The initial AP college basketball poll is out and Pitt starts the season at 10th. That's one slot higher than the No. 11 ranking they received in the ESPN/USA Today poll.

Obviously preseason rankings mean little, but still a good feeling to see Pitt get more respect. The Panthers weren't the only Big East team in the top ten and it's looking like another loaded year fro the conference.

UConn was the top-rated Big East team as they sit in fourth. The Huskies also received two first-place votes. Syracuse came in at No. 5 and Louisville was ninth. Pitt might not come into the season as the favorite, but I'd still take them against any conference team when playing at home.

Other Big East teams in the poll are Cincinnati and Marquette at No. 21 and No. 22 respectively. The North Carolina Tarheels start the season ranked at No. 1 and the Kentucky Wildcats come in at No. 2.