After being picked as the No. 1 team in both polls, the programs also had several players highlighted.
The head coaches in the Big East have high expectations for the UConn Huskies in the 2026-27 season.
Gathered in New York for the annual conference Media Day on Thursday, the head coaches selected two UConn players as the Big East Preseason Player of the Year, two more as the conference’s Freshman of the Year and five more to the all-conference first and second teams.
As expected, forward Sarah Strong got the nod as the Big East’s top preseason player, a repeat of last season, on the women’s side. Point guard Silas Demary Jr. topped the voting among the men.
Center Olivia Vukosa and guard Colben Landrew, both expected to have key roles with the Huskies in their first years, were named the top preseason freshmen on the women’s and men’s teams, respectively.
Both programs were also picked at the top of the preseason polls.
A Strong selection
There wasn’t much doubt that Strong would grab the preseason honor, given her 2025-26 season, when she helped to lead UConn to a 38-1 record and an appearance in the Final Four. A consensus All-American, she was named Associated Press Player of the Year and also won the Naismith Trophy, Wooden Award, Wade Trophy, USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Year and Katrina McClain National Power Forward of the Year awards.
She led UConn in scoring (18.4 points), rebounding (7.7) and assists (3.8) per game. She posted 10 double-doubles.
With Azzi Fudd graduated and off to the WNBA, Strong is the unquestioned leader of the team, but can expect help.
Forward Blanca Quinonez (4) and forward Sarah Strong (21) play against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the semifinal of the Final Four of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesSenior point guard KK Arnold and sophomore forward Blanca Quiñonez were named first-team All-Big East, with senior shooting guard Ashlynn Shade an honorable mention.
And Strong also can expect Vukosa to chip in.
The 6-foot-5 Vukosa was named the 2025-26 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year. At Christ the King in New York, Vukosa averaged 17.8 points, 18.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 4.4 blocks per game. She also was a 2026 McDonald’s and Jordan Brand All-American.
She also showed off her skills this summer in international competition for Croatia.
Demary rises to the top
Demary is entering his second season at UConn after transferring from Georgia last year, and he was everything head coach Dan Hurley could have asked for. The 6-4 point guard played in 39 of 40 games and averaged 10.1 points and 4.5 rebounds. He led the Big East with 5.9 assists per game. When he scored in double figures, UConn had a 17-4 record.
Demary finished last season selected to the All-Big East first team and all-defensive team.
Landrew attended Wheeler High School in Georgia and was the state’s top player in the 2026 class, named the 2025-26 Gatorade Georgia Boys Basketball Player of the Year and Mr. Georgia Basketball by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. The 6-6 Landrew also won a gold medal with Team USA at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup this summer, averaging 11.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.4 steals over the five tournament games.
Guard Braylon Mullins was named first-team All-Big East, with transfer center Na’jai Hines to the second team.
