Minnesota chosen atop Big Ten preseason coaches’ poll, newcomer Notre Dame second

23 Jan 16:  Tyler Sheehy (Minnesota - 22), Charlie O'Connor (Bemidji State - 22). The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers play against the Bemidji State University Beavers in a North Star College Cup semifinal matchup at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. (Jim Rosvold)
Minnesota’s Tyler Sheehy was one of two unanimous picks to the Big Ten Preseason Watch List for the 2017-18 season (photo: Jim Rosvold).

Four-time Big Ten champion Minnesota was tabbed the favorite in the 2017-18 Big Ten preseason coaches’ poll, the conference announced on Monday.

School
1. Minnesota
2. Notre Dame
3. Wisconsin
4. Penn State
5. Ohio State
6. Michigan
7. Michigan State

The coaches also selected a 17-member Preseason Watch List, including a pair of unanimous honorees in Wisconsin forward Trent Frederic and Minnesota forward Tyler Sheehy.

Player's NamePositionSchool
Quinn HughesDMichigan
Will LockwoodFMichigan
Josh NorrisFMichigan
Ryan LindgrenDMinnesota
Casey MittelstadtFMinnesota
Rem PitlickFMinnesota
Tyler SheehyFMinnesota
Jake EvansFNotre Dame
Jordan GrossDNotre Dame
Andrew OglevieFNotre Dame
Mason JobstFOhio State
Matthew WeisFOhio State
Peyton JonesGPenn State
Denis SmirnovFPenn State
Trent FredericFWisconsin
Kyle HaytonGWisconsin
Cameron HughesFWisconsin

Last season, Minnesota claimed its fourth consecutive Big Ten title with 43 points and a conference record of 14-5-1-0 (23-12-3 overall). Conference newcomer Notre Dame was selected second in the preseason poll.