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• Q: What do you think it will take for Pitt to regularly be a part of a four or five star recruit's decision process?

Facilities? Check. Elite Conference? Check. TV exposure? Check. Winning Tradition? Check. Top notch coach & staff? Check.

I just don't get it. Do we need a National Championship banner on the roof of the Pete before we are in the running with these guys. I know Jamie is an excellent recruiter, and has brought in some very good recruits and "projects" that have turned out well for his system, but I am talking a 5 star recruit! Carmello, Mayo ... it doesn't even seem like we are on their radar screen?

Don't get me wrong, I don't expect Duke/UCLA-like recruiting pull, but come on! Georgetown falls off the map for a decade, has a couple good years, and now nailed the #1 guy in the country? What gives? Please give me some insight into this. Thanks and can't wait until this season!

Paul Pirozzola of Cleveland, Ohio

FITTIPALDO: Success in the NCAA tournament is a big part of it, Paul. The top recruits want to play for national championships. Schools like North Carolina, Duke and UCLA have an edge there because they are continually in the national championship picture by playing in Elite Eights and Final Fours.

The other part of the equation is development for the NBA. Pitt has not produced NBA players the way Connecticut or North Carolina or Duke has. Above and beyond national titles, the elite recruits want to know how a college coach can help them get to the NBA, preferrably in the quickest manner possible. Pitt will get a boost now that Aaron Gray is on an NBA roster with the Chicago Bulls. Pitt needs more players like him who go on and have success in the NBA.