2009-10 BIG EAST Men's Basketball Media Guide by Ben Fairclough

The BIG EAST Conference Media Guide Table Of Contents 2 3 4-6 7-10 11-12 13-16 19-27 28 29 30 31-97 34-37 32 34 35 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 97-99 100-101 102 103-114 104 105 106-111 112-114 115-166 116-118 119-120 121-125 126-130 130-131 132 133 134-136 137-141 142-144 145-147 147 148-156 156 158 159 160-162 163-164 165 166

Media Relations Directory BIG EAST Media Services The BIG EAST Conference Profile 2009-10 BIG EAST Notebook 2009-10 Preseason Predictions The BIG EAST On Television BIG EAST Composite Schedule 2010 BIG EAST Championship 2010 BIG EAST Championship Bracket 2010 NCAA Championship THE TEAMS Cincinnati Bearcats Team Preview/Schedule/Quick Facts Coaching Information/2008-09 Results In the BIG EAST/Career Leaders Connecticut Huskies DePaul Blue Demons Georgetown Hoyas Louisville Cardinals Marquette Golden Eagles Notre Dame Fighting Irish Pittsburgh Panthers Providence Friars Rutgers Scarlet Knights St. John’s Red Storm Seton Hall Pirates USF Bulls Syracuse Orange Villanova Wildcats West Virginia Mountaineers Commissioner Michael Tranghese BIG EAST Staff BIG EAST Administrators BIG EAST Officials Bureau 2008-09 IN-REVIEW Standings & Championship Results BIG EAST Awards Individual & Team Statistics Individual & Team Superlatives THE RECORD BOOK Game and Season Records Top Performances Career Leaders Year-By-Year Statistical Leaders All-Time Coaches Records BIG EAST Coaching Records National Coaching Records Championship Results All-BIG EAST Honors Year-By-Year Standings BIG EAST NCAA Champions All-Time Postseason Appearances The BIG EAST in Postseason Play Postseason Awards All-America Selections Postseason Tournament Honors The BIG EAST & The NBA Attendance History The National Polls The BIG EAST By Season

www.bigeast.org

The BIG EAST Conference 222 Richmond Street, Suite 110 Providence, RI 02903 (401) 453-0660 - Communications BIG EAST Staff Commissioner Senior Associate Commissioner (Football & Marketing) Senior Associate Commissioner (Compliance & Governance) Associate Commissioner (Administration) Associate Commissioner (Men’s Basketball) Associate Commissioner (Women’s Basketball) Associate Commissioner (TV & Men’s Basketball Scheduling) Associate Commissioner (Communications) Associate Commissioner (Olympic Sports) Assistant Commissioner for Compliance Assistant Commissioner/Women’s Basketball Officiating Senior Director of External Affairs Director of Internet Services Director of Business Affairs Director of Communications Director of Communications Director of Men’s Basketball Operations Director of Sport Administration Director of Sport Administration Assistant Director of Communications Assistant Director of Compliance Coordinator of Football Officiating Coordinator of Men’s Basketball Officiating Coordinator of Video Services Assistant to the Commissioner Assistant to the Senior Associate Commissioner Administrative Assistant for Compliance Administrative Assistant for Sport Administration Administrative Assistant Receptionist Administrative Fellow Communications Assistant Communications Assistant

John M. Marinatto Nicholas V. Carparelli, Jr. Joseph F. D’Antonio, Jr. Donna DeMarco Daniel G. Gavitt Danielle Donehew Thomas R. Odjakjian John Paquette James A. Siedliski Jennifer M. Condaras Barbara M. Jacobs Benjamin E. Fairclough Mark Hodgkin Susan S. Eaton Rachel L. Margolis Charles V. Sullivan Shawn P. Murphy Mia R. Brickhouse, Esq. Robert A. Weygand, Jr. Michael A. Coyne Kenneth A. Schank Terry McAulay G. Arthur Hyland, Esq. Andrew A. Anderson Lisa Zanecchia Sarah A. Emmett Wanda L. Factor Lois DeBlois Linda Yates Kathy Kirkpatrick Bernadette Bartlett Pamela W. Flenke Michael J. Gambardella

Credits Editor: John Paquette Assistant Editors: Chuck Sullivan, Rachel Margolis, Michael Coyne, Pamela Flenke, Michael Gambardella Design: J ohn Paquette, Chuck Sullivan, Charles Guillette, Mary Ann Guillette Typesetting and Printing: Charles Guillette, Colonial Lithograph, Inc., Attleboro, Mass. Photography: Tom Maguire, Mitchell Layton, Stephen Slade, Bruce Schwartzman, S.R. Smith, Jerry Margolis, MSG Photo Services, NBAE/Getty Images, NBA Photos/Nathaniel Butler Special Thanks: The BIG EAST thanks the school media relations offices for their valuable assistance and cooperation.

2009-10 BIG EAST Media Guide—1

BIG EAST Media Relations Directory The BIG EAST Conference

222 Richmond Street, Suite 110 Providence, RI 02903 *John Paquette Associate Commissioner e-mail:...............................jpaquette@bigeast.org e-mail.........................................jpaquette@bigeast.org Mobile........................................(401) 265-2244 *Chuck Sullivan Director of Communications e-mail.........................................csullivan@bigeast.org Mobile........................................(401) 641-8760 Rachel Margolis, Director of Communications Michael Coyne, Assistant Director of Communications Pamela Flenke, Communications Assistant Michael Gambardella, Communications Assistant

University of Cincinnati

Richard E. Lindner Center 2751 O’Varsity Way Cincinnati, OH 4522-0021 (513) 556-5191 (513) 556-0619 – FAX *Mike Harris, Assistant Athletic Director e-mail................................. michael.harris@uc.edu Mobile................................ (513) 755-0022

University of Connecticut

Harry A. Gampel Pavilion 2095 Hillside Road, Unit 1173 Storrs, CT 06269-1173 (860) 486-3531 (860) 486-5085 - FAX *Kyle Muncy, Assistant Athletic Director e-mail:............................kyle.muncy@uconn.edu Home: ........................................(860) 267-7792 Mobile:........................................(860) 208-8624

DePaul University

Sullivan Athletic Center 2323 N. Sheffield Ave. Chicago, IL 60614 (773) 325-7546 (773) 325-7531 - FAX *Greg Greenwell, Director of Media Relations e-mail:................................ ggreenwe@depaul.edu Mobile:.............................. (773) 343-3722

Georgetown University

McDonough Gym 3700 0 Street, NW Washington, DC 20057 (202) 687-2492 (202) 687-2491 – FAX *Bill Shapland, Senior Sports Communications Director Mike “Mex” Carey, Sports Information Director e-mail:................................ shaplanw@georgetown.edu Home:................................ (703) 521-5535

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University of Louisville Student Activities Center Louisville, KY 40292 (502) 852-0112 (502) 852-7401 *Kenny Klein, Associate Athletic Director e-mail:................................ Kenny.Klein@louisville.edu Home:................................ (502) 636-3555

St. John’s University Carnesecca Arena, Room 157 8000 Utopia Parkway Jamaica, NY 11439 (718) 990-1520 (718) 990-8468 - FAX *Mark Fratto, Associate Athletic Director e-mail:................................ frattom@stjohns.edu Mobile:.............................. 917-698-0865

Marquette University Al McGuire Center 770 North 12th Street Milwaukee, WI 53233 (414) 288-4794 (414) 288-6519 - FAX *Scott Kuykendall, Assistant Athletic Director e-mail:.......................... scott.kuykendall@marquette.edu Mobile:........................ (414) 807-3490

University of Notre Dame 113 Joyce Athletic Center Notre Dame, IN 46556-5678 (574) 631-7561 (574) 631-4836 - FAX *Bernie Cafarelli, Assistant Athletic Director e-mail:................................ cafarelli.1@nd.edu Home:................................ (574) 273-2390 Mobile: ............................. (574) 532-0249

Seton Hall University 400 South Orange Avenue South Orange, NJ 07079 (973) 761-9493 (973) 761-9061 – FAX *Matt Sweeney, Assistant Athletic Director e-mail:................................ sweenemc@shu.edu Mobile:.............................. (973) 943-8434

