focus in on and that will be a priority when we get to training camp.”

And why was the running game so ineffective?

The quarterbacks combined to complete 21 of 43 passes for 201 yards. Stull was 12 of 17 for 132 yards with the touchdown and an interception, while Pat Bostick (4 of 10 for 31 yards) and Tino Sunseri (5 of 15 for 38 yards) also threw picks. Sunseri led the second-team offense to a nine-play, 46-yard drive — thanks to two offsides penalties — for the field goal.

The offensive line was overwhelmed by pass-rushing pressure that forced eight hurries, and the running game struggled. Lewis led all rushers with 12 carries for 34 yards — with a long of 9 — but Chris Burns managed only 13 yards on 11 carries, and the offense finished with 16 net yards on 37 carries.

…

What has Wannstedt optimistic is that as good as Pitt’s defense was in the Blue-Gold Game, it was missing starters in defensive end Greg Romeus, middle linebacker Adam Gunn and cornerback Aaron Berry from a unit that should rank among the best in the Big East this season.

What should have Wannstedt worried is that while the offense was missing starting left tackle Jason Pinkston, tight end Nate Byham and fullback Henry Hynoski, it had all of its other skill players available — and scored only one touchdown.

So, yeah, as we all know if the O-line isn’t blocking or protecting well it is going to be next to impossible to make any real judgments about the offense as a whole — not that anything can really be taken away from spring practice other than hope, worry, trepidation and occasionally excitement for the upcoming season.

And if you think I’m just trying to talk myself into not overreacting to all of this, well you’ve probably gotten to know me pretty well over the years.

The offensive line might be okay, if Robb Houser can get back to where he was before his injury. Otherwise, the center will not hold. As it stands, even if he does, there is still a dearth of depth on the O-line that remains a tremendous worry.

Despite the return of left guard John Malecki and the emergence of Jacobson and Nix, fixing the front five is Pitt’s biggest concern. Neither Robb Houser nor Alex Karabin proved to be the solution at center. Thomas didn’t do anything to win back his starting job at right tackle, although he could return to right guard if Malecki moves to center. Jason Pinkston (shoulder) missed spring drills but is being counted on at left tackle. Greg Gaskins is likely the top reserve at tackle, but there are no incoming All-Americans in this recruiting class. Moving nost tackle Caragein to guard or center is a remote possibility.

Even Coach Wannstedt had to acknowledge the weakeness — but he has faith in the O-line coach.

“Until we get that group meshed together, it’s going to be tough to protect the quarterback,” Wannstedt said. “We’ve got to be cognizant of that.”

The Panthers have had ongoing problems at center, where backup Alex Karabin was sidelined by a knee injury and third-teamer Wayne Jones was suspended for the remainder of spring drills for violating team policy.

The depth at the position was so shallow that senior John Malecki played right guard — alongside starting center Robb Houser — with the first-team offense and took snaps at center with the second-teamers.

Safe to say, offensive line coach Tony Wise has his work cut out.

“We’ve got the best offensive line coach in the country,” Wannstedt said, “and Tony will figure it out. We’ll get it solved.”

Despite the QBs getting no protection in the scrimmage, Pat Bostick took the Ed Conway award for most improved player on the offensive side. Max Gruder, now playing weak-side linebacker took it for the defense.

“No one has worked harder than these two guys in the last six months,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. “We all know how Pat has trained and lost weight and got stronger and worked on his release. He’s really made strides as a quarterback. And every time I see Max, he’s got his notebook, and he’s studying and he’s worked himself into being a starter at the weak-side linebacker spot. Those guys both were deserving.”

The Conway Award winners under Wannstedt have gone on to become key players for the Panthers: tackle Mike McGlynn and defensive end Chris McKillop in 2005, guard C.J. Davis, linebacker Clint Session and cornerback Kennard Cox in ’06, tackle Jeff Otah and defensive tackle Gus Mustakas in ’07 and tight end Dorin Dickerson, receiver Cedric McGee and defensive tackle Mick Williams last year.

The bright spot — if you only read the news account — Bill Stull hit Jonathan Baldwin with a 54 yard TD pass.

Aliquippa graduate Jonathan Baldwin caught a 54-yard touchdown pass from Bill Stull on the third play of the 2009 Pitt Blue-Gold Game. It turned out to be the only touchdown of the game as the defense (Blue) trounced the offense (Gold), 54-23.

