Does Pitt finally have a shot at getting past the Sweet 16?

I actually haven’t gotten too many worried fans’ e-mails lately. In fact, they are mostly… I actually haven’t gotten too many worried fans’ e-mails lately. In fact, they are mostly positive, so let’s club these softball questions.

Q: Mike from North Oakland said, “In the past years, Pitt has dominated the mediocre/good teams but hasn’t come through against the big-time teams. What’s the difference this year? Can Pitt finally advance past the Sweet 16 or even win the Big East title?”

A: Wow, that’s a tough one. Much like my AAU and high school basketball careers, my crystal ball smashed as soon as I started trying it. I’m not willing to make any predictions just yet for two reasons. First, it’s January, and there can still be more injuries and more flukes. Second, I am bad at them.

But I can speculate as to what has made the difference this year in games against big-time teams. Now all the cynics will say Duke is still not as good as it used to be or that Georgetown isn’t on the same level as the top-tier teams in the country, but those people are crazy.

Those wins counted, and they counted for a lot. I think the difference is this fresh offense. It starts with moving the ball up the floor faster, catching teams lagging back on defense and exposing thinner talent pools. Sam Young has really thrived in this new offense, and so have Ronald Ramon and Keith Benjamin (at least lately).

Another key factor has been DeJuan Blair’s aggressiveness inside. I really believe in chemistry and the ability of a player or two to fire up a team. Blair does that with his fearless attitude in the paint and constant smile. He’s an infectious guy, and with one year’s experience under his belt in 2008-09, I think Pitt could very well be a top-five team.

Q: A few people have asked me about Levance Fields returning early after ESPN.com’s Andy Katz reported Fields might be back sooner than originally expected.

A: We’ll find out more today. Fields and Mike Cook officially will speak to the media for the first time since their injuries. Katz said coach Jamie Dixon said that Fields was back in the pool and already rehabilitating his foot. If that were true, it would be great. Fields is a leader, and he would make Pitt suddenly more dangerous.

Q: What would the lineup be if Fields came back earlier than anticipated or before the season ends?

A: See the crystal ball joke above. I know it wasn’t funny, but it got a point across – I have no way of knowing.

But I will guess. I think Benjamin would stay and Gilbert Brown would go back to being the seventh man. Brown has been efficient and solid in his starts, but Benjamin has asserted himself as one of the league’s top scorers. A perimeter with Benjamin, Fields and Ramon would be small, sure, but it would be very good.