University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Avenue ATH 100 Tampa, FL 33620 (813) 974-7099 (813) 974-5328 - FAX *Amy Woodruff, Assistant Communications Director e-mail:................................ awoodruff@admin.usf.edu Mobile: ............................. (813) 410-1194

University of Pittsburgh P.O. Box 7436 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (412) 648-8242 (412) 648-8248 - FAX *Greg Hotchkiss, Assoc. Director of Media Relations e-mail:................................ ghotchkiss@athletics.pitt.edu Mobile:.............................. (412) 491-5296

Providence College Alumni Hall 549 River Ave. Providence, RI 02918 (401) 865-2759 (401) 865-2583 - FAX *Arthur Parks, Associate Athletic Director e-mail................................. aparks@providence.edu Mobile:.............................. (401) 378-7334

Rutgers University Louis Brown Athletic Center 83 Rockafeller Road Piscataway, NJ 08854-8053 (732) 445-4200 (732) 445-3063 – FAX *Kevin Lorincz, Assoc. Director of Athletic Communications e-mail:................................ klorincz@scarletknights.com Mobile:.............................. (732) 801-4067

Syracuse University Manley Field House Syracuse, NY 13244-5020 (315) 443-2608 (315) 443-2076 – FAX *Pete Moore, Director of Athletic Communications e-mail:................................ pimoore@syr.edu Mobile:.............................. (315) 952-5011

Villanova University Jake Nevin Field House 800 Lancaster Avenue Villanova, PA 19085 (610) 519-4145 (610) 519-7323 – FAX *Mike Sheridan, Director of Media Relations e-mail:........................... michael.sheridan@villanova.edu Home:........................... (610) 924-9042

West Virginia University P.O. Box 0877 Morgantown, WV 26507-0877 (304) 293-2821 (304) 293-4105 *Bryan Messerly, Sports Information Director e-mail:........................... bryan.messerly@mail.wvu.edu Mobile:......................... (304) 599-5708

BIG EAST Media Services BIG EAST conference On the Web... www.bigeast.org

The latest news, scores and standings from around the BIG EAST can be found on the conference’s official site, BigEast.org. The site was relaunched in 2007 in conjunction with JumpTV to include an easy-to-navigate design and a variety of multimedia content. The following information is updated after each game: • BIG EAST Standings • Team-by-team and composite results • Conference and team-by-team statistics • National polls and BIG EAST notebooks (Mondays) • Weekly Award Winners (Mondays) Get the latest scores for all games involving BIG EAST teams inprogress, followed by final game statistics and recaps. The Media Guide, which includes an in-depth Records & History Section, is located on the men’s basketball page. In addition, a Logos and Photos page is conveniently located on the front page. This Gallery includes photos and logos that may be downloaded for media use. Logos for every BIG EAST team and the conference marks can also be accessed (credit “The BIG EAST Conference” with each photo use).

CHAMPIONSHIP CREDENTIALS Credential applications for the 2010 BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Championship will only be accepted online via the BIG EAST Championship Credential Web Site. An advisory will be sent to accredited media in January with specific instructions on the application process. All parts of this section are for media use only. Accredited media should contact the conference office for the address.

CONFERENCE Release Media members can access PDF files of the complete press release from the men’s basketball page of the conference website. The release is updated daily following each day’s games.

BIG EAST ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER The BIG EAST Conference has expanded its public information distribution to the popular social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. Facebook www.facebook.com/bigeastconference Twitter www.twitter.com/BigEastMBB

E-Mail Distribution

The “first” group will have teleconferences on Jan. 7, Jan. 21, Feb. 4, Feb. 18. 11:00 a.m. Jay Wright, Villanova 11:08 a.m. Keno Davis, Providence 11:16 a.m. Stan Heath, USF 11:24 a.m. Jim Calhoun, Connecticut 11:32 a.m. Norm Roberts, St. John’s 11:40 a.m. Jerry Wainwright, DePaul 11:48 a.m. John Thompson III, Georgetown 11:56 a.m. Bobby Gonzalez, Seton Hall The “second” group will have teleconferences on Jan. 14, Jan. 28, Feb. 11, Feb. 25. 11:00 a.m. Buzz Williams, Marquette 11:08 a.m. Mike Brey, Notre Dame 11:16 a.m. Bob Huggins, West Virginia 11:24 a.m. Fred Hill, Rutgers 11:32 a.m. Jamie Dixon, Pittsburgh 11:40 a.m. Mick Cronin, Cincinnati 11:48 a.m. Jim Boeheim, Syracuse 11:56 a.m. Rick Pitino, Louisville

TELECONFERENCE AUDIO – REPLAYS AND INTERNET The BIG EAST weekly teleconference will be available via The BIG EAST web site. Users can listen to the live or archived audio. Check the BIG EAST web site at BIGEAST.org.

WEEKLY AWARDS

Media members may contact the BIG EAST Conference office by phone (401-453-0660) or e-mail to be included on the league’s e-mail lists for releases and information for any sport. Please contact Chuck Sullivan in the conference office (csullivan@bigeast.org) with requests or questions.

The BIG EAST names a Player and Rookie of the Week, as well as a Weekly Honor Roll, each Monday during the season. Winners are chosen from nominations provided by the BIG EAST sports information directors. The information is released from the BIG EAST office and will be listed in the conference release and be available on the league web site.

BIG EAST Weekly Teleconference

ANNUAL AWARDS

The BIG EAST men’s basketball coaches will hold a teleconference for the media each Thursday during the basketball season, beginning Jan. 7. Each coach will be available for approximately eight minutes. Media representatives wishing to participate should contact the BIG EAST office or consult the weekly press release for the phone number. The 16 coaches will be broken up into two groups of eight.

All-BIG EAST First, Second and Third Teams, Player, Rookie, Defensive Player and Coach of the Year are selected by a vote of the league’s 16 head coaches at the conclusion of the regular season. A league Most Improved Player, Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete, Sixth Man Award and a Sportsmanship Award are also presented. The BIG EAST All-Academic Team is comprised of letterwinners who are starters or important reserves and have an overall gradepoint average of 3.00 or better over the past academic year. The entire all-sports squad is announced in June after the conclusion of the academic year.

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BIG EAST Conference

It was a banner year for BIG EAST basketball in 2009 as Connecticut and Villanova reached the NCAA Final Four, while Connecticut defeated Louisville in the 2009 NCAA Women’s Final Four Championship game.

With 30 years under its belt, The BIG EAST Conference continues on a path of success in and out of the athletic arena. The goals have always been the same. The league wants and expects to compete at the highest level and does so with integrity and sportsmanship. The commendable performances of the student-athletes at BIG EAST schools are the indicators of the league’s proud tradition of success. The BIG EAST has gone through membership changes since its birth, but the 2009-10 academic year will mark the conference’s fifth straight with the same 16-member group, the nation’s largest Division I-A conference. In 2008-09, BIG EAST student-athletes again succeeded on the national stage. The Connecticut women’s basketball team won its sixth national championship by defeating conference foe Louisville in an all-BIG EAST NCAA title game. The Notre Dame women’s soccer team reached the NCAA championship game and the Syracuse field hockey squad advanced to the NCAA Final Four. Three BIG EAST women’s cross country teams finished in the top 10 at the NCAA Championships. West Virginia was fourth followed by Villanova in sixth place and Georgetown in ninth. Individually in women’s sports, Providence’s Danette Doetzel won the 10,000 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Connecticut’s Maya Moore was the conference’s sixth winner of the Wade Trophy as the top player in women’s basketball. Notre Dame’s Kerri Hanks won the Hermann Trophy, the top award in women’s soccer. On the men’s side, Connecticut and Villanova advanced to the Final Four in basketball. The 2008-09 campaign was arguably the best men’s basketball season in the history of the BIG EAST with the league setting NCAA standards with three No. 1 tournament seeds, four teams in the round of the Elite Eight and five in the Sweet 16. The St. John’s men’s soccer team reached the NCAA College Cup before losing in the national semifinals. BIG EAST football has maintained its high profile and its reputation as a balanced group. Seven of the league’s eight squads were nationally ranked or received votes in the national polls in 2008. Cincinnati was the league champion. The BIG EAST, a charter member of the Bowl Championship Series, has won three of its last four BCS bowl games. West Virginia, Louisville and Connecticut also have won or shared league crowns over the past four seasons.

