Big East Coaches Picked UConn to Win

The conference coaches selected the Huskies to take the top spot in the Big East preseason rankings.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Basketball

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Big East conference coaches have officially selected the University of Connecticut as the favorite to win the league. The announcement arrived as the program continues a stretch that includes three national championship game appearances in four seasons.

Why it matters

The preseason selection reflects the high expectations surrounding UConn as they look to maintain their status as a perennial power in the Big East. Meanwhile, Silas Demary Jr. earned preseason Big East Player of the Year honors following his standout performance last season.

Silas Demary Jr. averaged 10.1 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game last season. These metrics secured his status as the conference preseason Player of the Year.

The players

UConn

The University of Connecticut basketball program has reached the national championship game three times in four seasons.

Silas Demary Jr.

The standout guard was named the preseason Big East Player of the Year following an impressive campaign last season.

St. John's

The university's basketball program was selected by conference coaches as the second choice to win the Big East.

The details

Coaches from across the Big East voted to determine the conference hierarchy ahead of the upcoming campaign. The selection highlights the continued dominance of the program in the national landscape after a series of deep postseason runs.

Coaches finalized their conference rankings on October 1, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This preseason ranking follows the historical pattern of the Big East preseason coaches poll serving as a bellwether for the conference title race. The selection of UConn reinforces their position at the top of the conference hierarchy as they prepare for a competitive season.

The conference ranking solidifies the Huskies' status as the team to beat for both betting markets and bracket projections. Silas Demary Jr. enters the season with high individual expectations that will likely make him a centerpiece for fantasy rosters and conference scouting reports.

The takeaway

The preseason recognition highlights both team and individual excellence within the Big East. Supporters should keep an eye on how these expectations influence the intensity of conference play when the season begins.