The highest-heavy Huge East Event, as soon as once more set to be staged at Madison Sq. Backyard, is headlined by the antics of St. John’s and UConn.
The school basketball world’s best Backyard occasion is about to get underway.
Madison Sq. Backyard is ready to as soon as once more host the Huge East Event, a hallowed obligation it has held since 1983. Conventional powers St. John’s and UConn are main the best way, dominating convention play with a mixed 35 wins.
The Purple Storm stands because the defending champions after ending a quarter-century drought final time round whereas the Huskies want to break a tie with Georgetown for essentially the most event titles within the occasion’s storied historical past. Behind them stands a hodgepodge of elite hardwood skills, a few of which want to additional seal their March fates. Ballislife has you lined with every competitor and their story under …
The 2026 Huge East Event Bracket. pic.twitter.com/3g05buXKT9
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 8, 2026
1. St. John’s Purple Storm (25-5, 18-2)
Head Coach: Rick Pitino (third season, 76-24)Gamers to Watch: Zuby Ejiofor (16.0 factors, 7.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 blocks), Bryce Hopkins (13.3 factors, 6.0 rebounds), Oziyah Sellers (10.7 factors), Dillon Mitchell (8.1 factors, 3.1 assists)Final Huge East Championship: 2025
The Purple Storm seemed to be quelled within the early going with a 9-5 begin after starting the yr ranked fifth within the nation. A 13-game successful streak in convention play, to not point out the additional emergence of Ejiofor (who graduated from the convention’s Most Improved Participant to Defensive Participant of the 12 months) and the Windfall switch Hopkins, restored the newly-found sanity in Queens/Manhattan and propelled them to thirteenth within the ultimate common season ballot.
@StJohnsBBall STANDS ALONE 👑
The Purple Storm win the outright BIG EAST regular-season title. pic.twitter.com/qLVwIk3B6i
— FOX Faculty Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 7, 2026
St. John’s turned a goal of the hardwood jesters after their notorious 72-40 defeat to UConn on Feb. 25 (which noticed them miss their ultimate 24 makes an attempt from the sphere) however they recovered with three ultimate wins that secured their second consecutive common season title. Regardless of the success of the Pitino period, the Purple Storm has lots to show this postseason after falling to Arkansas within the second of final yr’s NCAA Event.
2. UConn Huskies (27-4, 17-3)
Head Coach: Dan Hurley (eighth season, 192-73)Gamers to Watch: Solo Ball (13.9 factors, 3.4 rebounds), Tarris Reed Jr. (13.8 factors, 8.0 rebounds), Alex Karaban (12.9 factors, 5.3 rebounds, 47.9 discipline objective share), Silas Demary Jr. (11.1 factors, 6.5 assists, 42.0 three-point share)Final Huge East Championship: 2024 (Final NCAA Event look: 2025)
The UConn Huskies made the fallacious sort of headlines ultimately, falling to Marquette on the ultimate day of the common season that noticed Hurley ejected for a bodily confrontation with an official whereas arguing a foul name. That should not take the main focus off the Huskies‘ eclectic mixture of transfers and homegrown skills, the latter class headlined by the continued efforts of Ball and Karaban, the leftovers from UConn’s nationwide title workforce in 2024.
🚨 On This Day 🚨
16 years in the past, St. John’s dominates UConn through the first spherical of the 2010 Huge East Event.
(March 9, 2010) #SJUBB pic.twitter.com/UVmXptKhzV
— Johnnies Highlights (@JohnniesTape) March 9, 2026
Not like final season’s mediocre march, the Huskies have remained stationed atop the nationwide rankings for a great little bit of this season. It looks like solely a victory within the potential championship rubber match with St. John’s will likely be sufficient to safe an elusive No. 1 seed on the larger bracket, giving UConn further metropolitan incentive.
