Big East title isn’t the big prize for No. 2 Pitt

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Big East tournament has always been a big deal for Pitt — perhaps too big a deal.

Pitt traditionally does well in New York, only to fade fast in the NCAA tournament. With their NCAA seeding not likely to be significantly altered by this week’s Big East tournament, the second-ranked Panthers could be excused for looking ahead.

Maybe they should, given they have averaged 27 wins since 2001-02 and played in seven Big East title games in eight seasons, yet they haven’t played in an NCAA regional final since 1974. Their one and only Final Four appearance came 68 years ago.

DeJuan Blair, who grew up in Pittsburgh and is very aware of the Panthers’ long string of NCAA disappointments, hung up a Detroit Final Four poster in his room months ago.

“I’m just hoping to be there, to get our team there, from Pittsburgh,” the All-Big East first-team player said. “Like I’ve been saying, the Steelers won the [February 2005] Super Bowl in Detroit, so why can’t we win there? We’re hot, but we haven’t always played to our ability. If we play to our ability, the sky’s the limit. It’s going to be something to see.”

These Panthers are more accomplished offensively than their immediate predecessors, with Sam Young (18.8 points), Blair (15.6) and point guard Levance Fields (10.9) all able to get important baskets when necessary. Young is coming off one of the best games by any Pitt player of any era, a 31-point effort in a 70-60 win over Connecticut on Saturday.

“They’re going to be a tough out in the tournament,” UConn coach Jim Calhoun said. “Pitt has all the components of a national championship-caliber team.”

By finishing second during the Big East regular season, the Panthers earned a double bye and won’t play in the tournament at Madison Square Garden until Thursday.