The Panthers were a member of the Big East Conference and played their home games at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The 2008-09 Pitt women's basketball went 25–8, a program record number of wins, en route to Pitt's second consecutive NCAA Sweet 16 appearance and a final #15 national ranking in both the AP and Coaches' polls.

Point guard junior Jania Sims was injured during the first game of the season and redshirted.

Pitt graduated all-time leading scorer Shavonte Zellous who was a first round draft pick by the WNBA's Detroit Shock.

Pitt also graduated second team all-Big East guard Xenia Stewart.