Huskies eye Big East tourney title
for that last jewel.
“We know it’s going to be a really exciting week, so we’re ready to go.”
It’s an exciting time for the program.
Since late January 2023, UConn has dominated the Big East basketball world and beyond.
The Huskies are 43-5 overall in their last 48 games, winning 32 games by double digits. They’re 27-4 versus Big East competition and set the record this season for Big East regular season wins at 18.
Their 13.9-point average margin of victory in league play ties Georgetown (1984-85) for largest in Big East history. They won six straight games by double digits on the way to capturing the program’s fifth national championship last April.
But there’s one place the Huskies haven’t dominated under Hurley’s command and that’s in the Big East tournament. They haven’t advanced past the semifinals, going 3-3 during that period.
Second-ranked UConn feels good about its chances to win the program’s first Big East tournament title since 2011 when Kemba Walker led the Huskies on a magical run, sweeping five games in five days.
The Huskies have lost just once since falling at Seton Hall on Dec. 20. Creighton is the only other Big East team to beat UConn this season.
“We’re super confident,” said Stephon Castle, the Big East Freshman of the Year. “We know we got two big wins in our last two regular-season wins. We’re coming here with a lot of momentum and a chip on our shoulder.
“Last year, they didn’t win it. Like coach (Hurley) said before, it was a thorn in their side. I feel like we’re coming in here with a different mindset and we’re trying to win the whole thing.”
Good things usually happen for the Huskies in Madison Square Garden, which is referred to as Storrs South by Husky fans.
UConn is 4-0 in this building this season, with wins over St. John’s, Texas, North Carolina and Indiana.
The pressure will be on favored UConn to deliver another trophy.
Xavier has the advantage of already playing a tournament game. The potent perimeter trio of Desmond Claude (26 points), Dayvion McKnight (20) and Quincy Olivari (19) combined for 65 of their team’s 76 points against Butler.
The Musketeers suffered their worst loss (99-56) this season on Jan. 28 at UConn. They also dropped an 8075 decision to the Huskies at home on Jan. 10.
“The first time we played them, it seems like a year ago, it was a hard fought game at the Cintas Center,” coach Sean Miller said Wednesday. “If you watch UConn, they have a way of putting you away and that’s what they did.
“The second game, I don’t have words to describe it. They overwhelmed us at the tip. They were ready. … We weren’t at our best. We’re not the only team that they had a big margin of victory against, especially at home. They’re terrific. They’re terrific on offense and terrific on defense, talent-wise and coaching staff, Danny.
“I can’t give them any more superlatives. But what I can say is we have to be ready to play the game and be at our best, and that’s the goal.”