No, not football. Basketball. Pitt has a week between the Saturday game at Rutgers and this Saturday at home against Cinci.
How do you know when your team and coach are getting respect? When it is reported, and players are excited to know you are coming to check them out.
In particular, Okoro is starting to become more consistent, and colleges are starting to take notice. Okoro said that Pitt coach Jamie Dixon is expected to be in attendance in the Bronx on Sunday when the Ravens face Xaverian. While Pitt has been recruiting him, it will be the first time that Dixon sees Okoro in person. He’s also received interest from Iowa State, Rutgers, and St. John’s, he said.
“I was in a little bit of a slump,” said the 6-5 Okoro. “I’m hoping I have another good game on Sunday.”
Nkereuwem “Kerwin” Okoro plays at St. Raymond’s for Oliver Antigua. He’s a 3-star wing forward/guard for the class of 2012 with potential. He’s got a lot of teams looking at him, and watching. But not a lot of offers yet. Rutgers, St. John’s and Iowa St. are the only major conference teams to offer so far. He’s a high motor player (Insider subs.).
Guys don’t have the motor this kid does. He brings it and that’s a calling card of his. There energy and his ability to hawk the ball puts him in position to be a play maker at both ends.
It is also, his weakness as he doesn’t know when to turn it down at times. Seems like the kind of player that could be a key supporting player at a program.
Coach Dixon also took the time to stop and see one of the top targets for the 2012 class, Omar Calhoun, play.
I’ve heard (through not entirely reliable sources) that Omar Calhoun and Khem Birch are relatively close, so Birch has been in his ear about coming to Pitt. Prob not uncommon, with lots of these elite guys knowing each other. Still, in 2012 our front court will be rock solid (Taylor as Sr, Birch and Gilbert as Sophs and Adams as a Fr.), so Calhoun would be a spectacular compliment to those guys.
Pitt’s BB team is 2nd in the nation in the number of assists.
First in the Nation? Duquesne
Also, Duquesne has only five losses. Only team to blow them out was Pitt. The other losses were close games. Not bad for the ‘Burgh
By the way, McConnell absolutely ate up Woodall in summer league. Way better floor game, way better basketball sense……
Do I think that absolutely means McConnell would be great (or better than Woodall) in Pitt’s system? No, but I do know this — if I were choosing sides for a pick-up game, it would be a no-brainer.
You also forgot to mention that McConnell’s Aunt Suzie is Duquesne’s women’s basketball coach. Everyone knew where T.J. was going.
I know its highly unlikely there’s any indications this early (though I’m certain Dixon has this in the back of his mind even now) but with the week off this is where my mind wanders to.
Also, random trivia (some die hards may already know): which ex-Pitt player has appeared in the 1997 movie “AirBud”?
Answer: Levon Kendall. High-comedy.
