UConn is gearing up for another thrilling run at the BIG EAST Tournament, set to tip off at Madison Square Garden. As the two-seed, the Huskies (27-4) are poised to face off against either 7-seed Marquette or 10-seed Xavier in the quarterfinals. This showdown, airing at 7 p.m. on FS1, promises to be a spectacle with the dynamic commentary team of Gus Johnson, Bill Raftery, and Allison Williams.
Steeped in tradition, UConn is no stranger to the BIG EAST Tournament, marking its 39th appearance with an impressive 43-30 all-time record. Sharing the top spot with Georgetown, the Huskies have clinched the tournament title eight times, with their most recent victory in 2024.
This season, UConn's 17-3 conference record secured them second place in the BIG EAST, boasting the fourth-most wins in a single season in league history. The team's prowess was further recognized with six All-BIG EAST selections spanning five players.
Notably, UConn became the first program to have three players named to the First Team All-BIG EAST-Silas Demary Jr., Alex Karaban, and another standout. Solo Ball earned a spot on the Second Team, Braylon Mullins made the All-Freshman team, and Demary Jr. was honored on the inaugural All-Defensive team.
Leading the charge is Solo Ball, a Top Five Finalist for the Jerry West Award, who tops the Huskies' scoring chart with 13.9 points per game. He's a sharpshooter with 63 made 3-pointers and an 84.0% free throw percentage. Right behind him, Reed Jr. contributes 13.8 points, a team-high 8.0 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, shooting a remarkable 63.8% from the field.
Alex Karaban is another key player, averaging 12.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. His shooting prowess and leadership have made him UConn's all-time leader in wins and games started.
Silas Demary Jr. is the team's playmaker, leading the BIG EAST with 6.5 assists per game and contributing 11.1 points. Braylon Mullins, with 12.0 points per game, has made a significant impact as a freshman, hitting over 50 threes in his debut season.
Defensively, UConn is a powerhouse, ranking among the national leaders in several categories. They are in the top 10 for effective field goal percentage against, block rate, and two-point field goal percentage, while also ranking 12th in scoring defense. Offensively, they lead the BIG EAST in field goal percentage and effective field goal percentage, showcasing a well-rounded game.
If the Huskies advance to the semifinals, they'll face either Villanova or the winner between DePaul and Georgetown. With their eyes on another title, UConn is ready to make a statement in this year's BIG EAST Tournament.