MPM: Is this team too dependent upon Aaron Gray? I'm concerned that later in the season if he's in foul trouble late in the game, the Panthers chances of winning will be very slim.

Ray Fittipaldo: Pitt did not play well at Auburn when Gray was on the bench in foul trouble. Obviously, Dixon would like to avoid playing without him late in games, but he has the personnel to adapt. I just think they have to learn to play without Gray. Dixon has a number of players who can step up and fill a scoring role. Mike Cook is one. Ron Ramon is another. Like I said, the team has to go through it a couple of times before they finally figure it out.

told_you_so: Are you ready to admit that our press break is our Achilles Heel? Last week you said no, and we proceeded to play terrible against the full court press vs both Auburn and Duquesne. Sure we didnt lose, but it could cost us against good teams. If I was a coach against Pitt, I would call for a full-court press after all made baskets dropping into a 2-3 zone (watch out for Syracuse). We cant handle these. Care to rethink?

Ray Fittipaldo: Your point is well taken, but the reason I said what I said -- and I stick by it -- is because it's the same guard personnel as last season, and it was not a problem last season. Fields and Ramon are more than adequate handling pressure. Sure, they had their problems against Auburn and Duquesne, but it's early in the season and those things will be worked out with time.

slmgator4: Ray... Even though this is outside the realm of current Pitt basketball, I was wondering if there was any chance you were going to attend the Aliquippa-Schenley game on Saturday night? And also, Aliquippa junior Jonathan Baldwin, is there any chance he is considering Pitt for basketball and football as well?

Ray Fittipaldo: I will be in Buffalo covering Pitt, so I cannot make it. It should be a great game. It's not often that you get that caliber of high school basketball. People should go out and enjoy it. As for Baldwin, I do not know of his college plans, but I have not heard that Pitt is involved at all.

JD: Ray is the non-Big East schedule a little tougher for Pitt this season playing teams like Auburn and Oklahoma State and Wisconsin?

Ray Fittipaldo: It's a lot harder. Jamie Dixon has compiled a tougher schedule for several reasons. He wanted to improve his team's RPI and you get more credit for winning on the road in recent years with the RPI, so that's why you're seeing so many road games this month. The other reason, I believe, is he wanted to get his team tournament-ready. Playing these types of games in December will prepare the Panthers for the NCAA tournament in March. I think it was a good move by Dixon.

JD: Jamie said something is not going right with Sam "the sham" Young -- what is up? Is it he is hurt or he is in the doghouse?

Ray Fittipaldo: Young is hurt. Dixon said last night that his knee has been "flaring up" for the past week. Dixon had been encouraged that the knee was getting better, but he said he has come to the realization that it is something Young will have to contend with all season. That's not great news. But there is more to his lack of playing time than the injury. Young is making a slow transition to small forward. He is not completely comfortable yet. Once he is able to practice more consistently, Young should grow more comfortable. It's a tough situation for Young and the team. Pitt needs him to be an impact player later in the season if the Panthers have designs on a Big East championship.

JD: What do you think of DJ Kennedy joining Blair at Pitt next season?

Ray Fittipaldo: I don't think it's going to happen. Kennedy is a nice player, but Pitt signed five players in November.

MPM: Can Gilbert Brown make a significant contribution this year?

Ray Fittipaldo: That's a great question. I know Dixon has high hopes for him. He has said that Brown is going to be a "great" player. Dixon does not casually toss the word "great" around all that often unless he means it. He has played in two games. He can play in four more this month before they have to decide about a redshirt. But from what Dixon said last week a redshirt does not appear likely. I think he wants to play him.

NIT: I know you don't cover Duquesne, but doesn't it appear that their program is headed in the right direction, at last?

Ray Fittipaldo: Everhart has some talented young players. His top two scorers are freshmen. Obviously, he gets a pass for this year because of what happened. It looks like he has the makings of a decent team when those guys return next season.

JD: Ray, just curious as to your thoughts -- Is the Big East going to be the cream of the crop? By that I mean how many teams besides Pitt can you see going to the big dance this season? Thanks in advance and keep up the super coverage you always do!

