2025 Big East Media Day

[FightOnCT]

UConn picked 2nd, just behind St. John’s

 

[BFieldHusky]

Great motivation for the team.

 

[HW611]

Wonder how good Creighton will be without Kalkbrenner. Feels like he’s been there forever.

 

[Ricker]

That is essentially my list but flipping UConn/St Johns and Xavier/Nova

 

[Iluvsuebird]

I love it! Can't wait for that first game against St. John's

 

[DRBackup]

Now check this out and explain to me how these same people ranked SJU ahead of UConn...

 

[DRBackup]

 

[NJHusky]

Now check this out and explain to me how these same people ranked SJU ahead of UConn...

Not that I agree, but they did have the POY and 2 guys on the third team too

 

[HW611]

The public is going to have a ball with this quote.

 

[REB1094]

I’d flip UConn and St John’s but it’s pretty much a wash at 97 and 94 points on the vote

Creighton is the obvious #3

Providence at 4? I’m not sold. They have some solid transfers coming in but their best returner is CFJ. That roster will need time to pull together and I haven’t seen anything from Kim English that tells me he’ll be able to pull them together. I’d drop them down to 5-6

Marquette shouldn’t be that good but Shaka will find a way to make them good. Bump them to 4

5-6-7 is GTown/PC/Nova. I’d bet in that order, but I’m so low on PC that I wouldn’t argue against Nova jumping them

The rest doesn’t really matter but that order feels right

 

[HooperScooper]

Part of the Hurley interview with Matt Norlander. Expect an article tomorrow.

 

[HooperScooper]

After injuring his hamstring, missing about two weeks, returning for a few days of practice and injuring it again, the Huskies are hoping Reed will be ready for the Nov. 3 season-opener.

“(I’m) hanging in there, day-by-day,” he reported. “It’s getting better, I just can’t wait to be back on the court with the guys… No clue (when I’ll be back), it’s like week-by-week. Taking my time with it, making sure when I come back I’m going to be at 110% … It sucks. It’s one of the worst feelings. But I know there’s a purpose for it and it’s challenging me to be more of a leader off the court. I just can’t wait to get back.”

Hurley said point guard Silas Demary Jr., who also missed the first exhibition against Boston College with a calf injury, returned to practice.

https://www.courant.com/2025/10/21/big-east-media-day-notes-karabans-unique-position-uconns-international-infusion-and-more/

The RuffRuff Alternate Access™:
Big East Media Day Notes: Karaban’s unique position, UConn’s international infusion and more

 

[dalydosehoops]

More to come:

Karaban, Ball, Reed all named first team preseason all-Big East as UConn is first with three honorees in 20 years

Alex Karaban was one of three Huskies named to Big East’s preseason first team Tuesday. (Photo by UConn Men’s Basketball) By Connor Wilson (...

dalydoseofhoops.blogspot.com

 

[HooperScooper]

“When you see a player like Braylon [Mullins] shoot the ball, it’s like a blessing," Hurley said. "It’s like God blessed his right hand.” Hurley also added lofty comparisons to legendary Hall of Famer Ray Allen and New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins, who he coached for two seasons at UConn.

https://www.nhregister.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/ray-allen-braylon-mullins-dan-hurley-big-east-21112752.php

The RuffRuff Alternate Access™:

Dan Hurley compares UConn freshman Braylon Mullins' shot to Ray Allen: 'Like a blessing'​

 

[HooperScooper]

"I don't consider Connecticut any more of a rival than Villanova, Providence, Marquette or Creighton," Pitino, the St. John's head coach, said at Big East Media Day on Tuesday, echoing comments he made to CT Insider over the summer.

Hurley takes a far different tack.

"I think it's great for college basketball to have rivalries and programs that are both legitimately top-5, top-10 caliber," the eighth-year UConn coach said. "That's the only way you can do a rivalry. You can't do a rivalry if one team is at the top of the sport and has won six national championships since 1999, and other programs haven't had any level of success like that."

https://www.nhregister.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/dan-hurley-rick-pitino-st-johns-big-east-rivalry-21111593.php

The RuffRuff Alternate Access™:

Is UConn-St. John's a Big East rivalry? Dan Hurley and Rick Pitino have differing opinions​

 

[PlayItLeo]

Not UConn related but I bumped into Chris Holtmann on the sidewalk outside MSG today. We chatted for 1-1.5 minutes as I didn't want to bother him but he was extremely friendly and talkative. He's a great addition to the Big East and I'm glad we're already seeing signs of DePaul improving. Will be rooting for him this year (outside of games against us, obviously).

 

[dalydosehoops]

Asked Dan about the pressure aspect going into the season, and also about his mental health revelations in the last chapter of his book.

Introspective Dan always makes for a great column. I hope you enjoy this one:

Hurley: “Not as much pressure” after last year, feels calmer and confident in a better season

Dan Hurley fields questions at Big East media day as his fourth-ranked UConn team chases third national championship in four seasons. (Photo...

dalydoseofhoops.blogspot.com

 

[Kolumbo]

Now check this out and explain to me how these same people ranked SJU ahead of UConn...

One of the BE programs is not like the others. That is the only reason.

 

[RuffRuff]

Dan Hurley owns up to bad behavior during UConn's disappointing season, hints at changes: 'I'm not a victim'

After the most controversial season of his career, Hurley opens up to CBS Sports about necessary fixes to bring UConn back to the top

www.cbssports.com

 

[HooperScooper]

Dave Borges article from Big East Media Day. Stuff on Tarris Reed Jr., Richard Pitino's relationship with Hurley and Kimani Young, Ryan Gomes, Corey Floyd Jr., etc.

"Kimani and I talk every day," Richard Pitino said at Tuesday's Big East Media Day. "I love him, he's one of my closest friends. He needs to be a head coach soon. He's as good of an assistant coach as I've ever had, just a phenomenal person, so good with relationships. Positive, knows the game. He's been patient, probably because he makes a lot of money at UConn. I know Danny probably doesn't want to hear it, because Kimani's so influential there. But, he should be a head coach very, very soon."

https://www.nhregister.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/tarris-reed-jr-dan-hurley-richard-pitino-big-east-21113704.php

The RuffRuff Alternate Access™:

Why UConn men's basketball center Tarris Reed Jr. is cautious as he returns from hamstring issue​

 

[HooperScooper]

Dan Hurley owns up to bad behavior during UConn's disappointing season, hints at changes: 'I'm not a victim'

After the most controversial season of his career, Hurley opens up to CBS Sports about necessary fixes to bring UConn back to the top

www.cbssports.com

This is the video of Matt Norlander interviewing Hurley. I'd skip to the 12:00 mark. That's when he starts talking about the team.