2011-2012 Preseason College Basketball Rankings: Pitt Again In Top 25

Call me crazy, but I can never get enough of preseason rankings. They're many times wildly inaccurate, but I love looking ahead to next year.

ESPN and CBS Sports have some early views on next season and here's a chance to see where Pitt stacks up for the 2011-12 season.

Andy Katz of ESPN is first - he's got the Panthers 19th overall:

The Panthers are in a cycle in which they lose three seniors, but then add a strong recruiting class. Ashton Gibbs will likely come to his senses and return rather than stay in the NBA draft. If he does, then Pitt retains one of the more experienced guards in the country and will be just fine. The rest of the crew is more than serviceable and Jamie Dixon's team is always right there in the Big East race.

And then, there's Gary Parrish of CBS Sports. He ranks Pitt a bit higher at 14th (no preview).

I think Parrish is probably a bit closer to where I'd slot Pitt. I'd put the Panthers around 15th without knowing too much about the upcoming teams. The top ten is too high for a team losing three starters, but they've deserved the respect to be ranked after all the times they've been doubted.

It's also worth noting that both Katz and Parrish think Gibbs will be back.