Jon Rothstein previews the 2026-27 Big East Conference season, explaining why UConn enters as the team to beat once again. Plus, why the conference needs to double its NCAA Tournament representation, how Donnie Freeman's season-ending injury impacts St. John's, and his full preseason power rankings from top to bottom. Rothstein also reveals his preseason Big East awards, including Player of the Year, First Team All-Big East, sleeper picks, breakout candidates, impact freshmen, answers Twitter questions, and wraps up with his big-picture thoughts on one of college basketball's premier conferences.

(2:50) The Big East Needs More NCAA Tournament Bids (5:10) UConn Is the Team to Beat (9:15) Donnie Freeman's Injury Changes St. John's (13:52) Big East Power Rankings (25:30) Big East Preseason Awards (29:55) Twitter Questions (40:16) Big Picture Big East Thoughts

Jon Rothstein sits down with Marquette head coach Shaka Smart for a mid-summer college hoops conversation. Jon and Shaka break down last year's Marquette struggles, using the transfer portal to fill certain gaps and what to expect from the upcoming Marquette roster. All that and much more from the 17-year head coach!

(0:00) Intro + Shaka Smart joins the show

(0:30) Shaka’s family and favorite vacation spots

(2:00) The last half decade at Marquette

(3:05) Comparing Shaka’s head coach jobs

(4:10) How tough was last season? And missing the tournament

(6:45) Growth from adversity vs. success

(8:00) When did Shaka come to terms with the transfer portal?

(10:00) Transfer portal: compliment instead of define?

(11:20) Impressions of the 2026-27 version of the roster

(13:10) Why Nigel James Jr. is poised to be the next great Marquette guard

(14:30) Which returner makes the biggest jump?

(15:30) The next steps for Adrien Stevens

(16:55) The relationship with a player you recruited vs. a portal add?

(19:10) Gaps that transfers will fill

(21:15)The Big East and NCAA Tournament bids

(23:00) Marquette’s nonconference schedule

(24:00) One great win and one tough loss

(26:35) Keys to Marquette being a Big East contender

🎥 WATCH

• Subscribe to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CBSSportsCBB

• Watch CBS Sports HQ: https://cbssports.com/live

• Watch CBS Sports Network on your TV or the CBS Sports App with your cable provider

🎧 LISTEN

• Stream and follow Inside College Basketball Now with Jon Rothstein & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t03SRmmslKzdQ5AtGlXiM?si=9443b63851324a18

• Download and follow Inside College Basketball Now & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-college-basketball-now/id1823022867

📱FOLLOW

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EyeOnCBBPodcast

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbssportscbb/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cbssportscbb?lang=en

▶︎Jon Rothstein: https://x.com/JonRothstein

📖 READ

• More college basketball news: https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

🎙ABOUT INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW

We're also the home for Inside College Basketball Now, hosted by Jon Rothstein. Known for his unmatched insider knowledge, bold takes, and relentless coverage, Rothstein goes deep to deliver what’s really happening in college hoops. From breaking down the biggest storylines to in-depth interviews with the top coaches in the country, this podcast is your all-access pass to the pulse of the game — 365 days a year. This. Is. March… and everything in between.

Kevin Willard joins Jon Rothstein to discuss the challenge of rebuilding Villanova in today's college basketball landscape. From constructing a roster in the transfer portal era to balancing life as a head coach, Willard shares how he's approaching one of the sport's most high-profile jobs.

The two also discuss the Wildcats' 2026-27 roster, expectations in the Big East Conference, the non-conference schedule, the proposed expansion of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, and where the sport is headed in the years to come.

(0:00) Willard's Background

(1:45) Time Away from Family

(2:40) Bringing Villanova Back

(4:20) Is Villanova Still a Blue Blood?

(6:05) Coaching Career

(8:40) Big East Competition

(10:25) 2026-27 Roster

(11:30) Luigi Suigo

(13:40) Building the Team

(19:00) Notre Dame in Rome

(20:38) Injury Updates

(22:10) Non-Conference Schedule

(25:20) Expanded NCAA Tournament

(28:10) Future of College Basketball

(31:53) Looking Ahead

#CollegeBasketball #CBB #NCAA #BigTen #SEC #ACC #EyeOnCollegeBasketball #JonRothstein

🎥 WATCH

• Subscribe to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CBSSportsCBB

• Watch CBS Sports HQ: https://cbssports.com/live

• Watch CBS Sports Network on your TV or the CBS Sports App with your cable provider

🎧 LISTEN

• Stream and follow Eye on College Basketball & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vk8wq9lunf3agEif1kM8T?si=b4e091007c2545c6

• Download and follow Eye on College Basketball & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eye-on-college-basketball/id268800565

• Stream and follow Inside College Basketball Now with Jon Rothstein & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t03SRmmslKzdQ5AtGlXiM?si=9443b63851324a18

• Download and follow Inside College Basketball Now & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-college-basketball-now/id1823022867

📱FOLLOW

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EyeOnCBBPodcast

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbssportscbb/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cbssportscbb?lang=en

▶︎Gary Parrish: https://twitter.com/GaryParrishCBS

▶︎Matt Norlander: https://twitter.com/MattNorlander

▶︎Jon Rothstein: https://x.com/JonRothstein