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New Pittsburgh attack off to same old start

Nov 27, 2007 - 3:00 PM Boston University (1-4) at No. 11 Pittsburgh (5-0) 7:30 pm EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) - Most programs that have experienced the level of success that Pittsburgh has this decade would not change a thing. But Jamie Dixon wants more.

The 11th-ranked Panthers look to improve to 6-0 for the sixth straight season when they host Boston University on Tuesday.

Dixon, who is in his fifth season as Pittsburgh's coach, became the first coach in school history to guide the Panthers to four consecutive 20-win seasons and four straight 10-plus win campaigns in regular-season play in the Big East.

However, despite never experiencing a double-digit loss season, his teams have yet to make it past the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament. To that end, Pittsburgh is going to a more up-tempo style than in years past while trying to maintain the tough rebounding and physical play that has helped put the program in such high regard.

Two juniors, forward Sam Young (19.0 points per game) and guard Levance Fields (5.4 assists per game) have helped the team transition to the new style. Young scored 20 points and Fields had 15 points and seven assists in the Panthers' 92-45 over Buffalo on Friday.

Boston, which was picked by the America East Conference coaches to win the league, has lost four in a row, including a 70-47 loss at Marshall on Sunday. It hopes to welcome back leading-scorer Corey Lowe, who missed the Marshall game due to personal reasons.