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Big East Lead at Stake as No. 6 UConn Welcomes No. 15 St. John’s

The rematch could decide who holds the inside track to the conference’s top tournament seed.

STORRS, CONNECTICUT - FEBRUARY 18: Braylon Mullins #24 of the Connecticut Huskies plays against the Creighton Bluejays during the second half of an NCAA men's basketball game at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on February 18, 2026 in Storrs, Connecticut. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 06: Zuby Ejiofor #24 of the St. John's Red Storm drives to the basket as Eric Reibe #12 of the Connecticut Huskies defends in the first half at Madison Square Garden on February 06, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
Feb 21, 2026; New York, New York, USA; St. John's Red Storm guard Ian Jackson (11) watches from the bench in the second half against the Creighton Bluejays at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
St. John’s forward Zuby Ejiofor, left, and UConn center Tarris Reed Jr. battle for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)

Overview

  • St. John’s enters 22-5 overall and 15-1 in the Big East with a 13-game winning streak, seeking a 14th straight victory and standing 8-0 in league road games.
  • UConn is 25-3 and 15-2 in conference play and can move back into first place by a half-game with a win, while a Red Storm win would create a two-game edge in the loss column and secure the tiebreaker.
  • In the Feb. 6 meeting at Madison Square Garden, St. John’s won 81-72 by turning UConn over 15 times, and the Huskies now look to avoid a fourth straight loss to the Red Storm.
  • UConn answered a home loss to Creighton with a 73-63 win at Villanova, holding the Wildcats to 40.7% shooting as Alex Karaban and the Huskies’ bench helped restore defensive footing.
  • UConn freshman Braylon Mullins was named Big East Freshman of the Week after a 25-point outing at Creighton, St. John’s forward Bryce Hopkins earned Player of the Week, and guard Ian Jackson is set to return from an ankle issue.