The Pittsburgh Panthers , defending Big East Conference Tournament Champions , came off a 27 – 10 ( 10 – 8 ) record in the 2007 – 08 season which included their seventh straight 20-win season , seventh straight season with 10 league wins in the Big East Conference , and a seventh straight NCAA Tournament appearance . Pitt advanced to the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament , where they lost to Michigan State . That season also marked the seventh time in the last eight seasons that Pitt advanced to the Big East Tournament Championship title game , which tied for the most appearances in league history . Pitt began the season returning three starters , each of its top three scorers , and seven of its top 10 players from the previous year . Pitt found itself ranked among the top 10 teams nationally in most preseason polls and publications . Five newcomers , including one junior college transfer and four freshman , joined Pitt for the 2008 – 09 season
Big East Conference
Big East Conference (1979–2013)
2008–09 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team