St. John’s And UConn Battle For Big East Supremacy At Madison Square Garden

The storied hardwood of Madison Square Garden set the stage for a high-octane Big East clash on February 6, 2026, as the No. 22 St. John’s Red Storm hosted the No. 3 UConn Huskies in a matchup brimming with playoff implications, star power, and the kind of drama only New York City can deliver. With both squads riding impressive winning streaks—UConn boasting an 18-game tear and St. John’s surging on an eight-game heater—the stakes were sky-high. Fans filled the Garden, buzzing with anticipation as tip-off approached at 8:00 p.m. ET, ready to witness two of the conference’s most dynamic teams go head-to-head.

Entering the contest, UConn’s record sparkled at 22-1, their only blemish a November defeat to No. 1 Arizona. The Huskies, under coach Dan Hurley, had been nearly untouchable, especially on the road, where they were a perfect 7-0. St. John’s, meanwhile, had found their rhythm under coaching legend Rick Pitino, posting a 17-5 mark overall and a formidable 10-2 home record. The Red Storm’s recent form included a dominant win over DePaul, while UConn was fresh off a 92-60 dismantling of Xavier, underscoring their offensive firepower and defensive tenacity.

Pre-game odds reflected the razor-thin margin between these two powerhouses. UConn was favored by just 1.5 to 2 points across major sportsbooks, with the over/under hovering around 144 points. The betting public and experts alike anticipated a shootout, and SportsLine’s model—after simulating the matchup 10,000 times—projected a combined total of 149 points, with the Over hitting in more than 60% of scenarios. The model also forecasted standout performances from both sides: UConn’s Alex Karaban was projected at 15.7 points, while St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor was pegged for 15.2 points and expected to be a force inside.

The opening minutes did not disappoint. St. John’s, one of the nation’s best offensive rebounding teams, immediately flexed their muscle on the glass, grabbing three offensive boards in their first five possessions to build an early 6-2 lead. UConn’s Braylon Mullins, however, was unfazed by the big stage, answering with a contested three-pointer and a smooth mid-range jumper, helping the Huskies edge ahead 10-8 at the first media timeout.

As the first half progressed, both teams traded runs and defensive stands. UConn’s early hot shooting from beyond the arc—powered by Mullins and Karaban—was countered by St. John’s gritty interior play and the relentless energy of Ejiofor. The Red Storm strung together a 13-1 run fueled by Ejiofor’s presence at both ends, drawing fouls and finding teammates for easy buckets. The Huskies, meanwhile, struggled with turnovers, a theme that would haunt them throughout the contest. Silas Demary Jr., UConn’s point guard, was particularly troubled, committing multiple giveaways that led directly to St. John’s fast-break points.

Despite their struggles, UConn’s offensive efficiency kept them in the game. They shot a blistering 58% from the field in the opening half, including 5-of-9 from deep. Yet, the Red Storm’s ability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities and force turnovers meant the teams were deadlocked at 39 heading into the locker room. Both coaches—Hurley and Pitino—were animated on the sidelines, barking instructions as their squads prepared for a second-half showdown.

The tension ratcheted up after halftime. St. John’s came out firing, with Bryce Hopkins and Oziyah Sellers contributing key buckets during a stretch where UConn’s offense sputtered. The Huskies went more than four minutes without a field goal, allowing the Red Storm to build a 55-45 lead with just under 13 minutes to play. Ejiofor, flirting with a triple-double, knocked down a rare three-pointer and continued to dominate the glass. By the 10:45 mark, he had tallied 14 points, eight rebounds, and six assists—an all-around performance that had the Garden crowd roaring.

UConn, however, refused to fold. Facing their largest deficit of the night—an 11-point gap—the Huskies responded with a flurry. Karaban and Demary Jr. buried back-to-back triples, and Tarris Reed Jr. threw down an emphatic slam, slicing the deficit to just one point with 5:35 remaining. Demary Jr., despite his turnover woes, delivered a highlight-reel dunk over Ejiofor that sent the crowd into a frenzy and drew an exuberant call from FOX’s Gus Johnson: “Young fella, don’t hurt him.”

With the game hanging in the balance, both teams traded haymakers. St. John’s, led by the steady hand of Pitino and the inside-out play of Ejiofor, weathered UConn’s charge. The Red Storm’s defense forced Demary Jr. into his eighth turnover, leading to a critical jumper and a 74-67 advantage with just over two minutes left. Yet the Huskies, showing the resilience that had defined their season, clawed back again—Mullins’ third three-pointer of the night cut the lead to 74-70 as Hurley called timeout, setting up a dramatic finish.

In the game’s closing moments, St. John’s ability to draw fouls and convert at the line proved pivotal. The Red Storm attempted 23 free throws, taking advantage of UConn’s aggressive defensive approach. Ejiofor’s hustle on the boards—securing a crucial rebound and setting up a layup—extended the lead and put the pressure back on the Huskies. UConn, for all their offensive firepower and experience, could not overcome their turnover woes and the Red Storm’s relentless attack on the glass.

As the final buzzer sounded, fans were left breathless by a contest that had lived up to its billing as a battle for Big East supremacy. Both teams showcased why they are among the nation’s elite, with star players stepping up under the brightest lights and coaches making tactical adjustments at every turn. The Red Storm’s victory—if confirmed—would mark a signature win for Rick Pitino’s squad, while UConn’s valiant effort underscored their championship pedigree and refusal to quit, no matter the circumstances.

With the Big East race tightening and March looming, both UConn and St. John’s have sent a clear message: the road to the conference crown will run through Madison Square Garden, and neither team is backing down. The action may be over for now, but the echoes of this classic will linger long after the lights dim in the World’s Most Famous Arena.