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Q: Just to comment on your answer to the question posed say the "Pitt has no players that could start for a top 25 team." You actually made the comment that Brad Wanamaker could start for some. NO WAY ... he shouldn't be starting for Pitt and while he has a very good shot, he has consistently hurt the team (including last season) with his turnovers and lack of defense. He consistently tries to force the ball and has it taken from him several times per game. Also, while Jermaine Dixon and Gil Brown have caused a defensive void, I don't see them adding much to the offensive side. The only offensive skill Dixon has shown (correct me if I'm wrong, but his shooting percentage was near the very bottom of Division I shooting guards last season) is his ability to slash to the hoop ... and he misses a large percentage of those. Gil Brown needs to assert himself much more this year and more then he did in the summer league. He is the most athletic guy on the team and I believe could be better then Sam Young if he works on his shot.

Mike Konopka, Pittsburgh

FITTIPALDO: Mike, there were plenty of teams near the bottom of the Big East that could have placed a starter on Pitt's Elite Eight team last season. Are you going to tell me that Mike Rosario from Rutgers cold not have started at shooting guard in front of Jermaine Dixon? Or that any number of players could have done a better job over Tyrell Biggs? Pitt had three stars and a couple of role players to complement them. And that's OK. Every team needs role players to complement stars. You can't have a cohesive team with five stars who always want the ball in their hands. So yes, I stand by my statement that Wanamaker could be a starter on a few teams that are currently in the top 25.

As for your assessment of the team once Jermaine Dixon and Gilbert Brown are back, I agree to a certain extent. I have said all along that this team was going to have to win its share of low-scoring defensive struggles. Adding Dixon and Brown to the equaltion will help the defense. You are right. They are not great offensive players, but each does add something that is currently missing. Dixon is the only one of Pitt's guards who is capable of penetrating and finding open shots for his teammates. That should not be underestimated. And Brown has the ability to run the floor and knock down the occasional outside shot while not turning the ball over. That will be important as well because the forwards who are playing now are turning the ball over too much and don't provide much offense other than offensive rebound opportunities.

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