NEW YORK — Villanova’s death grip on the Big East is expected to continue.
The Big East’s annual coaches poll was released Wednesday and the Wildcats are picked first for the fourth straight season. Jay Wright’s team will be led by All-American point guard Jalen Brunson and look to win the conference’s regular-season title for a fifth straight season. Brunson was the conference’s preseason player of the year, while freshman big man Omari Spellman is the top rookie.
Villanova received eight of the 10 first-place votes. Seton Hall, which was second, picked up one vote and Xavier (third) received the other.