The Pittsburgh Panthers finished the 2010–11 season as Big East Regular Season Champions with 28-6, 15-3. They received a number 1 seed in the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, but were upset by eventual national runner-up Butler in the third round. Finishing at No. 12 in the final Coaches' Poll, Pitt returns two starters, including 2011–12 Big East Pre-season Player of the Year, Ashton Gibbs, as well as two of its top four scores, 41% of its scoring, and 45% of its rebounding. Four freshman joint the team, including McDonald's High School All-AmericanKhem Birch. At the Big East Conference media day on October 19, 2011, Pitt was selected by a vote of the league's coaches to finish fourth in the Big East Conference receiving one first place votes. Pitt guard Ashton Gibbs received preseason Player of the Year and first-team all-conference selections. The Panthers are ranked 11th in the nation in the preseason USA Today Coaches' Poll.
Coaching staff
Recruiting
2011 Pitt Recruiting Class Signees.
Roster
2011–12 Pitt Panthers basketball roster
Note: Freshman Khem Birch, at the time Pitt's starting center, left the team on December 16.
Schedule
Pitt's 2011–12 schedule. !colspan=12 style="background:#091C44; color:#CEC499;" | Scrimmage !colspan=12 style="background:#091C44; color:#CEC499;" | Exhibition !colspan=12 style="background:#091C44; color:#CEC499;" | Regular season !colspan=12 style="background:#091C44; color:#CEC499;" | Big East Regular Season !colspan=12 style="background:#091C44; color:#CEC499;" | 2012 Big East Tournament !colspan=12 style="background:#091C44; color:#CEC499;" | 2012 College Basketball Invitational
Rankings
Poll
Pre
Wk 1
Wk 2
Wk 3
Wk 4
Wk 5
Wk 6
Wk 7
Wk 8
Wk 9
Wk 10
Wk 11
Wk 12
Wk 13
Wk 14
Wk 15
Wk 16
Wk 17
Wk 18
Final
AP
10
9
17
17
15
15
15
22
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n/a
Coaches
11
9
16
17
14
14
13
22
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Season notes and accomplishments
Pitt won the 2011 Philly Hoops Group Classic title with a perfect 4-0 record.
Pitt lost to 2 unraked non-conference teams at home, for the 1st time in one season. They only had one previous home non-conference loss at the Peterson Events Center.
Freshman Khem Birch, at the time Pitt's starting center, left the team on December 16.
Starting point guard Tray Woodall suffered a groin/abdominal injury during the Duquesne game on November 30 and did not return until the Notre Dame game on Tuesday, December 27. During the Notre Dame game he reaggravated his injury and did not reappear until the Louisville game on January 21.
For the first time under head coach Jamie Dixon, the Pitt basketball team lost over three games in a row, eventually losing a total of eight straight games, its longest losing streak in 18 years. Also, for first time ever, Pitt opened its Big East Conference season with seven straight loses.
