After spending a year being on the outside looking in, Marquette is finally getting some recognition. Today marked the release of the ESPN/USA Today pre-season poll (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/rankings) and Marquette ranked 17th, one spot above UConn.

Other Big East Notables included Pitt at #5, Georgetown at #8 and ?Cuse at #20.

It?s also interesting to note that Gonzaga, Louisville and Villanova area all going to start the season outside of the top 25. Duke also finds itself outside of the top 10, whereas Ohio State is starting the year off ranked #4. Wisconsin also finds itself ranked #9

In an ESPNation Poll on who would win the Big East regular season title, Marquette got 11% of the 18,670 votes and 14% of the international votes. (71% of Wisconsites think MU can win it). 11% puts them last in the poll, but that isn?t any reason to count them out.

Take a look at the ESPN Team preview (http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/insider/news/story?id=2613190&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2finsider%2fnews%2fstory%3fid%3d2613190).

Popularity: 9% [?]