{
  "id": 11209318,
  "title": "Marquette picked to finish fourth in Big East coaches poll",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/marquette-picked-to-finish-fourth-in-big-east-coaches-poll",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T14:15:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/marquette-picked-finish-fourth-big-141531765.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Big East coaches have predicted the Marquette men's basketball team to finish fourth in the league, according to the annual preseason poll released on October 1. The Golden Eagles received one first-place vote, despite going 7-13 the previous season and tying for seventh. Connecticut was the overwhelming favorite to win the championship, earning eight first-place votes. St. John's was predicted to secure second place, with two first-place votes. Nigel James Jr., the Marquette sophomore point guard, was unanimously selected to the all-Big East first team. James Jr., who was the Big East freshman of the year last season, averaged 16.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. Royce Parham, a sophomore forward, was chosen for the all-Big East second team. He is set to benefit from the momentum he gained in the final seven games of last season, where he averaged 16.4 points per game. Sananda Fru, a newcomer transfer from Louisville, was voted to the all-Big East third team. Fru averaged 9.0 points and 6.1 rebounds for the Cardinals the previous season. Connecticut dominated the preseason individual awards, with Silas Demary Jr. winning player of the year and Colben Landrew receiving freshman of the year honors.",
  "summary": "The Golden Eagles are expected to bounce back after struggling last season, led by dynamic guard Nigel James Jr.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "UConn men's basketball picked to win Big East, Silas Demary Jr. tabbed as Player of the Year",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/uconn-mens-basketball-picked-to-win-big-east-silas-demary-jr-tabbed",
        "published": "2026-10-01T13:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "UConn picked to win Big East led by preseason conference Player of the Year Silas Demary Jr.",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/uconn-picked-to-win-big-east-led-by-preseason-conference-player-of-11213115",
        "published": "2026-10-01T14:18:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}