Eye On College Basketball: BIG EAST PREVIEW

Episode Date: October 20, 2025
Hosts: Gary Parrish (GP) & Matt Norlander (MN)

Episode Overview

Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander return to preview the 2025-26 Big East basketball season. They dive into whether the Big East is truly a "two-team league" with UConn and St. John's at the top, break down the conference's biggest questions, debate the outlook for Creighton, Marquette, Villanova, and Georgetown, and deliver their ranking predictions, storylines, and preseason awards. The discussion includes detailed roster analysis, coaching philosophies, and a candid look at challenges facing Seton Hall and others. If you're a college hoops fan wanting an informed, in-depth, and entertaining look at the Big East, this is the pod for you.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Is the Big East a Two-Team League?

[01:46-04:25]

• Both hosts agree that, entering the season, UConn and St. John’s are the consensus top two teams, as reflected in the AP Top 25 and predictive metrics like KenPom.
• Creighton rounds out preseason AP Top 25 at #23 but is much lower in analytical rankings (KenPom 41st).
• "Right now the Big East is viewed as a two team league heading into the season. That's a problem for the league." - MN [02:18]
• The gap between UConn/St. John's and the rest is described as "major," with no other Big East teams cracking KenPom’s top 40.

Power Conference Comparison

[04:25-06:19]

• Big East has only two teams in KenPom's top 40, compared to SEC (12), Big Ten (11), Big 12 (8), and ACC (5).
• Fewer strong teams could hurt UConn and St. John’s in NCAA selection/seeding due to more opportunities for “bad losses.”

Main Storylines for 2025-26

1. The St. John's Hype — GP's “Island”

[07:06-08:53]

• GP stands alone among national writers in ranking St. John's preseason #1 and is "ride or die" with Rick Pitino’s Red Storm, citing their overall talent.
• Notably, predictive models list them around #16, and much of their point guard plan (Ian Jackson) shifted late in the offseason, injecting some uncertainty.
• On being alone atop the Johnny's bandwagon:
  “I have not wavered, mostly because I am not a waiver... I’m ride or die at this point with the Red Storm. But do I have concerns? Yes, I have concerns.” - GP [07:37]

2. UConn's Bounce-Back Potential

[17:13-20:59]

• The Huskies look to reassert themselves as national contenders after an uneven year.
• Key returnees: Solomon Ball (potential All-American), Alex Karaban, Terrace Reed, plus top newcomers (S. Damaris Jr., Malachi Smith, and five-star freshman Braylon Mullins).
• “I think they have a better chance on paper to win a national championship this season than they did last season.” - GP [19:25]

3. Marquette & Shaka Smart’s Non-Transfer Stance

[20:59-23:51]

• Marquette is the only major program not to bring in a transfer this offseason—a conscious, "stubborn" strategy by Shaka Smart.
• “If Marquette can be a top four team in the Big East... then he will have ultimately cracked the code.” - MN [22:14]
• Hosts debate whether this approach can last in the portal/NIL era; both predict it will eventually get "caught," but not necessarily this season.

4. Villanova Under Kevin Willard

[27:00-32:13]

• Willard moves from Maryland to Villanova following a messy breakup; both hosts expect he’ll bring stability but acknowledge the transition has felt awkward.
• “Is Kevin Willard going to work out at Villanova?...I assume it’ll go well because it’s a great program with incredible history and resources.” - GP [29:03]

5. Programs in Flux & Postseason Implications

[33:26-34:13]

• Once-proud programs like Georgetown, Xavier, and Butler face uncertain futures, contributing to the Big East's lack of top-tier depth.

In-Depth Team Discussions

St. John’s

[09:17-15:56]

• Roster: Major talent via the portal but some question marks (Ian Jackson not the starting/backup PG, Isaiah Sellers shifting to PG).
• Zuby Ejiofor expected to be preseason Big East POY; if the Red Storm meet expectations, he should be a national All-American.

UConn

[17:13-20:59]

• Roster stability and the addition of impactful recruits/portal transfers set up a potential return to national prominence.
• Braylon Mullins: Highest-ranked Big East freshman, expected to contribute but not carry the scoring load.

Marquette

[20:59-26:29]

• No transfers added, relying on five freshmen and returning core (Chase Ross, Ben Gold, Sean Jones).
• Approach is praised and questioned; both hosts agree it’s “not the way I would do it...eventually you’ll get caught.”

Villanova

[27:00-32:13]

• New Coach: Kevin Willard, notable transfers (Devon Askew, Bryce Lindsay), and a high-usage frosh (Kaden Lewis).
• GP expects the “fit” to be good; MN is cautiously optimistic but notes immediate expectations shouldn’t be “Jay Wright-level dominance.”

