artgrz2000: It was fantastic to see Pitt rediscover its defense last week. They obviously will need it come NCAA's. My concern is a 7-man rotation. Is there any hope that coach Dixon can get meaningful minutes from Gary Maghee or Brad Wannamker? I really believe they will need the depth if they are going to go deep.

Ray Fittipaldo: I think Dixon is going to stick with his rotation unless game siautions dictate he uses Wanamaker or McGhee. I thought he might use McGhee against Georgetown because of Hibbert, but he stuck with Biggs. And Biggs came through with some great minutes. Dixon likes the seven he is using now, so I wouldn't expect much to change in the NCAA tournament.

slam_young: How has Ron Ramon's shoulder been holding up, I heard he had a partially torn labrum. Is that going to require surgery after the season or has it healed on its own?

Ray Fittipaldo: Dixon has mentioned that he might need surgery, but he has not missed a start all season. He has some pain he has to deal with, but I don't think it's been a big concern for him throughout the season.

Matt: So, where do you have Pitt finishing in your brackets?

Ray Fittipaldo: Well, I filled out about 20 of them, so it depends on which one. I have them going to the Final Four in a few, Sweet 16 in a few others. I like that the Panthers seem to be peaking at the right time.

higgins: What changes should be made to the NCAA basketball tournament selection process?

Ray Fittipaldo: I don't know that any changes need to be made. There are always going to be a few schools that complain when they get left out, but that's the way it goes. The presidents of these schools ought to take notice this week and realize that a tournament like this is what Division I football needs.

slam_young: Which is larger, the margin of victory in points for Pitt over Oral Roberts, or the Oral Roberts University's debt (in millions) which was 30 million last time I checked?

Ray Fittipaldo: I actually think this is going to be a close game. I think the Panthers will win by 10 or so, but it could be close for a long time.

slam_young: Is there any scenario that could play out where Deandre Kane gets a scholarship for next year?

Ray Fittipaldo: My understanding is Kane needs to qualify academically. If that happens, I think Pitt wold love to have him. And I think he wants to go to Pitt. It all depends on his grades and test scores.

artgrz2000: I remember back in December, thinking this teams best days are ahead of them. The team seems to have the offense it always lacked in previous years. Now that they are at full strength again( except Mike Cook ), is the offense "up to snuff"?

Ray Fittipaldo: The offense has been consistent all season. It's not great, but it's good enough to win games when they're playing defense.

slam_young: What conference officials will we be dealing with today?

Ray Fittipaldo: I have not received that information yet.

Stew: If Blair gets into early foul trouble again, do you think Tyrrell Biggs can play as well as he did in the Big East Tournament?

Ray Fittipaldo: He has shown in the past few games that he can play well. He just needs to do it on a consistent basis. It's a seven-man rotation, so everyone is going to have to play well if the Panthers want to advance.

slam_young: We clanked 55 free throws last week and weekend combined. Has Jamie done anything to address the free throw shooting thing? I know it's partially mental, but thats a lot of charity bricks

Ray Fittipaldo: They shoot free throws every practice. I don't think he did anything special this week. He has capable foul shooters. They just need to concentrate and knock down the shots in the clutch.

Matt: I agree with you. If you increase the NCAA's to 100, the teams ranked 101, 102, etc... will all complain and want the field expanded even more.

Ray Fittipaldo: Exactly. I haven't heard too much complaining this year, to be honest. It's one of the best sporting events in the country as is. Why mess with it?

higgins: What are the strengths that ORU and MSU have that could cause Pitt problems?

Ray Fittipaldo: Both are solid defensive teams that can play the slow-down game. That shouldn't affect Pitt too much because the Panthers have played at a slower pace as well. ORU is experienced and has juniors and seniors, which is always dangerous this time of the year. ORU also has some streaky shooters. If they get hot, things could get interesting.

slam_young: Hopefully not the WAC, I believe they provided the officials against Bradley, Pacific and UCLA that took us down the last 3 years.

Ray Fittipaldo: I'm not sure about that. My understanding is that officials do not work for conferences. They are independent contractors and can work for a number of conferences. The point is, officials from the West coast or the Midwest, and tend to call games closer in the leagues in which they officiate because those leagues, in general, are less physical than the Big East.

artgrz2000: If they have the same refs as the first game, Mich. St. and Temple, officiating should not be a problem. They are really letting both teams play.

Ray Fittipaldo: And the next game could be the complete opposite. You just never know with officials.

Stew: Give us your personal "upset special" for the tourney, if there will indeed be one ...

Ray Fittipaldo: I don't know if this is an upset or not, but I think Notre Dame can make a nice run. They're a No. 5 seed. I think WVU can make some noise if the Mountaineers can get past Arizona, a tough first-round opponent. They're a No. 7 seed.

