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

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🎙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

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Missouri head coach Dennis Gates sits down with Jon Rothstein to discuss all things Mizzou hoops. Jon and Dennis discuss Leonard Hamilton's influence on him, a highly anticipated roster and schedule in Columbia and the future of Missouri vs. Kansas.

(0:00) Intro + Dennis Gates joins the show

(0:30) Year 5 for Dennis Gates at Missouri

(1:45) Missouri vs. Cleveland State as a job

(3:15) Lessons learned: making the tournament vs missing it

(4:35) The mentorship of Leonard Hamilton

(7:15) Being involved in lives vs. being involed in winning as a coach

(8:45) The 2026-27 Missouri roster

(10:35) Are we building programs nowadays? Or just teams year-by-year?

(11:50) Is this the best roster Dennis has had at Missouri?

(13:20) Why Jason Crowe Jr. is a very unique player

(14:30) The anticipation of Missouri’s nonconference schedule

(16:45) Why Dennis was willing to play Saint Louis in downtown St. Louis

(19:00) The future of Kansas vs. Missouri

(20:30) Any major nonconference additions to the schedule?

(21:45) One great win and one great loss Dennis holds on to

(23:30) Keys to a Missouri run in the NCAA Tournament

(25:00) Does the length and physicality of this roster remind him of FSU?

(27:00) Who plays Dennis Gates in the movie about his life?

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• 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.

Kentucky head coach Mark Pope joins Inside College Basketball Now for an in-depth offseason conversation, covering everything from roster construction and player development to coaching against Rick Pitino and the expectations that come with leading one of college basketball's biggest programs. Pope opens up about why Kentucky is his "favorite job of all time," reflects on the challenges of last season in Lexington, explains how injuries reshaped the Wildcats' roster, and discusses why last year's team became a foundation for the program's long-term vision. Plus, Pope shares updates on Kentucky's offseason, the potential for a St. John's home-and-home series, his relationship with Rick Pitino, what he's expecting from key returners like Malachi Moreno and additions like Zoom Diallo and Milan Momcilovic, the Wildcats' non-conference schedule, and what real progress looks like entering next season.

(0:10) Offseason plans

(1:10) Finding balance in today's college basketball landscape

(1:50) Why Kentucky is "the favorite job of all time"

(2:25) Reflecting on the 2025-26 season

(3:15) Biggest frustrations from last year

(4:20) The St. John's game

(5:20) Coaching against Rick Pitino

(6:25) St. John's home-and-home series?

(7:05) If Pitino returned to Kentucky...

7:45 Lessons learned from Pitino

(8:50) Santa Clara victory and its impact

(11:05) Ideal roster size in modern college basketball

(12:45) Kentucky's roster outlook

(13:45) Malachi Moreno's development

(15:15) Zoom Diallo's next step

(16:50) Milan Momcilovic's fit

(19:35) Biggest surprise on next year's roster

(21:00) Non-conference scheduling

(22:35) What defines success for Kentucky next season?

Jon Rothstein breaks down the SEC heading into the 2026-27 season, starting with why Florida is in a class of its own thanks to an unprecedented level of roster retention. Plus, why Texas looks like the biggest challenger, what's holding back LSU, and his full preseason SEC power rankings from 1 through 16.

Rothstein also reveals his preseason SEC awards, including Player of the Year, First Team All-SEC, sleeper picks, breakout candidates, and the freshmen who could make the biggest impact in 2026-27. Plus, Twitter questions and final thoughts on the nation's deepest conference.

(0:00) Welcome Back

(1:50) Florida's Ridiculous Retention

(5:15) Texas Looks Like the Biggest Threat

(9:00) LSU: The SEC's Mystery Team

(13:40) SEC Preseason Power Rankings

(25:20) SEC Preseason Awards

(31:20) Twitter Questions

(36:45) Final SEC Thoughts

Jon Rothstein sits down with new St. Mary’s head coach, Mikey McConnell, to discuss working under Randy Bennett, the roster he put together and what WCC play is going to look like without Gonzaga.

(0:00) - Intro

(1:30) - McConnell on when he met Randy Bennett

(2:15) - McConnell on how Randy Bennett achieved what he did at St. Mary’s over the years

(4:30) - McConnell on when he was named head coach in waiting

(5:00) - McConnell on conversation with Randy Bennett when he left for ASU

(6:00) - McConnell on how he follows what Randy Bennett did as head coach

(7:30) - McConnell on the biggest differences from being a head coach vs. an assistant coach

(8:30) - McConnell on the roster he has put together

(9:00) - McConnell on losing players due to financial reasons

(10:00) - McConnell on which returning guy will make the biggest jump

(11:44) - McConnell on what WCC play is going to look like without Gonzaga

(12:45) - McConnell on if Gonzaga and St. Mary’s will keep a non-conference game

(13:15) - McConnell on his non-conference schedule

(15:40) - McConnell on a win and loss he holds on to

Unpacking the breaking news of Dusty May leaving Michigan following two seasons and a national championship for the Dallas Mavericks. What led to this decision? What happens with the Wolverines now?

(0:00) Dusty May to NBA

(15:03) Mike Boynton Promotion

(17:00) Chat Questions

(24:00) Closing Thoughts

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

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