Preseason 2017 AP Top 25 features three Big East teams

The preseason AP Top 25 is here! Three teams from your favorite conference are in the mix, as the Big East has one in the Top 10, two in the Top 20 and three in the Top 25. Just like the Coaches Poll.

At the front for the Big East are the Villanova Wildcats. The ‘Cats, who’ve won the last four Big East titles, start the season ranked 6th in the AP Top 25. It’s the same ranking as the one they got for the USA TODAY poll. This marks the second straight season that ‘Nova has started in the Top 10 of the AP Top 25. Last year, the Wildcats started the year at 4th.

Next the Xavier Musketeers are start within the Top 20 at No. 17. It, funnily enough, is also the same spot that they were in the USA TODAY poll, too. It’s the second straight year that the Musketeers find themselves in the preseason poll. Last season, they started with high expectations, beginning the season ranked 7th in the country. With a bushel of returnees from an Elite Eight squad, the Musketeers may very well be underrated heading into this season.

Finally, we have the Seton Hall Pirates. The Pirates are back in the preseason poll for the first time in a while, ranked 23rd in the country. It’s the same ranking they have in the USA TODAY poll, too. The last time The Hall was in any kind of preseason poll was back in the year 2000. That year, the Pirates started the season 10th in the preseason AP Top 25.

The Butler Bulldogs and Providence Friars received votes in the preseason poll.