To the surprise of no one in the women’s college basketball world, the UConn Huskies are the favorites to win the BIG EAST Conference once again in 2023-2024. 

The UConn Women's Basketball team received 10 first-place votes (head coaches cannot pick their own teams) in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches Poll. 

Ranked No.2 in the country in both the AP Preseason and Coaches Poll, UConn’s streak of 14-straight Final Four appearances was snapped in 2023. Head coach Geno Auriemma looks to start a new run. 

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As far as NCAA national championships go, the Huskies are among the favorites, though it’s something they haven't won since 2016, when they finished up a four-peat. 

Challenging them in conference will be the only other team ranked in the national preseason polls, Creighton (No. 22 in AP; tied for No. 23 in the Coaches Poll). The Bluejays went 15-5 in conference play last season and 22-9 overall. 

Here’s a look at the full BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches poll:

BIG EAST Women's Basketball Preseason Rankings

1. UConn (10) - 100
2. Creighton (1) - 90
3. Marquette - 79
4. Villanova - 76
5. Seton Hall - 58
6. St. John's - 52
7. DePaul - 49
8. Butler - 37
9. Providence - 32
10. Georgetown - 20
11. Xavier - 12

BIG EAST Women's Basketball Preseason Player Of The Year

• Paige Bueckers, UConn

 Preseason Freshman of the Year

• KK Arnold, UConn

 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team

• Aaliyah Edwards, UConn*
• Azzi Fudd, UConn*
• Nika Muhl, UConn
• Lauren Jensen, Creighton*
• Morgan Maly, Creighton*
• Emma Ronsiek, Creighton
• Anaya Peoples, DePaul
• Kelsey Ransom, Georgetown
• Jordan King, Marquette*
• Lucy Olsen, Villanova*

 Honorable Mention

• Liza Karlen, Marquette
• Unique Drake, St. John's
• Azana Baines, Seton Hall

NCAA Women's Basketball Preseason Rankings 2023-2024

Here is the AP preseason rankings entering the season. 

1. LSU (35)
2. UConn (1)
3. Iowa
4. UCLA
5. Utah
6. South Carolina
7. Ohio State
8. Virginia Tech
9. Indiana
10. Notre Dame
11. Tennessee
12. Ole Miss
13. Texas
14. Maryland
15. Stanford
16. North Carolina
17. Louisville
18. Florida State
19. Baylor
20. Colorado
21. USC
22. Creighton
23. Illinois
24. Washington State
25. Mississippi State

Others receiving votes: Kansas State 47, NC State 34, Kansas 26, Texas A&M 20, Iowa State 18, Gonzaga 15, Duke 7, Nebraska 5, Miami 3, UNLV 2, Washington 2, Toledo 1, Oregon 1, Villanova 1, Arizona 1

When Is The BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament?

BIG EAST teams will compete to be the automatic qualifier for the 2024 NCAA Tournament beginning March 8 in Uncasville, Connecticut. The BIG EAST Tournament championship game is March 11. 

When Is The 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament?

Selection Sunday for the NCAA Women’s Tournament is March 17, 2024. The First Four will tip off March 20, with the Round of 64 beginning March 22. 

Watch BIG EAST Women’s Basketball On FloHoops

The BIG EAST Digital Network is on FloHoops and the FloSports app. Most of the BIG EAST Women’s Basketball conference games will stream on FloHoops and the FloSports app.