The Big East is celebrating its 45th Anniversary, and on Wednesday, the conference held its annual men’s basketball Media Day at Madison Square Garden.
In her opening remarks, Commissioner Val Ackerman highlighted the conference’s continued growth, mentioning new media deals with NBC/Peacock and TNT Sports. She also noted the challenges college athletics face regarding Name, Image, and Likeness deals and the expansion of the transfer portal.
Seton Hall, who won the 2024 NIT, was among the teams front and center as head coach Shaheen Holloway looks to bring the Pirates to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since returning to South Orange. In a rare move, Kadary Richmond, The Hall’s leading scorer last season, transferred to conference rival St. John’s. With that departure, the Pirates will need to find scoring quickly as they hope to make The Big Dance and being snubbed last season.
“That was huge (winning the NIT) because we felt like people doubted us,” said sophomore guard Isiah Coleman. “We were supposed to be in that spot (the NCAA Tournament). Coming into this season, we got a chip on our shoulder and we got something to prove.”
Villanova, which finished with a 10-10 record in the Big East, is attempting to replicate the success the program had under Jay Wright. Kyle Neptune is entering his third season in the head spot in Philadelphia. Graduate forward Eric Dixon returns to the fold for the Wildcats, who will look to move up in the Big East. They were picked to finish seventh in the conference this season.
“I think for him (Dixon) it was about getting better and trying to get better at every aspect of the game and he’s done that,” said Neptune about his star forward. “Look at his percentages, his numbers, the eye test of what he’s come back being able to do each year. He’s gotten better and better and better at every facet of his game.”
St. John’s looks to be in the best shape of the local Big East teams, as they were picked to finish fifth in the preseason poll for the Big East. In addition to Preseason All-BIG EAST First Teamer Richmond, Deivon Smith comes to Queens from Utah and was named Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team. St. John’s will look to improve on an up-and-down 20-13 record, and many are pointing to the Red Storm’s victory over No. 25 Rutgers in an exhibition matchup on the road as the beginning of a promising season for St. John’s.
“With the exception of 1996 (Pitino’s National Championship season at Kentucky, a title won at the Meadowlands Arena), I have not known what lies ahead and that’s the fun part of the business. You don’t how good you are going to be,” said Pitino. “Right now, I think we are a damn good basketball team. But I’m not 100 percent sure of that and that’s the good thing.”
Talk around Media Day revolved around UConn’s possible move away from the Big East. Back in August, it was reported that the Big 12 and the Huskies were in talks about joining forces. According to Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, those talks have stalled.
Commissioner Ackerman discussed the reports and how the Big East would handle the move.
“They are different from our schools because they are dealing with FBS football, and they are the only school in our league that has that dynamic, said Ackerman during Media Day. “They are also a state school and have a different dynamic regarding their funding model and their relationship with the state, so they are a little different from everyone else. All that said, we have rules. If you wanna leave, we don’t bound you for life. You have to give notice; you have to pay the exit fee. It’s sort of transactional and that’s just a fact.”
While everyone is chasing UConn, the Big East season looks to be just as competitive as the league continues to be the benchmark of college basketball
Coaches’ Preseason Poll
UConn (10) 100
Creighton 84
Xavier 82
Marquette (1) 74
St. John’s 70
Providence 54
Villanova 44
Butler 36
Georgetown 25
Seton Hall 24
DePaul 12
BIG EAST PRESEASON HONORS
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton, C, Sr.
PRESEASON FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Liam McNeeley, Connecticut, F, Fr.
PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST FIRST TEAM
Alex Karaban, Connecticut, F, R-Jr.
Kam Jones, Marquette, G, Sr.
Bryce Hopkins, Providence, G-F, Sr.
Kadary Richmond, St. John’s, G, Gr.
Eric Dixon, Villanova, F, Gr.
PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST SECOND TEAM
Pierre Brooks, Butler, F, Sr.
Jahmyl Telfort, Butler, F, Gr.
Deivon Smith, St. John’s, G, Gr.
Zach Freemantle, Xavier, F, Gr.
Dayvion McKnight, Xavier, G, Gr.
PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST THIRD TEAM
Aidan Mahaney, Connecticut, G, Jr.
Steven Ashworth, Creighton, G, Sr.
Jayden Epps, Georgetown, G, Jr.
Wooga Poplar, Villanova, G, Sr.
Ryan Conwell, Xavier, G, Jr.
