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In 2024 I told you UConn to the Big 12 was imminent, and I was wrong. Now the rumblings are back, and this time the reasons are different. On this episode of Big East Energy, Mark Zanetto breaks down the latest UConn Big 12 expansion buzz: the CBS-Turner merger and what it means for the Big 12's next TV deal, the Protect College Sports Act and its 20-team conference cap, why UConn is a "clean" candidate, the Big East exit fee, and what UConn football's 34-20 win at Temple says about where Jason Candle's Huskies stack up against Kansas, Cincinnati, UCF and West Virginia. Nothing is imminent. But is UConn to the Big 12 actually a good idea? Heart says no. Head says by 2030. Sorry not sorry. Drop your take below: should UConn leave the Big East for the Big 12? 👇 🔔 Subscribe for UConn basketball, Big East hoops and conference realignment: / @bigeastenergynetwork 🌐 https://bigeastenergynetwork.com 🐦 Follow Mark on X: https://x.com/markzanetto #UConn #Big12 #ConferenceRealignment #UConnFootball #BigEast #UConnHuskies #CollegeFootball #CollegeBasketball #DanHurley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5-star wing Jordan Page is a Husky. The Raleigh native picked UConn and Dan Hurley over North Carolina, Kansas, Houston and Michigan, announcing live on NBA TV, and summed up why in three words: hats and rings. Lottery picks and championships. On this episode of The Hoops Cap Pod, Mark Zanetto breaks down the Jordan Page commitment, why UConn now holds the No. 1 recruiting class in 2027 with two 5-stars, what "hats and rings" says about Dan Hurley's pitch, and the full 2026-27 UConn basketball schedule game by game: Michigan at TD Garden, Ohio State, Arizona, Duke in Las Vegas, Kansas at Gampel, and the toughest road trips in a deeper Big East. CHAPTERS 0:00 Hats and Rings 0:50 Jordan Page commits to UConn live on NBA TV 1:45 Hurley wins in North Carolina's backyard 2:45 Two 5-stars: the No. 1 class in 2027 3:30 Where Page ranks among UConn's top commits 4:30 What "Hats and Rings" really means 6:00 Why Hurley's pitch is unbeatable 7:30 The Hats and Rings shirt 10:00 2026-27 UConn schedule breakdown 10:50 Michigan at TD Garden 12:15 Ohio State and Arizona 12:50 Duke in Las Vegas and the Najai Hines test 14:45 Kansas comes to Gampel 15:45 Virginia at MSG, Georgetown and New Year's Eve at Butler 17:15 Toughest Big East road games 19:00 How deep is the Big East this year? 20:20 Recruiting outlook and a note to the audience 21:30 Outro GET THE SHIRT Hats and Rings tee, $19.99: https://onlylegends.co/products/hats-rings SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by MyBookie. New customers get $1,000 in bonus bets with promo code BBE100. SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications so you never miss a show. Listening on Apple or Spotify? Follow the pod and leave a 5-star rating. The Hoops Cap Pod is part of the Big East Energy Network: BigEastEnergyNetwork.com What does Hats and Rings mean to you? Which game are you most excited for? Drop a comment. #UConn #UConnBasketball #JordanPage #DanHurley #HatsAndRings #UConnHuskies #BigEast #CollegeBasketball #Recruiting #HoopsCapPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Multiple sources tell Mark Zanetto that five-star wing Jordan Page, the No. 12 player in the class of 2027, is committing to UConn. The Raleigh native visited Chapel Hill one weekend and Storrs the next, and he's picking Dan Hurley over North Carolina, NC State, and more than 20 other offers. Mark breaks down who Jordan Page is: a 6-5 lefty wing with a near 6-11 wingspan, an elite rebounder and defender, and a two-time USA Basketball gold medalist who already won alongside fellow UConn commit Navarro Bowman. Then the story you won't hear anywhere else. A source tells Mark what happened in DeMarcus Henry's recruitment after his visit to Storrs, and why UConn's staff put commitment and loyalty ahead of money. First Bowman out of California, now Page out of the Hoop State. Dan Hurley can recruit anywhere. CHAPTERS 0:00 Sources: Jordan Page is committing to UConn 0:45 Welcome and MyBookie 1:20 Who is Jordan Page? 2:55 The jump shot question 4:15 Stealing one from the Hoop State 5:45 MyBookie: $1,000 in bonus bets 6:50 The DeMarcus Henry story 9:35 Loyalty over money: how Hurley vets players 11:25 Hurley can recruit anywhere 13:05 The Hurley doctrine and sign-off This episode is brought to you 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 so you never miss the Hoops Cap Pod. Where does Jordan Page rank among Hurley's recruiting wins? Tell us in the comments. #UConn #JordanPage #DanHurley #UConnHuskies #UConnBasketball #CollegeBasketball #BigEast #CBBRecruiting #DeMarcusHenry #NIL #HoopsCapPod #BigEastEnergy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NaVorro Bowman Jr. is a UConn Husky. The five-star guard and son of four-time All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman committed to Dan Hurley on Thursday — the first commit of the 2027 class, and the fourth five-star of the Hurley era after Stephon Castle, Liam McNeeley and Braylon Mullins. Within a day, UConn cancelled visits with Cayden Daughtry, King Gibson and Micah Gordon. That's not a coincidence — that's Hurley showing you his board. On this episode of The Hoops Cap Pod we break down Bowman's film (pace, handle, the stop-and-start, why he's a Hurley guy), then finish what last week's audio cut off: the Final Four and what it means now that the backcourt is set. Then the crown jewel — DeMarcus Henry, the top-five wing and son of the late Bengals receiver Chris Henry, who just wrapped a three-day official visit in Storrs. Can UConn beat BYU, Ohio State and North Carolina for a second NFL legacy? Plus Kamsi Awaka, Tobe Awaka's 6'10" brother, is on campus right now — and why you should stop worrying about seven-footers. Big thank-you to our sponsor MyBookie. Head over to MyBookie, sign up, and use promo code BEE to get your first deposit matched up to $500. UConn football is this weekend and the NFL is back — get in the game. Powered by the Big East Energy Network. New episodes every Wednesday until the season tips, then Monday–Friday covering both the men's and women's teams. If Henry or Awaka commit, there's a bonus show coming. Chapters 0:00 — Cold open: Bowman Jr. is a Husky 0:45 — Three visits cancelled: Daughtry, Gibson, Gordon 1:35 — MyBookie / Big East Energy intro & today's rundown 2:40 — How UConn beat Arizona and Texas in 72 hours 4:00 — The dad: NaVorro Bowman Sr. and the household factor 5:00 — Fourth five-star of the Hurley era: Castle, McNeeley, Mullins 5:45 — Film breakdown: pace, handle, stop-and-start, defensive upside 8:15 — Last week's Final Four, revisited 9:15 — DeMarcus Henry: who he is, the Chris Henry story 11:00 — The competition: BYU, Ohio State, Carolina, Arkansas 12:15 — Hurley's pitch vs. the compilers 13:45 — My read: has UConn moved up? 14:45 — Why the cancelled visits aren't bad news 15:20 — Kamsi Awaka: the bruiser on campus right now 17:10 — Class picture, Solo Ball, and outro #uconn #uconnbasketball #huskies #danhurley #NaVorroBowmanJr #DeMarcusHenry #KamsiAwaka #UConnRecruiting #BigEast #CollegeBasketball #NCAAB #2027Recruits #fivestarhotels #TheHoopsCap #HoopsCapPod #BigEastEnergy #MyBookie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Official visit season is here in Storrs — 12 recruits, 6 weeks — and Dan Hurley isn't shopping for finished products. He's shopping for foundation. On this episode of The Hoops Cap Pod, we break down what Hurley actually loves in a recruit (coachability, motor, competitive households, and NOT leading with the NIL question), then walk through every 2027 official visit on UConn's calendar: NaVorro Bowman Jr., DeMarcus Henry, Asa Montgomery, Kamsi Awaka, King Gibson, Jordan Page, Cayden Daughtry, Micah Gordon, Moussa Kamissoko, Malachi Jordan, Jayon Connor, and Eli Paez. Then every one of them gets a grade on the Hurley Guy Scale — 1 means window dressing and a nice photo with the trophies, 10 means he's already a Hurley guy and doesn't know it. We close with the Final Four: the four names my intel says this staff already loves. Powered by the Big East Energy Network and presented by MyBookie. New here? Sign up at MyBookie and use promo code BEE to unlock up to $500 in bonus bets. New episodes every Wednesday, and Monday–Friday once the season tips. Subscribe and drop your own grades in the comments — best ones get read next week. 0:00 — Cold open: Dan Hurley builds from the ground up 1:10 — MyBookie / Big East Energy intro 2:00 — Why this visit season matters: 12 kids, 6 weeks, foundation for the next 3–4 teams 3:40 — What Hurley loves: coachability, motor, EQ, competitive households 6:30 — The NIL test: if money's the first question, the visit's over 8:15 — 5-in-5 and why Hurley goes high school when everyone else goes portal 9:30 — NaVorro Bowman Jr. 10:45 — DeMarcus Henry 11:45 — Asa Montgomery 12:30 — Kamsi Awaka (and the Hines take) 13:45 — King Gibson 14:40 — Jordan Page 15:15 — Cayden Daughtry: 150 pounds is the assignment, not the problem 16:45 — Micah Gordon & Moussa Kamissoko 18:45 — Malachi Jordan and the Shelton courtside crew 19:45 — Jayon Connor & Eli Paez 20:30 — Break 