NEW YORK u2012 In many ways, the annual assembly under the historic lights of Madison Square Garden for the Big East Conference's Media Day marks the unofficial start of a new college basketball season.
Tuesday's festivities in the Big Apple got the ball rolling with predictions, preseason all-conference selections, and the unmistakable cluttered sound of questions being asked and answered.
Xavier University's men's basketball team was picked second in the preseason coaches poll and its two top returning players were named preseason All-Big East first team.
Junior Colby Jones, who finished last season as MVP of the National Invitation Tournament, and 7-foot graduate student Jack Nunge, who led the Musketeers in scoring and rebounding last season, were selected first-team.