When Ronald Ramon made his Big East debut as Pitt's point guard 24 days ago at Villanova, there was widespread panic among fans that Ramon was ill-equipped to handle the switch from shooting guard after Levance Fields was injured.

In that 64-63 loss, Ramon turned the ball over five times and only had three assists. Ramon's final turnover came in the waning seconds when Pitt was trying to get in position to score the winning points.

Pitt has had its share of problems since that game, but turnovers and Ramon's play have not been among them. Ramon has been a steadying force for the Panthers as they enter the rematch with the Wildcats tonight at the Petersen Events Center.

Ramon has had 40 assists and 11 turnovers since the first Villanova game. In eight games as the starting point guard, he has 52 assists and 16 turnovers. Before he was injured, Fields had 65 assists and 23 turnovers in 12 games.

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Scouting report

• Matchup: No. 18 Pitt (16-4, 4-3) vs. Villanova (13-5, 3-4), 7 p.m. today, Petersen Events Center.
• TV, Radio, Internet: ESPNU, WWSW-FM (94.5), WBGG-AM (970), www.pittsburghpanthers.com.
• Pitt: A 77-64 loss Saturday to Rutgers snapped Panthers' 13-game winning streak at the Petersen Events Center. ... Is 91-9 on its home floor. ... Freshman G Gilbert Brown scored a career-high 16 points against the Scarlet Knights.
• Villanova: Has lost two games in a row and three of past five, including 90-80 home loss Saturday to Notre Dame ... Beat visiting Pitt, 64-63, in the Big East opener Jan. 6. ... Led by sophomore G Scottie Reynolds (17.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg), freshman G Corey Fisher (11.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg) and junior F Dante Cunningham (10.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg). ... Freshman F Antonio Pena started his first game against Notre Dame and scored 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting.
• Hidden stat: In Big East Conference games, Pitt is ranked first in 3-point shooting (40.2 percent), 3-point defense (29.1 percent), assists (15.8 per game) and offensive rebounds (14.7 per game).

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Ramon said he has grown into his new role in the past 3¹/₂ weeks.

"I feel a lot better out there," Ramon said. "I've gotten better at finding guys and being a leader."

Ramon was not the only player who had turnover problems against Villanova. The Panthers had a season-high 22. Senior guard Keith Benjamin, who was making just his second start of the season, had five. And small forward Gilbert Brown, also making his second start, had four.

"I think it was because it was our first Big East game and our first big game without Levance," Brown said.

"We had to get used to playing with each other. That's what caused all of those turnovers. Since then, we really haven't had that many turnovers. I don't think it's going to be an issue."

Ramon said his teammates and coaches have made the necessary adjustments in helping him become a more productive point guard.

The playbook was scaled back, giving the less experienced players less to comprehend.

The players also are making sure Ramon gets help when needed. Even little things, such as stepping to the pass with authority, are helping limit turnovers

The Panthers will be tested by Villanova's athletic guards. The Wildcats force more turnovers than any other team in the conference with opponents averaging 17.7 per game.

Villanova's 1-2-2 zone press creates many of them, but coach Jamie Dixon said the majority of Pitt's 22 turnovers in the first game came when the Panthers were running their half-court offense.

"That game was an aberration," Dixon said.

"We've been good all year with turnovers. We've been good, considering not having our point guard."

Villanova has struggled since beating Pitt. The Wildcats have lost three of their past five and dropped out of the national rankings this week. They are 3-4 in conference play, 1-3 in conference road games.

This is an important game for both teams. Villanova is in danger of falling out of contention for the NCAA tournament. The Wildcats have an RPI of 61, and other than the home victory against Pitt, don't have another signature victory.

Pitt is not in danger of falling out of NCAA contention -- the Panthers are strong with a No. 18 RPI -- but they need to respond after the disappointing home loss Saturday to Rutgers.

In that 77-64 loss, the Panthers were uncharacteristically outrebounded and outhustled on their home court. The loss at home was the first of the season. Including the game tonight, three of the next four are at home.

Winning at home is important for the Panthers because they finish the regular season with a challenging stretch that includes four of the final seven on the road.