UConn tops AAC coaches' poll, Boatright named preseason POY
The University of Connecticut topped the American Athletic Conference men's basketball preseason coaches' poll and guard Ryan Boatright was picked as preseason player of the year, the conference announced Wednesday.
Coach Kevin Ollie's Huskies, the defending national champions, received six of the 11 first-place votes. Larry Brown's SMU Mustangs got the other five first-place votes. Memphis, Cincinnati and Tulsa rounded out the top five.
The complete coaches' poll:
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Boatright was tabbed as the preseason player of the year. UConn will have to replace Final Four Most Outstanding Player Shabazz Napier and DeAndre Daniels who left for the NBA. Boatwright, a senior, averaged 12.1 points last season for the Huskies.
UConn opens the regular season on Nov. 14 against Bryant University. They begin AAC play on Dec. 31 against Temple.
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- Paul Palladino
