PITTSBURGH — Pitt point guard Levance Fields hopes to play again by mid-February, a faster return than projected when he broke his left foot Dec. 29.

Fields was initially told he would be out for eight to 12 weeks, or most of the remaining season. If Fields returns when he hopes, he might play in a half-dozen games before the Big East tournament.

"The doctors still haven't set a timetable (for his definitive return)," Fields said Thursday. "If I continue to keep healing and recovering the way that I am, I'll be back sooner than you know it."

Fields doesn't doubt he will return long before the No. 15 Panthers play in the Big East tournament in mid-March.

"Obviously, I wish I was still out there, but I'm taking baby steps and it's coming along," Fields said.

Fields was hurt during an 80-55 loss to Dayton — apparently when he stepped on a cheerleader's foot while falling out of bounds on a layup.

Fields, a 5-foot-10 junior from Brooklyn, averages 11.9 points and 5.4 assists.