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The Big East releases their preseason poll, all-league teams

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It should come as no surprise to you that Villanova has been named as the favorite to win the Big East title in 2014-2015.

They received nine of the ten first place votes from the coaches, which is telling considering that Jay Wright is not allowed to vote for his own team. The Wildcats return four starters from a team that finished last year’s conference season at 16-2, with both of those losses coming at the hands of the now-Doug McDermott-less Creighton Bluejays.

Here’s the complete poll:

1. Villanova (9) 81
2. Georgetown (1) 67
3. St. John’s 65
4. Xavier 52
5. Providence 49
6. Seton Hall 43
7. Butler 28
7. Marquette 28
9. Creighton 25
10. DePaul 12

I think the Big East coaches got the top two teams correct, and while I’m a big fan of the Johnnies talent level this season, I’ll wait to be convinced that they can win until, you know, they start winning.

I also think the coaches are underselling Marquette this season. I’m not sure the Golden Eagles are an NCAA tournament team, but they will be in the mix for a top five finish in the league.

As far as individual awards are concerned, Georgetown guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera was named Big East Preseason Player of the Year. DSR averaged 17.6 points as a sophomore for the Hoyas and will take over the reins as the leader of a team looking to get back into the NCAA tournament.

Here’s is the all-Big East first team:

Kellen Dunham, Butler
D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, Georgetown
D’Angelo Harrison, St. John’s
JayVaughn Pinkston, Villanova
Matt Stainbrook, Xavier

And second team:

Billy Garrett, Jr., DePaul
LeDontae Henton, Providence
Rysheed Jordan, St. John’s
Ryan Arcidiacono, Villanova
Darrun Hilliard, Villanova