UConn coach Dan Hurley triumphantly ascended the ladder amidst the tune of “New York, New York” at Madison Square Garden, affectionately dubbed “Storrs South” by Hurley himself.
After snipping the final piece of net, Hurley unleashed a triumphant “Wooooo!” while twirling the net overhead before tapping the Big East sign on the backboard, a ritual of victory. The Huskies, defending national champions, have their sights set on grander accomplishments this March, but their triumph in the Big East Tournament was undeniably significant.
Led by Donovan Clingan’s 22 points and career-high 16 rebounds, along with unexpected contributions from Jaylin Stewart’s three second-half 3-pointers, the second-ranked UConn Huskies defeated the No. 10 Marquette Golden Eagles 73-57 to clinch their first Big East Tournament title since rejoining the conference four years ago.
Hurley expressed the unparalleled significance of Madison Square Garden and the Big East Tournament: “MSG, Big East Tournament, there’s nothing like it. There’s just no comparison anywhere to what this place is like.”
Tristen Newton, named tournament MVP, added 13 points and 10 assists as the top-seeded Huskies secured their eighth Big East title, matching Georgetown’s record. This victory marked their first since 2011, a memorable season that culminated in a national championship led by Kemba Walker.
Stewart, a freshman reserve averaging 2.4 points, delivered a pivotal performance with nine points in four minutes during the second half surge. UConn relied on Clingan’s dominant presence inside, while Stewart’s unexpected offensive outburst proved crucial in pulling away from a resilient Marquette squad missing star Tyler Kolek due to injury.
Despite a sluggish start for both teams, UConn’s stout defense and Stewart’s timely shooting propelled them to a 26-24 halftime lead. The Huskies seized control in the second half, embarking on a decisive 19-5 run, led by Stewart’s sharpshooting.
Marquette, the defending tournament champions, faltered in the face of UConn’s onslaught, unable to contain Clingan’s imposing presence. As UConn’s lead swelled, Marquette’s hopes dwindled, ultimately succumbing to a 73-57 defeat.
UConn’s triumph in the Big East Tournament marks a significant milestone in their resurgence since rejoining the conference in 2020-21. Hurley emphasized their relentless pursuit of excellence, declaring to the crowd, “But we ain’t done yet.”
With their eyes set on further glory, the UConn Huskies continue their pursuit of basketball immortality.
