The UConn men’s basketball team faced continued challenges this season, suffering an 89-75 defeat against No. 10 St. John’s at Madison Square Garden. Despite a recent comeback victory against Villanova that seemed to provide momentum, the Huskies (18-9, 10-6 Big East) struggled to maintain consistency during the game.
UConn started the match with some promise, establishing an early 11-6 lead, but it quickly lost its footing as St. John’s capitalized on turnovers and offensive rebounding. The Huskies recorded 18 turnovers throughout the game, contributing to 24 points for their opponents. Their offensive struggles were particularly apparent in the first half, where they made only one of their ten three-point attempts and failed to score effectively outside the paint. Tarris Reed Jr. stood out for UConn, scoring 15 points and grabbing six rebounds.
Although UConn improved in the second half, the comeback efforts resulted in only fleeting moments of success, such as back-to-back three-pointers that temporarily cut the Red Storm’s lead to 11. However, lapses in defense and rebounding allowed St. John’s to maintain control. Despite being outperformed, the Huskies did manage to out-rebound St. John’s 39-36.
Karaban led UConn with 17 points, showing resilience with a strong second half, but other players like Liam McNeeley and Solo Ball found it hard to find their footing offensively. Meanwhile, St. John’s showcased a well-rounded offensive attack, with all starters contributing double-digit points.
With four games left in the regular season, UConn finds itself on the bubble in the Big East standings, needing to secure victories to potentially earn a bye in the upcoming Big East tournament. Up next, the Huskies will face Georgetown, a critical match that could influence their seeding as they seek to regain momentum and stabilize their season before the tournament.
As UConn prepares for the home stretch, there remains hope that the team can harness the energy from their previous successes and turn its form around. With a focus on eliminating turnovers and enhancing offensive coordination, a strong finish can propel the team back into contention.