Defending Big East champion Marquette chosen to win league again by coaches

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Defending Big East champion Marquette has been chosen to win the league again by the league's coaches.

The Golden Eagles, who were 29-4 last season, garnered seven first-place votes. Marquette was picked ninth in last year's preseason poll. Coach Shaka Smart brings back eight of his nine top scorers from last season, including Big East Player of the Year Tyler Kolek.

The junior guard, who averaged 12.9 points and led the league with 7.5 assists, was picked to win the award again.

Creighton was picked second and received the other four first-place votes. The Bluejays lost in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament last season and return three starters — center Ryan Kalkbrenner and guards Trey Alexander and Baylor Scheierman.

Defending NCAA champion UConn was picked third. The Huskies only bring back two starters from last season, but have a stellar freshmen class led by Stephon Castle — the preseason Freshman of the Year.

Villanova and St. John's — led by new coach Rick Pitino — round out the top five in the preseason poll. Pitino spent many years in the Big East as coach of Providence and Louisville.

Xavier and Providence were the next two.

Georgetown, which is now led by former Providence coach Ed Cooley, was picked eighth. Seton Hall, Butler and DePaul round out the poll.

Reporting by The Associated Press.