Seven figures: The cost of UConn's title chase

The financial center of gravity in the Big East shifted this offseason when UConn secured the retention of shooting guard Braylon Mullins. The Huskies reportedly paid well into seven figures to keep the 6-foot-6 guard, a decision that places them ahead of defending champion St. John's in the conference power rankings. This financial maneuver was the primary driver in the league's preseason landscape, elevating UConn to the top spot in the coaches' poll.

Mullins, who was projected to be a first-round NBA draft pick, chose to remain for another season. His departure would have sent the Huskies into a rebuilding phase, but his presence keeps them in title contention. He is the player who made a 35-foot shot with 0.4 seconds remaining to beat Duke 73-72 in the East Region title game. That performance sent UConn to the Final Four, where they lost to Michigan in the national championship game.

The Huskies' advantage is reinforced by their depth. Point guard Silas Demary Jr. is the preseason Player of the Year, having averaged 10.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game last season. UConn went 17-4 in games where Demary reached double figures. The team also added center Na'jai Hines from Seton Hall and Nik Khamenia from Duke. Hines led the Big East in blocks as a freshman with a 2.2 average.

St. John's remains the second choice in the conference, led by head coach Rick Pitino. The Red Storm won 61 games over the last two seasons and captured back-to-back Big East titles. They are targeting at least a Final Four berth. Their roster is anchored by Tounde Yessoufou, who averaged 17.8 points and 5.8 rebounds for Baylor last year. Yessoufou broke the Baylor freshman scoring record with 605 points. He is considered the most impactful transfer in the conference.

Villanova, the third choice in the poll, returned to the NCAA Tournament under head coach Kevin Willard. Willard replaced Jay Wright, under whom the Wildcats missed three straight tournaments. Willard stated that returning to March Madness was essential for recruiting in the transfer portal. He noted that players want to play in the NCAA Tournament and recognized that Villanova was back in contention. Tyler Perkins made the preseason all-Big East first team for the Wildcats.

The conference also saw coaching changes at two programs. Alan Huss took over at Creighton from Greg McDermott. Huss was 56-15 in two seasons at High Point and led that school to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025. Butler hired Ronald Nored after Thad Matta retired. Nored, a 2012 Butler graduate, was the starting point guard for the team during back-to-back national championship games.

The preseason all-Big East first team included Mullins, Demary Jr., Yessoufou, Marquette's Nigel James Jr., and St. John's Ian Jackson. Four of these five players are returners. This stability contrasts with the typical trend of top talent leaving via the portal for higher compensation. The league's preseason poll placed Marquette fourth, Providence fifth, and Xavier sixth. DePaul was selected eighth, followed by Seton Hall and Georgetown. Butler finished as the 11th choice.