College basketball analyst Jon Rothstein has sounded the alarm on the Big East's future with UConn, suggesting the conference needs to raise its game to keep the Huskies happy.

During a recent appearance on the Inside College Basketball Now podcast, the CBS Sports insider painted a stark picture of UConn's position within the Big East. His main concern? The conference simply isn't providing enough high-stakes opportunities for the defending national champions.

"Let's face it, UConn has not had the plethora of quad one opportunities that it has needed the last couple of years in the Big East," Rothstein explained. "In two of the last three years, the Big East has only gotten three teams into the NCAA tournament."

That lack of March Madness representation is a red flag for a program of UConn's caliber. The Huskies have built their brand on championship pedigree and top-tier competition—and Rothstein believes they might start looking elsewhere if the Big East can't keep up.

"I can tell you, without hesitation, that UConn is still very much on the radar of the Big 12, long term," Rothstein stated bluntly. "And it wouldn't shock me if the Huskies got a phone call from the Big 12, the Big Ten or the ACC, they might be out the next day."

For UConn fans, this adds another layer of intrigue to an already drama-filled offseason. The Huskies have been proactive in scheduling tough non-conference games, but Rothstein's comments suggest that might not be enough if the Big East itself doesn't step up its collective performance.

All eyes will be on the 2027 NCAA tournament, when the field expands to 76 teams. If the Big East can't get more than three bids by then, the conference could find itself losing its biggest star.