Big East men’s basketball coaches pick Villanova to be among league’s top teams

The Wildcats were fourth in the preseason coaches' poll, behind Marquette, Creighton, and defending national champion UConn.

Kyle Neptune looks to bring Villanova back to the upper echelon of men's college basketball this season.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer

by Colin Beazley

Published Oct. 24, 2023, 10:17 a.m. ET

NEW YORK — Villanova was picked to finish fourth in the preseason Big East coaches poll, the league announced Tuesday at its preseason media day at Madison Square Garden. The Wildcats received 76 points, finishing three behind reigning national champion Connecticut in third.

Marquette was the preseason pick to win the Big East, earning seven of the 11 first-place votes. Creighton, in second, received the other four.

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The poll is voted on by the league’s 11 head coaches, who are not permitted to vote for their own teams.

Villanova graduate guard Justin Moore was named to the preseason all-conference first team, while redshirt senior forward Eric Dixon earned a second-team spot.

Marquette’s Tyler Kolek was the preseason player of the year.

Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner and Trey Alexander, Providence’s Bryce Hopkins, and St. John’s Joel Soriano joined Moore on the first team.

With Dixon on the second team were UConn’s Donovan Clingan, Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman, and Marquette’s Kam Jones and Oso Ighodaro.

Moore missed most of last season recovering from a torn right Achilles tendon. In 13 games, he averaged 13.5 points and 3.2 assists. The 6-foot-8 Dixon started every game and set career highs with 15.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

Villanova begins its 2023-24 season on Nov. 6 at home against American.