Pitt Projected to Finish 5th at Big East Media Day

Pitt fans recently have seen Pitt projected to finish in the top three for the past four seasons. For the first time since 2007, Pitt is projected to finish in the bottom half of the Big East.

The media members voted and Pitt was projected to finish 5th in the Big East this season. Louisville was the overwhelming favorite, getting 24 of the 28 1st place votes. USF grabbed the other four and is projected 2nd. After the top two are Rutgers and Cincinnati. Connecticut, Syracuse, and Temple round out the remaining teams.

It's a little surprising that Pitt was projected to finish so low.

I would have figured Pitt to be projected for a top half finish. But a third coach in as many seasons and a huge talent loss on defense was enough to give media members some concern heading into the 2012 season. As we all know, Pitt likely will not finish 5th, just as there's no chance USF actually meets expectations and finishes 2nd. The Panthers do get two of the teams ahead of them at home (Louisville and Rutgers), but must go on the road for the other two (USF and Cincinnati)

In the end, it's the Big East. Outside of maybe Temple, any of the teams can easily win the conference. The conference is fairly even across the board, as we all know so well, and could provide the perfect springboard into the ACC if Pitt can have a strong season. Only another 31 days until we find out for ourselves how good this Pitt team can be.

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