3. Villanova Wildcats (24-7, 15-5)
Head Coach: Kevin Willard (1st season)Gamers to Watch: Tyler Perkins (13.7 factors, 5.5 rebounds), Acaden Lewis (12.5 factors, 5.3 assists), Duke Brennan (12.3 factors, 10.5 rebounds)Final Huge East Championship: 2022
The Wildcats are as much as postseason scratch once more after the meandering antics of the Kyle Neptune period. Willard’s arrival noticed Villanova work with a number of portal merchandise (in addition to the returning Perkins, the Huge East’s newly-minted Most Improved Participant), headlined by the nightly double-double antics of Brennan (who confronted Willard’s Maryland program as a member of Grand Canyon in final yr’s NCAA Event).
FINAL: Villanova (@novawbb) defeats Windfall, 73-65, to advance to the Huge East Event Semifinals. Jasmine Bascoe scored a career-high 31 factors. Kennedy Henry recorded the primary double-double of her profession with 13 factors and 12 rebounds.
It wasn’t a straightforward win for the… pic.twitter.com/mERAA0D61H
— David Szczepanski (@WXVUDavidS) March 8, 2026
Whereas many imagine that the Wildcats have executed sufficient to safe their first Huge Dance berth since 2022, their lack of a high-profile win is a bit regarding. Supplied they deal with enterprise in spherical one, a first-rate alternative seemingly awaits within the semifinals. The Wildcats had been dealt an enormous blow of their final go to to MSG, as star Matt Hodge was misplaced to a torn ACL.
4. Seton Corridor Pirates (20-11, 10-10)
Head Coach: Shaheen Holloway (4th season)Gamers to Watch: Budd Clark (12.4 factors, 4.7 assists), AJ Staton-McCray (12.1 factors, 3.1 rebounds), Tajuan Simpkins (10.1 factors)Final Huge East Championship: 2016 (Final NCAA Event Look: 2022)
The Pirates greater than doubled their win whole from the prior season, thrust by a profitable third-place displaying on the Maui Invitational and a short look within the Related Press ballot. However there are a number of evident alternatives that they did not plunder: regardless of a stable defensive effort headlined by the 6’10 freshman Najai Hines, the Pirates‘ mixed 0-6 mark in opposition to St. John’s, UConn, and Villanova stands proud to bracket creators at the moment of yr, even when the common margin of defeat was lower than seven factors.
„Each Huge East coach is aware of, you CANNOT take your foot off the pedal [against Seton Hall].“ 😤@TheAndyKatz reviews on „The Comeback Youngsters“: Shaheen Holloway’s @SetonHallMBB squad 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/zqk30OShEd
— TNT Sports activities U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) January 17, 2026
It’s going to in all probability take a championship run to place them over the sting and even a mere look looks like window dressing at this level.
5. Creighton Bluejays (15-16, 11th of September)
Head Coach: Greg McDermott (sixteenth season, 365-187)Gamers to Watch: Josh Dix (12.7 factors, 3.7 rebounds), Austin Swartz (10.9 factors), Jasen Inexperienced (10.4 factors, 5.9 rebounds)Final Huge East Championship: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2025)
The Bluejays‘ newest convention event run carries a cloud of hypothesis, as some surprise if that is McDermott’s final run on the helm. Whether or not it is via retirement or the lure of one other main job stays to be seen (for his half, McDermott has named former Excessive Level boss and present related head coach Alan Huss his successor), however the Bluejays are available in considerably limping after some early buzz.
CREIGHTON STUNS NO. 5 UCONN ON ITS HOME FLOOR 👀 pic.twitter.com/2sxFQ7c9m6
— FOX Faculty Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 19, 2026
They dropped eight of their final 11 contests getting into Manhattan and have sorely missed the antics of sharpshooting sophomore Jackson McAndrew, who was restricted to 4 video games because of a foot damage. In a very polarizing Huge East, it feels just like the Bluejays (who personal wins over Seton Corridor, UConn, and Villanova) have the very best likelihood of adhering to the extremes and both reprise their position within the championship sport or fall of their debut displaying with no in-between.