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The BIG EAST has continued to produce student-athletes who were at the forefront of athletic and academic achievement. In 2008-09, 19 BIG EAST players were chosen to their respective ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Teams, including eight first-team selections. Nearly 400 student-athletes have earned academic all-America honors. The BIG EAST became the nation’s largest Division I-A conference in 2005-06 when five new members began competing. The new schools were: University of Cincinnati, DePaul University, University of Louisville, Marquette University and the University of South Florida. BIG EAST institutions reside in nine of the nation’s top 34 largest media markets, including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Tampa, Pittsburgh, Hartford, Milwaukee and Cincinnati. With its newest members, BIG EAST markets contain almost one fourth of all television households in the U.S. Since opening its doors in 1979, the league has won 26 national championships in six different sports and 126 student-athletes have won individual national titles. The BIG EAST has enjoyed tremendous basketball success, espe cially in this decade. In 2008-09, the BIG EAST produced four of the eight Final Four teams in men’s and women’s basketball. It was only the second time in NCAA history that one conference placed that many Final Four teams in the same season. In 2003-04, Connecticut became the first school in NCAA history to win the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball titles in the same season. In ’02-03, the BIG EAST became the first conference in NCAA history to win the men’s and women’s titles in the same year when the Syracuse men and the Connecticut women captured their respective national championships. In men’s basketball, BIG EAST squads have won three of the last 11 NCAA championships. BIG EAST women’s teams have taken six of the last 10 NCAA titles. Proactive movement has been a signature strategy for the conference that was born in 1979. The BIG EAST continually turns challenges into opportunities to become stronger. In 2009-10, the BIG EAST will add men’s lacrosse to its growing list of sports, which will increase its total to 24 sport championships. The first women’s golf championship was held in the spring of 2003. Women’s lacrosse and rowing were added in 2001.

BIG EAST Conference The BIG EAST became a reality on May 31, 1979, following a meeting of athletic directors from Providence College, St. John’s, Georgetown and Syracuse universities. Seton Hall, Connecticut and Boston College completed the original seven school alliance. While the membership has both increased and changed, the focus of the BIG EAST has not wavered. The conference reflects a tradition of broadbased programs, led by administrators and coaches who place a constant emphasis on academic integrity. Its student-athletes own significantly high graduation rates and their record of scholastic achievement notably show a balance between intercollegiate athletics and academics. Any successful organization has been fortunate to have outstanding leadership. Michael Tranghese, the league’s first full-time employee, and for 11 years the associate to Dave Gavitt, became Commissioner in 1990. In his first year, he administered the formation of The BIG EAST Football Conference. For 2009-10, the BIG EAST will undergo one significant change. Tranghese stepped down from his position on June 30, 2009. John Marinatto, who has served as senior associate commissioner, has

moved into the Commissioner’s chair. The league has long been considered a leader in innovative concepts in promotion and publicity, particularly regarding television. Those efforts have resulted in unparalleled visibility for BIG EAST studentathletes. The conference has enjoyed long-standing relationships with CBS, ESPN, Inc. and ABC. BIG EAST men’s basketball games are regular sellouts at campus and major public arenas, including the annual men’s BIG EAST Championship in Madison Square Garden. The women’s basketball championship has led all conferences in attendance for the past six years. Attendance figures also are significant in soccer and baseball. More than 550 BIG EAST student-athletes have earned allAmerica recognition and dozens have won individual NCAA national championships. The BIG EAST has been wellrepresented in U.S. or foreign national and Olympic teams. Several athletes earned gold medals in each of the last six summer Olympiads. The BIG EAST has its headquarters in Providence where the conference administers to more than 5,500 athletes.

A System Of Success - A Look At BIG EAST Achievements Since 1979-80 • Fifteen Final Four appearances in men’s basketball, including NCAA titles by Connecticut in 1999 and 2004, Syracuse in 2003, Villanova in 1985 and Georgetown in 1984. • NCAA women’s basketball titles by Connecticut in 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2009 and Notre Dame in 2001. • Fifteen Final Four appearances in women’s basketball (Connecticut 1991, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009; Notre Dame 1997, 2001; Rutgers 2000, 2007; Louisville 2009). • National championships in football by Miami in 1991 and 2001. • A seventh NCAA cross country title for Villanova in 1998, following an NCAA-record six straight from 198994. • NCAA men’s soccer titles by St. John’s in 1996 and Connecticut in 2000. • NCAA women’s soccer titles by Notre Dame in 1995 and 2004. • NCAA women’s cross country title by Providence in 1995. • Appearances in the NCAA Men’s College World Series by Notre Dame in 2002 and Louisville in 2007. • NCAA Women’s College World Series appearances by Connecticut in 1993 and DePaul in 2007. • Two NCAA Woman of the Year award winners (Nnenna Lynch, Villanova, 1993; Rebecca Lobo, Connecticut, 1995). • Four Honda-Broderick Cup winners recognizing collegiate athletic achievement among women (Vicki Huber, Villanova, 1988-89; Rebecca Lobo, Connecticut, 1994-95; Jennifer Rizzotti, Connecticut, 1995-96; Cindy Daws, Notre Dame, 1996-97). • The 1992 Heisman Trophy Winner (Gino Torretta, Miami). • Six women’s basketball Wade Trophy winners (Shelly Pennefather, Villanova, 1987; Rebecca Lobo, Connecticut, 1995; Jennifer Rizzotti, Connecticut, 1996; Sue Bird, Connecticut, 2002, Diana Taurasi, 2003; Maya Moore, Connecticut, 2009). • Two consensus National Players of the Year in men’s basketball (Walter Berry, St. John’s, 1986; Patrick Ewing, Georgetown, 1985). • Four Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy winners as the national men’s soccer player of the year (Chris Gbandi, Connecticut, 2000; Chris Wingert, St. John’s, 2003; Joseph Lapira, Notre Dame, 2006; O’Brian White, Connecticut, 2007). • Four Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy winners as the national women’s soccer player of the year (Cindy Daws, Notre Dame, 1996; Anne Makinen, Notre Dame, 2000; Kerri Hanks, Notre Dame, 2006 and 2008) and two NSCAA Division I Players of the Year (Jennifer Renola, Notre Dame, 1996; Sarah Whalen, Connecticut, 1997). • The 2002 National Player of the Year (Erin Elbe, Georgetown) in women’s lacrosse. • Two members of the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame (Dr. Leigh Curl, Connecticut ’85; Rebecca Lobo, Connecticut ‘95). • Twenty-nine Kodak First Team AllAmericans in women’s basketball.

• Twenty-two consensus all-America first team selections in men’s basketball. • Thirty-nine consensus all-America selections in football. • 2006 Winter Olympian in the bobsled. • 2004 Olympians (U.S. and others) in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s soccer, men’s and women’s swimming & diving and men’s and women’s track & field. • 2000 Olympians (U.S. and others) in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s diving, men’s and women’s track & field, women’s soccer and men’s and women’s swimming. • 1996 Olympians (U.S. and others) in men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s track & field, field hockey, men’s pentathlon, women’s soccer and women’s swimming. • 1992 Olympians (U.S. and others) in men’s basketball, men’s track and field and women’s swimming. • 1988 Olympians (U.S. and others) in baseball, men’s basketball and men’s and women’s track and field. • 1984 Olympians in men’s track and field, women’s swimming and men’s basketball. • Forty-two top five NCAA team finishes in men’s and women’s track and field. • Fifty-eight NCAA individual event champions and 10 relay event champions in women’s track and field. • Thirty-one NCAA individual event champions and 10 relay champions in men’s track and field. • Thirty-one top-10 NCAA team finishes and 20 top-10 individual finishes in men’s cross country. • Fifty-six top-10 NCAA team finishes and 44 top-10 individual finishes in women’s cross country. • Eight NCAA individual champions in women’s cross country and one NCAA individual champion in men’s cross country. • Twenty-two NCAA individual event champions in men’s and women’s swimming & diving. • All-Americans in men’s soccer (79), baseball (70), softball (33), men’s swimming and diving (114), women’s swimming and diving (67), women’s soccer (82), field hockey (95), men’s cross country and track (118), women’s cross country and track (171), volleyball (19), women’s lacrosse (64) and rowing (5). • Academic All-Americans in women’s cross country and track (46), men’s cross country and track (37), baseball (38), softball (31), women’s soccer (37), men’s soccer (34), golf (3), men’s tennis (4), women’s tennis (3), women’s lacrosse (6), men’s swimming and diving (14), women’s swimming and diving (8), football (30), men’s basketball (21), women’s basketball (16), field hockey (6) and volleyball (7). • National Academic All-American of the Year in softball (3), women’s basketball (2), women’s soccer (2), men’s basketball (2) men’s soccer (1) and women’s cross country and track (1).

