Jan. 22, 2009

click here for CBI Big East preview

click here for Big East feature on USF

click here for coaches' preseason All-Big East team

The Louisville Cardinals, winners of the 2008 Big East Tournament, are the unanimous choice to capture the 2009 crown in voting by the league’s head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own teams, as released by the conference office.

Louisville also had the individual honorees, as junior third baseman Chris Dominguez was named Preseason Player of the Year for the second straight season and junior left-hander Justin Marks was unanimously selected as Preseason Pitcher of the Year.

The Cardinals were 41-21 overall a season ago and 16-11 in league play. Louisville reached the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.

USF was second in the preseason poll, followed by Notre Dame and St. John’s.

The season begins Feb. 20, as eight teams will compete in the Big East/Big Ten Challenge in Florida. At the conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams will participate in the 2009 Big East Championship May 19-23 at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla.

Big East Preseason Poll

Team, Points (First Place) (2008 Overall, Big East Records)

1. Louisville, 121 (11) (41-21, 16-11)

2. USF, 103 (31-27, 14-13)

3. Notre Dame, 99 (33-21-1, 16-10)

4. St. John’s, 93 (1) (42-16, 20-7)

5. Cincinnati, 77 (39-20, 19-8)

6. Connecticut, 62 (27-28, 11-16)

7. West Virginia, 60 (35-21, 13-14)

8. Rutgers, 58 (23-29-1, 11-16)

9. Seton Hall, 49 (31-25, 15-12)

10. Villanova, 31 (30-28, 12-15)

11. Pittsburgh, 27 (19-34, 7-19)

12. Georgetown, 12 (18-32, 7-20)

Preseason Player of the Year: Chris Dominguez, Jr, 3B, Louisville

Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Justin Marks, Jr., LHP, Louisville