4. Providence Friars
I am drinking the Kool-Aid with the Providence Friars in the 2025-26 season. The Friars finished just 6-14 in conference play last season. There are many reasons to believe the team will significantly improve; the question is whether coach Kim English is poised to make those strides.
Providence brought in a very solid transfer class, including Jason Edwards, who averaged 19 points at Vanderbilt last season. Transfers Duncan Powell, Jaylin Sellers, and Daquan Davis are each expected to be a part of English’s scheme. This is my dark horse in the Big East.
3. Creighton Blue Jays
Creighton is my bet to not only reach the tournament but make a run. For years, it has felt like Greg McDermott and his squad were rounding the corner, but it fell just short in March.
Creighton finished with an impressive 25-11 record last season and had a three-headed monster in Kalkbrenner, Ashworth and Neal. Now, the team will look to Jasen Green and Jackson McAndrew to carry that scoring demand. Creighton brought in Josh Dix from Iowa and Nik Graves from Charlotte, who were both very good scorers. I expect the Bluejays to be in the mix from the start-to-beginning.
2. St. John’s Storm
St. John’s has been the headliner of the offseason with its dominance in the transfer portal. Coach Pitino brought the Red Storm back to prominence last season with an impressive 31-5 record, winning the Big East Tournament.
However, the collapse in March Madness pointed to a glaring weakness in St. John’s three-point shooting. Of course, that was addressed in the offseason with the team securing the highest transfer portal grade. Ian Jackson, Bryce Hopkins, along Zuby Ejiofor will be an indomitable force. The Johnnies added shooters including Oziyah Sellers, Jason Sanon and Dylan Darling who will surely elevate this unit come time for the postseason.
1. UConn Huskies
It’s hard to put UConn anywhere else when doing these rankings. The Huskies have been a legitimate threat in the Big East for years. Now, with much greater depth and true star power, Dan Hurley will seek to bring his team back to the promised land.
Solo Ball should be in contention to win the Big East player of the year and will likely be the focal point of the offense. The team also returns Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed to hold down the front court. Braylon Mullins has the potential to be one of the nation’s best freshmen. Overall, this is a team that lost by two to the champion Florida Gators. Since then, UConn has improved, adding depth, length and physicality. This is the team to beat.