The 2026–27 Big East men's basketball season is the upcoming season for Big East Conference basketball teams that will begin with practices and exhibition games in October 2026, followed by the start of the 2025–26 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November 2026. Conference play will begin in December 2026 and end in March 2027.
Head coaches Coaching changes Butler On March 16, 2026, after four seasons in his second stint, head coach Thad Matta announced his retirement from coaching, although remaining with the Bulldogs as a special assistant to the university president and athletic director. On March 25, the school named Ronald Nored as the team's next head coach. He was most recently an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks and a player in the Bulldogs' National Runners-up teams in 2010 and 2011.
Creighton On March 23, 2026, long-time head coach Greg McDermott announced his retirement, remaining with the team until the end of their College Basketball Crown run. Associate head coach Alan Huss, who had been re-hired from High Point in 2025, was promoted to head coach, as his position stipulated he would become the next head coach when McDermott retired.
Providence On March 13, 2026, head coach Kim English was fired after three seasons. On March 22, South Florida head coach Bryan Hodgson was named as the team's next head coach.
Coaches Team Head coach Previous job Years at school Overall record Big East record Big East titles NCAA Tournaments NCAA Final Fours NCAA ChampionshipsButlerRonald Nored10–0 (–)0–0 (–)0000UConnDan HurleyRhode Island9164–46 (.781)86–33 (.723) 1 6 3 2CreightonAlan Huss10–0 (–)0–0 (–)0000DePaulChris HoltmannOhio State330–36 (.455)12–28 (.300) 0 0 0 0GeorgetownEd CooleyProvidence442–57 (.424)16–44 (.267) 0 0 00MarquetteShaka SmartTexas6110–61 (.643)62–37 (.626) 1 4 00ProvidenceBryan HodgsonSouth Florida10–0 (–)0–0 (–)0000St. John'sRick PitinoIona481–25 (.764)47–13 (.783) 2 2 00Seton HallShaheen HollowaySt. Peter's570–65 (.519)35–45 (.438) 0 0 00VillanovaKevin WillardMaryland224–9 (.727)15–5 (.750)0100XavierRichard PitinoNew Mexico215–18 (.455)6–14 (.300)0000 Notes: All records, appearances, titles, etc. are from time with current school only. Year at school includes 2026–27 season. Overall and Big East records are from time at current school only and are through the beginning of the season. Hurley's AAC records not included since team began play in the Big East.
Preseason Preseason Big East poll Prior to the conference's annual media day, conference standings were projected by panel of writers.
RankTeamPoints1.UConn 98 (8)2. St. John's 90 (2)3. Villanova 814. Marquette 73 (1)5. Providence 596.Xavier 547. Creighton808.DePaul329.Seton Hall3110.Georgetown2711. Butler 13(first place votes)
Preseason All-Big East A select media panel named a preseason All-Big East team and player of the year.
Honor RecipientPreseason Player of the YearSilas Demary Jr., UConnPreseason Freshman of the YearColben Landrew, UConnPreseason All-Big East First TeamBraylon Mullins, UConn*Nigel James Jr., Marquette*Ian Jackson, St. John'sTounde Yessoufou, St. John's*Tyler Perkins, VillanovaPreseason All-Big East Second TeamNa'jai Hines, UConnRoyce Parham, MarquetteMiles Byrd, ProvidenceKwame Evans Jr., VillanovaDevin Royal, VillanovaPreseason All-Big East Third TeamOswin Erhunmwunse, CreightonJackson McAndrew, CreightonLayden Blocker, DePaulSananda Fru, MarquetteJovan Milicevic, XavierMike Nwoko, Xavier * Denotes unanimous selection
Regular season Early Season Tournaments Source: TeamTournamentFinishCreightonPlayers Era Festival (Players Era 16)DePaulFort Myers Tip-Off (Beach Division)GeorgetownRady Children's InvitationalMarquetteBattle 4 Atlantis (Bracket 2)ProvidenceMaui Invitational St. John'sPlayers Era Festival (Players Era 16)Seton HallBahamas ChampionshipXavierBattle 4 Atlantis (Bracket 1)
References