NEW YORK - Just left the Big East media day, where the word is every year how difficult the conference is. This year it's tough to argue and we'll have more on that tomorrow.

However, we'll try and give you the rundown of some stuff we gathered in our time. We may have to break it down into two parts since there's a decent amount we will touch on.

First, here's the Preseason Poll:

1) UConn (9) 214
2) Louisville (3) 205
3) Pittsburgh (3) 200
4) Notre Dame (1) 195
5) Villanova 153
6) Marquette 146
7) Georgetown 141
8) Syracuse 139
9) West Virginia 121
10) Providence 99
11) Cincinnati 91
12) Rutgers 53
13) Seton Hall 50
14) St. John's 44
15) DePaul 43
16) South Florida 2

RIEK PASSES FIRST TEST

Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin wasn't allowed to comment, but sources told FOXSports.com that freshman big man John Riek passed the SAT and now just needs the necessary score on the TOEFL test (a test for English as a foreign language) and he'll be able to play for the Bearcats in the second semester.

This would be huge for Cronin & Co., who have a healthy Mike Williams and freshman Yancy Gates up front already.

Williams hasn't played a game in nearly two years when he was a reserve forward at Texas. He sat out last season due to a ruptured Achilles.

``I'm fine. I'm better now than I was two years ago," Williams said. ``I'm stronger."

NOVA'S CLARK HEALTHY

No one really knew what was wrong with Shane Clark last season. His numbers basically remained the same and the Villanova forward struggled in conference play.

``I just hit a wall," Clark said. "I was exhausted."

``In the fourth game of the Big East schedule, I was done," he added.

Clark said he's eating better and proclaimed himself in the "best shape of his life."

Clark has gained 15 pounds and will play at around 215 this season.

SUMMERS OF LOVE

With Roy Hibbert and Jonathan Wallace history, DeJuan Summers realizes he has no choice but to step up.

``I have to become a leader," Summers said. "I've watched those guys do it and I think I'm ready."

Summers is the leading returning scorer at 11.1 points per game, but he should have a quality supporting cast with veterans Jessie Sapp, sophomores Chris Wright and Austin Freeman and freshman Greg Monroe.

``He definitely does everything," Summers said of Monroe. ``He's not very vocal, but he's so skilled, mature and has the best basketball IQ I've seen of any freshman."

FRIARS WILL RUN

The difference between Providence then and now: The Friars will get out and push it.

``We're going to always be looking to run," Friars senior guard Jeff Xavier said.

New coach remembered speaking to one media member two years ago when he filled in for his father, Tom, at Missouri Valley Conference media day.

It was me.

``Last year I had about four or five people talking to me," Davis laughed. "We were picked ninth."

Well, Davis is actually picked 10th in the Big East.

``In this conference, the 10th-place team could be in the Top 25," he said.

Davis also said that point guard Sharaud Curry, who missed nearly all of last season with a foot injury, is practicing without much problem.

``He's doing everything, but isn't necessarily going through every practice until the end," Davis said.

``He's going to have some rust, but we're not very deep at the point guard spot," he added. "His health will help us. That's an understatement."  

BURRELL KNOWS ROLE

St. John's sophomore big man Justin Burrell admits he didn't understand his role last season.

That's changed.

``I know what I need to do now," Burrell said. "I'm excited about the season. People are writing us off, but people don't understand we were freshmen."

Burrell, a native New Yorker, said the toughest part of last season was not having an upperclassman to go to for advice.

``I had no senior leadership at my position," he said. "I had nobody to go to and that's a big difference in college basketball."

RANDOM NOTES: Former UConn freshman Nate Miles has landed at the College of Southern Idaho, according to numerous sources. ... Georgia Southern picked up a commitment from forward Toarlyn Fitzpatrick out of King High in Tampa. ... Providence senior Geoff McDermott, who struggled with knee problems a year ago, said he's as healthy as he's ever been to start a season. McDermott on new coach Keno Davis: ``Even when he gets mad, he's laid-back."