Seton Hall shocked the University of Connecticut (UConn) men's basketball team on Saturday, February 15, 2025, securing a thrilling and unexpected victory with a final score of 69-68 after overtime at the Prudential Center. This win marked another chapter in the longstanding rivalry, with Seton Hall echoing their prowess against the defending national champions.
From the outset, the game tipped off with Seton Hall aiming to defy expectations amid struggles earlier this season, including dropping nine straight games before this highly anticipated match-up against UConn. The Pirates nearly lost their grip during the game, as UConn took charge during the first half, establishing dominance with plays led by standout Alex Karaban, who finished with 20 points and six rebounds. Yet, as the half progressed, the Pirates found their footing and built momentum, ending the first half leading 25-22.
The second half unfolded with the typical back-and-forth flair of college basketball. UConn surged with its trademark offensive plays, including key three-pointers from Solo Ball and Karaban. At one moment, the Huskies led by as many as seven points with less than one minute remaining on the clock. But Seton Hall was not done—within the waning seconds, they capitalized on UConn's mistakes. A pivotal moment occurred as UConn's Solo Ball attempted to seal the game with free throws but his performance fell short, setting the stage for Seton Hall's dramatic comeback.
Down by three points with just five seconds on the clock, Seton Hall's Dylan Addae-Wusu made waves by scoring with a massive three-pointer, forcing the game to overtime. Fans erupted at the Prudential Center as the tension radiated throughout the building.
Overtime arrived and the stakes intensified. UConn initially appeared to control the tempo again, holding onto a five-point lead with less than minute left. Yet, carelessness emerged, evidenced by three turnovers by the Huskies during this stretch, enabling the Pirates to pounce. Scotty Middleton, who showcased resilience and tenacity throughout the match, made the game-winning tip-in shot after missing his own initial layup, with only three seconds to go. UConn's final shot attempt was unsuccessful, sealing the victory for Seton Hall.
After the game, emotions ran high, with UConn coach Dan Hurley reflecting on the performance, stating, "I feel like, in the end, we got what we deserved" and lamenting missed opportunities to secure the victory. Conversely, Seton Hall coach Shaheen Holloway expressed pride within his team, emphasizing, "That’s who I am, that's who we are, that's what I want to be."
The significance of this win cannot be overstated. Seton Hall not only put themselves back on track, improving their record to 7-18 overall and breaking their disheartening nine-game losing streak, but they also extended their home dominance over UConn, defeating them for the fourth straight year at home.
UConn's struggles call for reflection, particularly with this loss being categorized as one of their worst throughout the KenPom era. Having recently fallen to unranked teams consistently, this defeat sets them at 17-8 overall and 9-5 within the Big East, impacting their postseason aspirations. With flickers of hope for UConn's fans, they must now re-strategize before facing Villanova next. Meanwhile, the Pirates capitalized on this victory to inspire confidence—highlighting their tenacity and potential and showcasing the unpredictability of college basketball.
Saturday's match serves as a reminder of how the intensity of competition can rise from the pressures of closely knit rivalries. For fans of the sport, the UConn versus Seton Hall face-off will be remembered as another thrilling chapter steeped with drama, talent, unpredictability, and longstanding tradition.