Marquette picked to finish seventh in Big East; Markus Howard on second team

Marquette men's basketball coach Steve Wojciechowski doesn't put a lot of stock into preseason predictions.

The Golden Eagles were picked to finish seventh in the Big East in a poll of the conference's coaches released Wednesday. 

Coaches did not put their own teams on their ballots.

"We’ve got to focus on the things we can control," Wojciechowski said. "The preseason polls and rankings and all-league teams are good in the sense that it creates dialogue and interest, but I think any coach will tell you it doesn’t mean a whole heck of a lot."

Once again, Villanova was the choice to win the conference, finishing with eight first-place votes. The Wildcats finished first in the last four Big East preseason polls and each season went on to claim the regular-season title.

Seton Hall and Xavier also received a first-place vote.

RELATED:MU women, Blockton earn top Big East preseason nods

Last season, MU was predicted to finish seventh in the Big East and then ended up tied for third at 10-8 with Creighton, Providence and Seton Hall. The Golden Eagles finished 19-12 overall and lost to South Carolina in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Golden Eagles sophomore guard Markus Howard was chosen on the all-Big East second team. 

Howard averaged 13.2 points in 22 minutes per game last season and led the nation in three-point shooting at 54.7%. In Big East play, those numbers bumped up to 15.4 points per game and 57.3% on three-pointers.

"I think (preseason teams) are great for guys. But you’re only as good as your last game," Wojciechowski said. "Just because you’ve done something last year … you’ve got to prove it all over again on a day-to-day basis. Which I think he will."

BIG EAST PRESEASON HONORS

Player of the Year

Jalen Brunson, Villanova, G, Jr., 6-3, 190, Lincolnshire, Ill.

Freshman of the Year

Omari Spellman, Villanova, F, Fr., 6-9, 245, North Royalton, Ohio

All-Big East first team

Kelan Martin, Butler, F, Sr., 6-7, 220, Louisville, Ky.

Marcus Foster, Creighton, G, Sr., 6-3, 210, Wichita Falls, Texas

Khadeen Carrington, Seton Hall, G, Sr., 6-4, 195, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Angel Delgado, Seton Hall, C, Sr., 6-10, 245, Bajos De Haina, D.R.

Trevon Bluiett, Xavier, G, Sr., 6-6, 198, Indianapolis, Ind.

All-Big East second team*

Markus Howard, Marquette, G, So., 5-11, 175, Chandler, Ariz.

Rodney Bullock, Providence, F, Sr., 6-8, 225, Hampton, Va.

Kyron Cartwright, Providence, G, Sr., 5-11, 185, Compton, Ca.

Marcus LoVett, St. John’s, G, So., 6-0, 180, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Shamorie Ponds, St. John’s, G, So., 6-1, 165, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mikal Bridges, Villanova, F/G, Jr., 6-7, 210, Malvern, Pa.

* A tie in the voting created an extra position on the second team.

All-Big East honorable mention

Khyri Thomas, Creighton, G, Jr., 6-3, 205, Omaha, Neb.

Desi Rodriguez, Seton Hall, G/F, Sr., 6-6, 215, Bronx, N.Y.

J.P. Macura, Xavier, G, Sr., 6-5, 203, Lakeville, Minn.