We're No. 1!

University of Pittsburgh basketball fans can say that now. Whether they can say it at the end of the season remains to be seen.

But they've never been able to say it before — which makes the Panthers' No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 poll significant.

Pitt basketball has climbed to No. 2 in the rankings nine times since the 1987-88 campaign. That speaks volumes about the program's ascension to consistent national recognition.

Never mind that Pitt has not advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAATournament in recent years. The Panthers have captured five Big East Conference titles in the past seven years.

During that time, Pitt tops the Big East in composite record in conference play (81-33) and overall (189-51).

In case anyone hasn't noticed, the Big East has nine teams ranked in the Top 25 and, top to bottom, clearly is the strongest basketball conference in the country.

Pitt's winning percentage of .788 over the past seven years is topped only by Memphis, Kansas and Duke among Division Iprograms.

The NCAAtournament remains a crapshoot. Enter it with the highest seed you can and hope for the best.

A popular argument is that Pitt wears itself down during the grueling Big East tournament, which ends just four days before the NCAAdance begins.

The Panthers make the conference title game more often than not, meaning they've played three or four games in as many nights during that weekend at Madison Square Garden.

So be it.

To stay on top in recruiting, it helps to stay on top in one's conference.

In terms of attracting the best recruits, Pitt has it going on right now. The Petersen Events Center is a beautiful facility, the Oakland Zoostudent section is known nationwide and the Panthers entered this season having won 96 of 106 games played there.

Only six schools — Wisconsin, Southern Illinois, Gonzaga, Kansas, Duke and Michigan State — have won more often at home. Pitt takes a 14-0 record into Sunday's home game against St. John's.

With the Big East schedule being what it is, the Panthers are sure to drop a few games along the way and tumble from their No. 1 position.

That's OK. Enjoy it while you can.

While the No. 1 ranking will go away, the quality of this program isn't going anywhere.

Coach Jamie Dixon picked up where Ben Howland left off. When Howland left for UCLAand Pitt promoted then-assistant coach Dixon, critics blasted the school for not bringing in a "name" head coach to run the program.

Under Dixon's guidance, Pitt basketball has been blasting opponents ever since.

And as for that elusive Elite Eight or Final Four appearance?

Be patient.

It's only a matter of time.