2009-10 BIG EAST Media Guide—5

BIG EAST Conference BIG EAST Basketball Scholar-Athletes

BIG EAST Scholar-Athletes of the Year

2009 - Alex Ruoff (West Virginia) Jill Stephens (Cincinnati) 2008 - Ted Talkington (West Virginia) Allie Quigley (DePaul) 2007 - Aaron Gray (Pittsburgh) Jenna Rubino (DePaul) 2006 - Johannes Herber (West Virginia) Megan Duffy (Notre Dame) 2005 - Craig Forth (Syracuse) Ashley Bush (Seton Hall) 2004 - Emeka Okafor (Connecticut) Courtney Mix (Villanova) 2003 - Emeka Okafor (Connecticut) Alicia Ratay (Notre Dame) 2002 - Carlton Carter (Virginia Tech) Nicole Conway (Boston College) 2001 - Ruben Boumtje Boumtje (Georgetown) Ruth Riley (Notre Dame) 2000 - Lavor Postell (St. John=s) Cal Bouchard (Boston College) 1999 - Rob Hodgson (Rutgers) Rebecca Burbridge (West Virginia) 1998 - Pat Garrity (Notre Dame) Raquel Nurse (Syracuse) 1997 - Ya Ya Dia (Georgetown) Kristyn Cook (Syracuse) 1996 - Adrian Griffin (Seton Hall) Jennifer Rizzotti (Connecticut) 1995 - Marc Molinsky (Boston College) Rebecca Lobo (Connecticut) 1994 - Arturas Karnishovas (Seton Hall) Rebecca Lobo (Connecticut) 1993 - Arturas Karnishovas (Seton Hall) Erin Kenneally (Syracuse) 1992 - Darren Morningstar (Pittsburgh) Wendy Davis (Connecticut) 1991 - Greg Woodard (Villanova) Carla Wenger (Boston College) 1990 - Stephen Thompson (Syracuse) Angela Alston (Syracuse) 1989 - Ramon Ramos (Seton Hall) Geraldine Saintilus (Seton Hall) 1988 - Mark Plansky (Villanova) Vera Jones (Syracuse) 1987 - Harold Jensen (Villanova) Kathy Sweet (Boston College) 1986 - Ron Rowan (St. John’s) Joannie Powers (Providence) 1985 - Michael Moses (St. John’s) Leigh Curl (Connecticut)

2009 - Zak Boggs, USF (Soccer) Jennifer Kleinhans, Connecticut (Field Hockey) 2008 - Jeremy Stultz, Pittsburgh (Swimming & Diving) Jillian Drouin, Syracuse (Track & Field) 2007 - Drew Eckman, Villanova (Track & Field) Jessica Javelet, Louisville (Field Hockey) 2006 - Trevor O’Grady, Rutgers (Track & Field) Kelly Harrigan, Rutgers (Swimming & Diving) 2005 - Guy Melamed, Boston College (Soccer) Nicole Lee, Georgetown (Cross Country/Track & Field) 2004 - Chris Wingert, St. John’s (Soccer) Vanessa Pruzinsky, Notre Dame (Soccer) 2003 - Casey Schmidt, Boston College (Soccer) Erin McIntyre, Rutgers (Swimming) 2002 - Gregory Strohmann, Seton Hall (Soccer) Jarrah Myers, Notre Dame (Softball) 2001 - Chris Hamblin, Boston College (Soccer) Ruth Riley, Notre Dame (Basketball) 2000 - Scott VanEpps, Pittsburgh (Swimming) Jenny Streiffer, Notre Dame (Soccer) 1999 - Angelo Ciminiello, Providence (Baseball) Gladys Ganiel, Providence (Cross Country/Track & Field) 1998 - Errol Williams, Notre Dame (Track & Field) Charity Wachera, West Virginia (Track & Field) 1997 - Christian Fogarazzo, St. John’s (Track & Field) Jen Renola, Notre Dame (Soccer) 1996 - Gil Kovalski, Miami (Tennis) Najuma Fletcher, Pittsburgh (Track & Field

1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985

BIG EAST Football Scholar-Athletes 2008 - Conor Lee (Pittsburgh) 2007 - Brian Brohm (Louisville) 2006 - Jay Henry (West Virginia) 2005 - Garin Justice (West Virginia) 2004 - Vince Crochunis (Pittsburgh) 2003 - Nate Jones (Rutgers) 2002 - Matt Walters (Miami) 2001 - Kyle Johnson (Syracuse) 2000 - RaMon Johnson (Boston College)

West Virginia’s Alex Ruoff was chosen as the 2009 BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

2009-10 BIG EAST Championship Schedule

EVENT Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Men’s Soccer Women’s Soccer Field Hockey Women’s Volleyball Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving Men’s & Women’s Indoor Track & Field Women’s Basketball Men’s Basketball Men’s & Women’s Tennis Men’s & Women’s Golf Women’s Lacrosse Women’s Rowing Men’s & Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Softball Baseball

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- Kevin Lyles, Seton Hall (Track & Field) Becky Spies, Villanova (Cross Country/Track & Field) - Sebastien Goulet, Syracuse (Swimming) Allison Williams, Pittsburgh (Track & Field) - Nnenna Lynch, Villanova (Track & Field) Hector Zamora, Seton Hall (Soccer) - Steve Holman, Georgetown (Track & Field) Kelly Larkin, Syracuse (Field Hockey) - David Honor, St. John’s (Baseball) Cami White, Providence (Field Hockey) - Siobhan Gallagher, Providence (Track & Field) Pat O’Kelly, Seton Hall (Soccer) - Chris Craft, Villanova (Swimming) Vicki Huber, Villanova (Track & Field) - Noreen Coughlin, Pittsburgh (Volleyball) Dave Echeverria, Villanova (Diving) - Karen Ferreria, Providence (Volleyball) Harold Jensen, Villanova (Basketball) - Joanne Kehs, Villanova (Track & Field) John Prior, Connecticut (Track & Field) - Leigh Curl, Connecticut (Basketball) Joey David, Pittsburgh (Basketball)

SITE Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course, Kenosha, Wis. Host: Marquette Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, Morgantown, W.Va. Host: West Virginia First Round (campus sites): Nov. 4 Quarterfinal (campus sites): Nov. 7 Morrone Stadium, Storrs, Conn. Host: Connecticut First Round (campus sites): Oct. 29 Quarterfinal (campus sites): Nov. 1 Friar Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex, Providence, R.I. Host: Providence Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, Ky. Host: Louisville Trees Pool, Pittsburgh, Pa. Host: Pittsburgh Site: New Balance Track & Field Center at the Armory, New York, N.Y. Host: The BIG EAST Conference Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, Conn. Host: The BIG EAST Conference Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y. Host: The BIG EAST Conference Courtney Tennis Center, South Bend, Ind. Host: Notre Dame Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club, Palm Harbor, Fla. Host: USF Yurcak Field, Piscataway, N.J. Host: Rutgers Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester, Mass. Host: BIG EAST Conference/ECAC Gettler Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio Host: Cincinnati Ulmer Stadium, Louisville, Ky. Host: Louisville Site: Bright House Field, Clearwater, Fla. Host: The BIG EAST Conference

DATES October 31 November 13 & 15

November 6 & 8

November 7-8 November 20-22 February 12-14 (diving) February 17-20 (swimming) February 20-21 March 5-9 March 9-13 April 22-25 April 17-20 May 6 & 8 April 25 April 30-May 2 May 13-15 May 26-30

BIG EAST Bits

CONNECTICUT, VILLANOVA DROVE TO THE MOTOR CITY

Connecticut and Villanova represented the BIG EAST in Detroit in the Final Four. UConn dropped an 82-73 decision to Michigan State in the semifinals. The Huskies had won the West Regional by defeating Missouri 82-75. Villanova lost to North Carolina 83-69. The Wildcats took the East Regional crown by edging conference rival Pittsburgh 78-76. The last time the BIG EAST placed two teams in the Final Four was 1987 when Syracuse and Providence qualified.

