UConn has secured its position as the frontrunner in the Big East preseason poll, a place it has become accustomed to in recent years.
On Wednesday, the Huskies received the maximum of 10 first-place votes from head coaches within the league, with the stipulation that coaches could not vote for their own teams.
The Huskies, the reigning national champions, were ranked third in the preseason Associated Press college basketball survey. Last season, they recorded an impressive 18-2 record in the conference and claimed the Big East Tournament title, ultimately winning their second consecutive NCAA championship.
This upcoming season, UConn will see the return of only one starter from their championship team—Alex Karaban, who contributed an average of 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Additionally, the squad will welcome back Hassan Diarra, who earned recognition as the conference’s Sixth Player of the Year. Freshman Liam McNeeley has been named the Big East preseason Freshman of the Year, adding anticipation to the team’s lineup.
Creighton is projected to finish second in the conference and features the preseason Player of the Year, Ryan Kalkbrenner. The towering 7-foot-1 senior has made a name for himself as a defensive powerhouse, having been named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year for the past three years, a feat achieved only by legends Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning.
In the previous season, Kalkbrenner averaged 17.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and led the conference with an impressive 3.1 blocks per game, boasting a shooting percentage of 64.6% from the field.
Following Creighton, Xavier and Marquette are ranked respectively. St. John’s comes in at fifth, followed by Providence and Villanova. Butler, Georgetown, Seton Hall, and DePaul complete the preseason rankings.
As the season approaches, fans and stakeholders alike can follow the developments and changes in team standings in the AP Top 25 rankings. Sign-ups for poll notifications and updates will keep followers informed throughout the basketball season.