University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Men's Basketball Picked Second in BIG EAST Preseason Poll
10/18/2021 10:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Cole, Martin on Second Team, Sanogo is Honorable Mention
NEW YORK – The UConn men's basketball team was picked second in the BIG EAST Conference coaches' poll and three Huskies were named to preseason teams, the league announced at its annual media day Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
UConn grad student guard R.J. Cole and senior guard Tyrese Martin were named to the BIG EAST Preseason Second Team, while sophomore forward Adama Sanogo earned an Honorable Mention spot in the preseason poll, which is compiled from a vote of the league's head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own teams or players.
Perennial league powerhouse Villanova was picked first in the preseason poll, after compiling 100 points, and a perfect 10 first-place votes. The Huskies -- who returned to the BIG EAST last season and finished third in the standings -- had 84 points and received Villanova's first-place vote in the preseason poll.
Behind UConn in the voting were Xavier (76 points), St. John's (73), Seton Hall (68), Butler (60), Providence (45), Creighton (38), Marquette (26), Georgetown (25), and DePaul (10).
Villanova guard Colin Gillespie was named the Preseason Player of the Year, while Georgetown guard Aminu Mohammed was named the Preseason Freshman of the Year.
Cole (Union, N.J.) is the Huskies' leading returning scorer (12.2) and led the team last season in assists (4.3), three-point field goal percentage (.386), assist-to-turnover ratio (2.48), steals (1.2) and minutes played (714).
Martin (Allentown, Pa.) was UConn's top rebounder last season (7.5) and led the conference in offensive rebounding (3.0), in addition to averaging double figures (10.3).
Sanogo, was named to the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team last season after playing his way into the starting lineup and averaging 7.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and leading the team in field goal percentage (.554).
BIG EAST Preseason Coaches Poll
Team (First-place votes) Pts
1. Villanova (10) 100
2. UConn (1) 84
3. Xavier 76
4. St. John's 73
5. Seton Hall 68
6. Butler 60
7. Providence 45
8. Creighton 38
9. Marquette 26
10. Georgetown 25
11. DePaul 10
Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team
Nate Watson, Providence*
Julian Champagnie, St. John's*
Paul Scruggs, Xavier*
Jared Rhoden, Seton Hall
Zach Freemantle, Xavier
Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team
R.J. Cole, UConn
Tyrese Martin, UConn
Posh Alexander, St. John's
Justin Moore, Villanova
Jermaine Samuels, Villanova
Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention
Adama Sanogo, UConn
Chuck Harris, Butler
- -- unanimous selection
BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
Collin Gillespie, Villanova
BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year
Aminu Mohammed, Georgetown