HARANGODY RETURNS, could set big east records

Notre Dame forward Luke Harangody tested the NBA Draft waters in the spring, but decided to return for his senior season with the Fighting Irish. Besides the obvious boost his return provides to coach Mike Brey’s team, Harangody has a chance to put his name atop some all-time BIG EAST lists. Going into 2009-10, Harangody has scored 1,036 points and grabbed 540 rebounds in BIG EAST games in his three seasons. If he would average 20.6 points and 9.0 rebounds over an 18-game league schedule, he will become the league’s all-time leader in both categories. Syracuse’s Lawrence Moten (1991-95) is the all-time BIG EAST scorer with 1,405 points. Syracuse’s Derrick Coleman (1986-90) is first in rebounds with 701. Harangody is already the first player in league history to lead the BIG EAST in scoring and rebounding more than once, accomplishing the feat in the last two seasons. Last year, he was an All-BIG EAST First Team selection. As a sophomore, he was the BIG EAST Player of the Year.

BIG EAST COACH AND PLAYERS FOUND SUMMER SUCCESS ABROAD

Two USA Basketball teams that won medals this summer received some big contributions from the BIG EAST. Pitt’s Jamie Dixon coached the U19 Team to its first gold medal in 18 years. The team, which included Panther guard Ashton Gibbs who averaged 9.8 points, finished with a 9-0 record in New Zealand and compiled a 22.2-point margin of victory. The USA World University Games Team took the bronze medal at its championship, which was held in Serbia. Marquette’s Lazar Hayward scored 14 points in the bronze medal victory over Israel. West Virginia’s Da’Sean Butler added 13 points. They were joined on the team by Villanova’s Corey Fisher. All three players started at least three of the seven games and they all averaged between 9.3 and 8.6 points per game.

BIG EAST AND THE FINAL FOUR

The BIG EAST has won three of the last 11 national championships. Connecticut took home the NCAA crown in 1999 and 2004. Syracuse won it in 2003. Before they began competing in the BIG EAST in 2005-06, Louisville made the 2005 Final Four and Marquette appeared in 2003. Georgetown competed in the 2007 Final Four. A BIG EAST team has made the Final Four 15 times in 30 years of competition. A BIG EAST team has played in the national title game 10 times. The conference’s NCAA champions are: Georgetown (1984), Villanova (‘85), Connecticut (‘99 & ‘04) and Syracuse (‘03).

NBA DRAFT TAKES NINE FROM BIG EAST

The first 14 selections of the NBA Draft are considered Lottery Picks. The BIG EAST led all conferences in the NBA Draft with players chosen in that group. In all, nine BIG EAST stars were taken in the two-round draft on June 25. Connecticut’s Hasheem Thabeet was taken second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. Jonny Flynn of Syracuse went sixth to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Louisville forward tandem of Terrence Williams and Earl Clark were taken 11th and 14th respectively, by the New Jersey Nets and the Phoenix Suns. Five players went in the second round: Villanova’s Dante Cunningham (33rd by Portland), Georgetown’s DaJuan Summers (35th by Detroit), Pittsburgh’s Sam Young (36th by Memphis), Pittsburgh’s DeJuan Blair (37th by San Antonio) and Connecticut’s A.J. Price (52nd by Indiana). The total of nine draftees is the league’s second highest total since the NBA Draft was reduced to two rounds in 1988. In 2006, 11 BIG EAST players were selected. Rd. 1st 1st 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd

Pick 2nd 6th 11th 14th 33rd 35th 36th 37th 52nd

Player, School Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut Jonny Flynn, Syracuse Terrence Williams, Louisville Earl Clark, Louisville Dante Cunningham, Villanova DaJuan Summers, Georgetown Sam Young, Pittsburgh DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh A.J. Price, Connecticut

NBA Team Memphis Minnesota New Jersey Phoenix Portland Detroit Memphis San Antonio Indiana

BIG EAST FINISHED WITH A 17-7 NCAA MARK

On the strength of a record five teams in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Championship, the BIG EAST finished with a 17-7 NCAA mark, which included Villanova’s two-point win over Pittsburgh in the East Regional final. In 2008, the league’s final NCAA record was 11-8. The 2009 success marked the third time in the 30-year history of the BIG EAST that the conference has won more than 12 NCAA games. In 1984-85, when Georgetown, St. John’s and Villanova advanced to the Final Four, the BIG EAST was 18-5 in NCAA play, which included two games that had BIG EAST teams facing each other. In 1986-87, when Providence and Syracuse made the Final Four, the NCAA tourney record was 14-5. That mark also included two games that matched BIG EAST teams.

2009-10 BIG EAST Media Guide—7

BIG EAST Bits ELEVEN from big east make preseason wooden award list

The 2009-10 preseason candidates for the John Wooden Award All-American Team and Player of the Year trophy is a list of 50 players. Eleven are from the BIG EAST, the most of any conference. The BIG EAST candidates are: Cincinnati’s Deonta Vaughn, Connecticut’s Jerome Dyson and Kemba Walker; Georgetown’s Greg Monroe, Louisville’s Samardo Samuels, Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody, Seton Hall’s Jeremy Hazell, Villanova’s Corey Fisher and Scottie Reynolds and West Virginia’s Da’Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks.

Jeremy Hazell LOUISVILLE WON BIG EAST REGULAR SEASON AND TOURNEY CROWN

The Louisville Cardinals won the BIG EAST regular-season title outright with a 16-2 record and followed that by winning The BIG EAST Championship at Madison Square Garden in New York. Louisville was picked second in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches’ Poll. As the top seed at the conference tournament, Louisville knocked off No. 8 seed Providence 73-55 in the quarterfinals, No. 4 Villanova 69-55 in the semifinals and No. 6 Syracuse 76-66 in the title game.

SYRACUSE AND CONNECTICUT PLAYED AN EPIC CONTEST IN NEW YORK

Syracuse, the sixth seed in The BIG EAST Championship, met third-seeded Connecticut March 12 in a quarterfinal game that became an instant college basketball classic. The two teams battled through six overtimes before the Orange prevailed 127-117. Only one Division I game has gone longer. Cincinnati and Bradley played seven extra periods in 1981. Not surprisingly, some of the statistics from the SU-UConn game are mindboggling. For Syracuse, guard Jonny Flynn posted 34 points, 11 assists and six steals, while playing 67 of a possible 70 minutes. For UConn, guard A.J. Price produced 33 points and 10 assists. Connecticut held the rebounding edge 76-67. The Huskies attempted 106 shots from the floor, while the Orange had 103 tries.

BIG EAST earnEd three no. 1 seeds

For the first time in the history of the NCAA Championship, one conference earned three No. 1 seeds. Louisville was the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Regional. Pittsburgh was the top seed in the East Regional. Connecticut was No. 1 in the West Regional.

8—2009-10 BIG EAST Media Guide

BIG EAST Bits ALL-TIME NCAA RECORDS

Since the league began play in 1979-80, BIG EAST teams own a 255-152 (.627) record in NCAA competition. The league was 17-7 in 2009.

