UConn Still in the Hunt: Huskies Eye Third National Title in Four Years Despite Slip-Up
Don’t let one tough night in Queens fool you-UConn is still very much in the thick of the national title race.
Yes, the Huskies took a hit last Friday with a loss to St. John’s, their first conference defeat of the season.
And sure, they slid to No. 6 in the latest national rankings. But with a 22-2 overall record and a dominant 12-1 mark in Big East play, Dan Hurley’s squad remains in a strong position heading into the final month of the regular season.
And they’ve still got believers in high places. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, the godfather of bracketology, released his latest NCAA Tournament projections on Tuesday-and UConn is holding firm as a No. 1 seed.
They’re the fourth top seed in Lunardi’s bracket, joining Arizona, Michigan, and Duke. Ironically, all four teams are coming off losses, with UConn falling to the Red Storm, Arizona dropping one to Kansas, and Duke getting edged out by North Carolina.
Lunardi’s projected No. 2 seeds-Houston, Illinois, Iowa State, and Nebraska-paint an interesting path for the Huskies. In this particular bracket, a regional final matchup against Houston looms. That’s a heavyweight bout waiting to happen.
What's Ahead for the Huskies?
UConn’s schedule down the stretch is no cakewalk, but it’s also an opportunity to tighten things up before the postseason. First up is a road game at Butler on Wednesday, February 11. Then it’s back home for a Valentine’s Day clash with Georgetown on February 14.
Circle February 18 on your calendar-that’s when UConn hosts Creighton and raises Emeka Okafor’s No. 50 to the rafters. It’s a well-deserved honor for one of the program’s all-time greats, and it should be an emotional night in Storrs.
After that, things get real. A road trip to Villanova on February 21 kicks off a brutal three-game stretch that includes a rematch with St.
John’s (Feb. 25) and a home date with Seton Hall (Feb. 28).
That run could define how UConn finishes the regular season. They’ll wrap things up with a trip to Marquette on March 7 before heading into the Big East Tournament from March 11-14.
That Villanova-St. John's-Seton Hall trio?
That’s the gauntlet. If the Huskies can navigate it, they’ll be battle-tested and ready for March Madness.
What Did the St. John’s Loss Reveal?
Look, every team has off nights. But the St.
John’s loss wasn’t about talent-it was about effort. Rick Pitino’s squad played with more urgency, more aggression, and more physicality.
They out-rebounded UConn by six and forced 15 turnovers, using their athleticism to disrupt the Huskies’ rhythm all night.
It wasn’t a schematic breakdown or a glaring flaw being exposed. It was a reminder: in the Big East, you can’t take your foot off the gas. Every team is coming for you, especially when you’re wearing a target as big as UConn’s.
Meanwhile, on the Football Front…
There’s movement happening on the football side of campus, too.
Defensive line coach LaTroy Lewis is reportedly on his way out before even coaching a game under new head coach Jason Candle. According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Lewis is expected to join the Atlanta Falcons as an assistant defensive line coach.
Lewis, 32, was one of 15 assistants announced by UConn back on January 2. Many of those hires had ties to Candle’s decade-long run at Toledo before he took over in Storrs this past December. Now, Candle will have to make an early adjustment to his staff as spring ball approaches.
So while the Huskies’ perfect Big East run came to an end, their championship aspirations haven’t skipped a beat. With a strong resume, a No. 1 seed projection, and a chance to sharpen their edge against some of the conference’s toughest opponents, UConn is exactly where they need to be-with everything still in front of them.