NEW YORK – The BIG EAST Conference announced preseason women's basketball awards on Tuesday morning just hours before the start of Media Day at Madison Square Garden. Butler was picked to finish ninth in the Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The top three vote getters in the preseason poll were UConn (100), Marquette (91) and Seton Hall (80). Villanova (78) and Creighton (61) rounded out the squads picked to finish in the top five. St. John's (56), Georgetown (48), DePaul (32), Butler (30), Providence (20) and Xavier (15) rounded out the final six spots in the poll.
UConn claimed the top spot for the third-consecutive season while also having the Preseason Player of the Year and the Preseason Freshman of the Year.
2025-26 BIG EAST Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
UConn - 100 (10 first-place votes)
Marquette - 85
Seton Hall - 80 (1)
Villanova - 78
Creighton - 61
St. John's - 56
Georgetown - 48
DePaul - 32
Butler - 30
Providence - 20
Xavier - 15
2025-26 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year – Sarah Strong, UConn, So., F
2025-26 BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year – Kelis Fisher, UConn, Fr., G
2025-26 BIG EAST Women's Basketball Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
KK Arnold, UConn, Jr., G
Azzi Fudd, UConn, Gr., G
Ashlynn Shade, UConn, Jr., G
Serah Williams, UConn, Sr., F
Skylar Forbes, Marquette, Jr., F
Halle Vice, Marquette, Jr., G
Lee Volker, Marquette, Gr., G
Savannah Catalon, Seton Hall, Jr., G
Jada Eads, Seton Hall, So., G
Jasmine Bascoe, Villanova, So., G
Honorable Mention
Kate Clarke, DePaul, Sr., G
Victoria Rivera, Georgetown, Sr., G
Meri Kanerva, Xavier, So., G