It’s always possible that Pitt could have lost their season opener. Kentucky has reminded everyone of that possibility. Still it was far more improbable than anything else. So, Pitt’s 86-63 win over the Farleigh-Dickinson Chessmen Knights was not surprising. Nor was heavy use of the Pitt bench.

The big story was Levance Fields starting and playing well.

Fields reported no soreness in his foot, which was buoyed by a shoe insert and wrapped carefully, although he did favor it on a few (of many) transition plays in the game. But for the most part, Fields was thoroughly involved in a dynamic Panthers’ offense in his 25 minutes. He scored 15 points, had eight assists and no turnovers.

“I played like I played before I got hurt,” Fields said.

But he isn’t fully recovered, and that three-minute stint in the second half proved that he wants some more time. His conditioning, admittedly, isn’t nearly enough to compete against Big East bodies. Fields goes full in one practice, the less-than-full the next. He said he’ll continue that for a few weeks, so he needed all the familiarity in real time he could get.

Either way, Fields’ story is a rather remarkable one. That he’s playing at a high level, even if it isn’t his highest, is a testament to his off-the-court work ethic combined with his drive to be on the court.

“He’s had limited activity for 11 months,” Dixon said. “I’ve never been around anybody like that”

The way Pitt play impressed the Knights’ head coach as he was effusive in praise.

“I’ve been the head coach at Fairleigh Dickinson for 25 years,” Knights coach Tom Green said. “We play three or four big-time teams every year and we’ve been to the NCAA tournament four times. I’ve never seen a team play man-to-man defense the way Pittsburgh does it. Jamie’s defense is the best defense I’ve ever coached against. Ever. It’s incredible.”

…

“That’s a team looked like it was in midseason form,” Green said. “I have a vote in the coaches’ poll. I voted them No. 2 behind North Carolina. I’m going to keep voting them No. 2 until I see someone better.”

FDU’s next opponent is out in Pullman — the Washington State Cougars. You do have to love a crusty, old coach who apparently has seen everything.

On Levance Fields:

“We were expecting him. Probable means you’ll see him, doubtful means he’ll play a few minutes, and if he’s dead, you’ll see him off the bench. He’s a tough nut. He’s quick. He looks like he should be playing linebacker for someone, but he looks very sharp.”

Of course, I’m starting to wonder of Coach Dixon is taking a page from the Bill Belichik handbook on injuries. Prior to the game, it was all about how Fields appeared behind schedule and just wasn’t coming along. There was speculation that maybe Coach Dixon was pissed about his progress or lack of progress. Then he comes out and plays more than 20 minutes.

So, what to make of Gilbert Brown’s status in that light?

Redshirt sophomore Gilbert Brown, who has missed the past 10 days with a stress fracture in his left foot, was not in uniform. He is doubtful to play on Monday against Miami (Ohio).

“He’s not doing real well,” coach Jamie Dixon said. “We need to get him ready and healthy. If I had to guess, I’d say he (won’t play) on Monday.”

Who can say for sure at this point.