Fields Finding His Way Back at Pitt; Panthers Making a Home in New Jersey

Here’s my game story from last night when No. 4 Pitt downed Washington STate, 57-43, to win the Legends Classic. Brooklyn native Levance Fields had 14 points but is still rounding into shape, so to speak.

If you don’t think Pittsburgh has a recruiting pipeline into New Jersey, consider this:

**The Panthers practiced at St. Anthony Saturday during their stay for the Legends Classic. Think that helps with recruiting a player like St. Anthony senior Dominic Cheek?

“It worked out good,” Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said of the practice. “It was closer to the hotel [in Jersey City]. We always try to do that. We practice at the Gauchos Gym when we’re in New York. We’ve practiced at St. Benedicts [in Newark].”

He added: “Coach [Bob] Hurley and I talk all the time. He watched the game tonight on TV.”

**Speaking of Coach Hurley, one of his former players, Rutgers freshman Mike Rosario, arrived at halftime to of the Washington State game.

**Players and coaches from St. Anthony, St. Benedict’s, Don Bosco Prep and Seton Hall Prep were here at the Prudential Center on Friday night when Pitt beat Texas Tech.

**As I already wrote in an earlier story, the Panthers feature two freshmen from Jersey, Travon Woodall of St. Anthony and Ashton Gibbs of Seton Hall Prep. St. Benedict’s senior Lamar Patterson has committed to the Panthers for next year.

**Pitt has no natural recruiting base, making Jersey an appealing option. The last Pittsburgh-area player to join the team is DeJuan Blair.