Slobodan_Blagojevich: Assuming Pitt beats The Hall and Marquette minus James and loses to UCONN do you think they still warrant a #1 seed?

Ray Fittipaldo: That would give Pitt a 27-4 record and probably third place in the Big East. I still think the Panthers would have to win one or two games at the Big East tournament to secure it for sure, but winning two of three owuld be a good first step.

PittinCleveland: Given the athletic deficiency of Pitt's guards with Marquette (even without James), Louisville & potentially N.C. et al., why doesn't Jamie use more 2-3 or 2-1-2 zone to prevent penetration? They will still give up some open 3's, but it would reduce fouls on the big guys ... could be an occasional change with man2man & box'n one if there is a hot shooter.

Ray Fittipaldo: The simple answer is Dixon only uses the zone when his players are in foul trouble or the man-to-man is really doing poorly. I've been covering the team for six seasons and I can't remember a time when Dixon used zone in a preventative measure. Maybe he will reconsider since the defense has been so average lately, but I doubt it. Pitt's defense is still among the best in the Big East and nationally, so I don't see Dixon making a move that might smack of desperation.

Slobodan_Blagojevich: What are the chances that Dixon bolts for Arizona next season? I don't think they are very high, but it's possible. Would Sean Miller be the heir apparent if so?

Ray Fittipaldo: I get that question a lot. If he did bolt, it would be contrary to everything he has been saying and doing the past few years. Dixon always says how much he and his family love the city. Plus, he has signed contracts the past few years that have made him very well-paid for his services. Arizona could make him a better offer, but Pitt would be in position to match it. And when it comes down to it, Dixon has built the program here to the point where it's a national contender every season. He would have to rebuild in Arizona or most other places that would try to hire him away.

PittinCleveland: Really enjoy the insight stories on the players - Sam Young and Blair were great. Would love to see something on Gibbs, Wanamakermaker and Brown.

Ray Fittipaldo: I wrote something the bench play a few weeks back when they were doing very well. I think Gibbs could be very important for this team in the postseason. He can change games with his 3-point shooting. When Pitt was down big at Providence, Dixon used Gibbs more because of his ability to make 3-pointers. As far as Brown and Wanamaker go, they're important, too, and they have to start playing a little better. Brown went scoreless against Providence and has only scored in double figures twice in Big East play. Wanamaker's play has tailed off lately as well. I give them a little bit of a pass because they're reserves and it's sometimes hard to judge them by their numbers over a few games because of the way the minutes are distributed, but I'm starting to see a trend that I don't like with those two. The Panthers need them playing well when the postseason comes around.

bubs: Providence game? Just a bad night or a harbinger of things to come?

Ray Fittipaldo: I'm leaning toward just a bad night, but as I pointed out in a story in today's paper the defense has been suspect in a lot of games recently. I know the Panthers have a better offense this season that has compensated for it in most games, but it couldn't against the Friars. They also need to shore things up with the turnovers. Blair and Young can't combine for nine turnovers. That's way too many for a frontcourt. They need to take care of the ball better. I think they will. As Blair said after the game, the loss could be just what the doctor ordered for this team. It was quite a wake-up call for the team.

Memory_of_Terrelle: At the end of the Depaul game Dick Groat said that Jamie and Mike Krzyzewski were the two best coaches in the country. This puts Jamie ahead of some pretty good coaches-Ben, Pitino, etc. Do you agree with this?

Ray Fittipaldo: Well, considering Jamie has not been past the Sweet 16, I'd have to give the nod to some others who have such as Pitino who has the rather remarkable achievement of taking three different schools to FInal Fours. But Jamie certainly has been great for Pitt. I'd say he's among the top 10 coaches in the country. That's not top two, but Pitt is pretty lucky to have him.

Memory_of_Terrelle: At Arizona he'd also have to recruit against and play Ben twice a year (at least). Don't you think this makes it even more likely he'd stay?

Ray Fittipaldo: I know they'll never schedule one another, but I've never heard from either of them that they would turn down a job in the same conference because of their relationship.

Minnesota_Pittman: Hi Ray! With Young's draft stock falling like a brick (late 2nd round at best) and the fact that Blair is getting all of the press now, do you see this becoming a distraction?

Ray Fittipaldo: Pitt has dealt with these kinds of distractions in the past. Dixon has had plenty of players who have gone through this process, so I don't know that it would be more of a distraction than any other year. But I'm sure it's distracting on some levels. Just put yourself in the shoes of those two players. They ready the newspapers and follow things on the Internet. Threy know what people in the NBA think of them. That being said, Young came back to help Pitt get to a Final Four. And Blair is all about winning as well. When push comes to shove, those guys will put personal things aside and concentrate on the big picutre. This team has a chance to do something special, and I don't think either of them want to make it any more of a distraction than it needs to be.

omar: Are Pitt fans being a bit hyper-reactive about this loss? I mean, there are some big games left in the regular season and the Big East tourney, which means they could beat UConn once or twice more, giving them a 2-1 or 3-0 season edge on them. That would be No. 1 seed worthy, no?

