Matt: So, did they fire Dixon yet?

Ray Fittipaldo: Not yet. They're probably going to wait until he gets the school its seventh consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.

Wanamaker22: What do you think of Brad Wanamaker's future with the Panthers?

Ray Fittipaldo: Well, even though he has been inconsistent in limited minutes this season he has the inside track on the starting shooting guard spot next season because Benjamin and Ramon graduate. He needs to improve his shot, and he needs to develop some confidence. I think he has the skills to play at this level, but he needs a good offseason.

Matt: As a Duquesne alumnus, I would give anything to be in the NCAA's for five years in a row. Maybe that is why I am a big Pitt fan and appreciate Dixon and his coaching.

Ray Fittipaldo: Dixon has done a very good job during his five seasons as the head coach. Lots of fans around the country would appreciate what he has done, especially this season when his team was beleaguered by injuries. I know the Panthers are struggling, but losing two starters for almost half the season and still being in position to make the tournament is rather amazing. Now that he has Fields back and some time to prepare for the postseason we'll see if he can get the most out of the Panthers in March.

Bingo_Bango_Bongo: I feel like Pitt Basketball is turning into Notre Dame or Alabama Football -- WHAT NO NATIONAL TITLE?! FIRE THE COACH ITS ALL HIS FAULT!! What about the injuries? Anyone consider the fact that Mike Cook was a key part to this team? He wasn't a star but he was a huge contributor. Also what about the fact that Jamie Dixon has never won fewer than 20 games as Pitt head coach? I remember the year after Krauser left Pitt was slotted to win like 13 games and finish at the bottom of the Big East. This isn't Duke, this isn't UNC, it's Pittsburgh. How come people can't get that?!

Ray Fittipaldo: I think people have become spoiled. Making the NCAA tournament is no longer a thrill. People expect it at the very least. The way things have gone the Sweet 16 has sort of become a run-of-the-mill occurrence. Like it or not, Pittsburgh is a city that has celebrated championships with all of its major sports teams. Pitt lives in the shadow of the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates (they're still major, right?). People want to see Pitt take that next step. Dixon is charged with that responsibility. It's not easy, but he and Ben Howland are the ones who created the expectations. I'm not saying it's fair, but I think he realizes that coaching in a sports town like Pittsburgh there are certain expectations that fans have. It's not a bad thing.

Matt: There has been talk of Dixon recruiting that kid from Schenley. My question is how many scholarships so they have left to give? I thought that the transfer point guard put them already one over the limit?

Ray Fittipaldo: It did put them over the limit. That means one of the incoming freshmen might not qualify or might not come, or one of the current players on the roster won't be back. If Kane comes that means two spots would have to open.

Bingo_Bango_Bongo: Any chance a player taller than 6'8 ever commits to Pitt again?

Ray Fittipaldo: As Dixon said earlier int he year it's hard to find talented players wo are 7-footers. Pitt fans became spoiled with the likes of Chris Taft and Aaron Gray. Look around, you don't see many players of that caliber anywhere in college basketball. Pitt was lucky enough to have a quality center for four years in a row.

Bingo_Bango_Bongo: The only thing I say about Jamie Dixon is that he should just forget ever recruiting a JUCO transfer ever again. John DeGroat and now Cassin Diggs both were and are horrible players.

Ray Fittipaldo: I cannot and will not defend Dixon's decisions on junior-college players. His record is awful in that regard.

WinWithWilliard: What seed is Holy Cross going to get?

Ray Fittipaldo: The Crusaders lost by two points in the first round of the Patriot League tournament last night, so Ralph won't be going back to the Big Dance. Say what you will about Willard, it's obvious he can coach. The only place he did not win was at Pitt. If the administration didn't stall on building the Petersen Events Center during his tenure he would have won at Pitt, too.

bookworm: Hey, do you think that Kendall staring over Young last year had a lot to do with Kendall being a much better defender than Sam Young is?

Ray Fittipaldo: I still think it's a tough call. Young is a much better offensive player, but it's obvious that Pitt misses Kendall's defensive presence. It seems like a no-brainer because we're all so programmed to look at a player's offensive game, but Kendall was a starter for a reason.

Matt: Do you think that Dixon is being too loyal to his seniors? In other words, they rebound better with Brown, but he keeps Benjamin or Ramon in the starting lineup instead. Same with the way he started Degroat his senior year.

Ray Fittipaldo: Don't be surprised if there is a lineup change at the Big East tournament. Dixon will keep the seniors in the starting lineup for Senior Day, but he might look to change things up in New York. As you pointed out, he did it two years ago with DeGroat.

Matt: When a "power forward" plays the whole game without any rebounds, your team is in trouble.

