Pitt Wins Big East Championship

The Pitt men’s basketball team continued its string of victories, trouncing Oral Roberts University 82-63 in Denver on March 20. The win follows the Panthers’ four victories in four days when they claimed the school’s second Big East Tournament championship: 74-65, Georgetown, March 15; 68-61, Marquette, March 14; 76-69, Louisville, March 13; and 70-64, Cincinnati, March 12. Those four victories sent the Panthers into the NCAA Tournament for the seventh straight year. Junior Sam Young (top) was named the Big East Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and junior Levance Fields was awarded All-Tournament honors.

Seniors Ronald Ramon, Mike Cook, and Keith Benjamin celebrate the Big East Championship victory.

Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg, upper left, celebrates the Panthers’ Big East Championship victory with the team and its coaches. In the back row, Pitt Athletics Director Steve Pederson stands to Nordenberg’s left and next to Panther Coach Jamie Dixon.

(All photos: Harry Bloomberg)