The BIG EAST Conference as a whole was celebrating 40 years of existence through ups and downs and trying to remain one of the top tier Conferences in the National Collegiate Athletics Association. With the return of one of the top powerhouses in all of College Sports in the University of Connecticut there are a ton of exciting things that are happening on both the Men’s and Women’s side of the conference.,
All of the media gathered along with the various Colleges to help the team celebrate the 40 years, as well as a new College Basketball Sports season on 10/10 through the BIG EAST Conference Media Day that was held at Madison Square Garden. During the media day the Preseason Coaches Poll was released as well as the Preseason Player of the Year and the All-BIG EAST Team list.
Winning the BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll to win the conference was DePaul University, as the Blue Demons were coming off its fourth BIG EAST Tournament title in the last six seasons. The Poll saw DePaul earn all nine-first place votes and 81 points. DePaul is the winningest BIG EAST program since the realignment, averaging over 15 conference wins per year, while showing an .843 winning percentage (91-17).
Finishing with one of their highest rankings in the Preseason Poll is St. John’s University. The Red Storm have always had a great history with their women’s basketball team, but have never seen a #2 ranking in the Preseason polls. Head Coach Joe Tartamella will have three starters returning with the team to go along with seven letter winners. Included in this group is scoring steals and assist leader Tiana England.
Leading the way in the player awards was Seton Hall’s Shadeen Samuels was selected to the 2019-2020 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year, this is a first for the program since 1988. Samuels won the BIG EAST Scoring title in 2018-19, and according to Head Coach Tony Bozzella was one of the hardest working players to develop during her time at Seton Hall University.
There is a ton of excitement and a ton of things to watch for and 1495 Sports is proud to bring the following videos from BIG EAST Conference Media Day to give the fans of the conference thoughts from the amazing student-athletes as they get ready for the upcoming Women’s Basketball Season:
Seton Hall Women’s Basketball
Featuring Alexis Lewis, Barbara Johnson and Selena Philox
Seton Hall Head Women’s Basketball Coach Tony Bozzella:
St. John’s Women’s Basketball star Shamchya Duncan
St. John’s Women’s Basketball Star Qadashah Hoppie:
For more information on the BIG EAST Conference fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
