skirace217: Is Ronald Ramon's shoulder healed completely or is he still bothered at times?

Ray Fittipaldo: From what I understand, it's not an injury that is going to completely heal until the end of the season. It hurts him at times, but he is playing through the pain. It's not the type of injury that can get worse, so it should not be an issue.

skirace217:Have you heard anything about Deandre Kane and the possibility of him attending Pitt next Fall?

Ray Fittipaldo: Kane rescinded his verbal commitment from Duquesne a while back and reopened his recruitment. I have heard there is some mutual interest, but I'm not sure what will ocme of it.

skirace217: As Director of Basketball Operations, what sort of role does Brandin Knight serve on Coach Dixon's staff? He sure was having fun with Ramon at the end of the Georgetown game, eh?

Ray Fittipaldo: He is responsible for a lot of office work, administrative stuff. As DOB, he is allowed some contact with recruits when they are on campus, but he does not do any off-campus recruiting per NCAA rules. This is a steppingstone job to become an assistant coach. Barry Rohrssen was the DOB at Pitt before becoming an assistant coach. The same with Orlando Antigua and David Cox. Knight took the place of Cox, who is now an assistant at Georgetown.

Yuri_D: Maybe it's good the Kennedy kid from Schenley decided to go to St. John's. It looks like he really could have used a redshirt year to work on his shot.

Ray Fittipaldo: Why rip the kid? He is a true freshman who has started every game this season. In my mind, that's pretty darn good. He is not a good outside shooter, but that's not his strength. He is a big, rebounding guard who can also take it to the basket. If he works on his outside shot he has a chance to be a really good player in the Big East.

skirace217: When do you realistically expect Levance Fields to return from injury?

Ray Fittipaldo: Fields said last week he expects to return for the Feb. 15 game at Marquette. I'm sure he didn't just throw out that date on a whim. I'm sure it was discussed internally before he said it, so I'm expecting him back around that time.

skirace217: So Fields is due back on Feb. 15th, then the next obvious question is: What do you see, Ray, as the Panthers' record from this point until then?

Ray Fittipaldo: Pitt should be able to beat Rutgers and Villanova at home Saturday and Wednesday, so that would bring the record to 6-2. Let's chalk up a loss at UConn, so that's 6-3. I believe there is a home game vs. WVU in there somewhere before the 15th, along with one or two others ... SSSSSSSSo let's say 7-4 for kicks.

Yuri_D: I'm not ripping the kid. I'm simply stating what was painfully obvious, that his shooting 1) his shot needs a lot of work 2) a redshirt year would have helped him greatly and 3) it appears that Pitt has recruited better players at that position than him. That being said, I will continue to pull for him and as I do for all local basketball talent. He may well end up a good Big East player but he has some work to do.

Ray Fittipaldo: You could make an argument right now that Pitt did not recruit better players at his position. Brad Wanamaker is struggling to contribute right now. And Darnell Dodson had to transfer to junior college because of an NCAA Clearinghouse issue. Maybe Wanamaker will turn out to be a better player, but it would be foolish to say that now. Kennedy, even with his problems shooting, is a STARTER as a TRUE freshman.

Terrelle: I'll take 7-4

Ray Fittipaldo: I agree, 7-4 would be great considering the circumstances. Let's keep in mind that the Panthers will need Fields to return for the end of the season because the schedule is back loaded.

skirace217: Are the coaches saying anything about Brad Wannamaker? Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have taken advantage of the extra playing time he has received since the injuries.

Ray Fittipaldo: Dixon is trying to work him into the rotation, but it does not look like he is progressing the way the coaching staff would like. It's an odd scenario. Most of the time, Pitt players improve as the season goes on. I hate to say it, but it appears, to me, that Wanamaker has regressed. At the very least, he has not gotten better. What are the coaches saying? All the right things in public. But I'm sure Dixon and his staff want more out of him, especially considering the circumstances.

BB_PITT: I'm optimistic--I see 4 wins at home and one loss away leading to 8 -3.

Ray Fittipaldo: I wouldn't be surprised if that happened. This team has adjusted very well without Fields. Sam Young has stepped up and responded to the challenge.

skirace217: Does Pitt have anyone coming in next year to play at Guard next to Fields?

Ray Fittipaldo: Dixon signed point guard Travon Woodall out of St. Anthony's in New Jersey. He will back up Fields for a season, and presumably, take over the starting duties as a sophomore.

David: Wow, I could not disagree more about Brad. He gave them very good minutes against Gerogretown and Seton Hall, with some very good assists and defense. I really don't think you can compare Brad to DJ Kennedy. Brad, had he started the year thre, and gotten a ton of minutes, probably also would be starting at SJU. I just don't see the need to knock a kid who plays hard, but is obviously in funk right now.

Ray Fittipaldo: Who knocked Wanamaker? I was merely making an observation that he has not gotten better as the season has progressed. He has played OK at times, but he continues to make mistakes. Pitt needs him to step up and play better than he has.

Ray Fittipaldo: Thanks for the questions this week. We'll do it again next week.