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Monday, January 06, 2003

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

The television cameras will be focused on Pitt's Brandin Knight and Notre Dame's Chris Thomas, tracking each crossover dribble, no-look pass and quick jump shot.

"When the lights come on, that's our stage," Thomas said. "He's going to be ready to play. I'm going to be ready."

Big Monday in the Big East Conference doesn't get any bigger than No. 6 Notre Dame (12-1) at No. 2 Pitt (10-1) in the league opener for both teams before a sellout crowd at Petersen Events Center and a national ESPN audience.

	More on Pitt: SCOUTINGREPORT Matchup: Notre Dame (12-1) vs. Pitt (10-1), 7 p.m. today, Petersen Events Center. TV, radio, Internet: ESPN, WRRK-FM (96.9), http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com. Notre Dame: Coming off a 55-53 victory against Valparaiso -- the Irish’s eighth consecutive victory. ... No. 6 ranking is Notre Dame’s highest since being No. 4 in January 1981. ... Best start since 1978-79. ... Ranks second in the Big East Conference in field-goal defense, limiting opponents to 35.8 percent. ... Leading scorers are swingman Matt Carroll (18.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg), G Chris Thomas (17.4 ppg, 7.7 apg) F Dan Miller (16.4 ppg) and C Torin Francis (11.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg). ... Won both meetings last season to lead series, 23-20. Pitt: Coming off an 85-49 victory against Robert Morris in which Chevon Troutman made 11 of 12 shots from the field to score a career-high 24 points. Ontario Lett was 9 of 10 for 18 points. ... No. 2 ranking ties Pitt’s highest since 1987-88. ... Has won 14 consecutive games at home. ... 41-1 under Coach Ben Howland when holding opponents under 60 points. ... Hasn’t been outrebounded in a game this season and averages nearly 12 more per game than the opposition. ... Big East Conference for both teams. Hidden stat: Notre Dame has made 40.1 percent of its 3-pointers and 74.2 percent of its free throws. Pitt 34.3 percent and 64.4 percent.

Knight is the emotional compass of the Panthers. He is a 6-foot, 190-pound senior and preseason All-American and player of the year in the Big East.

Thomas is the catalyst for the Irish's early-season surge. He is a 6-1, 165-pound sophomore whose reputation still is being molded.

"Brandin Knight is who I'm being compared to," said Thomas, who averages 17.4 points and a league-high 7.75 assists per game. "It's a challenge. I don't take it as personal, me versus Brandin, but it's a great chance for me.

"We respect each other's games."

Knight is the quintessential point guard, flawlessly directing traffic with a cool efficiency. The numbers -- 11.2 points, 6.8 assists and 2.3 steals -- don't begin to measure his value to the Panthers. When Pitt needs a play to be made, Knight usually makes it.

So does Thomas.

"We both like to create shots and dish," he said. "I'm the guy with the ball in my hands most of the game. I'm the 'go-to' guy as far as getting my teammates involved. My first thought is creating shots for anyone on the floor, making players around me better with me still looking for my shot.

"When my teammates are shooting well, I know I've helped because I've gotten them the ball where they need it."

Thomas burst onto the college scene last season to lead Notre Dame to a 22-11 record that included two victories against Pitt and a trip into the second round of the NCAA tournament.

"I'm more confident this year and you can find me taking more risks," said Thomas, a native of Indianapolis. "People didn't expect me to do well last year. This year people expect more out of me."

Not much was expected this season from Notre Dame, which was picked to finish fourth in the Big East West Division in a preseason poll of the coaches. But the Irish quickly fooled the experts and stamped themselves as a contender for league and national honors with victories against Texas, Marquette and Maryland in a glorious week of upsets against Top 20 teams.

Notre Dame has won eight in a row since an 80-75 loss to Creighton.

"Ours has been the best non-conference schedule in the Big East," Thomas said. "This game sets a tempo in the league. For us to get a win at Pitt will give us more swagger. This is a great opportunity for both programs."

It also will give fans a chance to watch two of the premier backcourts in the country -- Knight and Julius Page and Thomas and Matt Carroll. The Sporting News rated Notre Dame's duo No. 1 and Pitt No. 3, with Indiana's Tom Coverdale and Bracey Wright No. 2.

Carroll leads the Irish with 18.9 points per game and makes 38 percent of his attempts from 3-point range.

"Every time he shoots, I assume it's in," Thomas said of the 6-5 senior. "He's the best shooter I've ever seen. What's his range? Three feet beyond the line. He can catch and shoot it, and he can shoot it off the dribble. The only thing to do is face-guard him the whole time. Really, there's no answer to guarding him, or anybody on our perimeter."

When Thomas is running the fastbreak, he's thinking Carroll all the way down the court.

"He's the guy I'm looking to," he said. "I know where Matt is every time down the floor even when my head's turned. He likes being on the right wing."

Page, a 6-3 junior and Pitt's defensive stopper, most likely will be assigned to Carroll.

"Julius Page has more at stake because this gives him a chance to play against the best two-guard in our league," Thomas said. "People might have to look past Brandin and me."

The Irish have been bolstered this season by the addition of 6-8 Danny Miller (16.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg), a transfer from Maryland, and 6-10 freshman Torin Francis (11.1 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 27 blocks).

"Danny Miller is the key to our team. He brings a mean attitude on the court," Thomas said. "If he's not playing well, we don't play well. Torin brings athleticism and a young, active body. He can step out and shoot, like all our guys.

"You can't guard one person on the court. You have to guard all five."

For Notre Dame, it all starts with Thomas.