Web Only: Jeff Greer’s Q’A

There are two grossly overrated teams in the Big East – Marquette and Villanova. Both keep… There are two grossly overrated teams in the Big East – Marquette and Villanova. Both keep losing on the road.

Marquette is 1-3 in true road games, meaning games actually played at an opponent’s home gym. Villanova is 3-5 in the Big East, with four of its five losses on the road. Villanova got 10 nonconference wins against 10 nonconference chump teams.

So it’s good Pitt defeated Villanova this time around. The first loss looked worse and worse as the season moved along. But even in its win, Pitt has some questions to answer before its trip to Connecticut on Saturday.

Boy, that game will be fun.

First, Pitt committed 17 turnovers, which is too many. Second, Sam Young was 5 for 12 from the field, making him 9 of 29 in his past two games. Third, the Panthers only got eight points from their best wing scorer, Keith Benjamin, who was 3 for 10.

But the Panthers still won a very important game. This game meant a few things. It was critical to recover from the Rutgers loss. It was important to get Tyrell Biggs going offensively. And it was imperative that Pitt maintained its status, record-wise, among the top teams in the conference.

Each clawing win, each tough-and-tumble battle draws Levance Fields’ much-anticipated return closer and closer. Each win until Fields comes back is huge.

I got multiple questions from Zack in South Oakland, who was at the Pitt-Villanova game on Wednesday and raced home to e-mail me postgame. I also got a question from Nick in Southeast Oakland. We’ll take Zack’s first because those questions pertain to the Pitt-Villanova game.

Q: When the second half started against Villanova, Pitt came out tentatively, especially DeJuan Blair. Pitt seemed fearful of picking up fouls, especially Blair, who had two at the half. Coincidentally, that’s when Villanova had its strongest stretch. Can Pitt avoid this in the games coming up?

A: From the questions Q’A has received over the past few weeks, I can deduct that Pitt students are extremely worried about DeJuan Blair’s ability to stay out of foul trouble.

After all, the aggressive Big Fella wants to have his paws on everything. Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said Monday that foul trouble will always be there for big men. He said Blair just has to keep learning.

But, Zack, it’s hard for a kid to avoid foul trouble when his entire game is based on that no-fear, hustle-hard attitude. Blair isn’t just a big-time freshman, he’s a big-time player. He pours his heart into everything he does on the floor.

So I guess my answer is this: Pitt might not want to avoid this. It sounds crazy at first glance, but “avoiding” foul trouble can’t occupy the Panthers’ game plan. That would only take away from how hard they play, and nobody plays harder than Blair and his teammates.

Q: When Ronald Ramon got into some rare foul trouble against Villanova, Benjamin and Brad Wanamaker were at best shaky handling the ball, seemingly making many mistakes. Gilbert Brown wasn’t far behind. Does Ramon need to play 35 minutes a night for Pitt to avoid turnovers?

A: First of all, Pitt did win, 69-57, against Villanova on Wednesday. I just thought that warranted mention.

Look, everywhere you turn, there are going to be issues. Not only is Pitt playing with eight scholarship players, but it is also playing in the Big East. Big East teams are capable of exploiting flaws every once in a while.

Does Ramon need to play 35 minutes a night? Probably. But every starter has to play a lot of minutes. There is only one point guard active on the roster. This stuff will happen.

Dixon said Fields has a CT scan scheduled sometime in the next two weeks to check on the broken bone in his foot. Fields said he feels good about the process. It looks like he will be able to come back at some point and play.

In the meantime, Ramon needs to play as much as possible. If he has foul trouble, Pitt has to bite the bullet like my AAU coach every time he played me in games.

Q: When did Fields and women’s hoops starter Marcedes Walker start dating?

A: I don’t know. That’s not really any of our business. But that’s a nice power couple.

Q: What is the progress of recruiting since the injuries? Have they raised or lowered interest in the program?

A: The recruiting was already done by the time the injuries started denting the Panthers.

Pitt landed beastly 6-foot-5 wing Nasir Robinson from Philly. Robinson will play right away and can bang down low with the big guys. He’s a dynamite slasher and great at defending and rebounding. His body, for a freshman, is scary.

A pair of New Jersey guards, Travon Woodall and Ashton Gibbs, will also help back up Fields, Brown and Wanamaker next season. Woodall has good court vision and is a very good defender. Gibbs is a good scorer.

Dwight Miller is the wild card in this group of recruits. At 6-foot-8, 220 pounds, Miller has only played three years of organized basketball. He is a freak athletic. And don’t worry about the lack of experience – Young didn’t start playing until ninth grade.

Q: How can I contact Q’A with a question?

A: Glad you asked. Send your questions to jag59@pitt.edu.