DeJuan Blair, Manchild
This is no kid
by: Gregory Gethard
Pittsburgh was playing UConn in a cataclysmic battle between two of the best teams in the Big East. A Huskie took a shot that was off.
Down low was a battle for the ages. UConn's 7'3" goliath Hasheem Thabeet was fighting for a rebound against the Panthers' DeJuan Blair, himself no slouch in the size department. Both went up for the ball. But only one came down with it, and did so in dramatic fashion.
Blair managed to get position on Thabeet, tipping the ball in the air and grabbing it. However, Thabeet was still going for the ball. Blair maintained position of the sphere, bending down to cradle it in his massive arms. Thabeet's hand got entangled in an attempt to rip the ball away from his foe. But Blair wasn't having it.
Blair clutched the ball even tighter. And, as a result, Thabeet fell over his back. Blair then made a nudge, and Thabeet went crashing to the floor, holding his arm in brutal pain.
It was one of the defining plays of this year's Big East schedule. At 7'3", Thabeet ranks as one of the most intimidating players in the world. But Blair went toe-to-toe against him and tossed him like he was a Nerf football.
That's Pittsburgh basketball in a nutshell. There's no intimidation. There's no fear. There's a bunch of junkyard dogs who growl at anyone who comes close.
And DeJuan Blair is the alpha, leading the pack as they make their charge to the Big East championship.
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