Q: During the Texas game it became painfully obvious that Pitt was much smaller than Texas. Does Jamie Dixon purposefully avoid recruiting tall players? He was able to get away with a lack of height last year with Blair being such a beast. I don't see anyone on this year's team that can push people around like he did.

Jake Creps, Indiana, Pa.

FITTIPALDO: How about 7-foot-, 270-pound Aaron Gray, who played four seasons at Pitt and is now in the NBA? I would say he was tall. Gary McGhee is 6-10, Dante Taylor 6-9. Seven-footers do not grow on trees. Every coach covets a skilled 7-footer, but they are few and far between.

But back to your original point. Yes, Pitt is smaller this season than previous ones, and it is going to hurt them in some games. But the hidden stat from the Texas loss was that Pitt won the rebounding battle, 30-28. Jamie Dixon has been stressing to his guards the importance of crashing the boards, and they have responded the past few games. It's going to be tough once the Big East schedule rolls around and the opponent is bigger and stronger on many nights, but you cannot question the effort the past few games when it comes to rebounding.

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