Fields & Co. give Pittsburgh faithful a reason for optimism

After injuries plagued the roster last season, Levance Fields and the Pittsburgh Panthers "want to take it to the next level this year." Memphis: With team's core gone, 'rejuvenated' Calipari wonders who'll fill the void This story is from USA TODAY's College Basketball preview edition. In it, we take an early look at the season with our Elite to Beat, eight teams that could cut down the nets in Detroit, as well as team and conference reports from across the country. Click here to order a copy. Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon recalls 2007-08 as, "almost like three seasons in one." There were the Panthers before the injuries, the Panthers dealing with injuries and the Panthers after one of their key players returned from injury. "We almost had to revamp the whole team," Dixon says. Last December could have been remembered as the... [read full story]