Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Pitt forward Chris Taft, going against Providence earlier this season, is averaging 13 points and 7.3 rebounds a game. Click photo for larger image. Panther Scouting Report: Pitt vs. Notre Dame

A year ago at this time, Pitt center Chris Taft was the talk of the Big East Conference. He was about to be named the Big East rookie of the year and had the likes of Jim Boeheim and Jim Calhoun praising his play and potential.

Taft, seemingly, could do no wrong as a freshman.

As a sophomore, Taft is working out the kinks of the second-year jinx.

In recent weeks, he has suffered the embarrassment of being benched in two games and being held scoreless in the second half of another that happened to be on national television and in front of a slew of NBA scouts.

He was benched for the final 11:40 of the Feb. 12 game against Notre Dame and the final 4:21 of a home loss to West Virginia. He didn't score in the second half of Pitt's 73-64 home loss to Connecticut last week in a disappearing act that rivaled Houdini.

After examining that loss, the third in a row for Pitt and, not so coincidentally, the third consecutive game in which he did not play up to his capabilities, Taft had an epiphany.

"I told myself after that game that if I don't play good, it's going to be real hard for us to win," said Taft, a 6-foot-10, 250-pounder who remains a likely first-round NBA pick if he chooses to turn pro after this season.

"This is the perfect time to do it. It's March. March Madness is here. I told myself that I have to step it up as best I can. This is the time players can show how good they really are. Hopefully, I can do that."

Taft ended February with a solid showing against Boston College, scoring 12 points, pulling down eight rebounds and playing tough defense in Pitt's 72-50 victory against the Eagles. He will try to maintain that level today at Notre Dame in a regular-season finale that will determine fifth place in the Big East and an important bye in the first round of the conference tournament next week in New York.

It was the kind of consistent and steady performance that had been expected of Taft all season. He was active from the opening tip and played with emotion and purpose. If Taft can turn in games like that in the postseason and provide Pitt with a third scoring option that has been absent in some games, the Panthers have the ability to play with anyone.

"A lot of people will be in trouble if he plays like that," point guard Carl Krauser said. "He's getting real good on defense. He's looking for his shot more. Once we get all things clicking, we'll be unstoppable."

Taft, who was voted to the Big East's preseason first team, won't be recognized in the same way Tuesday when the all-conference teams are unveiled. He might be lucky to make third team.

He is averaging 13 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, hardly eye-popping statistics for someone who could leave for the NBA. Coach Jamie Dixon suggests Taft's youth -- he doesn't turn 20 until next week -- has had much to do with his inconsistent play.

"He's been good all year," Dixon said. "He's played well. He averaged 10 points last season. Now he's averaging 13. That's good progress. Are there things he can get better at? Yeah. That's the case for most sophomores."

But, as the coaching logic goes, at this time of the year freshmen are sophomores and sophomores are juniors. The game today will be Taft's 63rd at Pitt.

If the Panthers are going to be a factor in the Big East and NCAA tournaments, Taft is going to have to shoulder more of the scoring load. Or at least more than he did in those recent games against Notre Dame, West Virginia and Connecticut.

"I just have to be more aggressive and play with more intensity like I did in that Boston College game and just add to that," Taft said. "I'm getting into it a little more. I'm not there yet. If I do get there, everyone will know about it."

The easiest way to tell?

That's easy. Just look over at the bench.