Big East Energy Weekly

Big East Energy Network
Big East Energy Network
  • 4.9 (17)
  • Basketball
  • Updated Weekly

Join Co-Host's Mark Zanetto and Casey Matthews for Big East Energy Weekly, On the Big East Energy Network! It's your all-access pass to everything Big East basketball and beyond. Hosted by passionate hoops heads who live and breathe the conference, this podcast delivers sharp analysis, hot takes, player interviews, and plenty of banter about the teams, rivalries, and moments that define Big East hoops. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just here for the madness, get your fix of weekly recaps, previews, and bold predictions—because in the Big East, the energy never stops.

  1. 2d ago

    Did the Big East Coaches Get It Right? | 2026-27 Preseason Breakdown

    Did the Big East coaches get it right? 🏀 Big East Media Day 2026 is in the books and Mark Zanetto breaks down the 2026-27 Big East preseason coaches' poll, preseason awards and the eligibility chaos hanging over the league with two guys who were in the room: Matt Janus of Holy Nova and basketball insider Adam Zagoria of ZAGSBLOG, NJ.com and The New York Times. UConn is picked first with eight first-place votes, St. John's is second and Villanova is third. New commissioner Tim Brosnan says he expects six Big East teams in the NCAA Tournament. Kevin Willard says Villanova is not recruiting a single high school player. And Rick Pitino, Richard Pitino, Shaka Smart and Dan Hurley all weighed in on the NCAA's five-for-five eligibility rule and the court rulings that could reshape rosters before opening night. IN THIS EPISODE - 2026-27 Big East preseason poll reaction: UConn, St. John's, Villanova, Marquette - Is the Big East a six or seven bid league again? - NIL, revenue sharing and which Big East programs are spending smart - Tyler Perkins, the Josh Hart comparison and the Player of the Year race - Silas Demary Jr. as Preseason Big East Player of the Year: right call? - Villanova vs. Notre Dame in Rome and the Pope - Kevin Willard's "no high school recruits" bombshell - Five-for-five rule, G League eligibility cases and TROs at St. John's and Georgetown - Dan Hurley as the league's elder statesman and Shaka Smart's reset at Marquette - Seton Hall, DePaul, Georgetown and Butler: who's too high and who's too low - Predictions: who wins the Big East and how many bids CHAPTERS 0:00 Did the coaches get it right? 0:30 Welcome to Big East Energy Weekly 1:10 MyBookie: $1,000 in bonus bets 1:40 Matt Janus joins: preseason poll reaction 3:25 NIL money and getting ROI on your roster 6:35 Tyler Perkins and the Josh Hart comparison 8:15 Silas Demary Jr. and the Player of the Year debate 10:15 Villanova in Rome: will the Pope bless the Wildcats? 12:20 Kevin Willard: "We aren't recruiting high schoolers" 15:10 Eligibility limbo: are coaches setting up excuses? 20:00 Dan Hurley, elder statesman of the Big East 21:45 Which coach won media day? Shaka Smart's evolution 26:10 Matt's picks: league winner and NCAA Tournament bids 31:25 Adam Zagoria joins: the vibe in the room 33:45 G League players, TROs and who's eligible 36:10 Demary, Braylon Mullins and Na'jai Hines to UConn 37:40 Too high, too low: Marquette, Seton Hall, DePaul, Georgetown 39:20 Adam's picks: who wins the Big East 40:35 Closing thoughts and the new Big East Energy theme song 💰 SPONSOR: MyBookie.ag. New customers get up to $1,000 in bonus bets with promo code BBE100. Must be of legal age. Please bet responsibly. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to the Big East Energy Network for daily Big East basketball coverage all season. 🌐 BigEastEnergyNetwork.com 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music GUESTS Matt Janus: three-time Delaware Broadcaster of the Year, lead host of Holy Nova on the Big East Energy Network Adam Zagoria: founder of ZAGSBLOG, NJ.com, contributor to The New York Times 💬 Drop your Big East order of finish in the comments. #BigEast #UConn #Villanova #StJohns #BigEastBasketball #CollegeBasketball #BigEastMediaDay #DanHurley #RickPitino #KevinWillard #Marquette #SetonHall #NIL #MarchMadness #CollegeHoops Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. 4d ago

    Big East Basketball Is BACK: UConn, St. John's, Marquette & Ed Cooley's Make-or-Break Year