Ray Fittipaldo: I agree, but where would this team be without Young's scoring? It's a Catch 22. Dixon needs to convince him that defense is what wins.

jeff_kish: I know Sam Y is a very quiet player but Keith B. is now the spokesman for Pitt Basketball. Why won't Young step up and become the leader that he is supposed to be?

Ray Fittipaldo: Sometimes it's just not in a player's personality. Plus, he's only a junior. It's natural for a senior to step up and take on the responsibility that Benjamin has. Just because he is the team's leading scorer doesn't mean that Young has to be a vocal leader or someone who is out in front with the media.

Matt: Yes, with Young, you must take the bad with the good. Some days, however, he seems to be disinterested on the court.

Ray Fittipaldo: I agree. Maybe Pitt can hire that psychologist that worked with John Smoltz back in the 1991 playoffs.

Terelle: I don't know about you but I'm pretty happy with where the panthers are. They lost 3 conference games games by a total of six points. They usually play well in New York so I'm looking for a nice run in the Big East tournament and maybe two wins in the Big Dance. Not bad for a rebuilding year. What do you think?

Ray Fittipaldo: I'm not as optimistic after watching them the past six games. Unless Dixon is able to do some major reconstruction with this team between now and next week, I would not expect more than one win in New York or the NCAAs, if that.

jeff_kish: But Keith B. wouldn't be playing more than a 5-7 minute had Cook not got hurt?

Ray Fittipaldo: I disagree. Benjamin has stepped up big-time when he was presented with the opportunity. Who is to say that he wouldn't have received more playing time. I love what Keith has brought to the team this season. He's playing like a senior should.

jeff_kish: If they get the 'Cuse in the first round it could be one and done. How do you teach a team to play defense and rebound in one week?

Ray Fittipaldo: I don't know that you can. That's why I'm not as optimistic as others. That being said, I spoke with one of the reporters from the Syracuse papers after the game last week and he said that was by far the best Syracuse had played all year. Pitt caught them on their best day and still was able to win. Maybe on a neutral court, Pitt could prevail. But I wouldn't bet on it.

Bingo_Bango_Bongo: I know I know...but how about someone who is tall and horrible? Aaron Gray wasn't any good in high school I dont think? As far as what I saw when I first went to Pitt in 03 was Aaron Gray was only worth taking space while Chris Taft got a blow. He turned out to be a decent player (at least is on an NBA roster unlike Taft) Any big goon type guys who could do that for us out there?

Ray Fittipaldo: Maybe Gary McGhee can develop into a decent player. He needs some polish ands some stick-um for his hands, but he has some skills.

Bingo_Bango_Bongo: Of the incoming freshman next year, who can actually make and impact, and can any of them play D? Personally I think Nasir Robinson looks like a serial killer but as the highest touted prospect of the class does he have the goods?

Ray Fittipaldo: Robinson is a fierce competitor who can play defense, but I don't know that you're going to want to count on a freshman to come in and provide defensive leadership. That has to come from players like FIelds and Young next season, not some unproven high school players.

jeff_kish: I don't think we have to worry about anyone leaving Pitt early. Both Young and Blair need much more work. Do you agree?

Ray Fittipaldo: Absolutely. But that doesn't mean that one of them might make a bad decision a la Chris Taft.

Matt: He looks better than Gray did his first year. Now, if he can develop like Gray? Big IF?

Ray Fittipaldo: Dixon did a great job with Gray. We'll see about McGhee. I'm not convinced, but I certainly was not high on Gray as a freshman or sophomore either.

Bingo_Bango_Bongo: I think Keith Benjamin is a guy you love or hate. When he takes those rediculous shots from like 500 feet away it makes me scream, but other times he makes good plays. But I have always been a hater of his shot selection.

Ray Fittipaldo: I think he's improved in that area, actually. He has a brain cramp now and again, but overall I think he's been one of Pitt's most consistent performers.

Matt: Speaking of Coach Dixon, if we all agree that he is not the problem, then what about his assistant coaches? They have had a lot of turnover the past few years, is this affecting the development of the team?

Ray Fittipaldo: Pitt has had a lot of turnover on the staff, but I don't see this as a major concern. All of the coaches left for head coaching positions. It's up to Dixon to replace them with capable coaches. I don't see that as a reason for the late-season slide. No one pointed to Tom Herrion when Pitt was beating Duke. They most certainly shouldn't be pointing to him now.

jeff_kish: Maybe I should be pleased with where they are considering what they went through, but they seemed to weather that storm and gat a key player back and they are not getting any better. The hallmark of a Dixon team has always been great D, rebounding and a super assist to turnover ratio -- that just isn't there.

Ray Fittipaldo: I agree with everything you wrote. The players had better realize it just the way you did.

Ray Fittipaldo: Thanks for all the great questions this week. We'll do it again from New York City -- after either a first-round win or loss.