NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Louisville is the overwhelming favorite to win the Big East, receiving 24 of 28 first-place votes from a media panel.
South Florida was picked second and received four first-place votes in the preseason poll released Tuesday before the conference’s media day. Rutgers was third, followed by Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Syracuse and league newcomer Temple.
This is the last season in the Big East for Pittsburgh and Syracuse. They will be leaving for the Atlantic Coast Conference next season. Temple re-entered the league on short notice to replace West Virginia.
Five new members will be joining the rebuilding conference next season.
Louisville returns 17 starters from a team that finished 7-6 overall and 5-2 in the league last season.