6. DePaul Blue Demons (16-15, 8-12)
Head Coach: Chris Holtmann (2nd season, 14-20)Gamers to Watch: CJ Gunn (13.3 factors, 3.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals), NJ Benson (11.7 factors, 7.6 rebounds), Brandon Maclin (10.8 factors, 4.5 rebounds)Final Huge East Championship: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2004)
If you’ve acquired nothing, you’ve got acquired nothing to lose, and that is excellent for the chaos demons of March. Within the Huge East, that title belongs to DePaul, which has an opportunity to safe simply its third successful season since getting into the Huge East in 2005.
Huge East Event Winner Odds.
UConn -115St.John’s +190Villanova +700Seton Corridor +1700Creighton +5000Providence +6500Marquette +6500Butler +10000Georgetown +10000DePaul +10000Xavier +20000
Through @FDSportsbook.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 10, 2026
If something, Holtmann’s arrival from Ohio State has introduced some long-sought hope to a downtrodden program. That did not do a lot to raise them out of the realm of the primary spherical however it does give them a way of wholesome reckless abandon the place he beforehand penned so many March surprises.
7. Marquette Golden Eagles (12-19, 7-13)
Head Coach: Shaka Good (fifth season, 110-60)Gamers to Watch: Nigel James Jr. (16.4 factors, 4.8 assists), Chase Ross (14.2 factors, 4.1 rebounds), Royce Parnham (12.2 factors, 4.8 rebounds)Final Huge East Championship: 2023 (Final NCAA Event Look: 2025)
If one believes in momentum and getting sizzling on the proper time, the Golden Eagles could also be flying excessive in that class: Marquette received three of its ultimate 4 video games (together with the aforementioned chaotic finale) primarily propelled by the breakout of the freshman James and a powerful defensive effort led by the Huge East’s main burglar in Ross.
CHAOS AT THE END OF MARQUETTE AND UConn 😱
Dan Hurley is ejected with just below 1 second left to play! pic.twitter.com/znrwGEPpLo
— FOX Faculty Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 7, 2026
The Golden Eagles‘ downfall, greater than seemingly assured their first dropping season of the Good period, was partly caused by absences, such because the foot ailment to junior Sean Jones and the outright departure of Zaide Lowery.
8. Butler Bulldogs (16-15, 7-13)
Head Coach: Thad Matta (4th season, 63-68)Gamers to Watch: Finley Bizjack (17.1 factors), Michael Ajayi (16.3 factors, 11.1 rebounds), Jamie Kaiser Jr. (9.7 factors, 4.4 rebounds)Final Huge East Championship: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2018)
Dealt their sixth consecutive dropping season within the Huge East, the Bulldogs at the least loved the high-scoring antics of the tenured Bizjack and the Gonzaga import Ajayi. They positioned third in factors this season behind solely St. John’s and first spherical opponent Windfall however protection has been a serious situation as they provide up over 77 a sport.
“Money, man, they want cash…. I do know what they spent. He needs to be the Huge East Coach of the 12 months.”
Dan Hurley heaped reward on Thad Matta for what he’s executed with restricted assets at Butler
pic.twitter.com/RHli2UTID9
— Principally Hoops With Mark Titus & Co. (@MostlyHoopsShow) February 12, 2026
With the Bulldogs nonetheless reeling from the medically-induced lack of Jalen Jackson, it looks like the one certainty in Indianapolis can be to wager the over of their opening tilt.
9. Windfall Friars (14-17, 7-13)
Head Coach: Kim English (third season, 45-48)Gamers to Watch: Jaylin Sellers (18.1 factors, 4.0 rebounds), Jason Edwards (16.5 factors), Stefan Vaaks (15.2 factors, 3.3 assists)Final Huge East Championship: 2014 (Final NCAA Event Look: 2023)
Solely including to the potential high-scoring nature of the tournament-opening sport in opposition to the Bulldogs is the presence of the convention’s main scorer in Sellers and the 3-point prowess of Vaaks, to not point out the hype of touted freshman Jamier Jones.
