Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball: Graduate transfer Max Hazzard down to seven schools

By Jason Kinander

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Evan Leonard #14 of the UC Irvine Anteaters celebrates a three-point shot with Max Hazzard #2 in the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Evan Leonard #14 of the UC Irvine Anteaters celebrates a three-point shot with Max Hazzard #2 in the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 8
Next
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – MARCH 02: Head coach Jeff Capel of the Pittsburgh Panthers calls to his team as Sidy N’Dir #11 runs up the court in the first half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on March 2, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – MARCH 02: Head coach Jeff Capel of the Pittsburgh Panthers calls to his team as Sidy N’Dir #11 runs up the court in the first half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on March 2, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh

This is probably the weirdest landing spot for Hazzard, at least in my opinion.

The Panthers are the epitome of mediocrity, and while last season was somewhat of a momentum-booster, they don’t seem at all that close to being a team worthy of playing postseason basketball.

However, maybe Hazzard is interested in the opportunity to run a team in the ACC. Pittsburgh presents him with the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Hazzard would immediately step into the starting point guard position and would be the primary shot-taker for the Panthers. In the ACC, Hazzard would be playing against much tougher competition than he did at UC Irvine, but he would have the chance to flourish much as he did against Kansas State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

If Hazzard has any hopes of potentially playing in the NBA, maybe Pitt gives him the best chance to do that. While he likely wouldn’t win much at Pitt, he’d be the top scorer and play-maker against some of the top teams in the country, thus getting major exposure as the best player on a power team.

Pitt is, in all likelihood, Hazzard’s least-likely and probably least-rewarding destination, but he could make a significant business decision in deciding to play in Pittsburgh for his final season.

Home/NCAA Basketball News