NEW YORK, N.Y. The Seton Hall women’s basketball team was picked 10th in the 2007-08 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches’ Poll, it was announced today. Connecticut received 15 of 16 first-place votes to earn the top spot in the poll.
The Pirates are coming off a 19-12 season in which they tied for eighth in the BIG EAST with a 9-7 conference mark.
Rutgers received the other first-place vote after winning the conference tournament championship a year ago and advancing to the National Championship game. West Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Notre Dame round out the top five.
Louisville junior Angel McCoughtry was named the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year. Last season, she averaged 23.3 ppg and 11.3 rpg and was named BIG EAST Player of the Year while also earning All-America honors.
Connecticut’s Maya Moore, the reigning Gatorade National High School Player of the Year, earned Preseason Freshman of the Year accolades.
2007-08 Preseason BIG EAST Coaches’ Poll
1. Connecticut (15) 225
2. Rutgers (1) 211
3. West Virginia 186
4. Pittsburgh 169
5. Notre Dame 165
6. Louisville 154
7. DePaul 152
8. Marquette 124
9. USF 105
10. Seton Hall 93
11. St. John's 83
12. Villanova 77
13. Syracuse 61
14. Cincinnati 49
15. Providence 36
16. Georgetown 20
2007-08 Preseason Player of the Year
Angel McCoughtry, Louisville, Jr., F
2007-08 Preseason Freshman of the Year
*Maya Moore, Fr., F, Connecticut (Lawrenceville, Ga./Collins Hill)
2007-08 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Matee Ajavon, Rutgers, Sr., G
Charel Allen, Notre Dame, Sr., G
*Essence Carson, Rutgers, Sr., F/G
Tina Charles, Connecticut, So., C
Krystal Ellis, Marquette, Jr., G
*Angel McCoughtry, Louisville, Jr., F
Renee Montgomery, Connecticut, Jr., G
*Olayinka Sanni, West Virginia, Sr., C
Kia Vaughn, Rutgers, Jr., C
*Marcedes Walker, Pittsburgh, Sr., C
Shavonte Zellous, Pittsburgh, RS-Jr., G
* - unanimous selection
2007-08 Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention Team
Allie Quigley, DePaul, Sr., G
Charde Houston, Connecticut, Sr., F
Kia Wright, St. John’s, Sr., G
