Oct. 27, 2004

NEW YORK -- Juniors Allan Ray (Bronx, N.Y.) and Curtis Sumpter (Brooklyn, N.Y.) were both selected Preseason Second Team All-Big East at the league's annual media day in New York City. In addition, Villanova was tabbed to finish seventh among 12 conference schools in the pre-season coaches poll.

Ray led the Wildcats in scoring in 2003-04 with a 17.3 ppg average while Sumpter chipped in with 14.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per outing.

Ryan Gomes, the Providence frontcourt ace who is a returning consensus All-American, was tabbed the 2004-05 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year by a vote of the league's head coaches. Connecticut freshman forward Rudy Gay was named Preseason Rookie of the Year.

Syracuse is the choice of the coaches to capture the Big East title. Defending NCAA champion Connecticut is picked to finish second with Pittsburgh slotted in third place.

2004-05 Preseason Player of the Year

Ryan Gomes, Providence

2004-05 Preseason Rookie of the Year

Rudy Gay, Connecticut

Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team

Craig Smith, Boston College, F, Jr., 6-7, 255, Los Angeles, Calif.

Chris Thomas, Notre Dame, G, Sr., 6-1, 185, Indianapolis, Ind.

Carl Krauser, Pittsburgh, G, Jr., 6-2, 200, Bronx, N.Y.

Chris Taft, Pittsburgh, C, So., 6-10, 230, Brooklyn, N.Y.

*Ryan Gomes, Providence, F, Sr., 6-7, 240, Waterbury, Conn.

Gerry McNamara, Syracuse, G, Jr., 6-2, 179, Scranton, Pa.

*Hakim Warrick, Syracuse, F, Sr., 6-8, 209, Philadelphia, Pa.

Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team

Rashad Anderson, Connecticut, F/G, Jr., 6-5, 210, Lakeland, Fla.

Josh Boone, Connecticut, F/C, So., 6-10, 230, Mt. Airy, Md.

Ricky Shields, Rutgers, G, Sr.,6-4, 190, Upper Marlboro, Md.

Kelly Whitney, Seton Hall, C/F, Jr., 6-8, 240, Chicago, Ill.

Allan Ray, Villanova, G, Jr., 6-2, 205, Bronx, N.Y.

Curtis Sumpter, Villanova, F, Jr., 6-7, 220, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Syracuse, 2. Connecticut, 3. Pittsburgh, 4. Notre Dame, 5. Boston College, 6. Providence, 7. Villanova, 8. Seton Hall, 9. West Virginia, 10. Rutgers, 11. Georgetown, 12. St. John's