“Everybody is still learning,” said Baldwin, who finished as the top receiver with five catches for 75 yards. “It’s the spring and we have a new offensive coordinator (Frank Cignetti).”

Whether it is the case of learning a new offense or a better defense is a matter for head coach Dave Wannstedt and the films to decide. He won’t have to watch the films long, though, to know that Baldwin is ready to be a factor.

“I’m a lot more comfortable in the offense,” said Baldwin. “I had limited playing time last year and I know there are higher expectations of me this year.

“But I have higher expectations for myself this year, too.”

The people who saw the play, however have all indicated, that the ball was underthrown. Baldwin, at least made the adjustment to it. That part is a good sign. No matter what, I think we all know that whoever is the QB, they will need extra help from the receivers.

The good news, is that the defense looks exceptionally good and hopefully that has a lot to do with the play of the offensive line.

• The defensive line is among the best in the country and deep. The line was excellent last season but depth was an issue toward the end of the year. But Tony Tucker, Shane Hale, Brandon Lindsey and Justin Hargrove improved greatly and should provide necessary depth to give the starters a break.

• The secondary should be improved. Aaron Berry could be an All-Big East first-team player and sophomore safety Dom DeCicco had an excellent spring. Even more encouraging is safety Elijah Fields finally is fulfilling some of his enormous potential and second-year players Antwuan Reed, Jarred Holley and Buddy Jackson all took big steps forward.

• Despite the loss of Scott McKillop, the linebackers could be a better unit. There is no obvious superstar such as McKillop in the middle, but the depth is improved and the returns of Shane Murray and Adam Gunn from major injuries has provided two experienced players to a unit loaded with younger players with potential. Also, Max Gruder had an excellent spring and Greg Williams could be an All-Big East player.

The D-line, especially seems to be getting the most love.

The Panthers are preparing for another Big East season and will be counting on Lindsey and the defense to get them there.

“We have a lot of work to do in all areas,” said head coach Dave Wannstedt. “We’ve been going against each other for 14 days so there weren’t a lot of surprises.”

One of the players that Wannstedt did mention in his postgame comments was Lindsey.

“The defensive line is ahead of our offense at this point,” Wannstedt said. “I was encouraged by Shayne Hale, Brandon Lindsey, and Tyler Tkach; they really showed up for us. It was great to see improvement in our young players.”

The best thing, in my view, for the football team this spring, was that the basketball team went deep into March. That meant a lot less attention on every thing they did. A little less pressure, and a bit less snap analysis of the team some 4 1/2 months before the first game of the season.

Lots of activities and autograph sessions with some past Pitt players. Q&A with the coaches. The game will be televised locally, but does little good for those of us not living in the ‘Burgh. I would have enjoyed a road trip this weekend just for fun, but between family obligations, taxes not done and, well — I think the wife would have beaten me with a tire iron if I had even suggested any more college sports activities — it just isn’t going to happen.

Still, seems like a lot of fun.

Fans will have a chance to interact with coaches and learn about some tactical decisions and why they are made, the recruiting process and a typical practice schedule, as well as some other aspects pertaining to the Panthers or college football in general.

Wannstedt said he is looking forward to the event because he thinks it is a good way to get fans more engaged with the program.

“We just decided we needed to change some things up,” he said. “I’ll talk a little bit about recruiting and the process and the program over all and then we will have Phil Bennett talk about defense and obviously Frank Cignetti, the offense.

“Then it will be open to questions, and that will probably be as much fun for the fans as anything because they’ll get a chance to ask questions about what takes place during practice, game day or halftime or whatever they want to know.”

Of course, one reporter said that odds are very good that the first question will have something to do with quarterbacks, to which Wannstedt quipped, “I’ll defer that one to Frank. That’s why he’s talking.”

Seems like Coach Wannstedt went out of his way to stress to the beat writers that the spring game is not any more meaningful than the other practices. I noticed a similar thing in Gorman’s blog post as well.

Perhaps the biggest misconception revolving around spring drills is the importance of the Blue-Gold Game. In reality, it’s little more than a glorified scrimmage in the eyes of Pitt coaches. And they evaluate it as such.

