"If preseason projections mean anything, Big East men's basketball will be dominated this season by a pair of teams with some familiar faces leading them. St. John's and coach Rick Pitino have been picked to win the league in its 2025-26 preseason poll, with UConn and Dan Hurley closely trailing them at No. 2. The Red Storm received seven of a possible 11 first-place votes while the Huskies earned the remaining four."
"By its lofty standards, UConn is coming off a disappointing season, one in which it went 24-11 and lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament after winning the national title in each of the previous two seasons. The Huskies, however, bring back many of their top players, including Alex Karaban, Solo Ball and Tarris Reed Jr. Those experienced pieces will go along with transfers Silas Demary Jr. (Georgia) and Malachi Smith (Dayton), as well as five-star freshman Braylon Mullins."
The Big East preseason poll projects St. John's, coached by Rick Pitino, as the conference favorite with seven of 11 first-place votes and UConn second with four. St. John's captured the regular-season and tournament titles last year and earned a No. 2 NCAA seed before a second-round upset. The Red Storm lost several top contributors but retain preseason player of the year Zuby Ejiofor and added high-profile transfers including Ian Jackson and Bryce Hopkins. UConn returns core veterans Alex Karaban, Solo Ball and Tarris Reed Jr., supplements with transfers Silas Demary Jr. and Malachi Smith, and adds five-star freshman Braylon Mullins. Creighton, Providence and Marquette round out the projected top five.
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