Raeshaun Gaffney Named to Preseason All-BIG EAST Team

NEW YORK - Senior Raeshaun Gaffney was tabbed to the preseason all-conference team as announced at BIG EAST Media Day on Tuesday. The event was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The Musketeers were also tabbed to finish ninth in the preseason coaches' poll. Gaffney was accompanied at media day with classmate Maddison Blackwell and head coach Brian Neal.

Gaffney led the team in scoring (11.1 ppg) and rebounding (4.8 rpg) last season. She is the second player in as many seasons to earn the preseason honors as Briana Glover picked up the recognition in 2015-16.

Blackwell is the only other returning starter from last season's squad that posted a 17-13 (8-10) record. The forward averaged 9.2 points per game in BIG EAST play with a .516 field-goal percentage – the fourth highest in the conference.

Neal returns to the bench for his fourth season as head coach. Last season, he picked up his 200th career victory as a head coach. He now has a 214-81 in 10 years as a head coach.

Creighton and DePaul tied for first in the preseason coaches' poll as both schools earned five, first-place votes.

Xavier opens the 2016-17 season on Saturday, Nov. 12 against Tennessee State in the second annual Lauren Hill Tip-Off Classic at Cintas Center.

PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST

BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
Jessica January, DePaul

BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year
Kelly Jekot, Villanova

All-BIG EAST Team^
Dorothy Adomako, Georgetown*
Allazia Blockton, Marquette*
Audrey Faber, Creighton
Raeshaun Gaffney, Xavier
Adrianna Hahn, Villanova
Natisha Hiedeman, Marquette
Marissa Janning, Creighton*
Alex Louin, Villanova
MC McGrory, Creighton
Brooke Schulte, DePaul
Dionna White, Georgetown*

*unanimous selection
^extra player added due to a tie in voting

PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Rank	Team	Points
1.	Creighton (5)	75
	DePaul (5)	75
3.	Marquette	62
4.	Villanova	59
5.	Georgetown	51
6.	St. John's	38
7.	Seton Hall	31
8.	Butler	25
9.	Xavier	20
10.	Providence	14

First-place votes in parentheses

SOCIAL MEDIA

The #BIGEASTwbb session of #BEmediaday is now underway at @TheGarden pic.twitter.com/ie4W6LxyqM
— BIG EAST Conference (@BIGEAST) October 11, 2016

Rae and Maddie at #BEmediaday! Five minutes until we get started. #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/tuhy1MFkKo
— Xavier Women's Hoops (@XavierWBB) October 11, 2016

Maddie and Rae talk about the upcoming season at #BEmediaday at Madison Square Garden! #LetsGoX https://t.co/J62tRrT4EV
— Xavier Women's Hoops (@XavierWBB) October 11, 2016

These two are having a good time at #BEmediaday! #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/u4HAbKudtC
— Xavier Women's Hoops (@XavierWBB) October 11, 2016

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