Syracuse is ranked No. 20 in the initial preseason USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll, which was released on Friday.

The Orange is the last of five Big East teams ranked. Pittsburgh (No. 5), Georgetown (No. 8), Marquette (No. 17) and Connecticut (No. 18) are all ranked ahead of SU.

Last season, Syracuse began the season ranked No. 16.

This past Wednesday at Big East Media Day, Syracuse was picked to finish third in the conference by Big East coaches.

Defending national champion Florida is the consensus No. 1 pick. The Gators received 30 of 31 first-place votes. No. 4 Ohio State had the other.

The Orange returns four starters and begins its season Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. with an exhibition game against Bryant College at the Carrier Dome.

— Matt Gelb, asst. sports editor

Published on October 28, 2006 at 12:00 pm