UConn Men’s Basketball Named Preseason Favorite in Big East Conference

Hartford & New Haven, CT, October 1, 2026 —

The UConn men’s basketball program has been tabbed as the top team heading into the upcoming season, earning the designation of preseason favorite by the Big East Conference. The announcement was made official during the conference’s annual Big East Media Day event.

This selection places UConn at the forefront of expectations within the highly competitive Big East. Being named the preseason favorite signifies recognition from conference coaches and media members of the team’s perceived strength and potential for success in the 2023-2024 season. While this designation reflects current sentiment, the actual performance on the court throughout the season will determine the team’s final standing.

Big East Media Day serves as a traditional kickoff event for the conference’s basketball season. It provides an opportunity for coaches, select student-athletes, and media representatives to gather, discuss team prospects, and address the upcoming schedule. It is during this event that official preseason polls, including the selection of a favorite, are typically revealed.

The Big East Conference is recognized as one of the premier leagues in NCAA Division I men’s basketball, consistently featuring multiple teams ranked among the nation’s top programs and making deep runs in the NCAA Tournament. The conference landscape often sees intense rivalries and challenging matchups throughout the regular season, making any preseason ranking a subject of significant interest and discussion among college basketball observers.

Further details regarding the voting breakdown or specific predictions for other teams were not provided in the initial announcement of UConn’s selection as the preseason favorite.

Story summarized from the original created by Rob Polansky on www.wfsb.com, see more information here.

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