PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh's Levance Fields, one of the Big East's top guards, will miss the start of preseason practice today while he recovers from a second operation this year on his left foot.

Fields was sidelined for seven weeks last season after breaking his foot. He returned to help lead Pitt to the third round of the NCAA tournament, only to reinjure the foot in August.

Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said Thursday it is uncertain how long Fields will be out. Pitt, which is likely to be a preseason Top 10 team, begins play Nov. 14 against Fairleigh Dickinson.

Pitt doesn't play for nearly a month, meaning Fields has more time to get into shape than he did last season. The Panthers were in the middle of their Big East schedule at the time.

Fields, a senior, was second on the team in scoring with an 11.9 average. He also averaged 5.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds.