Actually have some things to get out regarding basketball.

ESPN.com has their ESPNU top-100 list for 2010 compiled, Isiah Epps checks in at #93. A little lower than I expected. Cashmere Wright didn’t make the list, but only for now. He was on the final cutdown list and still could make the final rankings according to their recruiting guy.

Wright is an athletic wing who has steadily improved this spring and summer. He excels in transition and in the half court with slashes to the basket, where he can finish through contact. He consistently hits the boards and can initiate the fast break on a defensive rebound. Wright plays with energy and urgency on both ends of the floor. He will be a capable multiple position defender for Pitt coach Jamie Dixon.

Pitt had a visit the other day from another player they offered for 2010. Maurice Walker had a nice time, but is keeping it close to the vest regarding where he’s leaning.

RM: Did you commit before leaving campus?

MW: I’m not gonna commit to them until i take some other visits and get a feel for some other programs and see what they have to offer.
———–

RM: What’s your list look like?

At the moment I’m looking at six schools. Pitt, Marquette, Georgetown, UConn, Kansas and Texas A&M.

Walker is a 6-10, 275 pound Canadian who will attend Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. Pitt does not have a scholarship open at this time, but that has never stopped any team.

As for 2011, well Pitt will have 3 scholarships (Gilbert Brown, Gary McGhee and Brad Wanamaker). One of them may be on the verge of being filled. Say hello to John Johnson — who should not be confused with John Jackson of the Fingerlicans or his bitter rival Jack Johnson of the Tastycrats — a rising junior from the Philly area. He took a visit to Pitt and it left an impression.

“It was beautiful, I loved it,” Johnson said. “[I’m] thinking about taking the offer from them.”

…

“[I’ll] probably decide around the 1st or 2nd week of school,” he said in a text message.

Scout.com has him as a 3-star and already ranks him as the 18th best shooting guard nationally. Rivals.com does not have rankings yet, but notes that his offers include ND, VT, GT, Villanova. Plus UCLA and Marquette are showing interest.

ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. doesn’t have anything recent on Johnson but this review of him (Insider subs) as a freshman is encouraging (and a little disturbing to put any stock in).

Johnson displayed great burst off the dribble and the ability to drain shots from deep. His quickness and playmaking ability had the whole gym buzzing. Johnson plays with a confidence well beyond his years. Remember the name.

Consider it recalled.

ESPN.com is doing it’s conference shoot-arounds this week. Here’s the Big East’s. There’s not much on Pitt. Jay Bilas picks Pitt for 7th in the conference.

Is this the year Pitt takes a small step back? It certainly hasn’t happened yet, despite previous predictions. The heart and soul of the team graduated to the NBA, but the leadership and toughness of Levance Fields will be the toughest to replace. Pitt is younger and less experienced, but the Panthers will still play hard and tough. I am looking for Gilbert Brown, Ashton Gibbs and Jermaine Dixon to step forward, but the freshmen have to produce. Dante Taylor needs some time, but he has a chance to be special.

Taylor also made the list of “10 freshmen we can’t wait to see” in the Big East. Jermaine Dixon was one of the conference’s key players.

The lone returning starter for Pitt will have a lot to shoulder if the Panthers are going to keep their successful run going. This is his team, and more, his backcourt, now that Levance Fields is gone. How he handles his new role will go a long way in determining Pittsburgh’s success.

Think there might be a meme getting established about Fields’ departure? No mention of Chase Adams, so I think this was put together before he transferred.

The last practice was yesterday. Tonight is FanFest at Heinz Field. Unlike previous years there won’t be any practice to watch. All the other bells and whistles — autographs, music, cheerleaders, live media interviews, kids’ stuff — barely a half-speed practice.

“Tomorrow we have FanFest so we’ll get down to the stadium in the afternoon and give the guys a chance to get in the locker room and do the pre-game warm up and do limited work on the field. We’ll still throw the ball around a little bit and give them a taste of what it’ll be like come game time. So, I think we’re right on schedule at this point. I’m glad we’re not playing Saturday; we’re not by any means ready to play a football game. We have to clean some things up in all phases and we have to get a little better in all phases. We have time, and we will. But, I think we’re right where we need to be at this point.”

I’ll be curious to find out what kind of turnout will take place, especially with the weather being overcast and possible rain all day.

Coach Wannstedt also addressed the return game. Something Pitt struggled with last year.

On Aaron Smith and Cameron Saddler concerning punt return drills:
“I thought we started off the season doing a poor job with our return game in general. We ended up first in the Big East in punt returns, but we started off not very good and so we did spend more time with that and we tried to create more situations where they would have to make decisions and handle the ball under pressure, and they’re both doing a good job. Right now we probably have four or five guys that can do it, Aaron Smith and Cam Saddler would be the top two.”

Concerning kickoffs:
“We got Cam back on kicks, we’re working Aundre Wright, and we’re working Dion Lewis. We have Antwuan Reed back there. We haven’t finalized anything yet.”

Losing Saddler in training camp last year was a big hit to what was expected in the return game. As long as his ACL is healed and he trusts it, I am expecting him to have a significant impact in the return game.

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