For a team that is faced with the daunting task of living up to a top-five ranking, the Pitt Panthers likely will begin the season tomorrow with a guard tandem that doesn't have any minutes of Division I experience.

It's not the way coach Jamie Dixon envisioned his season starting, but it could be reality because of the nagging left foot injury to Levance Fields.

Freshman Ashton Gibbs is expected to start in place of Fields at point guard and junior-college transfer Jermaine Dixon will start at shooting guard when the Panthers play host to Fairleigh Dickinson at 7 p.m.

"I didn't expect it," said Gibbs, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound Scotch Plains, N.J., native who played in high school at Seton Hall Prep. "It's a tremendous honor. I've worked hard. I improved a lot. The coaches did a great job of boosting my confidence and telling me I can play on this level."

For the record, the head coach said Fields' status won't be determined until tomorrow morning. But given the fact that Fields did not play in Pitt's two exhibition games and continues to be limited in his practice time -- he is following a schedule of two days of practice then one day off per doctor's orders -- it is looking as if Gibbs will be called on to step in for Pitt's senior leader.

If he does start, Gibbs will be the third freshman in five years to start his first game at point guard for the Panthers. Fields started his first game against Saint Peter's in 2005 and Ronald Ramon did the same against Howard in '04.

Gibbs came to Pitt known for his outside shooting prowess. He was expected to be one of Pitt's top outside shooters and a contender for playing time at shooting guard. But with Fields' injury and an early injury to fellow freshman Travon Woodall that forced him to miss the first week of practice, Gibbs grabbed the point guard duties and never let go.

Gibbs said it hasn't been difficult adjusting his game.

"I think I'm more of a pass-first type of player now," he said. "It wasn't difficult. In high school, my coach was an unselfish coach. He told us to make the extra pass. And that's what coach Dixon stresses out here and that's what I do. But at the same time if I have an open shot I'm going to take it and try to knock it down."

Gibbs has won over his older teammates with his no-frills style. He had one turnover in Pitt's two exhibition games, exhibits the same type of play in practice and does not appear to be awed of his circumstance.

"He's been playing shooting guard most of his life and to make the transition to point guard is pretty big," Jermaine Dixon said. "It's a tough thing to do to lead a team. But he's been pretty solid. He doesn't turn the ball over on offense and he makes open shots."

Jamie Dixon does not seem overly concerned with the prospect of starting a backcourt duo of Gibbs and Dixon. He has been impressed with the way all of the newcomers have adapted to the college game.

"I have said all along these young guys have picked up things very well," Jamie Dixon said. "That's the thing that's been very impressive."

NOTES -- Injured forward Gilbert Brown (stress fracture in left foot) did some running and shooting this week but did not participate in contact drills. Dixon said he won't know until tomorrow whether Brown will be able to play. ... Dixon said that he is strongly considering a redshirt for freshman forward Dwight Miller, who has been limited since September with a bruised heel. ... A limited number of tickets are available for tomorrow's game. Tickets can be purchased by calling 412-648-7488. ... The Big East tournament championship banner will be put in place in a ceremony before or during the game. ... The Nov. 22 game against IUP has been changed to a 4 p.m. tip to accommodate fans that want to watch the Pitt football game later that night. The game was originally scheduled for 7 p.m., but the football game against Cincinnati was picked up by ESPN2 and will start at 7:15 p.m.