Big East
The preseason issueThe race. The rosters. The picks.
Red Storm, New Center of Gravity
Tounde Yessoufou gives St. John's a new downhill centerpiece, but Silas Demary Jr. gives UConn the league's steadiest two-way organizer. Their ability to connect rebuilt frontcourts to proven guard play shapes the title race.
Projected champion
The team to beat on our official board
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Dark horse
A threat to break the bracket
Projected NCAA bids
A seven-bid ceiling is realistic, with multiple teams capable of winning an NCAA weekend.
Chaos rating
How unpredictable is this race?
The quick read
Conference superlatives
The opening tip
Everyone Picks UConn. St. John's Keeps Winning.
This Big East should play through large initiators, mobile frontcourts and aggressive perimeter defense, with shooting consistency separating the contenders from the talented middle.
For two straight seasons, UConn has owned the preseason prediction and St. John's has owned the Big East. The Red Storm turned both years into regular-season and conference-tournament championships, and now Rick Pitino's group is chasing a third straight sweep with another reworked roster. Tounde Yessoufou gives St. John's a 17.8-point downhill wing, Quinn Ellis supplies oversized creation and Ruben Prey steps into the interior burden left by Zuby Ejiofor. The route is different, more perimeter creation and less certainty at center, but the pressure, role clarity and ability to win ugly have survived every reset. Until somebody takes the league from St. John's, the Red Storm remain our pick to do it again. UConn offers the cleanest counter. Silas Demary Jr. already controls games with passing and defense, and Braylon Mullins can become the movement shooter that bends coverage before the ball reaches the paint. The Huskies lost Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr., so Dan Hurley's frontcourt is younger and more transfer-dependent. Najai Hines brings proven rim protection, while Nikolas Khamenia adds a connective forward. If those pieces rebound well enough, UConn's guard certainty may be the league's safest alternative to a St. John's three-peat. Marquette and Villanova attack the race differently. Nigel James and Nolan Minessale can give Shaka Smart two creators who pressure the paint without sacrificing size. Villanova leans into a huge front line around Kwame Evans Jr. and freshman Luigi Suigo, then surrounds it with Tyler Perkins' two-way reliability and a bench full of shooting. Xavier belongs in that group when Chance Westry turns Filip Borovicanin's passing into easy catches rather than crowded half-court possessions. The chase pack can scramble everything. DePaul's Koree Cotton and Ade Popoola improve both shooting and wing defense. Providence can switch and disrupt with Miles Byrd, but its new guards must establish a hierarchy. Seton Hall has enough creation to escape rock fights, while Creighton's spacing becomes dangerous whenever Jackson McAndrew forces a center away from the rim. Several teams have a plausible way to challenge. St. John's gets the final word because it has spent two seasons turning plausible challengers into another Red Storm celebration.
The defining storylineCan St. John's replace Zuby Ejiofor's interior production without sacrificing the defensive pressure that supports its first-place case?
Official projection + model comparison
The big board
Projected records, finish ranges, and two views of the race. Switch boards to compare our picks with the model.
Ranking machine · comparison at a glance
Editorial board vs. model
Teams are ordered by the official Shooty Hoops editorial rank.
- 1St. John'sThe two-time defending Big East double champion now runs through Quinn Ellis and Tounde Yessoufou; Ruben Prey’s growth decides whether Pitino makes it three.Conf / overall16-4 / 25-7TierFavoriteCeiling / floor1–42 vs model #31Official rankSt. John'sThe two-time defending Big East double champion now runs through Quinn Ellis and Tounde Yessoufou; Ruben Prey’s growth decides whether Pitino makes it three.2 vs model #3Conf / overall16-4 / 25-7TierFavoriteRange1–4
- 2UconnBig East assist leader Silas Demary Jr. anchors an elite backcourt, but a new center committee must replace UConn’s interior certainty while Solo Ball medical-redshirts.Conf / overall15-5 / 24-8TierFavoriteCeiling / floor1–31 vs model #12Official rankUconnBig East assist leader Silas Demary Jr. anchors an elite backcourt, but a new center committee must replace UConn’s interior certainty while Solo Ball medical-redshirts.1 vs model #1Conf / overall15-5 / 24-8TierFavoriteRange1–3
- 3MarquetteNigel James and Royce Parham now welcome All-Summit creator Nolan Minessale and 75-percent-finishing center Sananda Fru to a rebound-starved 12-win team.Conf / overall14-6 / 23-9TierContenderCeiling / floor1–63 vs model #63Official rankMarquetteNigel James and Royce Parham now welcome All-Summit creator Nolan Minessale and 75-percent-finishing center Sananda Fru to a rebound-starved 12-win team.3 vs model #6Conf / overall14-6 / 23-9TierContenderRange1–6