    College basketball is back, and so is Big East Energy Weekly. Mark Zanetto and Casey Matthews open the 2026-27 season with a full lap around the league: Bryan Hodgson bringing a new identity to Providence, Alan Huss taking over Creighton, Ronald Nored at Butler, and why Shaka Smart and Marquette belong in the Big East title conversation. Plus: what Donnie Freeman's Achilles injury means for Rick Pitino and St. John's, how Dan Hurley keeps building UConn on loyalty and the right portal pieces, and whether this is a make-or-break year for Ed Cooley at Georgetown. The guys close with the Big Ten and SEC's new rule on players who signed pro contracts, why the Big East hasn't followed, and a prediction that the league gets back to six or seven NCAA Tournament bids. Big East Energy Weekly is powered by MyBookie.ag. New customers get up to $1,000 in bonus bets with promo code BBE100. Must be of legal age. Please bet responsibly. Subscribe to the Big East Energy Network on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts for Big East basketball all season. Who wins the Big East this year? Tell us in the comments. 0:00 College basketball is back 2:00 Why the sport isn't dying 5:30 Bryan Hodgson and Providence's new identity 9:10 Alan Huss takes over Creighton 11:00 Ronald Nored and Butler 12:30 Marquette is a Big East title contender 14:30 Loyalty and recruiting high school players 16:30 St. John's, Pitino, and the Donnie Freeman injury 20:30 UConn's roster and the Hurley formula 26:45 Make-or-break year for Ed Cooley 31:30 Big Ten and SEC pro contract rule 35:20 "Was that wrong?" 38:00 Big East bid prediction and sign-off #BigEast #CollegeBasketball #UConn #StJohns #Marquette #Creighton #Providence #Georgetown #DanHurley #RickPitino #BigEastBasketball #BigEastEnergy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. May 18

    Big East Teams That Absolutely Dominated the Portal

    Welcome to Big East Energy Weekly! In this special off season podcast episode, we dive deep into the latest big east sports news following the closure of the transfer portal. We break down the portal rankings and identify the four Big East programs that emerged as winners, including two perennial top-20 teams and two unexpected contenders. This is a must-listen for all college basketball podcast fans interested in the NCAA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Apr 22

    Transfer Portal Reality: The Biggest Mistakes Programs Make

    We sit down with expert Frederick Cannon to discuss the current state of the college basketball transfer portal. This conversation aims to provide clarity on the transfer portal, its complexities, and how it impacts player decisions. We also touch on the latest transfer portal news IN the Big East and around College Basketball as a whole. What it all means for teams navigating this new landscape. 00:00 Coaches frustrated by funding pressures 06:09 Recruitment strategy and program vision 09:33 Discussing Eric Reibe's transfer decision 10:47 Player's transition to USC basketball 14:48 Discussing player recruitment options 18:25 Analyzing college basketball prospects 20:16 Discussing players' salaries and playtime 25:02 Concerns about college coaching ethics 28:51 Impact of portal costs on NIL 30:22 Challenging recruitment conversations 33:40 Impact of Mid-Major Basketball Experience 37:48 Choosing the right team offer Thank you to our Sponsor Athlete Value Index: GO check out AVI: Avindex.io The first NIL Evaluation platform with Verified Data Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Apr 16

    Big East Transfer Portal Just Got WILD | Here's Why

    The transfer portal is buzzing with activity, and we're breaking down all the latest in college basketball. Join us as we discuss the current state of the portal, what it means for teams like UConn, Villanova, St Johns and All Big East Men's Teams, and if it's truly good for ncaa basketball. We'll also dive into potential fixes or if this wild ride is just part of the fun in sports news. What are your thoughts on the transfer portal? We want to hear from you #collegebasketball #bigeastenergy #transferportal #basketball #uconn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Mar 31

    Final Four Preview: Will UConn find a Way to get their 7th National Title?

    Join Casey and Mark Zanetto on Big East Energy Weekly as they break down the aftermath of UConn's advancement to the Final Four. We discuss the implications of the UConn Huskies' success and analyze the upcoming matchups in this exciting ncaa basketball tournament. This college basketball podcast covers all the major developments as UConn seeks their third title in four years and Seventh since 1999. 00:00 Reflecting on a wild game finale 03:42 Importance of experience in close games 08:32 Talking strategy for Final Four 12:07 Discussing the Duke coach 15:32 John Scheyer coaching at Duke 19:03 Funny audio message from Tyler 20:11 Reflecting on a memorable sports moment 25:17 Illinois vs. UConn matchup predictions 29:33 Tournament preparation strategies 32:08 Coach Hurley's offensive evolution 34:20 UConn's strategy against Duke 38:38 Talking about beating Michigan 40:37 Analyzing UConn’s tournament journey Thank you to Homefield Apparel. Get your gear at Homefieldapparel.com or download their app for 15 pct off your first purchase. #uconnbasketball #uconnmbb #finalfour #dukembb #JohnScheyer #danhurley #collegebasketball #bigeastenergy #marchmadness #uconn #ncaa #collegehoops #uconnwbb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Feb 12