Ray Fittipaldo: Well, the Big East got eight teams in last season, I believe. Or was it seven? I would imagine around the same number will get in this season. You have Pitt, Georgetown, Marquette, Syracuse and Connecticut all ranked. Louisville is on the verge. One or two other teams will play well enough to garner consideration. It's such a strong league that it merits consideration for eight every year, but you have to remember that all these teams are knocking each other off, so they don't have the greatest resumes sometimes.

score: Given the type of players Dixon recruits, were they relieved or disappointed that Herb Pope committed to New Mexico State?

Ray Fittipaldo: From what I've learned Pope maybe needed to get away from Aliquippa and Pittsburgh. I don't think Pitt is extremely upset that he found somewhere else to play.

Clayton: Who is Pitt's go-to-player down the stretch against elite teams? Is Cook the kind of scorer we've been missing?

Ray Fittipaldo: Aaron gray is that guy. I know people have a hard time seeing a center as a go-to guy, but he is it for Pitt. When he's not in the game, Cook or Ramon will have to step up. I like Cook, but I think he's a little careless with the ball. Ramon seems to be a streaky shooter, but Dixon has a ton of confidence in him.

marine_sgt: What's up Pittsburgh! When are the Panthers gonna be ranked number 1?

Ray Fittipaldo: It could happen next week. Pitt must beat Buffalo and hope UCLA loses to Texas A&M on Saturday. Texas A&M is ranked in the top 15 or so. It's not out of the question.

drp1tt: What is with all the missed 3's in transition? Ramon, whom is supposed to so good, missed like 4-5 in a row that were wide open. Cook did as well.

Ray Fittipaldo: They're not making 3s like they did early in the season, but I don't think anyone expected them to shoot 47 percent for the season either. If they shoot around 40 percent Dixon will be happy. I know he believes this is his best 3-point shooting team he's had. He has confidence in those guys. He's going to tell them to keep shooting.

MPM: What is your assessment of Mike Cook so far? Is he a guy that will be able to consistently hit the open outside shot when a team goes to zone defense against the Panthers?

Ray Fittipaldo: Cook has a decent outside shot. Ramon and graves are better options from 3-point range, but Cook is no slouch. He's not someone who is going to shoot 40 percent, but he can knock down an outside shot when you need it. I like what he brings to the team. He's picking up his rebounding, too. I think he had five last night against the Dukes.

drp1tt: One other thing. Last night was the perfect game to give Brown lots of minutes to see if he can really fit in. Jamie barley played him. It seems to me that it is awful hard to determine a red-shirt if he just spot plays him. I hope this doesn't turn out like Dickerson et al.

Ray Fittipaldo: You have to remember Jamie sees him every day in practice. He wants to see him in game action, but his eye for talent is such that I'm sure he can determine if Brown can compete at a high level or not. They still have a few weeks to make up their minds. I was watching Brown in warmups last night and his ankle is looking better and better. He did a 360 dunk, so his ankle must be getting close to 100 percent.

JD: Ray talking bout old panther greats -- whatever happened to Paul evans and Ralph Williard? Still coaching somewhere or out of the sport altogether?

Ray Fittipaldo: Ralph Willard is coaching at my alma mater, Holy Cross. The Crusaders almost upset Duke last night on the road. They had the lead at halftime, and the refs handed the game to Duke in the second half. Willard is doing a great job at Holy Cross. The Crusaders should be in the NCAA tournament in March. As for Evans, last I heard he was coaching at the high school level in Maryland. Not sure what he's doing today.

hi: Do you think Pitt will lose one of its next three games (which are all on the road)?

Ray Fittipaldo: Well, Pitt is not going to go undefeated. If I had to take a guess, I would say the Panthers will go 1-2 over this three-game stretch. I think they'll win at Buffalo and lose at Wisconsin and Oklahoma State. They would do really well to go 2-1. This is a tough stretch.

Ray Fittipaldo: Thanks for the questions, guys. I have to go to Pitt for practice and write some stories. We'll do it same time next week.