On Tuesday, the BIG EAST conference kicked off the 2025–2026 men's basketball season with its annual media-day event at Madison Square Garden, where the preseason coaches' poll and player awards were announced.
Coaches and players from across the conference gathered to share their thoughts on the upcoming season —and it's clear that confidence runs through the rankings, no matter where each team falls.
St. John's University (SJU) was picked to finish first in the conference in the poll, receiving seven first-place votes and 97 total points. This is fitting given the program’s performance last season: in just Rick Pitino's second year as head coach, the program went 30-4 and won its first BIG EAST Championship in 25 years.
The University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies, who won the National Championship in 2023 and 2024, followed closely behind St. John’s with four first-place votes and 94 points. The Creighton University Bluejays rounded out the top three with 80 points. Providence, Marquette, Georgetown, Villanova, Xavier, DePaul, and Butler filled out the rest of the rankings in that order, with Seton Hall slotted in last place with just 15 points.
Ejiofor leads the way for St. John's
Senior forward Zuby Ejiofor of St. John's was named Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year after an impressive junior season. Standing 6-foot-9 and weighing 245 pounds, Ejiofor is expected to be a dominant two-way player for Coach Pitino and the Red Storm.
When asked about receiving the honor, Ejiofor maintained perspective ahead of the season.
"I'm thankful, of course, but it's just preseason," he said. "Nothing is set in stone—I still have to go out there and perform."
Coach Pitino praised his star forward's growth and maturity, noting that Ejiofor's intensity and leadership set the tone for the entire team.
“Zuby deserves all the accolades he gets because he’s a humble young man and he handles it well,” Pitino said. “But he’s a marked man right now—his teammates better help him. I feel sorry for them.”
With championship expectations in Queens, St. John's looks ready to live up to the hype.
UConn stacked with talent and leadership
Coming off multiple national championships in recent years, the UConn Huskies are once again one of the most loaded teams in the BIG EAST. Junior guard Solo Ball, redshirt senior forward Alex Karaban, and senior center Tarris Reed Jr. were each named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team, while junior guard and Georgia-transfer Silas Demary Jr. earned a spot on the Second Team.
UConn Head Coach and 1996 SHU alumnus Dan Hurley didn't give much credence to the preseason rankings.
"I don't take any of the preseason rankings to heart," Hurley said. "But we are loaded with talent, and I'm excited for the upcoming season."
Senior center Tarris Reed Jr. was also named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team, and he expressed how thankful he was for the honor.
“God truly did save my life and put me in this amazing position I’m in today,” Reed said.
Last season, the 6-foot-11 center averaged 14.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, showing how important he was to UConn’s success. His size and energy made him one of the best big men in the conference, and now he is ready to take the next step as a leader. Reed said he wants to help the Huskies win another national championship and finish what the team started last year.
Karaban, who decided to return to UConn after skipping the 2025 NBA Draft, said his focus is on leadership rather than hype. After several seasons of success, he knows the importance of setting an example.
"I have to lock in and make sure we're ready to compete every night instead of worrying about rankings," Karaban said, echoing his head coach’s sentiment.
His decision to return gives UConn not only another season of elite talent but also a proven leader ready to guide a program with championship expectations for yet another season.
Seton Hall focused on proving doubters wrong
Despite being ranked last in the preseason coaches’ poll and not having any players named to the all-conference teams, SHU Head Coach Shaheen Holloway wasn't concerned. When asked about the ranking, he laughed and referenced Allen Iverson's famous "practice" press conference rant.
"Preseason? Really, preseason rankings?" Holloway said. "I couldn't care less about what others think—I know who I got when it's gametime."
SHU point guard Adam “Budd” Clark, one of 11 newcomers to the program, shared his coach's mindset. His response to the team being ranked last was short and confident.
"I don't care about rankings," Clark said. "Once the ball is tipped, the score is even."
That mentality is part of Holloway's brand of coaching and gives the Pirates a chip on their shoulder heading into the season. SHU may not have the preseason spotlight, but they plan to earn it where it matters most—on the court.
UConn Head Coach Dan Hurley, a Jersey City, New Jersey native and 1996 SHU alumnus, also came to the defense of SHU and coach Shaheen Holloway, who played under Hurley’s father at St. Patrick High School. Despite the Pirates being ranked last in the BIG EAST preseason coaches’ poll, Hurley said he’s not counting them out.
“I think Shaheen and I, maybe it’s a Jersey thing—we like our backs against the wall, we like people doubting us a little bit,” Hurley said. “I think that fits right where Shaheen is. I think Shaheen is one of the best coaches in the country.”
That vote of confidence from one of college basketball’s top coaches shows the respect Holloway still commands around the league, even when his team is overlooked.
Looking ahead
With plenty of talented rosters and storylines to follow, the BIG EAST is shaping up for another exciting season. From Ejiofor's rise at St. John's to SHU’s determination to silence their doubters, the race for the BIG EAST title looks as unpredictable as ever.
The message from the conference’s media-day event was clear: preseason rankings don't define the outcome—performance on the court does. And with the season just around the corner, every team believes they have something to prove once the ball is tipped.
Jaden Highsmith is the assistant editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at jaden.highsmith@student.shu.edu.