21:00 — The Hurley Guy Scale: grading all 12 26:00 — The Final Four 28:00 — Outro #UConn #UConnBasketball #Huskies #DanHurley #UConnRecruiting #BigEast #CollegeBasketball #NCAAB #2027Recruits #DeMarcusHenry #KingGibson #CaydenDaughtry #NaVorroBowmanJr #TheHoopsCap #BigEastEnergy #MyBookie #HoopsCapPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four conferences passed four different rules in four days — and almost nobody screaming about "pros ruining college basketball" has actually read a single one of them. So we read them for you. The Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, and ACC all rushed out bans on pro players returning to college... but when you strip it down, it's really just the Lane Kiffin Rule: protect the football golden goose, dress panic up as principle, and leave everything else in the same gray area it was in last week. Meanwhile, the Big East got all 11 ADs on a Zoom and did... nothing. No rule. No vote. And that might be the smartest move anybody in college basketball made this week. We break down what each conference actually banned (spoiler: the Euro pro pipeline is basically untouched), put on the tinfoil hat about St. John's and Rick Pitino, talk Dave Benedict's response to the Zagoria report, and give Shaheen Holloway's brutally honest quote the airtime it deserves. Then we close it out with a full 2026-27 UConn roster breakdown — Junior County hype, the Braylon Mullins and Silas Demary Jr. POY conversation, why Nils Machowski is the wild card, Colben Landrew's top-10 mock draft buzz, Nik Khamenia replacing Liam McNeeley... uh, Alex Karaban's minutes, Na'jai Hines as the X-factor, and why the answer to everything UConn right now is: let 'em sleep. 🎰 THIS EPISODE IS POWERED BY MYBOOKIE 🎰 Bet college football and college basketball at MyBookie.ag — your FIRST DEPOSIT MATCHED up to $500 with promo code BEE 👉 Sign up: mybookie.ag | Promo code: BEE And check out our weekly betting show with Jimmy Allen at BigBetEnergy.net 🌐 Website: BigEastEnergyNetwork.com 🔔 Subscribe and help the channel grow — we're weekly now, every Friday! 0:00 – Cold Open: Why the Big East Doing Nothing Might Be Genius 0:45 – Intro + Subscribe 1:30 – What Actually Happened: 4 Conferences, 4 Rules, 4 Days 4:00 – Ruining the Sport? The Discourse Check 5:45 – Nobody Read the Rules: Euro Pipeline Untouched + Big 12 Walks It Back 7:15 – The Cop-Out: They Should Call It the Lane Kiffin Rule 8:45 – MyBookie Break (Promo Code BEE) 10:00 – The Big East's Play: The Only Honest Position on the Board 12:15 – Tinfoil Hat Time: Is the League Protecting Pitino? 14:45 – The Real Downside: Coaches, Compliance & Dan Hurley's Take 17:00 – Holloway's Quote: "I Don't Know If It's Good or Bad" 18:00 – The Landing: The Sport Isn't Ruined 19:15 – UConn 2026-27 Roster Breakdown Begins 20:00 – Guards: Junior County Hype, Solo Ball Steak-Dinner Bet, Mullins & Demary 22:00 – Wild Cards: Nils Machowski & Colben Landrew's Top-10 Buzz 23:30 – Khamenia, Amosov & the Frontcourt: Na'jai Hines Is the X-Factor 25:30 – Let 'Em Sleep: Final Four in Detroit? 26:45 – Outro #BigEast #UConn #CollegeBasketball #UConnHuskies #DanHurley #RickPitino #LaneKiffin #NCAA #CollegeHoops #BigEastBasketball #NIL #CollegeFootball #MarchMadness #HoopsCap #BigEastEnergyNetwork Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to The Hoops Cap, your go-to source for all things UConn and Big East basketball! I’m your host, Mark Zanetto, coming at you from the Big East Energy Network. In this episode, we’ll dive into the shifting landscape of college sports—does someone really need to step in and save it, as Dan Hurley suggests? We’ll catch up on major player movements from UConn’s roster, analyze key returners and newcomers who might define the upcoming season, and explore whether UConn football could become an elite program—conference invite or not. Plus, we’ll spotlight some exciting new ventures here at Big East Energy, including the launch of the Big Bet Energy show and a special betting offer for listeners. Strap in as we break down the headlines, the stories, and what’s next on the horizon for UConn athletics! Want some free Money to Bet on Sports: https://www.mybookie.ag/?promo=BEE USE PROMO CODE: BEE when you sign up for an account at MyBookie.Ag 00:00 Expectations for key players 04:37 Hines' playing style 07:11 UConn's Key Player Developments 12:35 Declined podcast invitation 15:00 How to sign up and bet 19:29 NIL and college transfer issues 21:22 Debating NCAA regulations and leadership 26:05 UConn football's future and strategy 30:08 UConn's football potential 31:13 Future of UConn