- 4VillanovaVillanova paired returning All-Big East guard Tyler Perkins with six proven transfers and a 7-foot-3 pro-league center; talent is settled, roles are not.Conf / overall13-7 / 22-10TierContenderCeiling / floor1–7Same rank · #44Official rankVillanovaVillanova paired returning All-Big East guard Tyler Perkins with six proven transfers and a 7-foot-3 pro-league center; talent is settled, roles are not.Same rank · #4Conf / overall13-7 / 22-10TierContenderRange1–7
- 5XavierBorovicanin’s fifth year gives Xavier a 6-foot-9 connector who led the team in rebounds and assists; beside Chance Westry and Mike Nwoko, eleven newcomers suddenly look coherent.Conf / overall12-8 / 21-11TierContenderCeiling / floor2–8Same rank · #55Official rankXavierBorovicanin’s fifth year gives Xavier a 6-foot-9 connector who led the team in rebounds and assists; beside Chance Westry and Mike Nwoko, eleven newcomers suddenly look coherent.Same rank · #5Conf / overall12-8 / 21-11TierContenderRange2–8
- 6DePaulHoltmann placed two 40-percent wings around Layden Blocker and three seven-footers behind him; DePaul can finally win with spacing, pressure or paint control.Conf / overall11-9 / 20-12TierDangerous MiddleCeiling / floor3–91 vs model #76Official rankDePaulHoltmann placed two 40-percent wings around Layden Blocker and three seven-footers behind him; DePaul can finally win with spacing, pressure or paint control.1 vs model #7Conf / overall11-9 / 20-12TierDangerous MiddleRange3–9
- 7ProvidenceBryan Hodgson built the league’s boldest reset around 6-foot-8 creator Dink Pate, Malik Mack’s ball-screen craft and Ryan Sabol’s 122 threes; chemistry sets the ceiling.Conf / overall10-10 / 19-13TierDangerous MiddleCeiling / floor2–105 vs model #27Official rankProvidenceBryan Hodgson built the league’s boldest reset around 6-foot-8 creator Dink Pate, Malik Mack’s ball-screen craft and Ryan Sabol’s 122 threes; chemistry sets the ceiling.5 vs model #2Conf / overall10-10 / 19-13TierDangerous MiddleRange2–10
- 8Seton HallSeton Hall pairs Del Jones’ speed, Rodney Brown Jr.’s shooting and Devin Williams’ 2.5 blocks; replacing Budd Clark’s control decides whether the defense travels.Conf / overall9-11 / 18-14TierDangerous MiddleCeiling / floor5–111 vs model #98Official rankSeton HallSeton Hall pairs Del Jones’ speed, Rodney Brown Jr.’s shooting and Devin Williams’ 2.5 blocks; replacing Budd Clark’s control decides whether the defense travels.1 vs model #9Conf / overall9-11 / 18-14TierDangerous MiddleRange5–11
- 9CreightonAlan Huss inherits Creighton’s spacing but not McDermott’s safety net: Wes Enis brings 107 threes, Oswin Erhunmwunse 70 blocks, and a lead organizer remains missing.Conf / overall8-12 / 17-15TierDangerous MiddleCeiling / floor4–111 vs model #89Official rankCreightonAlan Huss inherits Creighton’s spacing but not McDermott’s safety net: Wes Enis brings 107 threes, Oswin Erhunmwunse 70 blocks, and a lead organizer remains missing.1 vs model #8Conf / overall8-12 / 17-15TierDangerous MiddleRange4–11
- 10GeorgetownN.J. Benson’s late arrival gives Georgetown a proven Big East finisher and rebounder, while Jaland Lowe and 79-block center Chol Machot give the Hoyas a real path out of the bottom tier.Conf / overall6-14 / 15-17TierLong ShotCeiling / floor7–11Same rank · #1010Official rankGeorgetownN.J. Benson’s late arrival gives Georgetown a proven Big East finisher and rebounder, while Jaland Lowe and 79-block center Chol Machot give the Hoyas a real path out of the bottom tier.Same rank · #10Conf / overall6-14 / 15-17TierLong ShotRange7–11
- 11ButlerRonald Nored’s homecoming roster pairs FGCU breakout Jordan Ellerbee, 43-percent shooter Eduardo Klafke and two complementary bigs; the reset has ideas before it has Big East proof.Conf / overall4-16 / 13-19TierLong ShotCeiling / floor8–11Same rank · #1111Official rankButlerRonald Nored’s homecoming roster pairs FGCU breakout Jordan Ellerbee, 43-percent shooter Eduardo Klafke and two complementary bigs; the reset has ideas before it has Big East proof.Same rank · #11Conf / overall4-16 / 13-19TierLong ShotRange8–11
The scouting room
Team-by-team preview
Pick a program to explore its outlook, projected rotation, and players to know.
2026-27 team preview · official rank 1
St. John's (NY)
Conference
16-4
Overall
25-7
Finish window
1–4
Confidence
72%
Official order · choose a team file
Projected rotation · Published roster depth chart
10 of 10 primary spots filled
Five on the floor
The All-Conference court
Explore all three projected teams. Select a player for the spotlight and open their full profile.
The basket is on the upper baseline. Guards are positioned around the lower three-point perimeter, while forwards and centers are positioned in the upper lane and around the rim.
