Big East Preseason Sweep
UConn Men and Women Sweep Big East Preseason Polls with Top Honors
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Key Points
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St. John’s received two first-place votes and was coming off consecutive Big East regular-season and tournament title sweeps, a first in conference history; the Red Storm also reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999.
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The men’s poll placed Villanova, Marquette and Providence third through fifth, followed by Xavier, Creighton, DePaul, Seton Hall, Georgetown and Butler.
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On the women’s side, KK Arnold and Blanca Quiñonez were unanimous Preseason All-Big East selections, while Olivia Vukosa was unanimously named Preseason Freshman of the Year.
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UConn’s women went 20-0 in conference play in 2025-26 and reached the program’s record 25th NCAA Final Four. Strong averaged 18.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, shooting 58.2% from the field.
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The Big East held its media day at a New York hotel rather than Madison Square Garden, the event’s venue since 2014; it was presided over by new commissioner Tim Brosnan, who succeeded Val Ackerman.
UConn swept the Big East preseason polls on both sides of the court. Fox Sports reported the Huskies earned the men's basketball favorite spot, while the women's team also claimed top billing. Guard Silas Demary Jr. was named men's preseason player of the year, and forward Sarah Strong earned the same honor on the women's side.
The selections came at the Big East's annual media day in New York, now led by new commissioner Tim Brosnan. Newsday noted the event moved from its longtime home at Madison Square Garden—where it had been held since 2014—to a hotel venue this year. St. John's finished second in the men's poll after a historic season: the Red Storm won consecutive Big East regular-season and tournament titles, a conference first.
Demary Leads UConn Men Back to Favorites
Silas Demary Jr. headlines UConn's bid to reclaim Big East supremacy. Fox Sports confirmed the guard earned preseason player of the year honors. The Huskies made their third national championship game appearance in four seasons, cementing their status as the conference's elite program.
St. John's defense of its title came up short in the preseason voting despite unprecedented success. Worldnews reported the Red Storm received two first-place votes after sweeping both the regular-season and tournament crowns—a first in Big East history. They also reached the Sweet 16, their first Elite Eight appearance since 1999.
Strong Powers Undefeated UConn Women
Sarah Strong's dominant sophomore season earned her preseason player of the year on the women's side. Newsday highlighted the forward's eye-popping numbers: 18.4 points per game, 7.7 rebounds, and 58.2% shooting from the field. The UConn women went a perfect 20-0 in conference play in 2025-26.
The Huskies' women reached the program's record 25th NCAA Final Four. WTNH reported that teammates KK Arnold and Blanca Quiñonez were unanimously selected as preseason All-Big East honorees. Freshman sensation Olivia Vukosa was also voted unanimously as preseason freshman of the year.
UConn Dominates Coaching Panel Selections
The Big East coaching staff backed UConn on both the men's and women's rosters. Yahoo Sports reported the dual-poll wins reflect the Huskies' sustained excellence across the conference. Villanova, Marquette, and Providence rounded out the men's top five, while the women's poll had strong depth across the league.
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Articles
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