Pittsburgh selected Big East favorite, with West Virginia, Cincinnati and USF close behind

Pitt picked No. 1 in Big East

NEWPORT, R.I. — Pittsburgh has been picked to win the Big East in a media poll, with West Virginia, Cincinnati and South Florida following closely behind.

The Panthers, returning 14 starters for coach Dave Wannstedt, received 161 points and eight of a possible 24 first-place votes in a pool released Tuesday.

The Mountaineers received 151 points and five first-place votes.

The Bearcats, who won the conference and played in the Orange Bowl last season, also received eight first-place votes and 144 points.

South Florida got the remaining three first-place votes and 130 points.