Creighton

[36:23-43:13]

• Loss of defensive anchor Ryan Kalkbrenner and other mainstays; skepticism over their top 25 status.
• “Creighton is an easy three for me, but I’m just not as high on them as clearly AP voters are.” - GP [36:23]

Georgetown

[38:44-41:18]

• Ed Cooley’s rebuild has been slow—should be turning around by now but still lacks clear momentum.
• “If Georgetown can’t get out of the cellar...that would be a failure if you wind up being correct.” - MN [39:43]

Other programs (Butler, Xavier, Seton Hall)

• Butler and Xavier are tricky to project (“could be anywhere from 7th to 10th”).
• Seton Hall is widely viewed as having the hardest job due to NIL limitations—both hosts pick them last.

Hosts' Big East Team Rankings (2025-26 Prediction)

[35:13-49:25]

| Gary Parrish | Matt Norlander | |------------------------|-----------------------| | 1. St. John's | 1. UConn | | 2. UConn | 2. St. John’s | | 3. Creighton | 3. Marquette | | 4. Marquette | 4. Creighton | | 5. Providence | 5. Villanova | | 6. Villanova | 6. Georgetown | | 7. Xavier | 7. Butler | | 8. DePaul | 8. Providence | | 9. Georgetown | 9. Xavier | | 10. Butler | 10. DePaul | | 11. Seton Hall | 11. Seton Hall |

Notable differences:

• GP much lower on Georgetown & Butler; MN bullish on Georgetown ("faith play") and a more optimistic Butler outlook.
• Both hosts see Seton Hall at the bottom due to resource constraints.

Notable Quotes & Moments

“Right now the Big East is viewed as a two team league...That’s a problem for the league.”
— Matt Norlander [02:18]

“I have not wavered, mostly because I am not a waiver. I’m ride or die at this point with the Red Storm.”
— Gary Parrish [07:37]

"I think they have a better chance on paper to win a national championship this season than they did last season..."
— Gary Parrish on UConn [19:25]

“If Marquette can be a top four team in the Big East...then he will have ultimately cracked the code.”
— Matt Norlander [22:14]

"Sometimes things that should work just don't."
— Gary Parrish on coaching fits [32:13]

Preseason Awards & NCAA Tournament Bids

[51:23-54:29]

Preseason Player of the Year

• GP: Zuby Ejiofor (St. John's)
• MN: Solomon Ball (UConn)

Freshman of the Year

• GP: Braylon Mullins (UConn)
• MN: Kaden Lewis (Villanova)

Transfer of the Year

• Both: Ian Jackson (St. John’s)

NCAA Tournament Bids (Big East)

• Over/Under (4.6 teams; avg since UConn rejoined: 4.6):
  • GP: Picks UNDER (St. John's, UConn, Creighton, Marquette)
  • MN: Picks OVER (adds Villanova for 5 total)

Timestamped Highlights

• [02:18] — Two-team league problem statement
• [07:37] — Parrish’s “I am not a waiver” quote
• [15:45] — St. John’s roster and point guard debates
• [19:25] — UConn national title outlook
• [22:14] — Marquette transfer philosophy debate
• [29:03] — Kevin Willard Villanova optimism
• [35:13] — Standings rundown and side-by-side comparison
• [53:24] — Preseason awards revealed

Fun/Light Moments

• Squirrel drop banter and running jokes about GP’s “creature of habit” hosting style
• [26:38] GP breaks news: Marquette’s Cam Jones arrested — real concern aired by both hosts
• Multiple self-referential jokes about their own podcasting quirks: “If you’re still listening…” “Let’s throw up GP’s.”
• [56:38] – “How do you believe Dan Hurley is going to behave on the sidelines this season?” — MN: “Is this a serious question?” GP: “I don’t care!” (Light-hearted exasperation)
• [61:45] – Smoothie King price shock

Closing Thoughts

• The Big East’s health depends on either Creighton, Marquette, Villanova, or perhaps Georgetown breaking into the top 25, as two clear powers alone isn’t enough.
• Coaches like Rick Pitino (St. John’s) and Dan Hurley (UConn) guarantee the Big East remains must-watch, but more depth is needed.
• The parity, resource gaps (Seton Hall’s plight, Marquette’s anti-portal stance), and evolving coaching philosophies make the Big East unpredictable and ripe for upheaval in 2025-26.

For New Listeners

This episode gives fans a comprehensive, nuanced, and entertaining look at every angle of the Big East—rosters, coaching trends, preseason expectations, program health, and plenty of well-informed banter. You’ll come away caught up and ready for tipoff!