Maile_for_40__: Do you have any updates on Darnell Dodson? I heard he planned to redshirt one year of JC, play a year of JC, the come back as SOPH eligabilty in '09 ...

Ray Fittipaldo: Jamie Dixon told me he and his staff will monitor Dodson's progress over the next two years. My understanding is that no promises were made either way. But Dixon liked him a year ago and if he does well the next two seasons there is no reason Dixon would not recruit him again.

Griffin_A: I saw that big kid from McKeesport play last week and I wasn't impressed. Why did Pitt offer him, do they think he can turn into Aaron Gray or something?

Ray Fittipaldo: He's big and they believe he has a lot of potential. Centers often develop late and they must see a lot of upside in him to offer a scholarship. If you remember, Aaron Gray was not highly sought-after recruit coming out of high school and he turned into an All-American after two years of development. It takes time for centers to come into their own.

7_man_rotation: I feel terrible for Mike and Levance but at the same time I'm also very curious to see how things play out. A lot of guys are going to get a chance and I was pretty impressed with what I saw

last night. It wasn't Georgetown they played but they competed and I think they have a chance to hang in there the rest of the way.

Ray Fittipaldo: It was nice that Pitt had a game against Lafayette before Big East play got under way. Dixon was able to see his 'new' team in action once before the games really start to count. As well as the Panthers played against Lafayette, we'll know a lot more about this team next week at this time after road games at Villanova and South Florida. I'm not sure how much you can take from a victory against an inferior opponent.

Terrelle: What are the chances of a medical redshirt for both Cook and Fields (if he doesn't return by seasons end)?

Ray Fittipaldo: Dixon said he is going to look at Cook's situation after the season. From what I understand Cook's surgery yesterday took three hours to complete. He tore three different ligaments in there and there was a lot to fix. No one is even sure if Cook will be healhty enough to play next season.

Fields will be back before the end of the season, so there is no use in looking at a medical redshirt for him.

Maile_for_40__: Should Pitt fans be concerned that their next PG (Woodall) doesn't even start for his high school team? I know it is a good high school team, but geez he only plays 15 minutes per game ...

Ray Fittipaldo: I haven't checked in on Woodall's progress with his high school team, but it would surprise me if he's not starting. He is close to being one of the top 150 players in the country, so I'm not sure how he wouldn't start on his high school team. I do know Dixon and his staff are high on him. They expect him to come in next season, learn behind Fields for one year and then take over the duties at point guard.

7_man_rotation: Do you think Dixon will play some zone once the Big East starts? I know he's a man to man type coach but with 7 players I think they'll need to stay out of foul trouble.

Ray Fittipaldo: It depends on the situation. If a team is giving the Panthers problems in the paint, then yeah they could go to some zone as a changeup. But if a team like Lafayette is hot from 3-point range it doesn't make much sense to switch to a zone because all you would be doing is giving that team more open looks.

7_man_rotation: Do you think Pitt can go .500 in Big East play and how many Big East games do you think they need to win to get into the NCAA tournament?

Ray Fittipaldo: I think if Pitt goes 9-9 in the Big East the Panthers would be giving themselves a chance. That would give them a 21-10 record entering the Big East tournament. If Pitt wins one game in New York I think they would be assured of a spot.

Pitt cannot have any letdowns against teams like Rutgers, Seton Hall and St. John's this season because beating the upper echelon teams in the league will be difficult with Cook and Fields. I'll predict they'll play two games under .500 without Fields. But depending upon when he comes back they could still make a run a berth in the tournament.

needdepth: What are our chances against Nova? Can we match up?

Ray Fittipaldo: Villanova is not a big and strong team. Jay Wright has some nice guards and small forward types, but Sam Young and DeJuan should have a big edge on the inside. I think it will be a matter of whether Pitt can contain Scottie Reynolds. He's Villanova's best player and the Panthers will need to keep him in check if they want to have a chance.