The media may have picked the Huskies to finish second in the Big East, but the league's coaches have a little more faith in Jim Calhoun's squad, putting them in a tie for first with Syracuse in the Big East Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Huskies received seven first place votes to the Orange's five. Louisville garnered three first place votes and Pittsburgh received one. Coaches are not allowed to rank their own team in their ballots.

Sophomore forward Jeremy Lamb made the coaches' All-Big East First Team and junior Alex Oriakhi was named to the second team. Freshman Andre Drummond was named the Preseason Rookie of the Year. Both Drummond and sophomore point guard Shabazz Napier were named to the All-Big East Honorable Mention, meaning they were among the top 15 vote getters.

Pittsburgh senior guard Ashton Gibbs was named the Big East Preseason Player of the Year.

The Full Coaches Poll is:

1. Connecticut (7) -- 209
Syracuse (5) -- 209
3. Louisville (3) -- 201
4. Pittsburgh (1) -- 188
5. Cincinnati -- 169
6. Marquette -- 155
7. West Virginia -- 132
8. Villanova -- 127
9. Notre Dame -- 114
10. Georgetown -- 104
11. Rutgers -- 75
12. St. John's -- 71
13. Seton Hall -- 56
14. USF -- 43
15. Providence -- 40
16. DePaul -- 27

The All-Big East teams are after the jump.