The Big Ten announced its 2011 men’s soccer preseason coaches’ poll and players to watch list on Tuesday, with defending champion Indiana earning top honors among the seven conference teams. The Hoosiers enter the season as the conference favorites after winning their 12th Big Ten title in 2010.

The 2010 Big Ten men’s soccer season was a ringing success. Five of the conference’s seven teams made it to the final 16 of the NCAA tourney, headlined by Michigan’s fantastic run to the College Cup. The MLS, you can say, took notice. A total of seven Big Ten players were selected in the annual MLS draft and will now embark on their professional careers. Among the seven drafted was Indiana star Will Bruin, the Big Ten Player of the Year.