UConn’s Fall from Dominance
Just a year ago, UConn was the undisputed leader of the Big East, guided by Dan Hurley to an impressive 37-3 record and back-to-back national titles. Their dominance was so overwhelming that even after losing four NBA draft picks, the Huskies entered this season with high expectations, ranked No. 3 in preseason polls. However, the momentum didn’t last. UConn’s struggles began at the Maui Invitational, where they went 0-3, marking the start of a season filled with inconsistency.
Despite notable road victories against Creighton and Marquette, they also suffered disappointing losses, including an overtime defeat to Seton Hall, ranked 209th at KenPom. The once-dominant Huskies now find themselves clinging to a bubble spot for the NCAA Tournament, a sharp contrast to last season’s glory.
St. John’s Emerges as the New Powerhouse
While UConn faltered, St. John’s seized the opportunity to rise. Under Rick Pitino’s leadership, the Red Storm transformed rapidly, claiming their 24th win of the season with an 89-75 victory over UConn at Madison Square Garden. This marked a significant shift in the Big East’s power dynamics. Pitino, who took over the program in March 2023 after coaching at Iona, has orchestrated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college basketball.
His influence was evident not only on the court but also in the stands, as St. John’s fans dominated the arena, a stark contrast to last year’s crowd. “I can assure you we had most of the fans tonight,” Pitino noted, highlighting the growing enthusiasm around the team. With a roster firing on all cylinders and strategic gameplay, St. John’s looks poised to be a major contender as the season progresses.
UConn’s Struggles and Hurley’s Realization
For UConn, the loss to St. John’s was their ninth of the season and the third in their last five games. Hurley called it the most demoralizing defeat since their poor showing in November, admitting, “We’ve got too many flaws.” Unlike his previous squads, this year’s team struggles with bad matchups and inconsistencies on both ends of the court. Despite a brief rally that cut the deficit to nine, UConn never truly threatened St. John’s lead.
Junior forward Alex Karaban’s 17 points provided a bright spot, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome. As UConn grapples with its downward trajectory, St. John’s stands as the new power in the Big East, reshaping the conference landscape faster than anyone anticipated.
