DAYTON, Ohio – Tyrell Biggs is the least acclaimed of Pittsburgh's three senior starters. He ranks fifth in scoring and third in rebounding on the team.

But coach Jamie Dixon leaves no doubt the Panthers would not be holding the first No. 1 seed in school history if not for the 6-8 forward from Nanuet, N.Y.

"He has been tremendous all year and I have really been praising him to other people because I think he's been overlooked," Dixon said on the eve of Pittsburgh's NCAA tournament opener Friday against East Tennessee State. "There have been stretches when he's been better than our big three."

That would be fellow seniors Levance Fields and Sam Young, and sophomore DeJuan Blair, who have teamed to average 45 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists per game. Biggs has averaged 6.9 points and 4.6 rebounds but he started every game this year and averaged just under 25 minutes. He has played in 137 games in his Panther career, helping his team to four consecutive NCAA appearances.

"I have a lot of emotions," he said Thursday. "This is my last time, we've had a very successful season and we just want to go out with a bang.

"It's different because we're a No. 1 seed this year. But the work ethic is the same – just keep pushing ahead."

Hard work and perseverance have been the hallmarks of Biggs' career, one which saw him nicknamed "Baby Shaq" after he grew to 6-5 and 230 pounds as an eighth-grader.

Biggs lost 20 pounds between his freshman and sophomore seasons and now stands 6-8 and weighs 250. He made one start his first three years combined before advancing from sixth man in 2008 to starting power forward as a senior.

Along with Young and Blair, Biggs makes up a front line that outrebounded opponents by nearly 10 a game, second in the country.

"Controlling the boards is a thing we focus on and talk about all the time," Biggs said. "It leads to easy transition baskets and stops on the defensive end."

Dixon said Biggs does much more than rebound.

"He defends, he spaces the floor, he knocks down jump shots when we need them," Dixon said. "Everyone needs a role and he understands his.

"He has to be out there for us. When he's not, we're not as good a team."