Big East Preseason picks: St. John’s 4th. Plus preseason finish predictions

The annual preseason basics, where Collin Gillespie and Villanova are once again picked atop the Big East. Julian Champagnie is on the Big East’s First Team and Posh Alexander was named to the Second Team.

Also read: A return to normalcy?

2021-22 Preseason Coaches’ Poll

1. Villanova (10) 100
2. Connecticut (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

Big East Preseason Player of the Year

Collin Gillespie, Villanova, G, Gr., 6-3, 195, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.

Big East Preseason Freshman of the Year

Aminu Mohammed, Georgetown, G, Fr., 6-5, 210, Temple Hills, Md.

Preseason All-Big East First Team

Nate Watson, Providence, C, Gr., 6-10, 260, Portsmouth, Va.*

Julian Champagnie, St. John’s, G-F, Jr., 6-8, 215, Brooklyn, N.Y.*

Jared Rhoden, Seton Hall, G-F, Sr., 6-6, 210, Baldwin, N.Y.

Paul Scruggs, Xavier, G, Sr., 6-4, 196, Indianapolis, Ind.*

Zach Freemantle, Xavier, F, Jr., 6-9, 216, Teaneck, N.J.

[* means unanimous selection]

Preseason All-Big East Second Team

R.J. Cole, Connecticut, F, Gr., 6-1, 185, Union, N.J.

Tyrese Martin, Connecticut, G, Sr., 6-6, 215, Allentown, Pa.

Posh Alexander, St. John’s, G, So., 6-0, 200, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Justin Moore, Villanova, G, Jr., 6-4, 210, Fort Washington, Md.

Jermaine Samuels, Villanova, F, Gr., 6-7, 230, Franklin, Mass.

Preseason All-Big East Honorable Mention

Chuck Harris, Butler, G, So., 6-2, 190, Ashburn, Va.

Adama Sanogo, Connecticut, F, So., 6-9, 240, Bamako, Mali