St. John’s basketball team achieved a significant victory over the UConn Huskies on February 23, 2025, triumphing 89-75 at Madison Square Garden. This win marked St. John's first sweep over UConn since the 1999-2000 season, setting the stage for their quest for the Big East regular season championship.
Celebratory chants of "We Want UConn!" echoed through the Garden as the game progressed, showcasing the enthusiasm of St. John's fans. Nineteen days prior, as the Red Storm wrapped up another commanding win against Marquette, supporters eagerly vocalized their desire to take on their rival north of the border. Despite some trepidation voiced on social media due to UConn's status as reigning national champions and the return of star freshman Liam McNeeley, excitement prevailed among the St. John's faithful.
St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino had to be pleased with how his team responded, bouncing back from their earlier matchup against UConn, which the Red Storm had narrowly won. "I felt we played poorly then, but today was different," Pitino noted after the game. Never straying too far from their offense, the Johnnies built upon their previous victory and opened the contest strongly.
From the start, St. John’s dominated the game, shooting over 40 percent from three-point range and accruing numerous turnovers from the beleaguered Huskies. UConn's 18 turnovers led to 24 points for St. John’s, illustrating the Red Storm's defensive intensity throughout the night. A particularly impressive stretch for St. John's came during the first half when they buried 8 of 16 three-point attempts. Heading to the locker room at halftime, the score stood at 50-32, indicating just how commanding the St. John’s offense had been.
During the halftime interview on FOX, Pitino expressed confidence with his team’s shooting prowess. "We're a great shooting team from the foul line as well as the field range," he remarked, underscoring the efficiency his players exhibited on the court. Meanwhile, the St. John’s defense successfully restricted UConn's shooting, limiting them to just 10 percent from beyond the arc, making it exceedingly hard for the Huskies to gain momentum.
Throughout the game, several players shone brightly for St. John's. Kadary Richmond and Zuby Ejiofor led the scoring, each netting 18 points. Richmond showcased his versatility with four assists, two blocks, and two steals, demonstrating why he has become such a pivotal player for the Johnnies this season. RJ Luis also made his presence felt, coming up with 14 points, and Deivon Smith's contributions included 12 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, solidifying the Red Storm's balanced offensive approach.
While UConn did have its moments, such as during brief stretches when they got hot from three-point range, the Red Storm maintained control. The Huskies managed to string together some successful possessions, cutting the lead to nine at one point during the second half. Still, St. John's quickly extinguished any hopes of a complete UConn resurgence, as Richmond and other key players pushed the lead back to comfortable margins.
For UConn coach Dan Hurley, the performance was disheartening. He had emphasized the importance of turning the season around, particularly against rival St. John's. His comments just before the game hinted at the pressure the team felt. "Maybe because we're not as good as we've been and they're a lotbetter than they've been, I imaginethe split tomorrow is going to be 70-30 again," Hurley said, anticipating the crowd composition. Yet the enthusiasm from St. John's supporters was undeniable, adding to the formidable home-court advantage they enjoyed.
This well-coordinated effort from St. John's marks them on the verge of clinching their first outright Big East regular-season title since 1985. With another win expected Wednesday against Butler, they can secure at least a share of the championship, solidifying their position as top contenders heading toward the NCAA Tournament. The fumes of victory are sweet, but Pitino’s focus remains sharp as they aim to build upon this success and carry it forward.