​For the second time in the last three years, the Big East only sent three men’s basketball teams to the NCAA Tournament.That should change in 2027, and not just because the field is expanding from 68 teams to 76, creating seven new at-large bids along with the auto-bid for the new Pac-12 Conference.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe league, wide open behind UConn, St. John’s and Villanova last year, didn’t shy from spending this offseason. The number of national title contenders may stay the same and there will still be some bottom-feeders, but there should be more parity in the middle of the standings with the way rosters have been constructed.The Big Three should stay strong under the direction of Dan Hurley, Rick Pitino and Kevin Willard, but Bryan Hodgson has made some big moves to bring Providence back into the picture, and Shaka Smart dipped into the transfer portal to supplement some of the needs at Marquette. Could Creighton return to the dance in its first year under Alan Huss? Will a strong transfer class help Richard Pitino turn Xavier into a challenger? And just how far can Chris Holtmann take DePaul?A breakdown of the roster changes in the Big East during this busy offseason:2025-26 result: 34-6 (17-3 Big East), National runner-upAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCoach: Dan Hurley (Ninth season)Key departures: Alex Karaban, Tarris Reed Jr., Malachi Smith, Jaylin Stewart, Eric ReibeKey returners: Braylon Mullins, Silas Demary Jr., Jayden RossAdditions: Najai Hines, Nik Khamenia, Nils Machowski, Colben Landrew, Junior County, Egor Amosov, Oskar GiltayUConn could have one of the best backcourts in the country with Demary and Mullins returning, and will be a legitimate contender because of it. The questions come in the frontcourt for the Huskies, where Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr. have been replaced by Nik Khamenia, Najai Hines and an unproven group of reserves.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement2025-26 result: 30-7 (18-2 Big East), dual Big East champion, Sweet 16Coach: Rick Pitino (Fourth season)Key departures: Zuby Ejiofor, Dillon Mitchell, Bryce Hopkins, Oziyah Sellers, Dylan Darling, Joson SanonKey returners: Ian Jackson, Ruben Prey, Lefteri LiotopoulosAdditions: Tounde Yessoufou, Donnie Freeman, Kyle Cuffe Jr., Avery Brown, Quinn Ellis, Lazar Stojkovic, Djordije Jovanovic, Babacar Sane, Theo EdemaDonnie Freeman’s Achilles injury was a major blow to St. John’s roster this offseason and now the Johnnies’ backcourt will be their strong suit after sending Zuby Ejiofor, Dillon Mitchell and Bryce Hopkins to the NBA. Tounde Yessoufou, a gifted scorer as a freshman last season at Baylor, was a major pickup on the night of the NBA draft early-entry withdrawal deadline.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement2025-26 result: 24-9 (15-5), Round of 64Coach: Kevin Willard (Second season)Key departures: Acaden Lewis, Bryce Lindsay, Duke Brennan, Devin Askew, Malachi PalmerKey returners: Tyler Perkins, Matt HodgeAdd