Coach Hurley, UConn take center stage at Big East media day

Nobody is anointing them as the favorite, but overall, the rest of the coaches in the Big East are apparently holding UConn in high regard upon their return home.

After receiving 69 overall votes in Wednesday's preseason coaches’ poll, the Huskies will begin their first year back as the fourth-ranked team in the conference.

For UConn coach Dan Hurley, the preseason rankings matter little - he cares about the end of the season.

“The postseason order of finish and postseason awards to me are the only things that matter,” he said.

When asked about the continuous slate of marquee matchups that come with Big East league membership, Hurley added, “These games are high profile. Everyone’s watching Big East basketball - these are national stage games. There are no nights off in a conference like this."

Hurley's rising star, James Bouknight, received the team's only individual preseason distinction by being placed on the All-Big East Second Team. When asked about Bouknight's big year ahead, Hurley did not mince words.

"We have the highest expectations for the type of season James can put together," he said.

Hurley, Bouknight, and the Huskies are set to begin their conference schedule with a home game against St. John’s on December 11th.

NOTES:

- Tyler Polley (ACL) is fully participating in practices. “We have Tyler Polley back playing live with no restrictions,” Hurley said.

- Akok Akok (Achilles’ tendon) is close to taking part in 1-on-1 or 3-on-3 practice and Brendan Adams (foot) is close to resuming practice as well, per Hurley.

- When asked about putting together a lineup with such a deep, talented roster at his disposal, Hurley added, “We're going to have to make hard decisions on who to start as opposed to the last couple years where we just had to find five guys to throw out there."