BIG EAST LEADS IN SWEET 16 APPEARANCES

With five Sweet 16 teams in 2009, the BIG EAST has had the most teams reach the regional semifinal round over the last seven seasons.

REGIONAL SEMIFINALISTS (2003-09) BIG EAST Big 12 Atlantic Coast

Villanova’s Jay Wright is the sixth current BIG EAST coach to reach the Final Four. VILLANOVA’S WRIGHT JOINS BIG EAST FINAL FOUR COACHES’ CLUB

Villanova’s Jay Wright became the sixth current BIG EAST head coach to participate in a Final Four. Connecticut’s Jim Calhoun made his third trip. Calhoun’s previous visits were in 2004 and 1999. Louisville’s Rick Pitino is the only coach in NCAA history to lead three different teams to the Final Four: Providence (1987), Kentucky (1997, ‘96, ‘93) and Louisville (2005). Jim Boeheim has been to the Final Four three times with Syracuse (2003, ‘96, ‘87). West Virginia’s Bob Huggins guided Cincinnati to the 1992 Final Four. Georgetown’s John Thompson III led the Hoyas to the Final Four in 2007.

THE OTHER BIG EAST TEAMS WERE ON LINES THREE AND SIX

A total of seven BIG EAST teams received NCAA invitations. In addition to the three No. 1 seeds, two squads were No. 3 seeds and two were No. 6. Villanova was the third seed in the East Regional with Syracuse occupying the No. 3 spot in the South Regional. The No. 6 seeds were West Virginia in the Midwest Regional and Marquette in the West.

23 16 14

big east likes the west

Connecticut was the No. 1 seed in the 2009 West Regional and followed its previous patterns by reaching the Final Four. Both times the Huskies won the national championship, in 2004 and 1999, they were West Regional champions. In fact, seven BIG EAST teams in the 30-year history of the league have reached the Final Four by going through the West Regional. The others were: Syracuse in 1996, Seton Hall in 1989, St. John’s in 1984 and Georgetown in 1982.

BIG EAST MAINTAINED ITS ELITE EIGHT STREAK

The BIG EAST is the only conference to place at least one team in every NCAA Elite Eight since 2002. Six different squads -- Louisville (2009, ‘08), Georgetown (‘07, ‘06), Villanova (‘09, ‘06), West Virginia (‘05), Connecticut (‘09, ‘04, ‘02), Syracuse (‘03) and Pittsburgh (‘09) -- have accomplished the feat.

BIG EAST HAD A RECORD NUMBER OF TEAMS IN REGIONAL SEMIFINALS AND ELITE EIGHT

The BIG EAST placed a record five teams in the NCAA round of Sweet 16 and a record four in the Elite Eight. The five in the Sweet 16 were: Connecticut, Villanova, Pittsburgh, Louisville and Syracuse. All but Syracuse advanced to the regional finals.

BIG EAST HAD FOUR MORE IN POSTSEASON

Notre Dame, Providence and Georgetown earned bids to the NIT. The Fighting Irish advanced to the semifinals before losing to Penn State. The Friars and Hoyas lost in the first round. St. John’s lost at Richmond in the first round of the CBI.

Stanley Robinson, Connecticut LOUISVILLE FINISHED ON TOP AND NO. 1 GOING INTO THE POSTSEASON

In a season that many college basketball observers felt was the BIG EAST’s best campaign, it was Louisville that won the regular-season and postseason crowns. The Cardinals also entered NCAA play ranked No. 1 in the country in the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls.

PITTSBURGH HAS THE LONGEST BIG EAST NCAA STREAK

The longest current streak of NCAA tourney bids among BIG EAST teams belongs to Pittsburgh. The Panthers have been to the last eight NCAA Championships.

VILLANOVA IS A SWEET 16 REGULAR

Villanova is one of only two teams nationally to make four appearances in the NCAA Regional Semifinals over the past five years. The other is North Carolina.

Providence was one of three BIG EAST teams to reach the 2009 NIT.

2009-10 BIG EAST Media Guide—9

BIG EAST COACHES ARE HIGH ON THE LISTS

Many BIG EAST head coaches continue to reside near the top of some of the NCAA’s all-time lists. On the Active Coaches by Victories list, Connecticut’s Jim Calhoun is second with 805 wins. Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim is third at 799, West Virginia’s Bob Huggins is fourth with 639 victories and Louisville’s Rick Pitino is 16th with 552 wins. In winning percentage, five BIG EAST coaches are among the top 20. Pittsburgh’s Jamie Dixon is third (.784), Pitino is 10th (.737), Boeheim is 11th (.735), Huggins is 12th (.732), and Calhoun is 20th (.702).

SEC/BIG EAST INVITATIONAL RETURNS IN DECEMBER

The BIG EAST and the Southeastern Conferences are in the third year of the four-year SEC/BIG EAST Invitational, which will include two doubleheaders pairing schools from both leagues. ESPN is a partner in the agreement. On Dec. 9 at Madison Square Garden in New York, St. John’s will play Georgia on ESPN2 followed by Connecticut versus Kentucky on ESPN. On Dec. 10, at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., DePaul battles Mississippi State on ESPN2 before Syracuse plays Florida on ESPN.

SPECIAL EVENT APPEARANCES

Each BIG EAST school will participate in at least one in-season tournament this year. Here is a look at the schedule: Team Cincinnati Connecticut DePaul Georgetown Louisville Marquette Notre Dame Pittsburgh Providence Rutgers St. John’s Seton Hall USF Syracuse Villanova West Virginia

Event EA Sports Invitational NIT Season Tip-Off Virgin Islands Paradise Jam John Wooden Classic Hall of Fame Showcase Old Spice Classic Chicago Invitational Challenge CBE Classic World Vision Invitational Legends Classic Philly Hoop Group vs. Virginia Tech in Cancun Charleston Classic 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer O’Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off Anaheim 76 Classic

BIG EAST Returning Career Leaders

Date Nov. 23-25 Nov. 16-17, 25-27 Nov. 20-23 Dec. 12 Nov. 17 Nov. 26-29 Nov. 27-28 Nov. 17-19, 23-24 Nov. 13-15 Nov. 18-22, 28-29 Nov. 14-24; 27-28 Jan. 2 Nov. 19-22 Nov. 9-11, 19-20 Nov. 19-22 Nov. 26-29

Entering the 2009-10 season, the following players have the highest career totals in their respective categories (conference games only).

Justin Burrell, St. John’s BIG EAST HAS TWO IN THE JIMMY V AGAIN

The BIG EAST again will be represented in both games of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. On Dec. 8, Georgetown will meet Butler followed by Pittsburgh against Indiana. ESPN will carry both games.

