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Q: I know that I may be getting ahead of myself, but I think Blair may be that guy who makes it in the NBA and opens up big-time recruits to Pitt. Would you agree that with his strength and length he can be a very good power forward at the next level if he can develop a consistent 15-18 foot jump shot?

Matt Beam, Califon, N.J.

FITTIPALDO: Blair is having a great freshman season. He is almost averaging a double-double and has shown no signs of leveling off as the competition gets tougher. In fact, he had his two best games of the season against Washington and Oklahoma State. The thing that makes Blair so effective is his body. You don't see many freshmen that are as developed as he is. It will be scary to see what he looks like once strength coach Tim Beltz gets a hold of him for an entire offseason.

Down the road, Blair could be a player who does well in the NBA. But keep in mind the player most Pittsburghers compare him to is Sam Clancy, and Clancy played professional football, not professional

basketball, because he did not have ideal height.

Blair is 6 feet 7 and that might be a tad generous. If he works on his outside game he'll have a shot at the NBA. But at 6-7, Blair is as tall as most NBA small forwards, not power forwards, and that could present some problems for him.

As you said, we may be getting ahead of ourselves here. He has only played 10 college basketball games. No one in the NBA is even thinking about Blair just yet. For that, Pitt fans ought to be thankful.