St. John’s narrowly picked to win Big East as expectations continue to grow
Big East coaches are in lockstep with Associated Press poll voters.
They see a big year for St. John’s.
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TRY IT NOWOn media day for the conference, the league’s coaches picked Rick Pitino’s Johnnies to finish atop the Big East — the first time that has happened since 1991.
Star forward Zuby Ejiofor was selected as the preseason Player of the Year and Providence transfer Bryce Hopkins was picked to the first team.
St. John’s narrowly edged out Connecticut, receiving seven of 11 first-place votes. UConn picked up the other four. Creighton was picked third, Providence fourth, Marquette fifth and Georgetown sixth. Villanova and new coach Kevin Willard were chosen seventh, followed by Xavier, DePaul, Butler and Seton Hall.
The 6-foot-9 Ejiofor is considered one of the country’s top two-way forwards. Last season, he averaged 14.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks, and was the linchpin to St. John’s elite defense. Ejiofor also led the country in offensive rebounds per game at 4.4 and is the team’s lone returning starter.
