The 2008-09 Panthers headed into Big East play with a spotless 12-0 record and #3 national ranking. The December 29 poll had UNC at #1 and UConn at #2 as had been the case all season. It would be short-lived as UConn fell to #11 Georgetown at home 74-63 that night in the Big East opener for both teams.
Pitt meanwhile took care of business by defeating Rutgers 78-72 on December 31 and that same Georgetown team easily in their own building 70-54 on January 3. Pitt would move to number two where they had been 16 times before.