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Q: Given the losses from last year's squad, I'm hoping for steady improvement through the season, a top eight finish in the Big East and getting in to the NCAA tournament as an at-large team on Selection Sunday. Where do you think this team will finish the season?

Maher S. Hoque, Monreoville

FITTIPALDO: Not only did Pitt coach Jamie Dixon lose four starters, he lost two NBA players in DeJuan Blair and Sam Young, one of the best point guards in school history in Levance Fields and a solid frontline player in Tyrell Biggs. When you figure in that Dixon will be without his only returning starter, Jermaine Dixon (foot injury), to open the season and Gilbert Brown (academic suspension) until mid-December, his job this season is immense. Not only does he has to shuffle things on the fly early because of Jermaine and Brown's situations, but he also has to work some true freshmen into the rotation as well as a senior transfer (Chase Adams) who will see playing time.

The one positive for Pitt is that the Big East is not as strong as it was last season. I picked Pitt to finish eighth as well, but I'm not banking on that being enough to make the NCAA tournament. The Panthers will need to play well in the non-conference portion of their schedule becausebeing 9-9 in the Big East might not be enough to impress the committee this season.

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