Marquette University Athletics
Photo by: 2023 Porter Binks
Photo by: 2023 Porter Binks
Photo by: 2023 Porter Binks
Photo by: 2023 Porter Binks
#MUBB Picked First In BIG EAST Preseason Poll
10/24/2023 7:27:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Golden Eagles top spot for first time since 2013-14, Kolek POY
Marquette, the defending BIG EAST regular-season and tournament champion, has been chosen to finish first in the 2023-24 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Golden Eagles garnered seven first-place votes and earned 96 points in the poll. The league's head coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.
The Golden Eagles, who finished 29-7 overall last season, were picked ninth in last year's poll. Coach Shaka Smart welcomes back eight of his nine top scorers from last season, including BIG EAST Player of the Year Tyler Kolek, who also won the Dave Gavitt Trophy as the Most Outstanding Player in the BIG EAST Tournament.
Creighton collected the other four first-place votes and finished second in the poll with 92 points. The Bluejays, who advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight last season, will depend on a reliable trio of returning starters, center Ryan Kalkbrenner and guards Trey Alexander and Baylor Scheierman.
Connecticut, the reigning NCAA Tournament champion, is third in the poll with 79 points. The Huskies have only two returning starters, guard Tristen Newton and forward Alex Karaban, but welcome a highly regarded group of newcomers. Last season, UConn blasted through the NCAA Tournament, winning all six games by double figures. They were 17-0 against non-BIG EAST opponents.
Villanova, is fourth in the poll. The Wildcats are planning to return to a contender's role after finishing 17-17 overall and 10-10 in conference play last season. The Wildcat anchors are center Eric Dixon and guard Justin Moore. Dixon earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors last year. Moore, an all-league performer two seasons ago, missed over half of last season while recovering from an Achilles injury.
St. John's is slotted for fifth place. New coach Rick Pitino has revamped the Johnnies' roster, but still has center Joel Soriano, who averaged 15.2 points and a league-leading 11.9 rebound average. He was an All-BIG EAST Second Team selection. Soriano's 25 double-doubles ranked second in the nation.
Xavier was voted sixth. The Musketeers advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in coach Sean Miller's first season back at Xavier. Like many teams, Xavier may depend more on newcomers this year. They do have sophomore guard Desmond Claude, a BIG EAST All-Freshman Team pick last year. Transfer guards Quincy Olivari and Dayvion McKnight figure to play critical roles.
Providence was placed seventh in the poll. The Friars welcome new coach Kim English, who can build around juniors Bryce Hopkins and Devin Carter. Hopkins was an All-BIG EAST First Team pick in his first season at PC. Carter was one of the league's top all-around performers and was All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention.
Georgetown, slotted for eighth, also has a new coach. Ed Cooley has taken over the Hoyas and has transformed the roster. Returnee Jay Heath was a double-figure scorer last season. Some transfers and freshmen should have plenty of opportunities to contribute.
Seton Hall is ninth. The Pirates were an NIT team last year, 17-16 overall and 10-10 in the BIG EAST, in coach Shaheen Holloway's first year as head coach. Holloway can lean on a veteran backcourt that includes senior Kadary Richmond and grad student Al-Amir Dawes.
Butler was slotted for 10th. Butler coach Thad Matta is in his second year in his second tour of duty as the Bulldog head coach. His 2023-24 roster will feature 10 newcomers, including five transfers who averaged double figures last season for their previous teams.
DePaul was picked 11th. The Blue Demons' plan to move up in the standings under third-year coach Tony Stubblefield may start with a pair of seniors, forward Da'Sean Nelson and guard Jalen Terry.
2023-24 Preseason Coaches' Poll
Pts.
2023-24 BIG EAST Preseason Honors
BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
Tyler Kolek, Marquette, G, Sr., 6-3, 190, Cumberland, R.I.
BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year
Stephon Castle, Connecticut, G, Fr., 6-6, 215, Covington, Ga.
Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team
Trey Alexander, Creighton, G, Jr., 6-4, 190, Oklahoma City, Okla.
*Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton, C, Sr., 7-1, 270, St. Louis, Mo.
Bryce Hopkins, Providence, F-G, Jr., 6-7, 220, Oak Park, Ill.
Joel Soriano, St. John's, C, Sr., 6-11, 255, Yonkers, N.Y.
Justin Moore, Villanova, G, Gr., 6-4, 210, Fort Washington, Md.
Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team
Donovan Clingan, Connecticut, C, So., 7-2, 280, Bristol, Conn.
Baylor Scheierman, Creighton, G, Sr., 6-7, 205, Aurora, Neb.
Oso Ighodaro, Marquette, F, Sr., 6-11, 225, Chandler, Ariz.
Kam Jones, Marquette, G, Jr., 6-5, 200, Memphis, Tenn.
Eric Dixon, Villanova, F, R-Sr., 6-8, 255, Willow Grove, Pa.
Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention
Alex Karaban, Connecticut, F, R-So., 6-8, 220, Southborough, Mass.
Devin Carter, Providence, G, Jr., 6-3, 195, Miami, Fla.