ST JOHNS & PROVIDENCE CAME TO BLOWS 😤
The Huge East is so again. pic.twitter.com/M2n8F9fLW3
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) February 14, 2026
This event is ready to be the final stand for English, who is claimed to be on his means out after struggling to capitalize on the momentum established in his debut tour. For all their flaws, the Friars emerged victorious of their final go to to MSG, incomes an upset of St. John’s between seventh and eighth Avenue.
10. Xavier Musketeers (14-17, 6-14)
Head Coach: Richard Pitino (1st season)Gamers to Watch: Tre Carroll (18.0 factors, 5.7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks), Jovan Milicevic (12.3 factors, 4.0 rebounds), Malik Messina-Moore (10.9 factors, 3.9 assists)Final Huge East Championship: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2025)
The Musketeers‘ try to drag off an unbelievable upset is hounded by rumors: the standing over the plain star Carroll (who missed the common season finale in opposition to Villanova with a hip damage) is frightening sufficient however some have questioned whether or not the junior Pitino would succeed his father at Windfall.
Xavier’s ball motion, headlined by the work of the Montana switch Messina-Moore, might preserve it within the sport, however finally the case of development will greater than seemingly come all the way down to Carroll’s potential participation.
11. Georgetown Hoyas (14-17, 6-14)
Head Coach: Ed Cooley (third season, 41-56)Gamers to Watch: Malik Mack (13.7 factors, 4.2 assists), Vince Iwuchukwu (11.9 factors, 6.0 rebounds), Caleb Williams (9.1 factors, 5.2 rebounds)Final Huge East Championship: 2021
Rounding out the sphere are the Hoyas, who’ve but to reap the advantages of the Cooley period in yr three. There’s nonetheless not a lot distance between Georgetown and its final occasion of Backyard shock in 2021 however there’s not a lot to counsel they’re well-equipped for that journey, particularly on the defensive finish. Making issues all of the harder is the late lack of Lewis, as final week’s ankle damage will value him the remainder of the season.
Outlook
March is a time for upsets and surprises however it feels just like the Huge East’s top-heavy nature is comparatively ironclad this time round. There could possibly be room for just a few surprises (the sheer offensive firepower alone within the Butler-Windfall opener ought to give one of many groups on bye a little bit of a scare, as ought to the DePaul group with nothing to lose in spherical three) whereas Villanova and Seton Corridor want to end off varied phases of an NCAA Event Sunday.
However for what each the Huskies and Purple Storm have completed this season, it feels foolhardy to disregard them. The 2 sides performed a few high-profile matchups final time round however it was clear that the Huskies put up the extra emphatic victory. It is secure to imagine that St. John’s will not interact in one other dire drought however UConn’s further firepower on either side of the ball looks like somewhat an excessive amount of to beat, particularly at the moment of yr.
Prediction: UConn over St. John’s
Schedule
First Spherical: Wednesday, March 11
(8) Butler vs. (9) Windfall, 4 p.m. ET, Peacock/NBCSN(7) Marquette vs. (10) Xavier, 6:30 p.m. ET, Peacock/NBCSN(6) DePaul vs. (11) Georgetown, 9 p.m. ET, Peacock/NBCSN
Quarterfinals: Thursday, March 12
(1) St. John’s vs. BUT/PC, 12 p.m. ET, Peacock/NBCSN(4) Seton Corridor vs. (5) Creighton, 2:30 p.m. ET, Peacock/NBCSN(2) UConn vs. MU/XAV, 7 p.m. ET, FS1(3) Villanova vs. DEP/GT, 9:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Semifinals: Friday, March 13
Semifinal 1, 5:30 p.m. ET, FoxSemifinal 2, 8 p.m. ET, FS1
Championship Recreation: Saturday, March 14
TBD, 6:30 p.m. ET, Fox
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
