Submit your Pitt basketball question

Q: Do You think Mark Nordenberg would grant an interview to John Calapari now? Wow, wouldn't the Big East be fun adding him to the mix. Never mind that means that Pitt would be above average! Any chance Ben Howland could help get Coach Dixon a coaching job with a West Coast team? Last night's game for the Panthers was pathetic. Prediction: 2nd round loss in the Big East tournament and 1st round loss in the NCAA tourney. Then you would have eight months when You wouldn't have defend your boy.

Tom Tuntas, Cocoa Beach, Fla.

FITTIPALDO: You actually think this team is going to win a game at the Big East tournament?

Despite this team's struggles down the stretch, Pitt has been way above average with Dixon as the head coach. He doesn't need me to defend him. He has a pretty gaudy record to do that for him.

Careful what you wish for. Remember what Pitt basketball was before Howland and Dixon showed up?

Q: The coach continues to preach defense and rebounding but what is actually being done to improve this? They are giving up so many uncontested shots in the paint it is almost laughable. They start out in man, switch to the 2-3 and still it does not matter. Has Dixon ever considered using some full court trapping action when the team is struggling early on just to mix up a struggling defense?

Steve Blahovec, Arlington, Va.

FITTIPALDO: Maybe the Panthers can play 6-on-5 when they're on defense. That would help. Steve, by now it should be apparent that Dixon has no answers for the defense. The players are deficient one-on-one defenders and they are even worse in zone for some reason. Let's face it, the Panthers are a bad defensive team.

Q: I was wondering what, if anything, you can see different about this Pitt team from previous years. Things that would never happen to them in this seven-year run seem to be happening this year. Poor defense, being blown out, etc. Is there anything you can see from covering them day-to-day that gives you an idea as to why? Is this a product of so many young players playing big minutes and just wearing down? I feel like they have the talent to play with anyone in the country as shown by the Duke & Georgetown wins, but I'm having a hard time seeing them rounding into form. Also, do you still feel Pitt is a lock for the tournament even with a loss against DePaul? I would say a win would lock it up, but 2-5 in their last seven is not good.

Ryan David, Columbus, Ohio

FITTIPALDO: A victory against DePaul should seal it. That would guarantee Pitt would have an RPI in the neighborhood of 30 even if the Panthers lost in the first round of the Big East tournament.

Dixon is playing two freshmen in his top six and four freshmen in his top eight. That might not sound like a big deal, but he did not have to play any freshmen last season. Experience is irreplaceable. Look at the teams at the top of the Big East. Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame and Connecticut are all experienced teams with players who have been through the Big East wars. I can count on one hand the number of freshmen who are playing big roles on those four teams.

Pitt only has one returning starter from the team that advanced to the Sweet 16 last season, and he (Levance Fields) missed half the season with an injury.

In addition to the team's inability to play defense, the lack of experience is a big factor for the Panthers' poor showing in the second half of the season.