Welcome to the fifth and final men's basketball power-conference preview for the 2026-27 season here at CBSSports.com. If you'd like to see our predictions for the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and SEC, just tap those links and enjoy the tour. This is only the start; we've got so much more preview content to come in the three weeks between now and the start of the season.
Today we're diving deep into the only basketball-first high-major league in college hoops. I recently wrote about what this year means for the league in a year of transition, including a new commissioner. The Big East could use an injection of some new blood.
It would be beneficial for a team or two to overshoot expectations and upset the apple cart, you know? While Rick Pitino's renaissance has been terrific for the Big East's national marketability the past two years — St. John's is the reigning two-time regular-season and tournament champions; no other school has ever done that in the Big East — the league would profit from another team rising up into the Top 25 on a regular basis and threatening the Johnnies and Huskies.
Will we see it in 2026-27, or will the Big East again play out as a league with Connecticut and St. John's separating themselves from the rest of the conference? Here's a look at what to know before Villanova tips off the college basketball season on Nov. 1 in Rome against Notre Dame.
Best player on what's expected to be the best team in the conference. A year ago, Demary was tagged as one of the 20 most important transfers in the country. Then he outplayed that high expectation by making our five-man All Transfer Team at season's end for a 34-win Huskies squad that made the national title game.
UConn needed an upgrade in physicality, confidence and playmaking at the point; Demary was ready from the jump. He starred in his role, averaging 10.1 points, 5.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals. There's a good batch of talent around him again this season, but UConn's chances center on Demary as the head of the snake.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
