The Big East is loaded at the top, with national-title contender UConn and Rick Pitino’s re-tooled St. John’s squad leading the pack Big East Womens Basketball 2025 26.
But while the battle for the conference title will be fought on the court, the new arms race is in NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) — and fans are now the difference-makers.
This season, a team’s success is driven as much by its star players as it is by the fans who fuel them.
This preview breaks down the on-court rankings — and the key NIL athletes you can fuel directly through Fan Fuel™ on RallyFuel.
Here’s a preview and rankings for the 2025-26 Big East men’s basketball season:
1. UCONN
Coach Dan Hurley should have another national title contender and the Huskies are the clear favorite in the Big East. The Huskies return one of the conference’s top players in senior, forward Alex Karaban, who has an all-around game, and Tarris Reed also returns up front and Solo Ball, who averaged 14.4 points per game last year, is the top returner in the backcourt. But the key to UConn’s season could be how quickly freshman guard Braylon Mullins, who has the tools to be a prolific scorer, emerges. American Conference 2025 Wbb
UConn NIL Spotlight: The Huskies are a national brand, and their success is built on a mix of veteran stars and high-profile recruits. Fans can fuel established leaders like Alex Karaban or help emerging stars like freshman Braylon Mullins get their NIL journey started. For a powerhouse like UConn, a strong fan-fuelingbase on RallyFuel is a key part of retaining top talent and showing recruits the power of the Husky fanbase.
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2. ST. JOHN’S
Coach Rick Pitino’s team went 31-5 last season and the Storm might have improved by hitting the transfer portal hard in the offseason. The backcourt has been totally rebuilt with the arrival of transfers Oziyah Sellers (13.7 points per game at Stanford last season), Joson Sanon (11 points a game at Arizona State), Dylan Darling (19.9 at Idaho State) and Ian Jackson 11.9 points at North Carolina). The top returner is forward Zuby Ejifor (14.7 points a game last year). Ejifor also is an elite defender and is a fan favorite to win Big East Player of the Year. He’ll get help up front from forward Bryce Hopkins, who averaged 17 points a game at Providence last season.
St. John’s NIL Spotlight: Coach Pitino’s “portal-powered” rebuild is a masterclass in modern NIL strategy. The team’s success hinges on new transfers like Oziyah Sellers, Ian Jackson, and Bryce Hopkins gelling with returning stars like Zuby Ejifor. This is where fans come in. Fueling these new players directly on RallyFuel is the best way to make them feel the full backing of the St. John’s community and build a dominant, long-term roster.
➡️ Fan Fuel the St. John’s Roster Now
3. CREIGHTON
The Blue Jays may not be getting as much attention as UConn and St. John’s, but they’re a top-20 team. Star big man Bryan Kalkbrenner is gone, bt coach Greg McDermott brought in a capable replacement in center Owen Freeman, a transfer from Iowa BIG12 Mbb 2025 26. Freeman averaged 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Hawkeyes last season and he has a nice shooting touch for a big man. Freeman’s Iowa teammate Josh Dix also has transferred to Creighton. Returning forwards Jasen Green and Jackson McAndrew are expected to take on bigger offensive roles than they had last season.
Creighton NIL Spotlight: Landing a high-profile transfer like Owen Freeman and his Iowa teammate Josh Dix is a massive win for the Bluejays. This is where the fanbase can make an immediate impact. Fueling the NIL campaigns of new transfers is the best way to welcome them to the program and show them (and future recruits) the power of the Creighton community.
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4. MARQUETTE
Coach Shaka Smart has to replace guards Kam Jones and Stevie Mitchell. But there’s an in-house candidate to replace them. Chase Ross has been waiting in the wings for his turn as a star. Ross averaged 10.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists last season and he’s expected to step into a much more prominent role. Smart’s not a big believer in the transfer portal, so he’ll be looking to get more out of returners Ben Gold, Zaid Lowery, Royce Parham and Sean Jones
Marquette NIL Spotlight: Coach Smart’s “develop-from-within” system puts the spotlight squarely on Chase Ross to become the team’s next star. This is the perfect opportunity for the Golden Eagles faithful to rally around a homegrown player. As Ross steps into a major role, direct fan fuel on RallyFuel gives him the stability to focus on leading the team. It’s a chance to invest in a player who has been loyal to the program.
➡️ Fan Fuel Marquette Athletes on RallyFuel
5. PROVIDENCE
The Friars were an anemic 6-14 in Big East play last season, but hopes in Providence are very high after an infusion of talented transfers. Jason Edwards, who averaged 19 points a game at Providence last season, tops that list. The Friars also added Ducan Powell (Georgia Tech), Jaylin Sellers (Central Florida) and Daquan Davis (Florida State). Atlantic Sun Basketball Preview
Providence NIL Spotlight: Providence is all-in on the transfer portal. The excitement for this season is built on new faces like Jason Edwards, Ducan Powell, and Jaylin Sellers. This is the most direct way for Friar fans to get involved. Fueling the NIL deals of this new transfer class is the best way to build chemistry and a strong foundation for a new era of Providence basketball.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Friars on RallyFuel
6. VILLANOVA
The Wildcats have a new coach in Kevin Willard and a new floor general in Acaden Lewis. A blue-chip recruit out of Washington, D.C., Lewis is expected to immediately step into a starring role because of his ability to run an offense and score. Tyler Perkins and Matthew Hodge are the only returners of note and Villanova will ask a lot out of its transfers and freshmen.