“We’ll put it in the same category as our last (two) Saturday scrimmages,” Wannstedt said. “We’ll look at the execution and how the players respond that way. It will be an important day for our players, no question about that, but I wouldn’t say it’s really any more important than the last two scrimmages.”

Added offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti: “You won’t see much. It will be real vanilla. We’ll just go out there and run a base offense and, obviously, just try to come out of it healthy.”

There is something to be said for the Panthers putting on their uniforms and performing in game-type situations before fans at Heinz Field.

“Just by being in the stadium and having people in the stands and knowing it’s on TV, that has a tendency to affect some players differently than if we were just up here on a Saturday morning, having a scrimmage in the bubble,” Wannstedt said. “That’s good. That type of exposure has a tendency to bring out the best and, sometimes, the worst in players.

“We need to find that out now.”

I think most fans know that it isn’t any more than a light scrimmage that is the end of a spring fan fest. It’s just a way to help generate more interest in Pitt football. The only reasons it takes on a bigger meaning to the fans is that it is one of the only times they get to see the team at this time, and it is the final practice and scrimmage of the spring.

I really hope no one goes to jail overseas for this.

And you just know it is burning Coach Dixon’s pocket. That will feed the speculation.

Honestly, and this is a pipe dream, the fantasy case would be to somehow get the likely one-and-done point guard John Wall. Give Pitt a top PG for a year before Isiah Epps gets here and then still have a scholarship available for the next year. That, of course, won’t happen. Wall is likely going to Baylor, Kentucky or even UNC — who is coming in late now that it looks like Lawson will enter the draft. Still, fun to think about.

I’ve already indicated that I would probably prefer Pitt to use it for the 2010 class. And not use it for the short-term fix of JUCO big man Will Coleman — who has been very quiet since Calipari left and Josh Pastner was hired at Memphis. There’s no real news on that front. The fact that he hasn’t said anything gives the presumption that he is still planning on going to Memphis.

I understand the impulse to do it and fill the immediate need. I just worry about chemistry and limiting the number of JUCOs on the team at any one time. To say nothing of saving that scholarship to possibly add another player.

The other big man, Pitt might be interested in getting, Kyryl Natyazhko. Well he might be going to Arizona with Sean Miller. He had Xavier and Arizona State as his leading teams last week. His coach seems to see it as possible.

I suppose Pitt might still pursue guard Tom Droney for next year. Though, even he doubts it.

Since last fall, Droney had said Pitt, Notre Dame and Davidson were his finalists. All had offered scholarships at one time, but Droney said said he is going to look at some other schools. It’s questionable how much Pitt wants him now. Droney said Pitt won’t have a scholarship for him unless DeJuan Blair turns pro. “Even then, I’m not sure they would offer it to me,” Droney said.

Kentucky is now interested in him — at the moment.

He probably is not a great fit for Pitt, and Epps is the better prospect.

If anyone, I mean anyone has any ties to DeJuan Blair. Print this entire article and make him read it (and maybe pass it along to LeSean McCoy).

What happens to many athletes and their money is indeed hard to believe. In this month alone Saints alltime leading rusher Deuce McAllister filed for bankruptcy protection for the Jackson, Miss., car dealership he owns; Panthers receiver Muhsin Muhammad put his mansion in Charlotte up for sale on eBay a month after news broke that his entertainment company was being sued by Wachovia Bank for overdue credit-card payments; and penniless former NFL running back Travis Henry was jailed for nonpayment of child support.

In a less public way, other athletes from the nation’s three biggest and most profitable leagues—the NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball—are suffering from a financial pandemic. Although salaries have risen steadily during the last three decades, reports from a host of sources (athletes, players’ associations, agents and financial advisers) indicate that:

• By the time they have been retired for two years, 78% of former NFL players have gone bankrupt or are under financial stress because of joblessness or divorce.

• Within five years of retirement, an estimated 60% of former NBA players are broke.

…

The Wall Street meltdown is only the latest threat to athletes’ financial health. “Athletes have a different set of challenges from, say, entertainers,” says money manager Michael Seymour, the founder of Philadelphia-based UNI Private Wealth Strategies. “There’s a far shorter peak earnings period [in sports] than in any other profession, and in many cases they lack the time and desire to understand and monitor their investments.”

It’s long, but a must read. Flat out, especially for someone like DeJuan Blair.

