Pitt Panther Target Updates: Durand Scott and Thomas Robinson

Durand Scott

Despite some recent rumors about Durand Scott, the 6'5" shooting guard out of New York City is not ready to commit yet, according to a source close to his AAU team, the New York Gauchos. Scott still has Pitt on his radar, but he lists other schools as well.

Scott, who attends Rice High School, is ranked as the #7 shooting guard and a 5-star player by scout.com

---OPINION--It is of our opinion at Crashing the Boards that it will come down to UConn and Pitt as his final two choices.

Thomas Robinson

The recent commit by power forward Dante Taylor has seemed to cool Thomas Robinson's interest in Pitt for the time being. Pitt is still listed as a possible destination for the 6'8" 210 pound Robinson, but he isn't sure where he will fit in with the Panthers.

Pitt believes Robinson is in a similar mold of a Jeff Adrien, the successful UConn stand out. Pitt's staff is very impressed with Robinson's ability to attack the boards.

Pitt is trying to persuade Robinson, who will head to New Hampshire for his high school ball, to come in and play the small forward position. However, with some of Pitt's players, and targets, showing they may have the ability to leave early, Robinson may end up back at the four in a couple of years.

The Squash All Beef AAU player has skyrocketed up the recruiting ranks. He is currently a 4-star player and the #27 ranked power forward on scout.com

Additional tidbit...

According to a source, Austin Wallace officially has been given his medical hardship. This frees up a scholarship, that could be taken by Mike Cook, if the NCAA grants him a sixth year.

Pitt Panther Update: Dwight Miller videos

The recruit that most Panther fans don't know a lot about seems to be Dwight Miller out of Houston St. Pius X. The Panthers were the 2008 District Champions.


Below are some game videos from his senior season.


He's #50 in white


http://www.athletesconnection.com/content/view/2267/10079/


He's #50 in orange


http://www.athletesconnection.com/content/view/2044/10079/

Jermaine Dixon

According to a source close to the team Jermaine Dixon, a JUCO shooting guard recruit, may not be a member of the Panthers this year. Apparently the 6'3" 190 lb Dixon is struggling with some academic issues that may not be cleared up by the time he is to report to Pitt.

Dixon, who won NJCAA Player of the Week honors in December, was brought in to compete for time at the shooting guard position following Ronald Ramon's graduation.

Dixon shot 48% from the field, 26% from beyond the arc and 78% from the charity stripe. He averaged just under 21 points a game and was active on the glass averaging almost 7 rebounds a game.

However if Dixon doesn't qualify, this may create space for Mike Cook, if he is granted a sixth year of eligibility.

Pitt Panther Target: Will Coleman

There's been a few of Pitt's targets that have decided to go elsewhere, so who might be the next option? Well for big men it could be Will Coleman.


He's currently playing Junior College basketball for Miami Dade College, also the home for Pitt recruit Darnell Dodson. Coleman was originally committed to Arkansas-Little Rock, but he ran into academic problems and had to go the JUCO route.


Coleman earned a spot on the FCCAA All-Southern Conference First Team this year. Miami Dade College went 18-9 overall. He was also named NJCAA player of the week for the week ending Jan. 27, 2008.


Over the last two seasons Coleman has added an inch to his frame, putting him at 6'9", and he's added 25 pounds putting him at 230 pounds.



If you would like to read more about Will Coleman click the links below...

Game Recaps of Miami-Dade

http://www.4shotsports.com/artman/publish/article_1888.shtml

Miami-Dade Bios

http://www.mdc.edu/athletics/mensbasketball_bios.asp

Dante Taylor video

Taylor Dunk

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xk3CCa6Gcts

Game Highlights-he's #11

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-OQrxfNDKkQ

Recruiting Update: Dante Taylor, Dom Cheek and Aaric Murray

-Dante Taylor, the talented power forward from Fort Washington, MD, is talking Pitt up to other recruits while at a summer camp in Virginia. The 6'9" Taylor has Pitt at the top of his list, but is going to go thru the entire recruiting process.

Taylor, a 2009 recruit, has flown up the recruiting rankings, currently he's ranked 19th overall and the 4th best power forward by scout.com



-The news isn't as good for Pitt fans pertaining to 2009 target Aaric Murray. The Glen Mills center is currently very high on West Virginia. However, according to a source, West Virginia may not have a schollie available for his class. Which is why Pitt hasn't stopped from trying to set up a visit with the 6'9" player.



-Dom Cheek, the 11th ranked player on scout.com, still has Pitt high on his radar. The 6'6" shooting guard is extremely close to Travon Woodall, an incoming 2008 recruit and former St. Anthony's teammate, and Cheek is waiting to see how Woodall likes playing at Pitt. Newly promoted Brandin Knight is currently the lead recruiter for Cheek.

Pitt Panther Recruit: Dwight Miller

I found a video clip of Dwight Miller training with Olajuwon. It's from before his senior year, so it's older, but it should give you a good grasp on what type of player he is, that is a face up power forward.

http://blogs.chron.com/prepsports/2007/07/video_dwight_miller_of_st_pius.html


and a shorter one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wYGQAyTfZA