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The UConn Daily Game Day Digest
Men's hoops is playing in their home away from home today. We'll preview that matchup and catch you up on everything from the last week!
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UConn vs. St. John’s - 12 p.m. on FOX
The Huskies are in New York City getting ready to take on No. 10 St. John’s, the team sitting atop the Big East standings in their second year under head coach Rick Pitino. The Red Storm beat the Huskies in Gampel Pavilion earlier this month and are 2-1 since that Feb. 7 win, beating Creighton and falling to Villanova since then.
UConn has a win over Creighton and a disappointing loss since Feb. 7 as well, and also managed to beat Villanova, but has a lot more to prove today. The Huskies’ loss to Seton Hall highlights the vulnerabilities of this year's team. It has a high ceiling but also inexplicably has struggled against teams that it should comfortably beat.
Today, it will be strength on strength as UConn contends with St. Johns’ stingy defense, ranked 2nd in KenPom. The Husky defense has been improved as of late, which offers hope that it’s future is brighter than the current metrics-based projections. UConn is ranked 92nd in KenPom, for example, but the splits since Liam McNeeley’s return indicate this defense can play at a top 40 or top 50 level at least. The offense has remained strong, if inconsistent.
St. John’s probably has the most structural advantages on the Huskies among league opponents. Their defense, discipline, and experience are apparent looking through the advanced stats of the matchup.
Via TeamRankings.com
UConn is hoping to be fully healthy. NYC native Hassan Diarra has been playing through a chronic knee issue that has limited him at times. He’s going to tough it out the rest of the season, and today is one of those days where his team will need him to come up big. Otherwise they’re thin at guard, especially with the way Mahaney has been playing.
Otherwise, we’ll be keeping tabs on how high McNeeley can fly in this spotlight opportunity, and whether Alex Karaban, the bigs, or Jaylin Stewart can find the consistency that has been avoiding them this season.
More below:
Headlines
Ducharme Returns!
UConn senior Carolina Ducharme unexpectedly made her first appearance since November 2023 - amazing!
Back from the dead, again
It was a brutal Saturday for UConn men’s hoops. Losing late leads in the final seconds not once, but twice shook the fanbase, and possibly the team, to its core. Dan Hurley described the bus ride back as a “casket on wheels” and said the team needs to take a good long look in the mirror.
They responded, however, on Tuesday night against Villanova, rallying from 14 down with 12 minutes left. Liam McNeely and Tarris Reed Jr. powered the push for the Huskies. The win allows UConn Nation to keep its spirit alive for another week.
Baseball: Winless in Puerto Rico to start 2025
Jim Penders’ squad lost all three games on the island to start the season. In this week’s Hook C Baseball newsletter, we covered how those games went down and previewed their weekend series against Florida Atlantic.
Weekly Rewind
Men’s Basketball
Loss to Seton Hall – Two late collapses kept the Huskies out of the win column.
Win over Villanova – Hurley called it a potentially ‘galvanizing’ performance. | Photos
Podcast – McNeeley saves the day (again).
Podcast – What is the outlook on the remainder of the Huskies’ season?
Steph Castle shined during NBA All-Star Weekend – The Spurs’ rookie took home Rising Stars MVP.
Huskies in the NBA – Tyrese Martin signed a multi-year contract extension with the Brooklyn Nets, while the Chicago Bulls waived Adama Sanogo.
Women’s Basketball
Morgan Cheli out for remainder of season - disappointing news on the injury front.
UConn rolls through South Carolina – The Huskies ended the Gamecocks’ 71-game home winning streak.
Podcast – Reflecting on the Huskies’ dominance down south.
Fudd leads the way ($) – Azzi Fuddo overcame a slow start to finish with 28 points against South Carolina.
Bueckers leads the way against Seton Hall – A 50-point UConn second half helped put the game away.
NCAA’s first bracket reveal – Geno Auriemma’s team would be a No. 2 seed if the season ended today.
Basketball Hall of Fame announces 2025 finalists – Maya Moore and Sue Bird are among the group of first-timers on the ballot.
20-game conference schedule set to return – What more Big East games might mean for UConn.
Baseball
0-3 in Puerto Rico – Stetson, Missouri and Penn State claimed wins over UConn on opening weekend.
2025 Big East Preview – A look into how each team stacks up around the conference.
Hockey
Women’s hockey repeats as hockey east champs - They had to defeat BU to do it, but mission accomplished.
Men’s hockey takes down Maine - Big win in OT.
Women’s hockey controls destiny – Claiming all six points this weekend would crown the Huskies Big East champs for the second consecutive year.
Game time – Mike Cavanaugh offers his thoughts on potentially changing the days Hockey East plays.
Bracketology ($) – Where might UConn land with the NCAA tournament looming?
Soccer
Rodriguez pens extension – The women’s head coach is set to stay with the program through 2027.
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