UConn Puts on a Clinic Against Xavier, Extends Big East Win Streak to 12
If there were any lingering doubts about UConn's grip on the Big East, they were put to rest Tuesday night in Hartford. The No. 3-ranked Huskies didn’t just beat Xavier - they dismantled them, 92-60, in a wire-to-wire performance that looked every bit like a championship contender finding its groove.
This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. And it came with contributions from just about everyone in a Huskies uniform.
Silas Demary Jr. led the charge with 17 points and eight assists, orchestrating the offense with poise and pace. Big men Tarris Reed Jr. and Samson Reibe each added 14 points, showing off the kind of frontcourt depth that separates good teams from great ones. Braylon Mullins chipped in 13, and Jayden Ross added 11 - part of a balanced, unselfish offensive attack that overwhelmed the Musketeers from the opening tip.
UConn has now won 18 straight games and remains undefeated in conference play at 12-0. Tuesday’s blowout also completed a season sweep of Xavier, following a 90-67 win back in December. The Huskies are now 9-5 all-time against the Musketeers.
A First-Half Blitz
The Huskies wasted no time setting the tone. Mullins opened the game with a personal 8-0 run - a three, an and-one, and a dunk - before Reed added a layup to make it 10-0 just 2:24 into the game. Xavier’s All Wright, who led the Musketeers with 14 points, finally got them on the board with a pair of free throws, but the damage was already done.
UConn kept its foot on the gas, closing the first half on a 7-0 run to take a commanding 50-22 lead into the break. The Huskies were locked in on both ends, smothering Xavier’s offense while slicing through their defense with sharp cuts, crisp passing, and confident shooting.
Dominance by the Numbers
The box score tells the story of a team firing on all cylinders:
- Field Goal Percentage: UConn shot a scorching 56.7% from the field, compared to Xavier’s 36.7%.
- Three-Point Shooting: The Huskies hit 37% from deep, while Xavier managed 35%.
- Rebounding: UConn dominated the glass, 41-24.
- Points in the Paint: A 46-20 edge showed just how effectively UConn attacked the interior.
- Fast Break Points: The Huskies turned defense into offense with 17 fast-break points to Xavier’s 3.
- Assists: Perhaps the most telling stat - UConn dished out 26 assists to Xavier’s 6, a sign of the ball movement and team-first mentality that powered this win.
Turning a Corner
January was a grind for UConn. While they kept winning, six of their seven victories last month came by single digits, including two overtime battles and a pair of tightly contested games against a struggling Providence squad.
But this performance felt different. Head coach Dan Hurley saw it too.
“I saw a team that’s starting to figure it out,” Hurley said postgame. “A team that’s starting to put together the shot making, the elite defense, the rebounding, relentless pursuit. And then we’ve got the depth - so when we have all those things clicking, it starts looking like bulletproof basketball.”
That’s not coach-speak. That’s a coach watching his team round into form at exactly the right time.
What’s Next
For Xavier, this one stings. First-year head coach Richard Pitino has some work to do, and he’ll no doubt be passing along some scouting notes to his father, Rick Pitino.
Rick’s No. 22-ranked St. John’s squad hosts UConn at Madison Square Garden on Friday in what’s shaping up to be one of the biggest Big East matchups of the season.
As for UConn? They’re looking more and more like the team to beat - not just in the Big East, but maybe beyond. If this version of the Huskies shows up consistently, the rest of the college basketball world better be ready.