SEGMENT 1 – John & Kevin welcome you to Season 12, Episode 1 of This Week in the Big East! We’re happy to bring you a special December edition of the show just as conference play tips off this weekend. John and Kevin open the program by dissecting early-season storylines through the first third of the season and analyzing where each Big East basketball program stands as we head into league play.
SEGMENT 2 (@9:17) – Big East Spotlight: Former Providence Coach & Current ESPN Analyst – Tim Welsh: John and Kevin welcome former Big East coach, and current ESPN Color Analyst Tim Welsh to the show. Tim talks about the challenges of Big East coaches regarding the transfer portal era, roster construction, and schedule composition. As conference play begins, Coach Welsh breaks down what to expect from the Big East this season.
SEGMENT 3 (@20:34) – Who’s Hot: John and Kevin run through the weekly awards for the Big East Conference as well as the Big East Honor Roll! We will be returning our “blast from the past” segment coming up after the New Year!
SEGMENT 4 (@30:00) – Big East Focus: – Butler Junior Guard – Finley Bizjack: John and Kevin welcome Butler Junior Guard Finley Bizjack to This Week in the Big East. Finley is an aberration in this transfer portal era of college basketball; he has spent all three of his collegiate seasons with the Bulldogs. Averaging 10 points a game last season for head coach, Thad Matta, Bizjack is averaging 19 points per game in his junior season and leads the Bulldogs into Big East play.
SEGMENT 5 (@38:00) – The National Perspective: CBS Sports Senior Writer – Matt Norlander: Kevin and John are joined by Matt Norlander of CBSSports.com to discuss the dynamic start to the collegiate basketball season. With so many compelling games through the first month of the season, Matt anticipates this could be the most competitive and compelling season of NCAA basketball in the last 10-15 years. We also discuss the national landscape of college basketball and find out where the top Big East teams rank in the national picture.
SEGMENT 6 (@42:30) – Who’s Got Next? John & Kevin wrap up the first episode of This Week in the Big East for the 2025-26 season by previewing the best games coming up this weekend and taking a look forward into the first full weeks of Big East play.