football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Catch the latest episode of The Hoops Cap as Mark Zanetto returns to break down the current state of Big East basketball. Get analysis on the teams powering the conference today. This episode of The Hoops Cap focuses on the latest updates from around the Big East. Mark Zanetto provides commentary for dedicated fans who follow the conference closely and want to stay informed on recent developments. Whether you are looking for specific team insights or broader trends, this college basketball podcast delivers the perspective you need. Big East Energy drives the conversation, ensuring you get the relevant details you expect from every episode. We analyze the storylines that matter most to basketball enthusiasts. Subscribe for weekly Big East basketball breakdowns, and comment below with which team you want us to analyze next. 00:00 Discussing NCAA eligibility rules 03:42 Coaching strategies and player fit 07:59 Players' defensive potential 10:25 Discussing Braylon's Shooting Improvements 13:13 Discussing a humorous mentor 17:49 Contact info and future plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to The Hoops Cap podcast! In today’s episode, host Speaker A sits down with UConn Huskies starting point guard, Silas Demary Jr. Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, Silas has made waves in college basketball as an SEC All-Freshman at Georgia before making a major impact at UConn—starting 39 games, earning All-Big East First Team and All-Defensive Team honors, and landing on the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year late-season watch list. Together, Speaker A and Silas explore his journey from the transfer portal decision, adapting to life in Connecticut, and handling the pressures and triumphs on the court—including his historic performance against Providence and the unforgettable deflection that helped send UConn to another Final Four. Tune in as they break down the culture shift, the complexities of UConn’s offense, and Silas’s mindset as both a player and a leader. Plus, Silas shares behind-the-scenes insights, his thoughts on player comparisons, his commitment to giving back to the community, and much more. Whether you’re a UConn fan or a lover of the game, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! 00:00 — Meet Silas Demary Jr.: From Georgia Bulldog to UConn Husky 02:04 — Why Silas Chose UConn: Culture & the Coach Hurley Factor 03:56 — Inside the NCAA Transfer Portal: Pressure, Process & Making the Call 05:26 — Adjusting to Connecticut: Weather, Culture Shock & Life Up North 07:09 — Breaking Down UConn’s Offense: Learning Sets, Confidence & Style of Play 08:20 — Offense or Instinct? When to Run the Play vs. Take Over 10:03 — UConn’s Game Plan: Faster Tempo, Defense-Driven Offense, and Next Season’s Vision 11:23 — On Comparisons: Silas vs. Tristan Newton & Handling Expectations 13:22 — Providence Overtime Classic: 20 Points, 15 Assists, 5 Rebounds 18:20 — NCAA Tournament Runs: Michigan State Scare & The Legendary Duke Finish 20:49 — The “Play” That Sent UConn to the Final Four: Breaking Down the Iconic Deflection & Buzzer Beater 24:02 — Playing Hurt & Leadership: Staying on the Floor for the Huskies 25:19 — UConn Trivia Challenge: All-Time Greats & Huskies History 30:50 — Looking Ahead: National Title Dreams & What Silas Wants to Be Remembered For 34:21 — Giving Back: Bookbag Drive, Community Involvement & Future Goals 36:46 — Wrap-Up: Inside Jokes, Legacy, and Final Thoughts #UConn #SilasDemaryJr #CollegeBasketball #BigEast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UConn has built a dynasty on elite rim protection and versatile bigs—now, The Chinese Standout (Xin Xu): 22 yr old is 7 Ft 5 and already making waves in the CBA with Guangdong, Xin Xu is the defensive force everyone is talking about. We break down his elite shot-blocking (averaging nearly 2 blocks in limited minutes) and how his mobility fits the Hurley system. The Australian Mystery (JK Mach):7ft 6, Is the Australian pipeline back in Storrs? We discuss the latest on JK Mach's recruitment, his freakish length, and why UConn might be the perfect landing spot for the next great big from Down Under. 🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6451210116530176 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UConn Transfer Portal LIVE Update – Huskies Reload the Frontcourt for 2026-27! Dan Hurley and staff have been busy in the portal after losing Alex Karaban, Tarris Reed Jr., and others. Latest adds Wofford SG Nils Machowski, rim-protecting bigs Najai Hines (Seton Hall), and international 6-10 big Oskar Giltay (Stanford), couple that with versatile forward Nikolas Khamenia (Duke),. UConn is still hunting more depth at the 4 potentially, and will likely dip back into the Euro market. Are there surprises on the way? Could they land a surprise target? : Who's in, who's out, roster outlook, and what's happening across the entire transfer portal. UConn positioned strong for another Final four and stake a claim for the Big East and National Titles. Drop your thoughts below ; are the Huskies done or more moves coming? 🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/64512101... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back into The Hoops Cap pod! We're diving deep into the world of UConn men's basketball, breaking down their latest Portal details. If you want the news first and without the fluff, The Hoops Cap is for you. Join Mark Zanetto and his special guest, Brian Rauf of Basket Under Review, as they analyze the team's roster composition for upcoming seasons, offering insights into the next year's team, and the future of the UConn Huskies. This is your essential UConn Mens college basketball discussion. 00:00 Chasing fit over raw talent 03:53 Developing talented offensive guards 06:52 Coaching confidence and support 12:38 Discussing a standout basketball player 14:35 Freshman class potential discussion 16:29 Khamenia's inconsistent Duke season 20:25 NCAA legal challenges and JUCO discussion 23:23 Predicting team's future performance 28:20 Dan Hurley's confidence advantage 29:54 Boston College basketball mentions Thank you to our Sponsors Vancord.com Manage Defend Respond Call them at 855-VANCORD 24-7-365 AVI avindex.io The premier Athlete Valuation on the market. Go check out the site and sign up for updates on new product adds. AVI Know Your Worth #uconnbasketball #transferportal #uconnnation #bigeastenergy #collegehoops Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to 'The Hoops Cap' podcast, where we dive deep into the current state of college basketball. Join host Mark Zanetto as we discuss the ongoing chaos of the transfer portal basketball season. We bring you the latest sports news and engaging sports talk, all powered by the Big East Energy Network. We’ll talk cutthroat roster moves, NIL deals, the impact of boosters, and how coaches and players alike are adapting to the new normal. Whether you’re tracking UConn's moves, get ready for sharp takes, probably some disagreement, and a real pulse of the Big East as the off-season heats up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

36 years later, the debt is paid. Down 19 points to the #1 overall seed, UConn looked dead in the water. Then, MullinsMania happened. We break down the greatest comeback in Huskies history, capped off by a 45-foot miracle at the buzzer that sent Duke home and UConn to the Final Four. This wasn't just a win; it was an exorcism of the 1990 Christian Laettner ghost. 00:00 Freshman-led teams in championships 03:17 UConn's resilience and comeback story 06:49 Excited for basketball venture 11:21 Emotional reaction to a game 15:25 Talking UConn's potential championship 19:28 Discussing player growth and passing 19:57 Staying true to himself 24:14 Getting hyped for UConn game 28:05 Watching the game with family 32:34 Talking basketball strategy with Mike 33:46 Analyzing a player's decision-making 38:20 Planning content and game coverage 39:36 Duke's future and recruiting class Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is heating up, and we're here to break down all the action! In this special episode of the Big East Energy Network, we discuss how UConn Basketball and St. John's are making waves, punching their tickets to the Sweet 16. Join our sports podcast as we dive into our March Madness predictions, what we got right, and what we got wrong, and look ahead to the exciting matchups to come in college basketball. Join Mark Zanetto and Jason Meyer For all things College Basketball 00:00 "NIL Dynamics and Upsets" 06:10 "Alex’s Legacy Game Cemented" 10:09 "Leadership Amid the Michigan Test" 12:29 "Gutsy Play Call Delivers Win" 15:46 "Coaching Matchups and NCAA Storylines" 18:15 "Pressure and Gameplay Decisions" 21:57 "John's Final Four Journey" 24:42 NCAA Tournament Losing Its Joy 28:03 Investing Resources Drives Program Success 32:19 Building Teams with Patience 34:36 "Debating College Team Rankings" 38:49 "Building Mid-Major Basketball Success" 42:46 "Transfers: Money vs. Fit" 46:25 "Referee Pay and Accountability" 48:31 "Basketball Picks and Reverse Jinxes" 50:17 "Let's Go, Peace." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices