Inside The Big East: Pitt

Pitt guard Ashton Gibbs passed on NBA draft to lead Panthers into his senior season. (Photo courtesy of NBC Sports)

After taking a look at what to expect from Jay Wright and Villanova on the Main Line, next up is the other Big East school in the Keystone State.

Pittsburgh Panthers (2010-11 Record: 28-6, 15-3 Big East)
Head Coach: Jamie Dixon (9th season, 216-60)

Returning Starters: G Ashton Gibbs (6-2 Sr., 16.8 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 47% FG, 49% 3pt, 89% FT, 2.8 APG)
F Nasir Robinson (6-5 Sr., 9.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 55% FG, 53% FT, 1.3 APG)
Other Key Returning Players: G Travon Woodall (5-11 Jr., 6.4 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 36% FG, 73% FT, 3.4 APG)
F Dante Taylor (6-9 Jr., 5.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 62% FG, 56% FT)
F J.J. Moore (6-6 So., 3.7 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 44% FG, 70% FT)
F Talib Zanna (6-9 So., 3.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 56% FG, 48% FT)

Key Losses: G Brad Wanamaker (11.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 45% FG, 33% 3pt, 76% FT, 5.1 APG, 1.4 SPG)
F Gilbert Brown (11.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 46% FG, 41% 3pt, 79% FT, 2.7 APG)
C Gary McGhee (6.9 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 57% FG, 49% FT, 1.3 BPG)

Every year for the Pittsburgh Panthers, it's been the same old story; much to the chagrin of their rabid fan base. Pitt sets the Big East and nation on fire with a stellar regular season record and a Top 10 ranking throughout most of the year, yet somehow cannot close the deal in the NCAA Tournament. Last season provided more of the frustrating status quo for the Oakland Zoo, when the Panthers were defeated in the round of 32 on a last-second comeback by eventual national runner-up Butler. Head coach Jamie Dixon now heads into his ninth season as Ben Howland's successor in the Steel City; but still has just one trip to the Elite Eight on his ledger, and will look to guide the reigning regular season champions of the Big East through the gladiator pit once again this season as his star guard returns for his final season.

Ashton Gibbs entered his name into the NBA draft following Pitt's shocking NCAA Tournament exit last season, but preserved his eligibility by not signing with an agent and withdrawing before the final deadline. Now a senior, the sharpshooting Gibbs will anchor a Pitt backcourt that will include the full-time presence of junior point guard Travon Woodall in the starting lineup. A product of Bob Hurley's perennial powerhouse program at St. Anthony's in Jersey City, Woodall has the unenviable task of replacing the former Mr. Everything for the Panthers, as he takes over for the now-graduated Brad Wanamaker.

Swingman Gilbert Brown and big man Gary McGhee also completed their fourth years last season; and will be replaced by sophomores J.J. Moore and Talib Zanna, with the latter of the two set to defy expectations and surprise a lot of Big East aficionados this season. One of the biggest contributors for Pitt during the first month of the season last year, Zanna's production declined during conference play; but the 6-9 power forward is one in the Ben Wallace mold that should see increased opportunities to make his presence known on the defensive glass. Fellow forward Dante Taylor, a Westchester County product, will push Moore for a starting spot; and could also establish himself as a force on the boards if Zanna gets into foul trouble. Senior Nasir Robinson may only stand 6-5, but he is just as much an inside presence as each of the aforementioned Pitt big men are.

After a pair of exhibition games, Pittsburgh opens Dixon's ninth campaign on November 11th by rolling out the red carpet for America East favorite Albany at the Petersen Center. The Panthers' homecourt dominance will get several chances to be extended early in November, with Rider, Long Beach State and LaSalle each making their way into the Oakland Zoo before Pitt heads to the iconic Palestra to square off against Penn in the Philly Hoop Group Classic on the night after Thanksgiving. On November 27th, Pitt will play the first of two consecutive games against intra-city rivals, first hosting Robert Morris at the Petersen Center before facing Duquesne three days later on a neutral court at the Consol Energy Center, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

A rematch with Tennessee as part of the SEC/Big East Challenge is next up for the Panthers, who were defeated at the Consol Energy Center by the Vols last season in a game where Pitt was handed its first loss of the season. A home game against VMI awaits before heading to New York for a December 10th tilt with Oklahoma State at Madison Square Garden. South Carolina State heads to the Petersen Center on December 17th; and Pitt wraps up their nonconference schedule with two home games against Northeast Conference opponents, as St. Francis University and Wagner College coming into the Steel City before the Panthers open Big East play at the Joyce Center on December 27th against Mike Brey and Notre Dame.

Pittsburgh opens 2012 at home when Cincinnati invades the Petersen Center on New Year's Day, with a road trip to DePaul sandwiching a second home game versus Mike Rice and Rutgers. Away games against Marquette and Syracuse serve as the precursor to a three-game homestand that features dates with Louisville, Providence and Georgetown before the Panthers play the front end of a home-and-home series with West Virginia on January 30th in Morgantown in a matchup that will be the latest installment of the Backyard Brawl. Pitt opens February with a home game against Villanova six days removed from their showdown with the Mountaineers.

A two-game road trip starting with the front end of a home-and-home series with USF is next up for the Panthers, followed by a collision with Seton Hall in Newark at the Prudential Center. From there, Pitt wraps up the Backyard Brawl series when West Virginia returns the favor on February 16th at the Petersen Center; and USF will follow suit three days later when the Bulls wrap up their home-and-home series with Pittsburgh.

Rick Pitino and Louisville are the third home-and-home opponents for Pitt, and will welcome the Panthers into the Yum! Center on February 26th. Senior night for Pittsburgh comes on the anniversary of leap year when Steve Lavin and St. John's come into the Petersen Center on February 29th, with Pitt's final regular season game coming on March 3rd in Storrs, Connecticut against Jim Calhoun and reigning national champion Connecticut inside Gampel Pavilion.