St. John’s Edges UConn Atop Big East Coaches’ Preseason Poll

Overview

• St. John’s was voted No. 1 for the first time since 1991, receiving seven of 11 first-place votes, with UConn taking the other four.
• Senior forward Zuby Ejiofor of St. John’s was named Big East Preseason Player of the Year, and Bryce Hopkins earned a spot on the preseason first team.
• UConn placed Alex Karaban, Solo Ball and Tarris Reed Jr. on the preseason first team, with Silas Demary Jr. on the second team and Braylon Mullins chosen Freshman of the Year.
• The coaches’ poll slotted Creighton third, Providence fourth, Marquette fifth and Georgetown sixth, followed by Villanova, Xavier, DePaul, Butler and Seton Hall.
• The AP preseason Top 25 has UConn at No. 4 and St. John’s at No. 5, as UConn monitors Reed’s hamstring with hopes he is ready for the Nov. 3 opener.