Big Statement

Apparently I was the kiss of death.

After declaring just yesterday that Hasheem Thabeet was the number one pick in next year's draft, and after declaring my affection for his game, he and his UConn Huskies blew their number one ranking by losing to fourth-ranked Pittsburgh 76-68.

Oh, and Thabeet got injured early, and finished the game with 5 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. He had just one field goal. And Panthers Forward/Center DeJuan Blair dominated him on offense and defense.

That said, I still believe what I said a day ago about Thabeet. But tonight's lack of performance against a physical big man will bring all the doubters against him. Now that a physical, bruising big man, who is eight inches shorter than him, pushed him around and finished with 22 points, 23 rebounds, and a huge block on Thabeet during the Panthers run towards the finish line, there will be many questions whether he'll get dominated like that in the pros.

I'd like to think it was just a bad game. But his performance tonight is making me look dumb. He'll have to gain some weight and some muscle to avoid performances like this in the future. Thanks a lot, Hasheem. Serves me right for praising a guy on UConn.