College BasketballBig East
St. John's vs. UConn: Big East Championship Showdown
The Big East Conference Tournament culminates in a highly anticipated championship game between the St. John's Red Storm and the UConn Huski...
3 months ago
College BasketballBig East
UConn Huskies Face Georgetown Hoyas in Big East Tournament Semifinal
3 months agoUS
The No. 2 UConn Huskies and No. 11 Georgetown Hoyas faced off in the Big East Tournament Semifinal at Madison Square Garden on March 13, 2026. UConn aimed to overcome its semifinal struggles and advance to the championship game, while Georgetown sought to continue its Cinderella run.
Key Insights
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UConn entered the game with a 28-4 record (17-3 in Big East play), ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll and No. 10 in KenPom.
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Georgetown, with a 16-17 record (6-14 in Big East play), was ranked No. 76 in KenPom and No. 92 in the NET.
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UConn had won 12 straight games against Georgetown since 2021.
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A key factor for UConn was the performance of Tarris Reed Jr., who had a dominant quarterfinal win with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Coach Hurley emphasized Reed's importance to the team's success.
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Georgetown's backcourt had been performing at a high level, with different players stepping up each night, making them a dangerous opponent.
In-Depth Analysis
UConn's path to the semifinals has been challenging in recent years, with a 1-4 record in its last five semifinal appearances. The team aimed to reverse this trend and capitalize on its strong season. Georgetown, despite its lower ranking, has proven to be a difficult opponent for UConn this year, with both regular-season games being closely contested. The Huskies narrowly escaped with a 64-62 win in D.C. and a 79-75 win in Storrs. Georgetown's coach, Ed Cooley, emphasized his team's improvement and viewed the close losses as a positive sign. The play of UConn's bench, particularly Jayden Ross, Malachi Smith, and Eric Reibe, was also crucial to their success. Their combined 24 points in the quarterfinal win demonstrated the team's depth and ability to rely on its second unit.
FAQs
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Q: What was UConn's record heading into the semifinal game?
UConn's record was 28-4 overall and 17-3 in Big East play.
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Q: How many consecutive Big East Tournament semifinals has UConn reached?
UConn has advanced to the semifinals in six straight years.
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Q: What was Georgetown's KenPom ranking?
Georgetown was ranked No. 76 in KenPom.
Key Takeaways
The UConn-Georgetown Big East Tournament Semifinal was a high-stakes game with implications for UConn's NCAA Tournament seeding and Georgetown's Cinderella run. UConn needed to overcome its past semifinal struggles and rely on key players like Tarris Reed Jr. Georgetown's improved play and strong backcourt made them a dangerous opponent capable of pulling off an upset. The performance of each team's bench was also a critical factor in determining the game's outcome.
Discussion
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