Fouls one of only things slowing down Blair
Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 7:12 PM
Filed Under:
Big East, Player of the Year
DeJuan Blair could be the most crucial post player for a national champ since Sean May.
At the least, Blair is trying to join the likes of Kevin Love, Greg Oden and Glen Davis as big, bruising rebounding machines who helped propel their teams to the Final Four.
But if the Panthers hope to cut down the nets in Detroit come April, May would be the ideal.
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Monday was a nice start. Blair’s 22 points, 23 rebounds and physical domination of Hasheem Thabeet in a 76-68 win against No. 1 UConn showed Pitt’s sophomore center at his best. He hit turnaround hooks over the 7-3 Thabeet, powered in for lay-ups and even beat opponents along the baseline. It was, according to the Post-Gazette’s Ron Cook, the greatest individual performance in Pitt history.
"Blair is a great, great player, a terrific player, a warrior. He's a man," UConn coach Jim Calhoun said afterward. "When he's allowed to roam through the lane like that and use his physicality, he's a nightmare for every single coach."
There’s little doubt Blair is one of the game’s toughest players. (Ask Thabeet how his left arm feels.) He’s a remarkable rebounder – especially on offense – and an efficient offensive player.
And when he’s in the game, he undoubtedly makes the Panthers a title contender … if he stays out of foul trouble.
Pitt’s two losses this season came when Blair was saddled with early fouls. He played just 20 minutes (9 points, 10 rebounds) and fouled out in a 69-63 loss at Louisville. Pitt’s 67-57 loss at Villanova the direct result Blair’s sub-par night (7 points, 8 boards in 23 minutes), as the Panthers were outrebounded 19-16 in the second half. That doesn’t happen to the Big East’s top rebounding team.
Blair’s other foul nights include a 56-48 win at Florida State (24 minutes, 10 points, 12 rebounds, a 70-59 win vs. West Virginia (he sat for 16 minutes in the first half, and was limited to 8 points and 9 boards) and a 78-72 win at Rutgers, when he played just 8 minutes.
All three were Panther wins, but all three should’ve been easy victories -- if Blair stays out of foul trouble.
When the Heels won the 2005 title, May averaged more than 30 minutes a game during their tourney run. Pitt would love to have Blair on the court that much. He’s playing a little over 26 minutes a game this season, including 38 minutes against UConn.
His foul total in 38 minutes? Two.
That’s gotta put a smile on Jamie Dixon’s face.