Matt: I know that it will not be decided until well after the season ends but, in your gut, will Sam Young be leaving?

Ray Fittipaldo: The only gut that matters is Sam Young's. He's a guy who is on the bubble between the first and second rounds. If there is any doubt about him being a first-rounder I would hope he would come back for his own sake. You hate to see a kid get drafted in the second round and not have any guaranteed money. Lots of players like Young have made that decision, and they find themselves playing in Europe.

Stew: Is there one particular player on this team that has to play at his best to make it past the Sweet 16, or this is so much of a "team" that not one person can make a huge difference one way or another?

Ray Fittipaldo: I think Pitt's most important player is Ronald Ramon. When he is making 3-pointers, the Panthers are tough to beat. He made a lot of shots in the Big East tournament. When he misses shots, Pitt's offense suffers.

slam_young: Given the amazing run we have had over the last 8 years, is there any buzz about any of our assistant coaches for potential head coaching vacancies at other schools?

Ray Fittipaldo: I haven't heard anything in particular, but when schools like Pitt are successful other schools want to hire your assistants. That's a compliment to coach Dixon. He has had three assistant land head coaching jobs the past few years. I wouldn't be surprised if it happened again. Tom Herrion is a good coach, and Orlando Antigua is a good head coaching candidate in a few years.

Stew: What were the practices like the last few days? Did Dixon rest his guys more or did he work them as much as he usually does?

Ray Fittipaldo: Dixon closed his practices to the media. From what I hear the workouts were light before they left Pittsburgh. I think they ramped it up once they got here.

slam_young: What type of Defense does Oral Roberts bring to the table? I have heard they are formidable, but is it a press, zone or high pressure man to man type D?

Ray Fittipaldo: Man-to-man like Pitt. They do have some athletic guards, so I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to pressure some. That should not be a problem, though, because Levance Fields has been so solid at handling the press.

artgrz2000: As good as Pitt has looked, they really are a small team compared to most. Will this weakness show up this weekend, or will the collective willpower of the small guards on our squad hold the fort, and help grab some boards?

Ray Fittipaldo: Pitt beat Georgetown twice, and the Hoyas have a 7-foot-2 center. The Panthers have played plenty of teams with taller centers and forwards, and Blair usually ifnds a way to play well (when he's not in foul trouble). If Pitt and Michigan State win, that would be an interesting matchup because the Spartans are a very good rebounding team.

higgins: How do you think the rest of the Big East will do in the tournament?

Ray Fittipaldo: As I said before, I like Notre Dame and West Virginia. I think Georgetown should get to the Sweet 16 at least. Marquette has a shot to win a few games. I like most of the Big East schools to win a game or two except for Villanova, which draws Clemson in the first round.

artgrz2000: Just how important is Pitt's performance, come tournament time, when it comes to recruiting. Getting over the hump in the BET, must have looked real good to potential recruits. Will a long run in the NCAA's likewise be a recruiting coupe?

Ray Fittipaldo: It could only help. Being on national TV all the time is important for a school like Pitt that does not have a big, local recruiting base.

Stew: When you typed "man-to-man," did you envision Bill Raftery saying it as you typed it?

Ray Fittipaldo: "Send it in, Jerome!" "Onions!" Two of my favorites.

slam_young: Did the sixth man from ORU invent the artificial heart from that Lipitor ad?

Ray Fittipaldo: Not unless he changed his hairstyle from going bald to braids.

artgrz2000: Who in your opinion is the worst match-up for Pitt in the South regional?

Ray Fittipaldo: The South Region is the toughest region of the four, so there will not be any easy matchups. Michigan State will be tough if the Spartans finish the job against Temple.

artgrz2000: Are there any local kids on Pitt's wish list? It is so much fun to see Blair and the honest enthusiasm he brings being a local student. I wish there were more around this area like him.

Ray Fittipaldo: Kane would be a good get if he qualifies. He is a very good offensive player.

Stew: Speaking of Raft, who are your fave color and play by play men for college b-ball?

Ray Fittipaldo: I like ESPN's three-man team of Raftery, Bilas and Sean McDonough. They have a good rapport. Len Elmore is knowledgeable. For play-by-play, Gus Johnson is growing on me. He's doing the games here in Denver, I think. He can get too excited like Greg Brown of the Pirates, but he does a good job overall.

artgrz2000: Any word on Cook's eligibility for next year? When will the decision be made?

Ray Fittipaldo: The NCAA might not rule on that until late summer.

Stew: I know the season isn't over yet, but how scary will this team be next year with freshmen Brown and Blair having a year under their belts?

Ray Fittipaldo: If Young comes back, Pitt will be a top 10 team at the beginning of next season.

Ray Fittipaldo: Thanks for all the great question this week. We'll do it again next week from Houston if Pitt advances. Enjoy the games!