In their return to the Big East, the UConn Huskies will open the conference season as the fourth-ranked team, according to Wednesday's preseason coaches’ poll.

The Huskies received 69 overall votes and are projected to finish behind Villanova, Creighton, and Providence in the preseason prognostication. The Wildcats received nine first-place votes, while the Blue Jays picked up the other two.

UConn sophomore James Bouknight was named to the preseason All-Big East Second Team, becoming the lone Husky to receive a preseason honor.

Creighton’s Marcus Zegarowski was chosen as preseason Big East Player of the Year, while Marquette’s Dawson Garcia was projected to finish as the conference's top freshman.

The Huskies' official return to the Big East begins Dec. 11 with a home game against St. John’s. Also that month, UConn plays at Georgetown (Dec. 13), at Providence (Dec. 17), vs. Creighton (Dec. 20), and at DePaul (Dec. 23).