Madison Square Garden—In the heart of Madison Square Garden, UConn coach Dan Hurley, affectionately dubbing it “Storrs South,” celebrated their victory in the Big East Tournament, reclaiming the title since rejoining the conference four years ago.
Led by standout performances from Donovan Clingan and unexpected heroics from Jaylin Stewart, the Huskies triumphed over Marquette with a decisive 73-57 win. As Hurley and his team savor this victory, they set their sights on even grander achievements this March, fueled by the electric atmosphere of MSG.
“We’ve been the best team in college basketball,” Hurley said. “Obviously, March Madness next week, who knows what goes on there, but we’ve clearly been the best program in the country this year.”
The Huskies led 26-24 at halftime, but Marquette briefly took a 33-32 lead with over 15 minutes left. Yet, from there, the Huskies dominated, stifling the Golden Eagles’ offense and scoring 47 points in the second half to secure a commanding win.
Tristen Newton, named Tournament MVP, showcased his prowess with a double-double performance, while Stewart’s sudden offensive spark propelled UConn to their eighth conference title. Despite Marquette’s resilience, notably missing injured star Tyler Kolek, the Huskies’ dominance shone through, with Clingan’s inside presence proving pivotal.
This triumph marks a significant milestone for UConn’s resurgence since their return to the Big East, reaffirming their status as a powerhouse in college basketball. With eyes set on further glory in the NCAA Tournament, UConn’s journey continues, fueled by the support of their passionate fans and a hunger for repeat success.
“I thought we ran of steam there probably in the last 10 minutes. Donovan Clingan was the biggest difference. He puts you in a bind as a team defensively because it’s hard to guard him with one guy, and the way that we defend pick-and-rolls, sometimes smaller guys get on him, and that’s a problem. But he does that to a lot of people.” Marquette coach Shaka Smart said.
