NEW YORK - The Big East coaches like the Friars.
The league’s coaches picked Providence to finish tied for fourth in the conference this season, a spot that would almost surely send Ed Cooley’s team back to the NCAA Tournament. The Big East poll was announced Thursday at the annual Media Day at Madison Square Garden.
Seton Hall (77 points) edged defending champion Villanova (76) atop the poll. Xavier was third with Providence and Marquette tied for fourth. Georgetown is sixth and followed by Creighton, Butler, St. John’s and DePaul.
The All-League team includes Providence senior Alpha Diallo.