Tory Jackson

10—2009-10 BIG EAST Media Guide

Points Luke Harangody, Notre Dame

1,036

Scoring Average Luke Harangody, Notre Dame

19.9

Rebounds Luke Harangody, Notre Dame

540

Rebound Average Luke Harangody, Notre Dame

10.4

3-Point Field Goals Scottie Reynolds, Villanova

117

3-Point Field Goal % Preston Knowles, Louisville

.431

Field Goal % Arinze Onuaku, Syracuse

.615

Free Throw % Sharaud Curry, Providence

.881

Assists Tory Jackson, Notre Dame

291

Assist Average Tory Jackson, Notre Dame

5.6

Blocked Shots Hamady Ndiaye, Rutgers

Blocked Shot Average Hamady Ndiaye, Rutgers

1.7

Steals Eugene Harvey, Seton Hall

Steals Average Eugene Harvey, Seton Hall

2.2

2009-10 Preseason Predictions Harangody Earns Preseason Player of the Year Honors Again For the second straight season, Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody was named BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year by a vote of the league’s head coaches. He is only the second player in the history of the BIG EAST to earn Preseason Player of the Year honors more than once. Georgetown’s Patrick Ewing was honored three times (1982-83, 1983-84 and 1984-85). Cincinnati freshman guard Lance Stephenson was named BIG EAST Preseason Rookie of the Year. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players. Harangody, a 6-8 senior forward, was an All-BIG EAST First Team selection last season. He led the BIG EAST in scoring last year in all games with a 23.3 average. Harangody was second in rebounding at 11.8. In league games, the native of Schererville, Ind., was first in both categories, averaging 25.2 points and 12.8 boards. It was the second straight season he was first in points and rebounds in league play. He is the first player in the history of the BIG EAST to lead the league in both categories more than once. Two seasons ago, Harangody was named BIG EAST Player of the Year. Going into 2009-10, he has the opportunity to become the league’s all-time scorer and rebounder in BIG EAST play. He has scored 1,036 points and grabbed 540 rebounds in his first three seasons of conference competition. If he averages 20.6 points and 9.0 rebounds over an 18-game league schedule, he will become the BIG EAST’s all-time leader in both categories. The five-member Preseason All-BIG EAST Team includes last year’s BIG EAST Rookie of the Year and four seniors. Georgetown sophomore center Greg Monroe averaged 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals en route to rookie honors last season. Forwards Lazar Hayward of Marquette and Da’Sean Butler of West Virginia have been consistent performers. The 6-6 Hayward averaged 16.3 points and a team-leading 8.6 rebounds last year for the Golden Eagles. The 6-7 Butler was the Mountaineers’ top scorer and rebounder, averaging 17.1 points and 5.9 boards. Villanova’s Scottie Reynolds and Cincinnati’s Deonta Vaughn are expected to be their respective teams’ backcourt anchors. Reynolds averaged 15.2 points and 3.4 assists in a Wildcat season that did not end until the NCAA Final Four. Vaughn has been the key cog in the rise of the Bearcats’ program. Vaughn has led UC in scoring in each of his three seasons. Last year, his scoring mark was 15.3 points and he averaged a team-high 4.7 assists. Six players were named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team due to a tie in the voting. Connecticut placed two guards, senior Jerome Dyson and sophomore Kemba Walker, on the squad. A pair of junior shooting guards, Jeremy Hazell of Seton Hall and Dominique Jones of USF, were chosen by the coaches along with sophomore forwards Samardo Samuels of Louisville and Devin Ebanks of West Virginia. Connecticut forward Stanley Robinson and Syracuse center Arinze Onuaku, a pair of seniors, received Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention recognition. Stephenson, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., enjoyed a prolific prep career. He was the Class AA New York State Player of the Year as a senior and scored a state record 2,946 career points.

2009-10 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year Luke Harangody, Notre Dame

2009-10 BIG EAST Preseason Rookie of the Year Lance Stephenson, Cincinnati

2009-10 Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team

Luke Harangody, Notre Dame (Player of the Year), F, Sr., 6-8, 255, Schererville, Ind. Deonta Vaughn, Cincinnati, G, Sr., 6-1, 190, Indianapolis, Ind. Greg Monroe, Georgetown, C, So., 6-11, 247, New Orleans, La. Lazar Hayward, Marquette, F, Sr., 6-6, 225, Buffalo, N.Y. Scottie Reynolds, Villanova, G, Sr., 6-2, 195, Herndon, Va. Da’Sean Butler, West Virginia, F, Sr., 6-7, 225, Newark, N.J.

2009-10 Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team

Jerome Dyson, Connecticut, G, Sr., 6-3, 190, Potomac, Md. Kemba Walker, Connecticut, G, So., 6-1, 172, Bronx, N.Y. Samardo Samuels, Louisville, F, So., 6-9, 260, Trelawny, Jamaica Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall, G, Jr., 6-5, 185, Bronx, N.Y. Dominique Jones, USF, G, Jr., 6-4, 205, Lake Wales, Fla. Devin Ebanks, West Virginia, F, So., 6-9, 210, Long Island City, N.Y. a tie in the balloting created six positions

2009-10 Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention

Stanley Robinson, Connecticut, F, Sr., 6-9, 210, Birmingham, Ala. Arinze Onuaku, Syracuse, C, Sr., 6-9, 275, Lanham, Md.

2009-10 BIG EAST Media Guide—11

Previewing The 2009-10 Season Villanova Edges West Virginia In Preseason Poll Villanova has been picked as the favorite to win the 2009-10 BIG EAST regular-season crown in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Wildcats, who advanced to the NCAA Final Four last year, finished just ahead of West Virginia. Villanova received 10 first-place votes and 218 points in the poll. The Mountaineers picked up five first-place votes and 215 points. Villanova is the coaches’ top choice for the first time since the 2005-06 poll, which was the first season that the BIG EAST included 16 teams. The Wildcats boast a deep backcourt led by senior Scottie Reynolds. West Virginia’s No. 2 position this year is the highest in the preseason poll for the Mountaineers since they began competing in BIG EAST basketball in 1995-96. WVU has four starters returning from a club that finished 23-12 last season. Connecticut, the third-place pick with 185 points, received the other first-place selection. The Huskies joined Villanova at the Final Four last year and finished 31-5. Louisville, the defending regular-season and league tournament champion, was a close fourth, earning 179 points. The Cardinals have advanced the NCAA Elite Eight in each of the past two seasons. Georgetown was the fifth-place selection with 161 points followed by Syracuse in sixth place with 152 points. The Hoyas, who stumbled in league play last year with a 7-11 mark, can build around sophomore center Greg Monroe, the 2008-09 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year. Syracuse was 28-10 last year and 11-7 in conference play. The Orange have posted 12 straight 20-win seasons. The conference head coaches feel Cincinnati is capable of moving up in the standings. They placed the Bearcats, who were 8-10 in league play each of the past two seasons, seventh with 135 points, just ahead of Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish, who had 132 points in the poll, want to improve on last year’s 8-10 league mark. Pittsburgh is ninth with 119 points with Seton Hall placing 10th at 110 points. The Panthers will aim to maintain their contending role despite losing four starters from last year’s 31-5 team. Seton Hall, 17-15 a year ago and 7-11 in the BIG EAST, welcomes back sharpshooting guard Jeremy Hazell and three other starters. St. John’s, which returns its top eight players from last season, picked up 82 points in the poll, which was good for 11th place. Marquette, which lost four starters from last year’s 25-10 squad, was 12th at 78 points. The coaches feel Providence will finish 13th followed by USF, Rutgers and DePaul.

12—2009-10 BIG EAST Media Guide

2009-10 Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Pts. 1. Villanova (10) 218 2. West Virginia (5) 215 3. Connecticut (1) 185 4. Louisville 179 5. Georgetown 161 6. Syracuse 152 7. Cincinnati 135 8. Notre Dame 132 9. Pittsburgh 119 10. Seton Hall 110 11. St. John’s 82 12. Marquette 78 13. Providence 52 14. USF 44 15. Rutgers 43 16. DePaul 15 First-place votes in parentheses

All 16 Teams Will Come To New York The BIG EAST will send all 16 of its teams to New York for The BIG EAST Championship for the second straight year in 2010. The dates for the 2010 event at Madison Square Garden in New York are March 9-13. On Tuesday, March 9, seeds nine through 16 will square off in a pair of doubleheaders. The four winners will battle the teams seeded fifth through eighth on Wednesday, March 10. The tournament’s top four seeds await Wednesday’s winners in the quarterfinal round on Thursday. The semifinal round is Friday, March 12. The Saturday night championship game, a fixture on the New York sports calendar, begins at 9 p.m. ET. BIG EAST history says it is important to earn a bye into the quarterfinals. Syracuse and Pittsburgh are the only teams to have won BIG EAST tournament titles by earning four victories. Syracuse did it in 2006, defeating Pittsburgh in the final, while the Panthers won four straight in 2008.