Look, I have no problem with Blair turning pro, and I happen to agree that he probably would not go much higher in the draft. That said, his decision-making process was unnerving.

Just how Blair came to that determination raised an eyebrow or two, including those of some Pitt officials who were present at his news conference. Blair said he based his decision not on the feedback he received from Panthers coach Jamie Dixon, who has close contacts with general managers and scouts, but by his own investigation on the Internet.

“I’m an Internet freak,” Blair said. “I go on all the draft boards. No one has me going in the second round. That’s almost a guarantee to me.”

In an interview Tuesday afternoon, Dixon mentioned how uninformed those Internet sites are when it comes to projecting players in the NBA.

“It’s way too early to talk about a number,” Dixon said. “There are too many factors, unknowns to even consider a number. As we all know, as we’ve seen in the past, they’re largely inaccurate but fun to talk about.”

…

Blair admitted that he did not give much consideration to Dixon’s advice. Blair said his decision largely was based on conversations with his family.

“I turned to my family,” Blair said. “Then my coaches came in. I was really into my family. At the end of the day, I was going to make the decision … I came to my decision that I wanted to turn pro. It’s a dream come true.”

Blair said the highest he has seen his name on a mock draft is No. 8 and the lowest was No. 22. The Post-Gazette yesterday could not find a mock draft in which Blair was projected to go higher than No. 20.

Oh, please. Oh, please. Please do not hire family to handle the money. Please make sure you make an effort to learn about where your money is going. And I repeat, read that damn Sports Illustrated article.

I get that he wants to take care of his family and the economics make it important. At the same time, he has to limit just how far he’s taking care of his family.

The marketing deal, not surprisingly, is starting with stuff locally.

Cook said Blair will maintain a residence in Pittsburgh throughout his NBA career and desires a long-term relationship with the city. Cook said Blair is close to signing a deal with a local car dealership and is discussing other local advertising opportunities.

“It’s all designed to keep his image in Pittsburgh,” Cook said.

“This is my home,” Blair said. “I’ll always be here. I’m going to try and take Pittsburgh over whenever I get done with this basketball stuff.”

If you plan to be in Pittsburgh a good deal of the time, then take advantage of it and keep taking classes. Learn as much as you can about taking care of your own money and where it is going.

And on the plus side, his immediate family will stay close to him, and hopefully keep him grounded.

Blair, who turns 20 on April 22, has the full support of his family. His parents, Greg Sr. and Shari, and an aunt, Sharene Dixon, plan to move to the city of the team that drafts him to help ease his transition.

“When he started at Pitt, I used to say, ‘You’re going the whole four years.’ He changed my mind,” Shari Blair said.

Right now, DeJuan Blair just needs to really work on his conditioning. Nothing helps a draft stock for a guy who has some conditioning questions by demonstrating a determination to be in great shape.

He admits, there is no going back.

Blair signed a marketing and advertising contract with Cook, who will help Blair hire an NBA certified agent later in the process. But by signing a marketing and advertising contract with Cook, Blair is foregoing his final two years of eligibility to turn professional.

As for finding an agent, that will come in time.

“There’s no turning back,” said Blair, who started the news conference by sending his condolences to the three City of Pittsburgh police officers killed in Saturday’s shootings in Stanton Heights.

Blair said he hasn’t signed an agent, “but I will in the next couple weeks.”

“It was more something that I wanted to do more than money and making a big transition for me and my family. It was a real big decision but I had to do what was right for me. Nobody made the decision but me.”

I am naturally more cautious, so I would have preferred that he waited on ending his eligibility. Still, if he’s all-in, then why not. Blair does not seem the type to go halfway. This will give him a chance to really work on skills and with a trainer in the coming months.

Plus, DeJuan Blair actually has charm and enthusiasm that would give him a shot at some marketing opportunities, despite not being a can’t-miss NBA prospect.

I wish him the best.

Darelle Porter called it with the comment that when Blair has his mind made up about the draft, he’s in it to stay.

The press conference for DeJuan Blair is set for 4pm to make it official. Well, actually it seems just to make a statement and take a few questions.

Blair has retained Pittsburgh attorney James Cook, meaning he will forgo his remaining two years of college eligibility.

Cook announced today his representation of Blair in the process. Blair, though, has not decided on a certified NBA agent.

