St. John’s Outmuscles UConn at MSG, Snapping Huskies’ Streak and Sending a Message
NEW YORK - Sometimes, the numbers lie. You can crunch all the stats, compare resumes, and analyze every matchup on paper - but then the ball tips, and reality hits.
That’s what happened Friday night at Madison Square Garden, where No. 22 St.
John’s handed No. 3 UConn an 81-72 loss that was as physical as it was revealing.
This was billed as a marquee Big East clash, and it delivered - just not in the way many expected. The Huskies came in riding an 18-game win streak, but they ran into a Red Storm team that looked bigger, older, and tougher. And Rick Pitino’s squad didn’t just beat UConn - they imposed their will.
From the jump, this had the feel of a bad matchup for the Huskies. Dan Hurley saw it right away, staring across the court at Zuby Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins, and Dillon Mitchell and calling them “grown-ass men.”
It wasn’t just coach-speak. These weren’t just experienced players - they were physically dominant, and they made their presence felt early and often.
Pitino, never one to miss a moment, cracked a joke as his players left the postgame podium: “Curfew is 5 a.m., guys.” But the tone behind the smile was clear - this was a statement win, and St. John’s is for real.
The Pressure Is the Point
UConn actually shot the ball well - 54.7% from the field and 47% from three (9-for-19). Those are the kind of numbers that usually end in a win.
But this wasn’t about shooting. This was about pressure - the kind Pitino has made a career out of weaponizing.
St. John’s pressed, disrupted, and dictated tempo.
Even when the turnovers didn’t pile up - UConn committed 15, not a disaster on its own - the psychological toll was obvious. Every inbounds pass felt like a battle.
Every possession started with a scramble. And by the second half, the Huskies looked worn down.
Pitino explained it perfectly: “It wears you out. A lot of times, the advantage of the press is physical - they’re trying to get open for five seconds, and it tires you.
It wears on your rebounding, it wears on your passing.” That cumulative effect showed up in the box score and on the floor.
Free Throws and Frustration
For all the intensity and execution St. John’s brought, UConn didn’t help itself.
The Huskies went just 5-for-12 from the free-throw line - a glaring issue that’s been bubbling under the surface and finally bit them. Hurley didn’t sugarcoat it afterward, saying his team didn’t lose because of the pressure alone: “I think we turned it over because we lost our (bleeping) mind.”
That’s telling. UConn didn’t just get beat physically - they got rattled mentally. And that’s not something we’ve seen much from this group.
Frontcourt Firepower
The battle in the paint was a mismatch. Zuby Ejiofor was dominant - 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks.
He was everywhere. And he wasn’t just finishing - he was facilitating.
That’s a big man playing with poise and purpose.
On the other end, Tarris Reed Jr. struggled to match that energy. He finished with 12 points and six boards, but too often settled for finesse over force.
He went 5-for-10 from the field but left points on the table at the line, hitting just 2-of-6. In a game this physical, those missed chances mattered.
Braylon Mullins, UConn’s standout freshman, started strong with eight early points but was quieted as the game wore on. St. John’s size and length up front made life tough, and he finished with 11 on limited looks.
Depth Tells the Story
This was also a game where bench depth mattered - and St. John’s had the edge.
When Hurley went to his second unit, the Huskies led 16-10. By the time the starters returned, they were down.
The Red Storm ripped off a 9-0 run and never really looked back. Their reserves outscored UConn’s 15-6 - a subtle but significant swing.
One of the key contributors off the bench was Dylan Darling. The Idaho State and Washington State transfer has been adjusting to the bright lights of MSG, but he looked right at home Friday. He chipped in nine crucial points and helped steady the ship in the second half.
Meanwhile, Silas Demary Jr., who UConn won over Pitino in the transfer portal, had a mixed night. He poured in 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds, but also committed nine turnovers - a stat line that perfectly encapsulates UConn’s night: productive, but chaotic.
The Bigger Picture
This loss doesn’t derail UConn’s season, but it does recalibrate expectations. Yes, the Huskies are still 22-2.
Yes, they’ve got the talent to make another deep March run. But St.
John’s exposed some real vulnerabilities - particularly against veteran, physical teams that can pressure the ball and control the glass.
And let’s give credit where it’s due: Pitino has once again built a team in his image. Since arriving at St.
John’s two and a half seasons ago, he’s gone full GM - plucking experienced players from the portal and molding them into a cohesive unit. It’s taken time, but this version of the Red Storm looks ready to make noise - not just in the Big East, but on the national stage.
They’ve now won nine straight, tied UConn atop the conference standings, and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. This isn’t just a hot streak - it’s a team peaking at the right time.
What’s Next
For UConn, this is a moment to regroup. They’ve been here before - remember, in 2014, they lost three times to Pitino’s Louisville team before catching fire in March and winning it all.
So no, the sky isn’t falling. But this loss is a reminder: the road to another title won’t be smooth.
The rematch in Hartford on February 25 is already circled. That game could tell us a lot more about how battle-tested this UConn team really is - and whether they’ve learned from what went wrong at the Garden.
For now, though, the message is clear: St. John’s isn’t just back - they’re built to last. And in a conference that prides itself on toughness, they just served notice that they can go toe-to-toe with anyone.