The Pitt men’s basketball team finished fourth in the Big East coaches’ poll and Ashton… The Pitt men’s basketball team finished fourth in the Big East coaches’ poll and Ashton Gibbs was elected the Preseason Player of the Year at the Big East Conference’s media day in New York yesterday.

It is only the fifth time in school history that a Pitt men’s basketball team member has received the honor.

The award, the recipient of which is selected by the league’s head coaches, is a testament to the season Gibbs had last year.

Gibbs was voted to the All-Big East First Team last season and led the team with 16.8 points per game. He was also ranked third nationally in 3-point shooting percentage (49.0) and led the Big East in 3-point field goals made (102). He also finished second in free-throw percentage (88.9). His outstanding season led him to become the 39th player in school history to score 1,000 points in his career. Other — now former — Panthers who have garnered the distinction include Aaron Gray (2006-2007), Brandin Knight (2002-2003), Jerome Lane (1987-1988) and Charles Smith (1986-1987).

In addition to voting for Preseason Player of the Year, the conference’s head coaches also voted in the preseason coaches’ poll. They selected the Big East Preseason All-Big East Team and elected the Connecticut Huskies and the Syracuse Orange as co-favorites to win the 2011-2012 Big East Championship.

Both teams finished with 209 points, but the Huskies finished with seven first-place votes whereas the Orange finished with five.

The Panthers finished fourth in voting, with one first-place vote and 188 points. Pitt was 13 points shy of third place, which was taken by Louisville. The Cardinals earned three first-place votes and 201 points.

The All-Big East First and Second Teams featured only one Panther, Gibbs, and had the most representatives from Connecticut (2) and Syracuse (2).

The Panthers will return two starters for the 2011-2012 season, Ashton Gibbs and Nasir Robinson, and seven of its top-10 letterwinners from the defending Big East Championship squad.