Blair is considered a mid-first round pick.

“DeJuan Blair is Pittsburgh through and through, from the junior program J.O.T.S through Schenley High School to the University of Pittsburgh,” Cook said in a news release.

“We are confident that he will make the city of Pittsburgh proud and enjoy a long NBA career.”

NCAA regs are so much fun. If Atty. Cook was merely an “advisor”  or “family friend,” Blair would not be forgoing his eligibility left. In other words, since the attorney is getting paid for his services, Blair is done. That’s right hire someone to better represent your interests and handle matters relating to the NBA draft, but not an actual agent and you still end your NCAA eligibility.

Well, good luck to DeJuan Blair. You were a fantastic player at Pitt and a great representative of the program and the school.

UPDATE (2:01): A couple people have pointed out the AP article that says Blair retains his eligibility. That would indicate that Atty. Cook is presently in the “advisory” role rather than formally retained. Honestly that makes more sense, even if I don’t think Blair will be back.

I’m not sure which is true at this point.

The press conference for Coach Jamie Dixon being named the Naismith Coach of the Year had some interesting tidbits about the players.

Dixon said Fields won’t participate in the Portsmouth (Va.) Invitational Tournament today through Saturday at Churchland High School because “the groin is still bothering him.”

Young declined the opportunity to participate in the showcase, opting to instead wait until the NBA pre-draft camp in late May at Tim Grover’s Attack Athletics training facility in Chicago.

“He felt that it was best that he not attend,” Dixon said. “He’s looking forward to opportunities in Chicago.”

Dixon said he’s trying to find a spot for senior forward Tyrell Biggs at the Portsmouth Invitational.

I’m a bit surprised that Young isn’t going to Portsmouth. It seems a late decision. It’s not uncommon to skip and since he seems to be a very strong contender to be taken before the end of the 1st round of the draft, the conventional advice is to not do anything to hurt the chances. Still, this seems like an abrupt move.

Seems that most of the questions at the presser was about DeJuan Blair (big shock).

The coach spent most of the rest of his time at the podium inside the Petersen Events Center talking about the draft prospects of his seniors and the decision that Blair has looming. Dixon said he had numerous meetings with Blair and his family the past few days discussing Blair’s intentions of declaring for the NBA draft, but he said Blair was not yet ready to announce his decision.

Darrelle Porter, family friend, former Pitt star, ex-Duquesne head coach and Blair’s old AAU coach is saying that Blair is in and won’t be back.

“I think DeJuan’s confident in his abilities and confident enough to put his name in, so he’ll probably stay in,” Porter said. “It’s hard to tell someone to come back and work on some things when he’s looking at a guaranteed contract. It’s been a goal of his for a long time.

“Now, he’s got a chance to reach his dream.”

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Dixon would end up spending most of the time at a press conference ostensibly about him receiving an award that he talked about his players. Dixon hardly has been comfortable talking himself up, most times. He often tries to put the credit at the players.

Just realized it’s after midnight.

Yeah, we all know it’s coming.

“You’ll know tomorrow,” Blair said. “That’s all I’m saying.”

Pitt coach Jamie Dixon met with Blair and his family Monday, but said today that Blair wasn’t ready to make an announcement. One source close to the Blair family, however, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that Blair plans to announce his intentions at a Wednesday news conference.

The good news is that he won’t be hiring an agent.

Andy Katz at ESPN.com continues to pound the doubting angle.

A number of NBA personnel told ESPN.com they are skeptical about whether Blair can make the transition because he plays below the rim.

As much as I want him to stay, I have a hard time buying it. At the same time, it only reinforces why he has to look at going pro now. If the doubts and concerns are there and actually widespread, then coming back for another year gives them a chance to further pick him apart.

As far as Coach Jamie Dixon winning the Naismith Coach of they Year award, he deferred on taking much credit.

“It means we had a lot of good players,” Dixon said in a phone interview about the coaching award. “It’s a reflection of players individually and as a group … The players developed into better players than may thought (they) would become.”

According to ZagsBlog, Basketball Times put out its list of the top-100 coaches and assistants. Coach Dixon was ranked #12, and Tom Herrion was ranked #8 in assistants. There’s nothing on the BT website to see the whole list. It’s just a list, and seems more of a debate sparker than anything actually definitive.