Preseason Big East basketball rankings: Georgetown at No. 6 in writers' poll

In the preseason Big East basketball poll, the Georgetown Hoyas are ranked sixth in the conference, according to Big East Coast Bias.

John Thompson's team was terrific last year, and many expect that success to continue over into 2013.

The Hoyas finished fourth in the Big East with a 23-8 record in 2012 and qualified as a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament before bowing out against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the second round.

Georgetown won't have it easy, with a tough non-conference schedule. The Hoyas open the season on the road against Billy Donovan's Florida Gators, before contests with UCLA, Tennessee and Texas at home.

The complete poll results are as follows:

1. Louisville Cardinals (15, all first place votes)
2. Syracuse Orange (33)
   
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (49)
   
4. Cincinnati Bearcats (63)
   
5. Pittsburgh Panthers (78)
   
6. Georgetown Hoyas (97)
   
7. Marquette Golden Eagles (109)
   
8. South Florida Bulls (123)
   
9. Connecticut Huskies (159)
   
10. St. John's Red Storm (163)
    
11. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (167)
    
12. Villanova Wildcats (171)
    
13. Providence Friars (176)
    
14. Seton Hall Pirates (188)
    
15. DePaul Blue Demons (209)