Q: I understand the disappointment that comes with a loss in the NCAA tournament, but when will we start to see the credit that is much deserved to this coaching staff? How many times does it take to prove the critics wrong when all Jamie and his staff have done is be one of the winningest college basketball programs in the country this decade. Pitt has the same winning percentages as Duke, better than UNC, UConn, and UCLA. The only thing the Panthers don't have is the national championship to go with it. But how long did Syracuse have to wait?

Tom, Weirton, W.Va.

FITTIPALDO: Jim Boeheim became the Syracuse head coach in 1976 and brought the Orange to the Final Four in 1986. He lost in the title game to Indiana that year. Boeheim won his first national championship with Carmelo Anthony in 2003. Your point is well-taken. I spoke with Boeheim about this subject a few years ago at Big East media day. His answer was 'Pitt will keep knocking on the door and eventually get there.' I am parapharsing, but he was convinced that Jamie Dixon was going to lead Pitt to a Final Four. But let's face the facts. With only one returning starter from last season the Final Four was not going to happen this season. Could it happen next year? Or the year after? Perhaps. At the very least, Pitt fans know Dixon will have the Panthers in position to make a run. Whether they take advantage? Well, that's another story.

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