In football, coaches recruit for everything. There may be priorities at certain positions. A greater need, or such. But it is a much wider net. Basketball, though, is a different thing. Only 13 scholarships available in total. Only a few spots each year. You only have so much flexibility to take the “best available” player who wants to commit.
Pitt is expected to have two or three open scholarships for next year. Travon Woodall and Dante Taylor are seniors, and assuming Steven Adams to be a one-and-done is what Coach Jamie Dixon and the staff have to expect.
Given that Talib Zanna is a junior and the only other big man on the roster is Malcolm Gilbert (sophomore) it is expected that Pitt will be focused on recruiting for the front court.
As much as I am looking forward at the ACC and things Pitt will be wading into, there are still things happening in the Big East worth noting.
Starting with the Big East involved with another lawsuit against a (not really) former member. This time, though, the Big East filed first. They are suing TCU for $5 million.
The lawsuit also contends that TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte “publicly acknowledged TCU’s contractual obligation to compensate the Big East for its refusal to join the conference” on Oct. 11, 2011, at a news conference announcing that TCU would join the Big 12 instead.
In the lawsuit, the Big East says it has “made demand for the payment”, but that TCU has refused.
When I first saw a wire story on the lawsuit, I was confused. I didn’t know over what the Big East was suddenly suing TCU for another $5 million. The surprise is that TCU has yet to give the Big East the money. When TCU bailed on joining the Big East, TCU and the Big East acknowledged the $5 million exit fee. I think most people assumed TCU cut the check and CYA.
