With Fields healthy, Pitt looks to survive weekend

When the preseason rankings came out, it was almost a consensus that in order for the Pitt… When the preseason rankings came out, it was almost a consensus that in order for the Pitt basketball team to hold its spot as a legitimate title contender, Levance Fields was going to need to be healthy.’ After Fields recovered from a foot infection’ that kept him off the court, many expected him to struggle at the onset of the season. Fields leads the team into action this weekend when Pitt hosts the first two games of the Legends Classic Tournament. The Panthers face the Akron Zips tonight and play Indiana University of Pennsylvania tomorrow.’ Fields has come out of the gates on fire, registering his first career double-double with a career-high 12 assists against Miami University on Monday night in a 82-53 victory. After two games, Fields is carrying a 20-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, first in the country in that category. Freshman forward Nasir Robinson recognizes the importance of having Fields around. ‘He’s our leader out there,’ said Robinson, who admitted that Fields has had a profound impact on the development of his game. Pitt will be without sophomore swingman Gilbert Brown, as coach Jamie Dixon ruled him out of both games this weekend. Brown continues to nurse a stress fracture in his left foot. The Zips are coming off a very productive campaign from last year, when they made the NIT, beating Florida State in the first round before losing to Massachusetts in the second. Akron enters today’s game with a 2-0 record, defeating Canisius in its opener last Saturday, and Winthrop, an NCAA Tournament team from last year, on Tuesday.’ While Pitt has been efficient on the offensive side of the ball in its first two games, it’s going to have to continue to execute against an Akron team that prides itself on defensive intensity.’ The Zips held Winthrop to only 14 points in the paint and forced 17 turnovers in their game on Tuesday. Akron currently holds a plus-15 turnover margin versus its opponents. The Panthers will have to focus on attacking the boards throughout the game, as Akron has been outrebounded by its opponents by 16 through the first two games, while the Panthers are currently outrebounding their opponents by 18. In Monday’s game, the Panthers did a poor job of controlling the boards in the first half, allowing Miami to keep the score close for the first 20 minutes.’ ‘ ‘ The Zips come into the battle with three players averaging double figures in scoring.’ Junior guard Darryl Roberts is leading the team in scoring at 13.5 points per game. Forward Chris McKnight, who will most likely be matched up against DeJuan Blair, is averaging 11 points and five rebounds through the first two games.’ Nate Linhart, a 6-feet-8-inch senior forward, is averaging 10.5 points and eight rebounds, and he will be Pitt’s main concern to keep off the glass. Pitt will counter, however, with its own version of ‘the big three.’ Sam Young paces the team in scoring at 14.5 points per game, while Blair and Fields both average 13.5 points per game. Fields is averaging 10 assists, and Blair is averaging 11 rebounds a game.’ Pitt will continue to look for shooting guard Jermaine Dixon to keep up his outstanding play in the absence of Brown. Dixon is the fourth player on the team averaging in double figures, at 10 points per game.’ In Saturday’s game, the Panthers will face off against Division II opponent IUP. This matchup was originally scheduled to be an exhibition game but was moved to a regular season contest. The Crimson Hawks come into the contest with a 2-0 mark, with victories over Thiel and Penn State Fayette. Fields doesn’t think the team has necessarily found the perfect equation for victory despite the two wins, and he thinks this might be the most well-rounded team he’s ever been with. ‘I think we’re really going to show off our depth this year,’ said Fields.