BIG EAST Television BIG EAST’s Unprecedented Television Coverage Continues -For The Third Straight Season, Every League Game Will Be Televised-

The BIG EAST Conference’s 2009-10 men’s basketball schedule again includes a record number of national television appearances. Additionally, for the third straight season, all 144 regularseason league games will be televised Some of the highlights of the current agreement: • E SPN, Inc. will produce 139 of the 144 regular-season conference games this season. The five remaining games will be carried by CBS Sports. • F orty-four conference contests will be carried on ESPN or ESPN2. • E SPNU, which has increased its reach to more than 47 million homes, will carry 19 league games. • I n total, 68 of the 144 regular-season BIG EAST games (47 percent) will be on national television. The remaining games will be on ESPNU, ESPN360.com or the ESPN Regional BIG EAST Network. When games from The BIG EAST Championship are added, more than half of all games played between BIG EAST teams will be televised nationally. • E SPN Regional will carry a minimum of 52 conference games under the banner of The BIG EAST Network and continue to produce its weekend Game of the Week package, which reaches over a third of the nation’s homes and has a household reach of more than 38 million. Most games offered by ESPN Regional are also available nationally as part of ESPN Full Court, the pay subscription college basketball outer-market service. • E SPN360.com, the network’s customized broadband service, will carry four league games in 2009-10. • E SPN or ESPN Regional will produce numerous non-conference home games. • T he BIG EAST will continue its regular presence on ESPN’s Big Monday as well as a regular presence on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Some additional television highlights of the 2009-10 schedule include: Big Monday – All seven BIG EAST teams that earned berths in the 2009 NCAA Championship will make appearances. The first Monday game is Pittsburgh at Cincinnati on Jan. 4. That contest will be Cincinnati’s first Monday home game on ESPN since the Bearcats joined the BIG EAST in 2005-06. Villanova travels to Louisville on Jan. 11. No other conference appears on Mondays on ESPN more than the BIG EAST. The Big Monday package also includes Connecticut at Villanova, a battle of the two league squads that advanced to the NCAA Final Four last year, on Feb. 15. The Big Monday series concludes with Georgetown at West Virginia on March 1. All games on the Big Monday schedule will be available on ESPN.360. Wednesdays -- ESPN or ESPN2 will show nine Wednesday games involving BIG EAST teams during the 10-week conference season. The Wednesday schedule includes Connecticut at Syracuse on Feb. 10. Those two clubs played an unforgettable six-overtime game in the quarterfinals of The BIG EAST Championship. Thursdays -- ESPN or ESPN2 will televise 11 Thursday games that will include 13 BIG EAST squads. The weekly Thursday night package starts when ESPN2 carries St. John’s at Georgetown on Dec. 31. The final Thursday of the season, March 4, includes two telecasts on ESPN or ESPN2 – Seton Hall at Rutgers and Providence at Pittsburgh.

The BIG EAST has always been considered a leader in television. Twelve of the 16 BIG EAST institutions are located in the top 35 media markets in the country.

Saturdays – ESPN or ESPN2 will telecast 10 BIG EAST games during the conference season. Also, the BIG EAST Network Game of the Week package continues, mostly at noon, ET. The Game of the Week package reaches over one-third of the nation and is the largest syndicated college basketball package in the nation. The Saturday schedule will be announced at a later date. There is one Sunday telecast on ESPN, Louisville at Syracuse on Feb. 14. CBS Sports -- The 11-game schedule on CBS Sports, which includes five league contests, will feature eight BIG EAST teams. The CBS Sports slate begins with one of college basketball’s great intersectional rivalries, UCLA at Notre Dame, on Dec. 19. The first league game on CBS Sports will be West Virginia at Seton Hall on Dec. 26. On Feb. 21, Pittsburgh will host Villanova, a contest that figures to spark memories of their game in the 2009 NCAA Elite Eight in Boston. The Wildcats won at the buzzer 78-76. The BIG EAST/CBS Sports schedule concludes with West Virginia at Villanova on March 6. The BIG EAST and CBS Sports have been formal television partners since 1985, the longest relationship of any conference and national network. ESPN GameDay – ESPN will take its signature GameDay series to a BIG EAST campus again. Syracuse will host Villanova and the GameDay crew at the Carrier Dome on Feb. 27. ESPN Rivalry Week – No conference will appear more times on Rivalry Week than the BIG EAST. The week begins on Feb. 8 with Villanova at West Virginia in a Big Monday battle. Rivalry Week concludes the following Monday, Feb. 15, with Connecticut at Villanova. In all, seven BIG EAST games will be televised. Holiday Week – The BIG EAST league schedule on ESPN and ESPN2 begins in late December with Connecticut traveling to Cincinnati on Dec. 30. On New Year’s Eve, St. John’s plays at Georgetown. Both games will be carried by ESPN2. Jimmy V Classic – For a second straight year, the BIG EAST will participate in both games of the doubleheader at the Jimmy V Classic, Dec. 8 at Madison Square Garden. ESPN will show Georgetown versus Butler followed by Pittsburgh meeting Indiana. SEC/BIG EAST Invitational – The third annual meeting between the two conferences will be carried by ESPN and ESPN2. On Dec. 9 at Madison Square Garden, St. John’s battles Georgia on ESPN2 followed by Connecticut and Kentucky on ESPN. On Dec. 10 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., DePaul and Mississippi State square off on ESPN2 before Florida plays Syracuse on ESPN. NBA All-Star Weekend Game – The BIG EAST again will be featured on ESPN on the Friday night of the NBA All-Star Weekend when West Virginia plays at Pittsburgh on Feb. 12. Saturday, January 30 – Although there are several days on the schedule with many attractive matchups, one of the better days may be Jan. 30. At noon, Louisville plays at West Virginia on ESPN. At 2 p.m. Georgetown will host Duke on CBS Sports. At 6 p.m., Notre Dame goes to Rutgers on ESPN2. ESPNU will pick up Providence at Cincinnati with the tipoff time to be announced. Also, Marquette plays at Connecticut and Syracuse travels to DePaul.

2009-10 BIG EAST Media Guide—13

BIG EAST Television The BIG EAST on

DECEMBER 19 26

Sat. Sat.

UCLA at Notre Dame West Virginia at Seton Hall

2:00 3:30

Louisville at Kentucky Connecticut at Michigan Ohio State at West Virginia Texas at Connecticut Duke at Georgetown

3:30 4:30 2:00 4:00 1:00

Villanova at Pittsburgh Notre Dame at Georgetown Louisville at Connecticut

Noon Noon 2:00

West Virginia at Villanova

Noon

JANUARY 2 17 23 23 30

Sat. Sun. Sat. Sat. Sat.

Jim Nantz

FEBRUARY 21 27 28

Sun. Sat. Sun.

MARCH 6

Sat.

Bill Raftery

Verne Lundquist

14—2009-10 BIG EAST Media Guide

Greg Anthony

Clark Kellogg

BIG EAST Television The BIG EAST on ESPN and ESPN 2 NOVEMBER 17 Tue. 17 Tue. 17 Tue. 19 Thu. 20 Fri. 23 Mon. 23 Mon. 24 Tue. 25 Wed. 26 Thu. 27 Fri. 28 Sat.

CBE Classic Temple at Georgetown Hall of Fame Showcase Pittsburgh vs. Binghamton 2K Sports Classic Louisville vs. Arkansas 2K Sports Classic Syracuse vs. California Maui Invitational Syracuse vs. North Carolina/Ohio St. CBE Classic Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt Maui Invitational Pittsburgh vs. Wichita State NIT Season Tip-Off Cincinnati vs. Maryland/Chaminade Old Spice Classic Connecticut vs. TBD NIT Season Tip-Off Marquette vs. Xavier Connecticut vs. TBD La Salle at Villanova

Jimmy V Classic

8 Tue. 9 Wed. 9 Wed. 9 Wed. 10 Thu. 10 Thu. 10 Thu. 12 Sat. 19 Sat. 23 Wed. 28 Mon. 30 Wed. 31 Thu.

Georgetown vs. Butler SEC/BIG EAST Invitational Pittsburgh vs. Indiana St. John’s vs. Georgia SEC/BIG EAST Invitational Villanova at St. Joseph’s SEC/BIG EAST Invitational Connecticut vs. Kentucky DePaul vs. Mississippi State SEC/BIG EAST Invitational Miami (O.) at Cincinnati Syracuse vs. Florida Marquette at Wisconsin Western Kentucky at Louisville Mississippi at West Virginia Rutgers at North Carolina Connecticut at Cincinnati St. John’s at Georgetown

DECEMBER

5 Sat. St. John’s at Duke

JANUARY 4:00

ESPN