It would be easy to say, that UConn’s women’s basketball team already has clinched the 2025-26 Big East Conference championship. It just wouldn’t be accurate – at least not yet.
There’s a long season ahead and the conference other 10 teams are all starting the season off with optimism and dreams of winning the conference title. But, deep down, fans everywhere know that UConn is the overwhelming favorite to win the Big East and maybe even more.
After all, UConn is the defending national champion and a long-time powerhouse. Legendary coach Geno Auriemma has another loaded roster and yet another big season is expected.
Here’s a preview and rankings for the 2025-26 Big East women’s basketball season:
1. UCONN
Losing a player like All-American Paige Bueckers would be an insurmountable blow to most teams. Sure, the Huskies will miss Bueckers, but they have another potential All-American ready to step in and star. That’s sophomore forward Sarah Strong, who averaged 16.4 points and 8.9 rebounds as a freshman. Auriemma said Strong has looked even better in preseason workouts and she just might be the best player in the Big East. She’s surrounded by an excellent supporting cast that features guards Azzi Fudd, KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade. The Huskies also added USC transfer Kayleigh Heckel and will welcome freshman Kelis Fisher.
2. MARQUETTE
The Golden Eagles are the only program in all of Division I to return all its players from last season when Marquette went 21-11. Fans expect a big step forward and the main reason is because has a trio that’s a as good top-three combo as you’ll find. That group is led by junior forward Skylar Forbes, who led the team in scoring (15.8 points a game) last season. Guards Halle Vice and Lee Volker also averaged in double figures last season.
3. VILLANOVA
Much like Marquette, fans see Villanova as a team on the rise. The Wildcats went 21-15 last season and they return sophomore sensation Jasmine Bascoe, who is one of the top players in the conference. Bascoe averaged 16.2 points last season. She’ll be joined by a pair of experienced players in senior forward Denae Carter and Notre Dame transfer Kylee Watson.
4. SETON HALL
The Pirates will be led by an outstanding backcourt that features Savannah Catalon and Jada Eads. Catalon averaged 13.5 points and notched 71 steals last season. Eads was a first-team All-Big East selection as a freshman last season. Seton Hall also should get a boost with the arrival of Texas transfer Jordana Codio.
5. CREIGHTON
Creighton went 16-2 in conference play last year (both losses were to UConn) lost its top three players — Lauren Jensen, Molly Mogensen and Morgan Maly — to graduation. But coach Jim Flanery will look to senior guards Kennedy Townsend and Kiani Lockett for leadership. The Blue Jays added more experience with the arrival of sixth-year transfer Grace Boffeli from Northern Iowa. The Blue Jays also will have six true freshmen and that group is highlighted by Serbian forward Tara Dacic.
6. ST. JOHN’S
Guard Skye Owen and forward Kylie Lavelle are the top returners and coach Joe Tartamella once again cleaned up in the transfer portal. The Red Storm added four transfers, highlighted by junior guards Brooke Moore (Liberty) and Beautiful Waheed (Wabash Valley College).
7. GEORGETOWN
Coach Darnell Haney has made it clear that he expects the Hoyas to finish in the top half of the conference this year. That seems possible because Georgetown brings back key returners in guards Khadee Hession and Victoria Rivera Forward Brianna Scott also returns after sitting out last season with a knee injury. The Hoyas also added transfers Chetanna Nweke (Princeton) and Laila Jewett (Princeton).
8. BUTLER
Fans are expecting a big step forward from Butler in coach Austin Parkinson’s fourth season. That’s largely because Butler added two transfers from Power 4 schools. They added guard McKenna Johnson (Minnesota) and forward Mallory Miller (Arizona State). That might be enough for Parkinson to have his first winning season at Butler.
9. DePAUL
Jill Pizzotti officially has stepped into the head coaching position after guiding the Blue Deamons to a 13-19 record as interim coach last year. The Blue Deamons may start slowly because key retuners Kate Clarke and Meg Newman are expected to miss the early part of the season with injuries. That means freshman guard Gina Davorija and transfer Aizhanique Mayo (Xavier) will have to contribute right away.
10. PROVIDENCE
The Friars lost 10 players from last years team, so coach Erin Batth had to go to work in the transfer portal. She landed post player Teneisia Brown, who averaged 15.1 points and 9.7 rebounds for Farleigh Dickinson last year and seosa Imafidon,a 6-foot-4 transfer from Louisville.
11. XAVIER
Guard Meri Kanerva was the conference Freshman of the Year last season. She’ll team with Mississippi transfer Mariyah Noel to give Xavier a strong backcourt.
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