Zach Freemantle, Xavier, F, Gr., 6-9, 227, Teaneck, N.J.
*unanimous selection
The Golden Eagles, who finished 29-7 overall last season, were picked ninth in last year's poll. Coach Shaka Smart welcomes back eight of his nine top scorers from last season, including BIG EAST Player of the Year Tyler Kolek, who also won the Dave Gavitt Trophy as the Most Outstanding Player in the BIG EAST Tournament.
Creighton collected the other four first-place votes and finished second in the poll with 92 points. The Bluejays, who advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight last season, will depend on a reliable trio of returning starters, center Ryan Kalkbrenner and guards Trey Alexander and Baylor Scheierman.
Connecticut, the reigning NCAA Tournament champion, is third in the poll with 79 points. The Huskies have only two returning starters, guard Tristen Newton and forward Alex Karaban, but welcome a highly regarded group of newcomers. Last season, UConn blasted through the NCAA Tournament, winning all six games by double figures. They were 17-0 against non-BIG EAST opponents.
Villanova, is fourth in the poll. The Wildcats are planning to return to a contender's role after finishing 17-17 overall and 10-10 in conference play last season. The Wildcat anchors are center Eric Dixon and guard Justin Moore. Dixon earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors last year. Moore, an all-league performer two seasons ago, missed over half of last season while recovering from an Achilles injury.
St. John's is slotted for fifth place. New coach Rick Pitino has revamped the Johnnies' roster, but still has center Joel Soriano, who averaged 15.2 points and a league-leading 11.9 rebound average. He was an All-BIG EAST Second Team selection. Soriano's 25 double-doubles ranked second in the nation.
Xavier was voted sixth. The Musketeers advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in coach Sean Miller's first season back at Xavier. Like many teams, Xavier may depend more on newcomers this year. They do have sophomore guard Desmond Claude, a BIG EAST All-Freshman Team pick last year. Transfer guards Quincy Olivari and Dayvion McKnight figure to play critical roles.
Providence was placed seventh in the poll. The Friars welcome new coach Kim English, who can build around juniors Bryce Hopkins and Devin Carter. Hopkins was an All-BIG EAST First Team pick in his first season at PC. Carter was one of the league's top all-around performers and was All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention.
Georgetown, slotted for eighth, also has a new coach. Ed Cooley has taken over the Hoyas and has transformed the roster. Returnee Jay Heath was a double-figure scorer last season. Some transfers and freshmen should have plenty of opportunities to contribute.
Seton Hall is ninth. The Pirates were an NIT team last year, 17-16 overall and 10-10 in the BIG EAST, in coach Shaheen Holloway's first year as head coach. Holloway can lean on a veteran backcourt that includes senior Kadary Richmond and grad student Al-Amir Dawes.
Butler was slotted for 10th. Butler coach Thad Matta is in his second year in his second tour of duty as the Bulldog head coach. His 2023-24 roster will feature 10 newcomers, including five transfers who averaged double figures last season for their previous teams.
DePaul was picked 11th. The Blue Demons' plan to move up in the standings under third-year coach Tony Stubblefield may start with a pair of seniors, forward Da'Sean Nelson and guard Jalen Terry.
2023-24 Preseason Coaches' Poll
Pts.
- Marquette (7) 96
- Creighton (4) 92
- Connecticut 79
- Villanova 76
- St. John's 59
- Xavier 57
- Providence 51
- Georgetown 34
- Seton Hall 30
- Butler 16
- DePaul 15
2023-24 BIG EAST Preseason Honors
BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
Tyler Kolek, Marquette, G, Sr., 6-3, 190, Cumberland, R.I.
BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year
Stephon Castle, Connecticut, G, Fr., 6-6, 215, Covington, Ga.
Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team
Trey Alexander, Creighton, G, Jr., 6-4, 190, Oklahoma City, Okla.
*Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton, C, Sr., 7-1, 270, St. Louis, Mo.
Bryce Hopkins, Providence, F-G, Jr., 6-7, 220, Oak Park, Ill.
Joel Soriano, St. John's, C, Sr., 6-11, 255, Yonkers, N.Y.
Justin Moore, Villanova, G, Gr., 6-4, 210, Fort Washington, Md.
Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team
Donovan Clingan, Connecticut, C, So., 7-2, 280, Bristol, Conn.
Baylor Scheierman, Creighton, G, Sr., 6-7, 205, Aurora, Neb.
Oso Ighodaro, Marquette, F, Sr., 6-11, 225, Chandler, Ariz.
Kam Jones, Marquette, G, Jr., 6-5, 200, Memphis, Tenn.
Eric Dixon, Villanova, F, R-Sr., 6-8, 255, Willow Grove, Pa.
Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention
Alex Karaban, Connecticut, F, R-So., 6-8, 220, Southborough, Mass.
Devin Carter, Providence, G, Jr., 6-3, 195, Miami, Fla.
Zach Freemantle, Xavier, F, Gr., 6-9, 227, Teaneck, N.J.
*unanimous selection
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