On Wednesday, the Big East held its women’s basketball media day at Madison Square Garden to mark the conference’s 43rd year of women’s basketball.
Last season was arguably one of the most successful in the conference’s history, with over half the league appearing in postseason play (NCAA Tournament, WBIT). UConn appeared again in the Final Four, but the gap between them and the rest of the league got even smaller.
“It’s fantastic because these conversations are happening in the preseason,” said Villanova head coach Denise Dillon. “It’s just not a surprise when some of us get in the NCAA Tournament or the WBIT, it’s preseason talk. I’m excited about Big East basketball. It’s the best conference, it’s a basketball conference and for us, UConn has set that bar, and we are all working to get there.”
Seton Hall, who played in the WBIT postseason tournament, is striving to return to the NCAA Tournament. Coach Tony Bozella, who picked up his 500th career victory last season, is hoping experienced transfers, led by Maryland transfer Faith Masonius, will add punch to a lineup that was lacking throughout the 2023-2024 campaign.
“She brings so much, and I love her, I do,” said coach Bozella about the addition of Masinius to the Pirates. “Everything I hoped and thought, she’s exceeded. She’s a tremendous player first of all. People don’t understand how good a basketball player she is. We’ve asked her to play a different role here and she’s been fantastic. I’m blessed to have her here.”
Villanova enters the 2024-2025 campaign ranked sixth in the preseason coaches poll after a 22-13 season and an appearance in the WBIT championship game. After that success, the Wildcats will look to replace four critical players from last season’s 20-win team.
“We are working on consistency. It’s the recognition of what you are going to face in the Big East,” said Dillon. “It’s a battle each and every night but how do you separate yourself. You gotta be consistent on both ends of the floor, especially on the offensive end. I think we run an efficient offense and we got to be efficient scorers. It’s a collaborative effort. It can’t be one or two people there in double figures. I think we have the pieces where we can have multiple players scoring in double figures for us which makes us tough to guard.”
After an 18-win season, St. John’s is resetting their program after losing their top two scorers from last season. As is the case around the country, the Red Storm reloaded through the transfer portal as they brought in four new players, including former Miami Hurricane Lasshae Dwyer, who brings valuable playing experience from the ACC last season. St. John’s was among four teams that received bids to the inaugural WBIT as they look to get back to the NCAA Tournament. Coach Joe Tartamella raved about his lineup of guards, led by Ber’Nyah Mayo.
“Ber’Nyah is in her second year now. I thought the second part of the year she really came into her own in terms of how she was playing. I think, both physically and mentally, she was one of the best guards in the conference by the end of last season. Having a veteran point guard with experience in high-leverage games with not just us but during her time at UMass is crucial for us, and I couldn’t be happier we have her.
With women’s basketball at its highest popularity, the opportunities for women playing Big East basketball have expanded in the United States. The future is bright as these players move through the collegiate ranks on their way to graduation.
“I think as a female athlete it is very cool to see the recognition that women should have gotten years ago,” said Faith Masonius. “But hey, it’s about time we finally get recognized for the hard work and everything that we put into the sport. It’s very inspirational to see that people are finally starting to support.”
BIG EAST Women’s Preseason Coaches Poll
UConn – 100 (10 first-place votes)
Creighton – 91 (1)
Providence – 71
St. John’s – 67
Georgetown – 66
Villanova – 56
Seton Hall – 51
Butler – 46
DePaul – 24
Marquette – 23
Xavier – 10
BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
Paige Bueckers, UConn, R-Sr., G
BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year
Sarah Strong, UConn, Fr., F
BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Caroline Strande, Butler, Gr., G
KK Arnold, UConn, So., G
Azzi Fudd, UConn, R-Jr., G
Ashlynn Shade, UConn, So., G
Lauren Jensen, Creighton, Sr., G
Morgan Maly, Creighton, Sr., G/F
Kelsey Ransom, Georgetown, Gr., G
Olivia Olsen, Providence, Sr., F
Grace Efosa, Providence, Gr., G
Ber’Nyah Mayo, St. John’s, Gr., G
Honorable Mention
Kaitlyn Chen, UConn, Gr., G
Jorie Allen, DePaul, Gr., F
Savannah Catalon, Seton Hall, So., G
