The No. 1 UConn Huskies have clearly separated themselves from the pack in the Big East. A 23-2 record and 13-1 mark in conference, however, has been aided recently by some of the league’s less threatening opponents. The Huskies have faced the Big East’s three worst teams in their last four games. With six games to go until the conference tournament, though, there won’t be any question if the nation’s top team has been tested before heading to Madison Square Garden.
UConn Huskies Entering Their Toughest Stretch of the Season
Winning When You’re Supposed to
Big East games have been compared to a steel cage match by UConn head coach Dan Hurley, meaning there won’t be any easy wins in this conference. By the second week of February, however, the standings can be telling. Georgetown and DePaul have separated themselves in the basement of the Big East. Rick Pitino’s St. John’s Red Storm certainly falls more into the middle of the pack, but find themselves with the third-worst conference record nonetheless.
UConn has had the luxury of facing each of those teams in three of their last four. It’s worth noting that the Huskies haven’t lost a game since December 20, so the opponents may not have made a difference, but the 30.5 scoring margin against Georgetown and DePaul speaks for itself. Games against Ed Cooley’s Hoyas and the upstart Blue Demons have become nearly automatic with a combined 1-25 league record for those two schools.
February 17 vs. No. 4 Marquette
The final six games of UConn’s schedule appear to be the toughest stretch they’ll get all season. It all begins by hosting the No. 4 Marquette Golden Eagles in Storrs on Saturday. Marquette got the best of UConn a season ago in the Big East Tournament, and the Huskies have had that title circled since last March. This is the first matchup between the two clubs this season and is perhaps the game of the day among a loaded slate on Saturday. Tyler Kolek and the Golden Eagles sit two games behind UConn in the Big East standings with two games against the reigning champs in the final month.
February 20 at Creighton
After their bout with Marquette on Saturday, UConn will have No. 17 Creighton waiting for them on Tuesday. Creighton is the third and final Big East school to be ranked in the AP Top 25. UConn hosted the Bluejays in January but will have to head to Omaha for Tuesday’s game.
February 24 vs. Villanova
The Villanova Wildcats will be the next team to take a shot at UConn on Saturday, February 24. Despite being in eighth place in the league standings, Villanova is just a half game behind Butler in fifth place. The Wildcats have perhaps taken the best shot at UConn in conference play since the Huskies lost to Seton Hall in December. UConn escaped with a 66-65 win at Villanova on January 20. Next Saturday’s game will be in the friendly confines of Gampel Pavilion for UConn.
March 3 vs. Seton Hall
Next comes Seton Hall. This time in Storrs, the Huskies will have their shot at redemption for their first and only loss in conference play. The Pirates handed Connecticut a 15-point loss in their Big East opener. Seton Hall has spent time hovering just outside the top 25 this season. They likely would have snuck in at some point if not for missed time from their star Kadary Richmond. Hall is decidedly the fourth-best Big East team behind Creighton.
March 6 at Marquette
UConn will finish their regular season series with Marquette on March 6. They’ll fly to Milwaukee for what could be the difference in the Big East regular season race.
March 9 at Providence
The regular season will wrap up in Providence. The Friars played UConn tough in Storrs and have one of the greatest home court advantages in college basketball. Despite just a 7-7 conference record, Providence has been one of the peskiest teams in the league this year. Friars’ guard Devin Carter could also be playing for a Big East Player of the Year crown in his finale.
