{
  "id": 12392860,
  "title": "Big East men’s basketball preseason power rankings for 2026-27",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/big-east-mens-basketball-preseason-power-rankings-for-2026-27",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T13:47:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SB Nation",
    "slug": "sb-nation",
    "url": "https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/1130948/big-east-mens-basketball-preseason-power-rankings-for-2026-27"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Over the past two seasons, the Big East has shifted from being the most competitive power conference in college basketball to a rivalry between UConn Huskies coach Dan Hurley and Butler Bulldogs coach Rick Pitino. UConn has been the clear frontrunner, finishing second last season with a 34-6 record and reaching the Final Four. They are returning key player Silas Demary Jr., who averaged 10.1 points and 5.8 assists per game, and freshman Braylon Mullins, who gained national attention with a buzzer-beater against Duke.\n\nSt. John's, led by Rick Pitino, has also made significant moves. Baylor transfer Tounde Yessoufou is a standout sophomore, while Quinn Ellis and Babacar Sane bring NBA aspirations. Replacement of Donnie Freeman due to injury is partially compensated by Keyshawn Hall's addition, assuming eligibility remains intact.\n\nVillanova, under coach Kevin Willard, has the potential to bridge the gap between the top two teams. Tyler Perkins returns as their leading scorer, and additions Kwame Evans Jr. and Devin Royal add depth and star power.\n\nProvidence Friars, under new head coach Bryan Hodgson, have a promising roster filled with 13 newcomers. Miles Byrd's defensive talent and Malik Mack's scoring ability provide a strong foundation. Ryan Sabol adds another scoring option.\n\nXavier Musketeers, under Richard Pitino, have improved steadily since their first season under him. Tre Carroll's departure is offset by returning players Jovan Milicevic and Filip Borovicanin, who averaged double figures last season. Six freshmen and sophomores added depth to the backcourt, with Tru Washington and Chance Westry expected to strengthen the team's guard play. However, the defense remains a concern, and Xavier will need to strengthen this aspect to contend for the NCAA Tournament.\n\nCreighton, under Greg McDermott, is a wildcard in the conference. They finished with a 16-18 record last season but return key players Jasen Green, Austin Swartz, and Isaac Traudt. The addition of sharpshooting guard Wes Enis and all-Mountain West honorable mention BJ Davis from the portal could make for an intriguing return. McDermott's track record suggests a potential comeback is on the horizon.",
  "summary": "Over the last two seasons, the Big East has transitioned from “the most competitive power conference in college basketball” to “the Dan Hurley vs. Rick Pitino show.” Will that change in 2026-27? Let’s explore. 1. UConn Huskies 2025-26 Record: 34-62025-26 Conference Finish: 2nd There’s a pretty straightforward case for putting UConn here: the Huskies were […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Where Iowa men's basketball landed in USA TODAY preseason Big Ten poll",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/where-iowa-mens-basketball-landed-in-usa-today-preseason-big-ten-poll",
        "published": "2026-10-06T11:01:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}