Looking Ahead
By Tony DeFazio

Tyrell Biggs, Levance Fields, Sam Young and DeJuan Blair all likely played their final games for Pitt in last month's epic battle with Villanova. If so, that foursome will be hard, if not impossible, to replace.

Head coach Jamie Dixon and his staff, though, have positioned themselves to do what the elite programs do in these situations: reload.

Pitt won't be Final 4 caliber next season, to be sure. They may not be Top 25 caliber. But their incoming class is excellent. Several freshmen will be in the rotation from the get-go. Dante Taylor, McDonald's All-American, will be the starter at the four-spot from the moment he walks onto campus. Talib Zanna will have a chance to be in the mix at either post position, and Lamar Patterson and J.R. Richardson will compete for time.

In addition to the aforementioned freshmen, redshirts Travon Woodall and Dwight Miller will battle for time next year. Woodall will compete with Ashton Gibbs for the starting point guard job, and Miller will play in the post.

Expect Gil Brown and Nas Robinson to see increased minutes as well, and Gary McGhee, assuming he returns, will simply have to get it done in some capacity.

While there are plenty of holes to fill, Pitt can still maintain a level of production that will keep them on pace to get back to the lofty status they attained and delivered on this season. If Pitt can perform in the top half of the Big East and earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament next season, it will be a very successful campaign.

With all the young talent on its way, and with New Jersey point guard Isiah Epps committed for the following season, there is no reason to think this ride is coming to an end any time soon.