    Is St. John’s Taking Over? UConn’s Title Hopes and Big East Surprises with Paul Fritschner

    Welcome to Big East Energy Weekly! In this episode, Mark is joined by special guest Paul Fritschner from the Rebound Rundown, filling in for Casey Matthews, who’s off on vacation. Together, they dive deep into the current state of the Big East, asking big questions like: Is this the year St. John’s overtakes UConn as the team to beat? Can anyone else sneak into NCAA tournament contention and shake things up? The conversation hits all the hot topics—from the resurgence and recent struggles of Butler, Seton Hall, and Villanova, to Rick Pitino’s coaching genius and UConn’s rollercoaster ride between near-perfection and vulnerability. Mark and Paul Fritschner debate the AP poll’s true value, break down potential “bid stealers,” and spotlight players and coaches deserving of end-of-season honors. You'll get sharp perspective on how the league’s shifting landscape, NIL dynamics, and on-court surprises might shape the last stretch of the season. Expect plenty of passion, honest takes, and a few laughs as they break down everything happening in Big East basketball right now. So gear up, because this week’s show promises both insight and energy you won’t want to miss! Check out our new website: Bigeastenergynetwork.com 00:00 Dylan Darling's Undersized Impact 03:40 Rick Pitino: Elite Basketball Coach 07:22 Big East Tournament Dynamics Analyzed 10:11 "Big East Chat and Fan Gear" 14:30 Team Comparison: Hybrid Analysis 18:46 Alex Karaban's Role at UConn 20:45 The Team's Response Defines Greatness 24:21 "Big East Sweet 16 Prospects" 30:13 Tournament Seeding and Predictions 31:44 "Reevaluating the Importance of AP Poll" 35:36 "Sports Spotlight: Seasonal Attention Span" 38:06 "Frustration with AP Poll Rankings" 41:41 Sports Narratives and Rankings 45:13 "Trey Carroll's Impactful Season" 47:52 Rebound Rundown: Local & National ‪@homefieldapparel‬ Bring big energy to your fan gear with Homefield Apparel—premium, super-comfortable collegiate apparel featuring unique, vintage-inspired designs you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re repping your favorite Big East squad or searching for fresh UConn gear, Homefield’s got you covered. Don’t miss out on the newest collections—visit HomefieldApparel.com today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Jan 28

    Ryan Kalkbrenner Talks Huskies, Big East, and Much More!!

    In this episode of Big East Energy Weekly, host Casey Matthews sits down with Creighton legend Ryan Kalkbrenner to break down the highly anticipated "Pink Out" rivalry game against No. 2 UConn. They discuss the unique challenges of the UConn vs. Creighton rivalry, with Ryan reflecting on his intense battles against elite Huskies bigs like Adama Sanogo and Donovan Clingan. The conversation offers rare technical insights, as the 4-time defensive player of the year explains how Coach Dan Hurley designs specific actions to exploit Creighton's signature drop defense. Ryan also shares his journey toward the NBA lifestyle, discussing his time with the Charlotte Hornets organization and how Coach Greg McDermott prepares players for the professional ranks by building elite practice habits. Ryan discusses the toughest coaches in the Big East and identifies the most difficult matchups for him in the past. in the paint, this episode is a deep dive into the strategy and energy that defines Big East basketball. 🎙️ Hosted by Mark Zanetto & Casey Matthews 📺 Watch every episode on YouTube: youtube.com/bigeastenergynetwork 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/big-east-energy-network/id1761234567 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xBigEastEnergy 📱 Follow the Network: X (Twitter): @BigEastEnergy Instagram: @bigeast_energy Thank you to our network sponsor Homefield Apparel. Your go-to spot for all your Big East gear! Check them out at: https://www.homefieldapparel.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqhCMUq9arFrlCmrtnXWy_09UT0zmZmpJ8No-8mfKOwGRyv6uPx #collegebasketball #ncaabasketball #bigeastbasketball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Join Co-Host's Mark Zanetto and Casey Matthews for Big East Energy Weekly, On the Big East Energy Network! It's your all-access pass to everything Big East basketball and beyond. Hosted by passionate hoops heads who live and breathe the conference, this podcast delivers sharp analysis, hot takes, player interviews, and plenty of banter about the teams, rivalries, and moments that define Big East hoops. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just here for the madness, get your fix of weekly recaps, previews, and bold predictions—because in the Big East, the energy never stops.

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