Ray Fittipaldo: I don't know if fans are being hyper about the loss but maybe they're concerned about how they lost. I agree with you. Things are laid out perfectly for them. They will be favored to win all three of their remaining games in the regular season, so the No. 1 seed is there to grab. But I think people saw some lethargic play, some lack of focus and some disturbing things with the offense and defense that gave them cause to pause. Maybe they just ran into a buzzsaw on senior night the other night and got caught not being mentally prepared. I'm certainly willing to give them a pass for one game. The important thing is to come out and show people that it was an anomaly on Saturday night at Seton Hall.

Steve-o_Blahovec_NBD: Do you think it would have been worse if Pitt would have pulled off the comeback? They need to realize that you can't take off halves and expect to always win.

Ray Fittipaldo: I think they learned their lesson. Providence is an NCAA bubble team. If the Friars can get up by 20 on the Panthers, what can the better teams i the country do if they're not on top of their game? I'm sure that crossed their minds a few times in the past couple of days.

Minnesota_Pittman: Are you as surprised as I am that Georgetown has fallen as far as they have and do you thinks John Sr.'s overbearing presence has anything to do with it?

Ray Fittipaldo: Georgetown was picked to finish something like seventh in the Big East before the season began, so I'm not completely surprised. Thompson had a lot of holes to fill in his lineup. I think the Big East opening victory over Connecticut raised expectations. Thompson has talent, but it's young talent. And it's hard to win with inexperienced players playing big roles. As far as his dad goes, I have no idea what type of presence he has down there with the program.

Minnesota_Pittman: Tough break for Marquette last night losing Dominic James! Good break for Pitt though, I just can't see Pitt losing at home to this team now. Your thoughts?

Ray Fittipaldo: It's easy to jump to that conclusion, but the Golden Eagles hung in there for most of that game against Connecticut last night. The Golden Eagles will still be a formidable foe, but I agree Pitt has to win that game at home, especially because of what will be on the line.

Steve-o_Blahovec_NBD: What is your prediction for Pitt's record in the next 3 games?

Ray Fittipaldo: I'd say 2-1, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Panthers won all three. It would be great if UCONN came in here with the No. 1 ranking. I wonder if a team has ever beaten a top-ranked team twice in the same season.

Minnesota_Pittman: I think Smizik's article on his blog today about what would be considered a successful season this year was right on! I think anything less than an Elite Eight appearance would be a disappointment and anything more is frosting on the cake!

Ray Fittipaldo: I'd say that's fair, although I said a week ago after the UCONN game that anything less than a Final Four would be a disappointment. But yeah, getting to the Elite Eight would be a huge step for this program considering how they have come up short in years past.

PittinCleveland: Looks like UConn, Louisville, Marquette, Pitt, Villanova, Syracuse, WVU for sure with Providence a "probable" right now - any others likely. Also how probable do you think it is that Marquette drops a seed or two given James' injury?,

Ray Fittipaldo: The selection committee has taken injuries into consideration in the past, but it also depends on how Marquette finishes the season. If the Golden Eagles play well without him they have eanred the right to get a No. 2 or 3 seed. The Big East has seven teams in right now. Providence can make it eight if the Friars win a few more.

Minnesota_Pittman: I think Pitt will finish the regular season with 4 losses and probably another in the big east tourney, to give us five total. Will this be good enough for a 1 seed or are we looking at a 2 seed now?

Ray Fittipaldo: Depends when it happens. Pitt can go 2-1 in the final three regular-season games and lose in the Big East championship game, and I think the Panthers still get a No. 1 seed. I don't know if that happens if they lose in the semifinals.

Memory_of_Terrelle: Whats left for Villanova? They keep nipping on Pitt's heels & I don't want to see us losing the double bye in the Big East Tournament.

Ray Fittipaldo: I'm writing about that subject tomorrow. Five teams can still win the Big East regular-season title and Pitt has not yet secured the double bye. It's been a very competitive year at the top of the league. Villanova's road is relatively easy. I don't have their schedule in front of me, but they'll be favored to win their three remaining games.

Steve-o_Blahovec_NBD: Do you even see a huge difference between being a 1 seed and a 2 seed especially with how close the top 6 or so teams are?

Ray Fittipaldo: I do for Pitt. The Panthers have never been a No. 1 seed. It could be a psychological boost for them. They've been No. 2, 3 and 4 seeds in the tournament and it hasn't worked out for them. I think they want to see what it's like being a No. 1 seed.

Ray Fittipaldo: Thanks for all the great questions. I have to get to Pitt for some interviews. We'll do it again next week before the big tilt with UCONN.