The BIG EAST released its 2026-27 men’s basketball preseason poll and awards at Media Day on Oct. 1, giving teams across the conference their first official expectations of the season.
The Pirates were picked to finish ninth in the BIG EAST with 31 points, ahead of only Georgetown and Butler. UConn received eight first-place votes and 98 points to take the top spot, followed by St. John’s, Villanova, Marquette and Providence in the top five.
For Seton Hall, being overlooked by the conference is nothing new.
Last season, SHU was picked to finish last in the conference but went 21-12 overall and 10-10 in BIG EAST play, earning the No. 4 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament.
SHU Head Coach Shaheen Holloway once again did not seem concerned about where his team landed.
“Every year, my teams get picked like that, and sometimes we prove people wrong, sometimes we don’t,” Holloway said. “All I care about is guys going out, giving their best, playing together.”
Holloway was unanimously named the 2025-26 BIG EAST Coach of the Year after leading one of the biggest turnarounds in college basketball.
Now, Holloway will try to do it again with 13 new players joining returning guards Trey Parker and Elijah Fisher.
His key to another successful season is simple: “guard play.”
“It’s always guard play,” Holloway said. “If you have good guard play, you’re going to win…I got a bunch of guards this year.”
While SHU did not have any players selected to the three Preseason All-BIG EAST teams, one familiar face was recognized.
Former Pirate center Na’jai Hines was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team after transferring to UConn during the offseason. Hines led the BIG EAST with 2.2 blocks per game as a freshman at SHU.
UConn Head Coach Dan Hurley said Hines' next step is improving his conditioning to handle a larger role.
“We’ve cracked the 260s where we want to be, and we’re careening to the low 260s in terms of the weight, body fat, cardio, stamina, so he can play extended minutes without fouling out or not being able to get up and down the court,” Hurley said.
Hurley said Hines’ improved conditioning will be important as he adjusts to UConn’s system.
“He’s a perfect fit for our system and what we ask of our center,” Hurley said. “It’s just about continuing to develop him and to get him where we need him to be. He’s still a 19-year-old center.”
Hines joins a UConn team loaded with preseason recognition. Senior guard Silas Demary Jr. was named BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year, while freshman forward Colben Landrew was named Preseason Freshman of the Year.
Villanova was picked third after reaching the NCAA Tournament in Kevin Willard’s first season as head coach. Senior guard Tyler Perkins was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team after averaging 13.7 points per game and earning BIG EAST Most Improved Player honors last season.
Perkins said his attention is on helping the Wildcats.
“That’s a good feeling, but I’m focused on my team, focused on my coaches, my teammates, and how I can help them out,” Perkins said. “I’ve played in the BIG EAST for the last two years now, just trying to help them understand what it takes.”
Perkins said his next step is becoming a better leader.
“There were certain moments last year that I wish I could take back,” Perkins said. “This year, I’m definitely trying to be there for the guys and help them understand what it’s like.”
Villanova forwards Devin Royal and Kwame Evans Jr. were named to the preseason second team. Both are transfers, with Evans joining the Wildcats from Oregon and Royal coming from Ohio State. Royal averaged nearly 14 points and six rebounds per game last season.
Willard praised Royal’s offseason work.
“Devin’s been great,” Willard said. “He came in, and he’s gotten in great shape. He’s really worked hard on his shot. He’s a veteran player. He’s a really good player.”
Marquette was picked fourth in the conference and had three players receive preseason honors. Nigel James Jr. was a unanimous first-team selection, Royce Parham was named to the second team and Sananda Fru was named to the third team.
“I’m just very grateful for that,” Parham said. “I obviously didn’t make any teams or didn’t make any preseason teams my first and second years, so it’s just really good. You get the recognition from all the different coaches in the BIG EAST, and I’m just happy to go after it or even exceed it too.”
Parham has set his goals even higher for the upcoming season.
“I want to obviously win the BIG EAST, be All-BIG EAST First Team,” Parham said. “I want to be one of the best scorers. I want to win all the games. Just a lot of high expectations.”
DePaul senior guard Layden Blocker was also named to the All-BIG EAST Third Team. Blocker averaged 11.1 points per game last season.
“It’s a blessing just to be getting named on any list,” Blocker said. “I have a lot more work to do. Personally, I feel like, of course, I’m not satisfied, but it’s a blessing at the end of the day.”
After seeing DePaul's growth during his first three seasons, Blocker wants his final year to take another step forward.
“Being here at DePaul for three years, seeing the growth, seeing the development, just trying to take that next step,” Blocker said. “Make it to the tournament, have a good record in the conference. That’s really the big thing, just trying to turn DePaul around.”
The Blue Demons were picked eighth in the conference.
St. John’s was picked second behind UConn and had guards Ian Jackson and Tounde Yessoufou on the preseason First Team. Jackson kept his reaction simple.
“It’s alright. It doesn’t mean too much,” Jackson said. “Just got to lock in this season.”
After being picked last and finishing fourth last year, SHU enters another season with a chance to prove the preseason poll wrong.
For Holloway, where the Pirates finish matters more than where they start.
Jaden Highsmith is the head editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at jaden.highsmith@student.shu.edu.