The hardware
The awards race
The favorites, the challengers, and the case behind every pick.
The projected podium
Player of the Year
Why this pick leads
Silas Demary Jr. has the narrowest path to weakness because he already drives UConn's creation and point-of-attack defense. Nigel James carries more scoring burden, while Tyler Perkins offers less primary playmaking.
How strongly the current projection favors this pick. These are not betting odds.
Beyond the main ballot
The extra pages
Breakout candidates, bold predictions, and other players who could shape the race.
Five players who can move the race
Race Shapers
The possessions beneath the stars
These players sit outside the projected honor teams and award ballots, but each controls a structural question for his club.
Ian Jackson
St. John'sG · JrSecondary creation
Ian Jackson must punish loaded gaps
Jackson's shotmaking can prevent opponents from crowding Tounde Yessoufou's drives and make St. John's rebuilt offense much harder to scheme.
77% confident
Ruben Prey
St. John'sF · JrFrom reserve to finisher
Ruben Prey claims the middle
Prey finished efficiently in limited minutes. St. John's needs that activity to scale against starting centers after losing Zuby Ejiofor.
66% confident
Matt Hodge
VillanovaF · R-SoFrontcourt geometry
Matt Hodge changes Villanova's spacing
Hodge's 36.8 percent shooting gives Villanova a smaller, five-out alternative when its towering starting frontcourt compresses driving lanes.
69% confident
Ryan Mela
ProvidenceF · JrContinuity amid turnover
Ryan Mela keeps Providence connected
Mela's passing and rebounding from the wing can hold together a rotation otherwise dependent on newcomers learning one another quickly.
74% confident
Devin Williams
Seton HallC · R-JrBack-line answer
Devin Williams protects Seton Hall's gamble
Williams blocked 2.5 shots per game last season, giving an aggressive new perimeter group room to pressure without surrendering the rim.
70% confident
Five growth bets
Breakout Team
The next leap
Each selection has a meaningful prior baseline and a role change capable of producing a visible jump.
Braylon Mullins
UconnG · SoExpanded scoring role
Braylon Mullins becomes UConn's movement scorer
Mullins averaged 12.0 points as a freshman. Better shot selection and a larger off-screen role can turn that base into all-league production.
76% confident
Nigel James
MarquetteG · SoThe ball stays in his hands
Nigel James owns the offense
James already produced 16.4 points and 4.8 assists; a second year directing Shaka Smart's attack should improve his reads against crowded paint defenses.
78% confident
Austin Swartz
CreightonG · JrHealthy-volume bet
Austin Swartz converts usage into efficiency
Swartz scored 10.9 points in 21.6 minutes. A steadier starting role can reduce forced possessions while preserving his confident three-point stroke.
69% confident
Adrien Stevens
MarquetteG · SoSophomore release valve
Adrien Stevens can stretch Marquette's ceiling
Stevens shot 37.5 percent from three as a freshman. More off-the-bounce creation would keep defenses from loading up on Nigel James and Nolan Minessale.
72% confident
Caleb Williams
GeorgetownF · JrMore than a spacer
Caleb Williams broadens his game
Williams already shot 37.7 percent from three. More rebounding and closeout attacks would give Georgetown a dependable two-way forward.
65% confident
Three calls with consequences
Bold Predictions
Write these down
Specific outcomes that would reshape the league's public hierarchy.
Storm warning, year three
St. John's three-peats
For two summers UConn has been the safe preseason pick; for two seasons St. John's has answered by winning both the Big East regular-season and conference-tournament titles. Tounde Yessoufou supplies new downhill scoring, Quinn Ellis creates over size and Rick Pitino's pressure keeps the floor high while Ruben Prey grows into a larger interior role. The route changes. The result does not: a third straight sweep.
Confidence · 48%
Chaos has a famous last name
Xavier wins the mess and finishes second
The Big East's middle is too talented to sort itself cleanly, so Xavier's size and creation become the tiebreaker. Chance Westry controls late possessions, Tru Washington takes the hardest guard assignment and Filip Borovicanin unlocks the frontcourt as a passer. Richard Pitino's first Musketeers team turns volatility into wins. Yes, apparently we are Great-Grandfather Pitino.
Confidence · 43%
Seven tickets, no apologies
The Big East sends seven teams dancing
St. John's and UConn give the conference an elite top end. Xavier, Marquette and Villanova build sturdy at-large résumés, while Providence, DePaul, Creighton and Seton Hall form a bubble pack with enough defense and shotmaking to collect quality wins. Seven survive Selection Sunday. The Big East is not waiting to come back—it is back.
Confidence · 37%
Your turn on the record
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Build your own board
Rank the league, draw your tiers, name fifteen All-Conference players, and hand out the hardware. Your draft stays on this device until you choose to publish it. You can return to the same link to edit and resubmit later.
Checking for a local draft
The crowd’s ballot
Community consensus
See where fan ballots agree, where opinions split, and how the crowd compares with Shooty Hoops.
Counting the room
Building the current community board…