Big East Conference

This is getting to be the norm for the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team.

During the Big East Women’s Media Day today in New York City, the Huskies were the overwhelming favorite to win the Big East title this season as they received 14 of the 16 first place votes for a total of 224 points. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Louisville Cardinals were picked to finish 2nd and 3rd and both received a first place vote.

2008-09 Preseason BIG EAST Women’s Coaches’ Poll Points
1.  Connecticut (14) 224
2.  Rutgers (1) 201
3.  Louisville (1) 200
4.  Notre Dame 182
5.  Pittsburgh 162
6.  Syracuse 156
7.  Marquette 147
8.  DePaul 132
9.  West Virginia 109
10.  Villanova 85
11.  Georgetown 77
12.  USF 76
13.  St. John’s 66
14.  Seton Hall 40
15.  Cincinnati 33
16.  Providence 30

UConn’s Maya Moore was picked as the 2008-09 Big East Preseason Player of the Year and the Huskies also placed two other players, Tina Charles and Renee Montgomery on the All-Big East Preseason First Team.

2008-09 Preseason Player of the Year
Maya Moore, Connecticut, So., F

2008-09 Preseason Freshman of the Year
April Sykes, Rutgers, Fr., G/F (Starkville, Miss.)

2008-09 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Candyce Bingham, Louisville, Sr., F
*Tina Charles, Connecticut, Jr., C
*Krystal Ellis, Marquette, Sr., G
Shantia Grace, USF, Sr., G
Chandrea Jones, Syracuse, Sr., G
*Angel McCoughtry, Louisville, Sr., F
Renee Montgomery, Connecticut, Sr., G
*Maya Moore, Connecticut, So., F

*Epiphanny Prince, Rutgers, Jr., G
Kia Vaughn, Rutgers, Sr., C
*Shavonte Zellous, Pittsburgh, RS-Sr., G

2008-09 Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention
Laura Kurz, Villanova, Sr., F
Deirdre Naughton, DePaul, Jr., G
Lindsay Schrader, Notre Dame, Sr., G

* – unanimous selection