College basketball’s landscape continues shifting as the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC dominate the national conversation. Meanwhile, the Big East Conference finds itself fighting for relevance, with analysts questioning whether the league can maintain its competitive edge. Since 2016, only UConn and Villanova have captured national titles, leaving the conference’s reputation dependent on its marquee programs stepping up when it matters most.

CBS analyst and insider Jon Rothstein recently delivered a stark warning on his podcast, emphasizing that Villanova and Georgetown must return to national prominence to keep the Big East competitive. Additionally, St. John’s faces a crucial season under Rick Pitino that could represent the final chapter of what he calls a golden era.

Why Must Villanova and Georgetown Carry the Big East’s Future?

According to Rothstein, “The Big East needs mileage nationally from Villanova and Georgetown, and as we’re seeing college sports morph into something completely different now with four power conferences.”

He emphasized the urgency of the situation, adding that “the Big East is going to need Villanova and Georgetown to be forces nationally for this league to remain nationally relevant.”

UConn has shouldered much of the conference’s burden recently. Led by Dan Hurley, who has “accomplished more in the last half decade than any other coach in college basketball,” the Huskies carried the Big East with back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024.

However, Villanova’s absence from the NCAA Tournament since their 2022 Final Four loss to Kansas has created a significant void. The Wildcats thrived under Jay Wright, who now works as a CBS analyst, but current head coach Kevin Willard faces mounting pressure to restore the program’s championship-level standard. Georgetown’s continued struggles only compound the conference’s challenges, making Villanova’s return to prominence even more critical.

Is This St. John’s Golden Era Coming to an End?

While St. John’s enjoys a resurgence under Pitino, Rothstein warned that time may be running out. “How much longer is Rick Pitino going to coach at St. John’s? How much longer is St. John’s going to be able to sustain the type of commitment that we have seen from an NIL perspective?”

The analyst painted a sobering picture of the program’s future, continuing, “It almost feels a little bit like you need to take the pictures now and put them away because it feels like this could be their last ride, enjoy this season. This is the golden era of St. John’s basketball.”

At 72, Pitino’s coaching tenure carries natural uncertainty. Beyond his age, the financial demands of Name, Image, and Likeness deals may strain St. John’s resources moving forward. This season represents their best opportunity for a deep tournament run, with Pitino bringing the same intense expectations that drove his 1996 Kentucky team to a 34-2 championship season.

The Big East’s immediate future depends heavily on how Villanova and St. John’s perform this year. Willard must guide Villanova back to the NCAA Tournament, leveraging the program’s championship pedigree to compete with the power conferences that increasingly dominate college basketball.

Without a resurgence from Villanova and Georgetown, the Big East risks losing its place among college basketball’s elite conferences. As Rothstein’s warning makes clear, the 2025-26 season could determine whether the Big East maintains its prestige or fades into irrelevance.