In its first Big East Conference game of the season, Pitt went to Villanova and lost by one point. Twenty-four days later in its eighth Big East game, Pitt beat Villanova by 12 points at the Petersen Events Center.

Seems like a fine level of improvement for the Panthers, who defeated the Wildcats last night, 69-57.

But is it?

Despite the loss at Villanova, the game was considered a positive for the Panthers, coming as it did in a hostile environment against a ranked team that was considered among the elite of the conference. But a lot has happened to Villanova since that game. And a lot has happened to Pitt.

A victory against Villanova is no longer anything special. The Wildcats have lost three games in a row, all by double-digit margins, and are 3-5 in the Big East. They're no longer ranked and, based on their performance last night, no longer a threat to do anything in conference play.

Consequently, it's hard to put a precise meaning on Pitt's victory. That's particularly true because despite the final score and despite high praise from coach Jamie Dixon, Pitt struggled almost as much as Villanova for most of the game.

Villanova made only 27 percent of its shots in the first half (9 of 34) and was outrebounded, 27-16, but trailed only by six after 20 minutes. As poorly as the Wildcats played, the Panthers could not take advantage. That probably had something to do with the whopping 12 turnovers they committed.

So after a below-average first 20 minutes, the Panthers came out and played worse for the first eight minutes of the second half, allowing Villanova to take a one-point lead, 38-37.

For the remainder of the game, however, Pitt was excellent, opening leads of 18 points and playing with a flair they've often shown in the past.

But 12 good minutes against a struggling opponent is not a sign of excellence. So where does this leave the Panthers?

Does their play in the final 12 minutes indicate they are reverting to the form that allowed them to shock seventh-ranked Georgetown Jan. 14? Or does their otherwise ordinary play indicate they are ripe for the kind of upsets that took them down at Cincinnati Jan. 19 and at home to lowly Rutgers Saturday?

Villanova coach Jay Wright, who has had a long and successful Big East run, said he liked what he saw of the Panthers, who continue to play without starters Levance Fields and Mike Cook.

"The last time we played them they were finding their way," Wright said. "I don't think [because of the injuries] everyone was comfortable. But [Keith] Benjamin has stepped up as a big-time two [guard]. Ronald Ramon is running the show. He makes it look like Levance Fields never was here."

Benjamin in particular continues to excel. He has made a seamless transition from role player to highly valuable starter. With Ramon in foul trouble, he handled the point for part of the game and came away with seven assists and two turnovers.

Dixon, as is often the case after any win, was highly elated.

"I'm proud of the way our guys played all through the night. We rebounded, we held them to under 40 percent [shooting]. We defended well. We got after it. We had very good play from all eight of our guys."

When Pitt lost Cook and Fields before the Big East season began, no one gave them a chance of contending for the league title, and there were questions if they could win the nine conference games they likely would need to make the NCAA tournament.

They've answered some of those questions with a 5-3 record in the conference, which is good enough for a tie for third place.

"I think it's a place no one thought we be at this point," said Dixon, "and I'm pretty proud."

But the remaining 10 games offer some difficult challenges. Nine wins definitely look achievable, but it won't be easy. The Panthers have a tough road schedule, beginning Saturday at Connecticut. The Huskies are on a roll with consecutive wins against Marquette, Cincinnati, Indiana and Louisville and will be very difficult to beat.

The Panthers also must play on the road at Marquette, Notre Dame, Syracuse and West Virginia. There's a good chance they'll be the underdog in all those games.

That makes the remaining home games all important, but, even those, with the exception of Providence, are not easy. The other home games are against West Virginia, which was buried last night by Cincinnati, Louisville, Cincinnati and DePaul.

Fields will be back for perhaps as many as six of those games and, once back in game shape, he'll provide a major boost.

The Panthers need to build on those final 12 minutes against Villanova. If they can do that, even if they lose at Connecticut, their season is headed for success.