Villanova NIL Spotlight: A new coach and a new floor general mean a new era for Villanova. All eyes are on blue-chip freshman Acaden Lewis. As he steps into a huge role, fan fuel is critical. This is a chance for the ‘Nova Nation to rally behind the next Wildcat star from day one and give him the fuel he needs to lead this team.
➡️ Fan Fuel Villanova Athletes Now
7. DePAUL
The Blue Deamons won only four conference games last season, but fans around the Chicago area are expecting big improvement this season. Layden Blocker, C.J. Gunn and N.J. Benson are the key returners for coach Chris Holtmann’s second season.
DePaul NIL Spotlight: For DePaul to make the leap this year, they’ll rely on their returning core. Layden Blocker, C.J. Gunn, and N.J. Benson are the heart of this team. Fans who are ready for a new chapter of Blue Demons basketball can show their fuel by fan-fueling this group directly. Consistent NIL fuel is how you build a winning program.
➡️ Fan Fuel DePaul Athletes on RallyFuel
8. GEORGETOWN
Coach Ed Cooley and his team have raised fan expectations by going 18-16 last season after going. A 20-win season this year is very realistic. Guard Malik Mack (12.9 points a game last season) is the top returner and he’ll be expected to be even more of a scorer this season. The Hoyas also landed transfers KJ Lewis (Arizona), Langston Love (Baylor) and DeShawn Harris-Smith (Maryland).
Georgetown NIL Spotlight: The expectations are high for Ed Cooley’s squad. The team is a potent mix of star returner Malik Mack and key transfers like KJ Lewis and Langston Love. This is the perfect one-two punch for fans to fuel. Fueling both the established star and the new faces is how the Hoyas will build the depth needed to compete at the top of the Big East.
9. XAVIER
Richard Pitino, coach of St. John’s coach Rick Pitino), takes over as coach after Sean Miller left for Texas. Xavier reached the NCAA Tournament last season, but were quickly eliminated. Pitino will be looking for his team to take the next step and he’ll build around a pair of transfer guards. All Wright averaged 15.5 points at Valparaiso last season and Malik Messina-Moore averaged 12.6 points at Montana.
Xavier NIL Spotlight: With a new Pitino on the sidelines, Xavier is looking to its new backcourt to lead the charge. Transfers All Wright and Malik Messina-Moore are being handed the keys. There is no better way for the Musketeer faithful to welcome this new duo than by fueling their NIL campaigns. This is how fans can directly help Coach Pitino build his new culture.
➡️ Fan Fuel Xavier Athletes Here
10. BUTLER
Leading scorer Jahmyl Telfort is gone and the Bulldogs return only three players from a team that went 15-20 last season. Guard Finley Bizjack (10.3 points per game last year) is the only returner of note. The Bulldogs have high hopes for transfer Jalen Johnson, who averaged 19.2 points at Purdue-Fort Wayne last season. Benefits Of The NIL
Butler NIL Spotlight: Butler faces a rebuild, and they’ll be leaning on Finley Bizjack to lead the returning players and Jalen Johnson to make a huge impact as a transfer. For a program in transition, fan fuel is everything. Fueling these two core players on RallyFuel is the most direct way for fans to help Butler build for the future.
11. SETON HALL
The Pirates went 7-25 last year and lost most of their top offensive weapons to the transfer portal, including leading scorer and rebounder Isaiah Coleman to Oklahoma State. The roster will be made up almost entirely of transfers and freshmen and the Pirates may have a tough time competing in such a strong conference.
Seton Hall NIL Spotlight: Seton Hall faces a tough road in a strong conference, and they need their fans now more than ever. This new roster of transfers and freshmen is the future. This is a ground-floor opportunity for the Pirate faithful to fuel these new players, help them get established, and build the foundation for the program’s next chapter.
➡️ Fan Fuel Seton Hall Basketball
How Fans Will Decide the Big East Champion
The 2025-26 Big East season will be a thriller — but the battle is no longer just on the hardwood.
The front line is the NIL arms race Big Ten 2025 26 Preview, and it’s where fans, alumni, and supporters have the most direct impact.
A star transfer like Owen Freeman (Creighton) or a homegrown leader like Chase Ross (Marquette) can have their entire season shaped by Fan Fuel™.
- You’re no longer just a spectator — you’re a participant.
- RallyFuel is the platform built for fans to get in the game.
- It’s the simplest, most direct way to fuel your favorite players, help your team build a dominant roster, and show the power of your fanbase.
The season is here. Rule the Fuel™.
➡️ Find Your Team and Fan Fuel™ a Big East Athlete Today
Learn More About the NIL Landscape
Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.
RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information about athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure behind modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in more depth.
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