Pitt wins second Big East title in five years

Check out Photo Editor Pete Madia’s slideshow of the Panthers win in the Big East championship… Check out Photo Editor Pete Madia’s slideshow of the Panthers win in the Big East championship game.

NEW YORK — Who said anything about a lost season? After a devastating knee injury knocked Pitt star Mike Cook out for the season and a broken foot sidelined Pitt point guard Levance Fields for two months, Pitt stumbled in the early winter months of this 2007-08 college basketball season. Without Cook and Fields, Pitt sputtered from its fast 11-1 start to a disappointing 22-9. Critics and fans alike questioned the postseason potential for the down-and-out Panthers. But a resurgence came at the perfect time. Pitt won four games in a row to win the Big East tournament championship on Saturday, defeating top-seeded Georgetown, 74-65, at Madison Square Garden. The Panthers are only the second team in Big East history to capture the title after playing four contests. “I feel like I just won a million dollars,” said Pitt forward Sam Young, who earned tournament MVP. “I’ve always felt we were capable of beating anybody we play,” added Pitt coach Jamie Dixon. “We’ve dealt with harder things than playing four games in four days this year.” Despite flagrantly poor free-throw shooting, Pitt (26-9) secured its second Big East championship in five years and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers were 22 of 44 from the foul line, but the poor foul shooting was lost in the shuffle of another physically dominating performance by Pitt. Five players scored in double figures, the Panthers outrebounded Georgetown, 41-29, and every Georgetown punch was met with a harder Pitt blow. Young had 16 points, six rebounds and three blocks to cap off a big-time tournament for the 6-foot-6 forward. Young averaged 20 points, seven rebounds and 2.5 blocks in four games. Early in the game, Young established his presence. With 17 minutes to play in the first half, he rose above a crowd of players to swat 7-2 Georgetown center Roy Hibbert’s layup. At the end of the game, Young did it again, this time emphatically batting away a Georgetown attempt to slice into Pitt’s lead with 55 seconds left. That block sealed the game. Young’s defensive effort earned as much praise as his offensive effort, and the Clinton, Md., native’s star shone the brightest in the Big Apple. “Sam’s been getting better and better,” Dixon said. “I’m just more proud of how he has become a leader, and I think it’s a great testament to his teamwork and willingness to take on extra and want to do more. I can’t say enough about Sam and how he has played.” One of Pitt’s five New York City natives, Ronald Ramon, led Pitt with 17 points. The 6-1 senior nabbed five rebounds and made seven of his 10 foul shots late in the contest to seal the victory. After the game, Ramon could not stop smiling. Fields, from the Bronx, stood next to Ramon, crying. Fields, who made the all-tournament team, had 10 points, six assists and five rebounds. Fields averaged 11.2 points, 5.5 assists and four rebounds in Pitt’s four wins. Freshman center DeJuan Blair added 10 points and 10 rebounds. The 6-7 Pittsburgher emerged as a tenacious offensive rebounder and limited Hibbert’s breakout ability. It was an emotional victory for Ramon, Fields and company. The Panthers will now enter the NCAA Tournament field on a high, winning seven of their final eight contests prior to the Tournament. “I’m happy that we were able to do this,” Young said. “I’m just glad I can help send them on with memories like this. [This win] will give us a lot of motivation going in. Like coach [Dixon] said, we’re playing our best basketball right now.” The NCAA Tournament field will be announced tomorrow night at 6 p.m. on CBS.