‘ ‘ ‘ While it can be argued that Pitt men’s basketball team is vastly improved from a year… ‘ ‘ ‘ While it can be argued that Pitt men’s basketball team is vastly improved from a year ago, the same debate exists for Saturday’s opponent. At this point last year, Cincinnati was a mediocre basketball team at 12-12, struggling to break a .500 winning percentage in the conference. This season, a 17-8 record has the Bearcats thinking March. ‘ ‘ ‘ The No. 4 Panthers (22-2, 9-2 Big East) face off against the Bearcats (17-8, 7-5 Big East) Saturday at the Petersen Events center at 4 p.m. The last time the two teams met, Pitt won 70-64 in last year’s Big East tournament despite Cincinnati guard Deonta Vaughn’s explosive 30-point effort. ‘ ‘ ‘ After some early disappointing losses for Cincinnati, the team is on a tear, winning five of six, including two wins over Georgetown and one over Notre Dame. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘There’s no question that this team is playing well,’ said Pitt coach Jamie Dixon. ‘[Cincinnati] is an NCAA Tournament team.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt sophomore center DeJuan Blair also recognizes Cincinnati’s recent success. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘They’ve won five of six, they’re playing really good right now,’ said Blair. ‘I think they’re at their peak.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ The one thing missing from the Bearcats’ tournament resume, however, is a win over an elite team. ‘ ‘ ‘ This time around, Pitt’s defensive schemes will likely concentrate on containing Vaughn. He leads the team in scoring this season with 16 points per game. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt guard Jermaine Dixon should be handed the task of shutting down Vaughn, but with the junior averaging 35 minutes per game, other players will need to step up to the challenge. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘I expect Jermaine to be on him, but [Vaughn] plays 40 minutes, so he’s going to have other guys on him,’ said Jamie Dixon. ‘Bradley [Wanamaker] will guard him, Levance [Fields] will also guard him.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Dixon relishes the opportunity to guard an elite player in Vaughn. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘I like to try to play the toughest guy,’ said Dixon. ‘If [coach Dixon] puts me on him, I’ll be ready.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ One of the reasons for the Bearcats’ success this year has been the play of freshman forward Yancy Gates. Gates is second on the team in scoring, averaging 10.7 points and 6.2 rebounds a contest. ‘ ‘ ‘ Gates’ frontcourt teammate Mike Williams adds another piece to a new-look Cincinnati squad. ‘ ‘ ‘ Williams, a highly touted Alabama recruit coming out of high school, was a first-team McDonald’s All-American his senior year and the No. 18-rated prospect in his class by theinsiderhoops.com. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ He signed with Texas, but transferred to Cincinnati after his freshman season because of a lack of playing time and had to sit out the next season by rule. ‘ ‘ ‘ Williams looked at the 2007-08 season as his chance to finally play, but he tore his Achilles tendon in preseason workouts, causing him miss his second consecutive year. ‘ ‘ ‘ Finally, he’s healthy and making the most of it. He is currently third on the team in scoring at 9.7 points per game. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