Imagine a basketball game so one-sided, it leaves fans questioning whether the court was tilted. That's exactly what happened when UConn delivered a jaw-dropping 72-40 blowout to St. John's, shattering the Red Storm's impressive 13-game winning streak. But here's where it gets controversial: Was this a masterful display of UConn's dominance, or a shocking collapse by a once-unstoppable St. John's team? Let’s dive into the details.
On February 25, 2026, in Hartford, Connecticut, the No. 6 UConn Huskies put on a clinic, holding the 15th-ranked St. John's Red Storm to a staggering 20% shooting percentage. Tarris Reed Jr. stole the show with a double-double performance—20 points, 11 rebounds, and six blocks—proving to be an unstoppable force on both ends of the court. His dominance was a key factor in UConn's historic victory, which marked their most lopsided win in the series.
Alex Karaban chipped in with 14 points and five rebounds, helping the Huskies reclaim the top spot in the Big East. This win was especially sweet, as it avenged an earlier 81-72 loss to St. John's at Madison Square Garden on February 6. And this is the part most people miss: St. John's not only missed 12 consecutive shots in the first half but also failed to make a single field goal in the final 17:27 of the game. That’s right—24 straight misses to close out the match.
For St. John's, this was their most humiliating defeat under the legendary Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino in three seasons. The Red Storm managed just 40 points, their lowest output since a 66-40 loss to Notre Dame back in March 2013. Joson Sanon led the team with 10 points, all scored in the first half, but it wasn’t nearly enough to keep pace with the Huskies.
UConn’s bench also stepped up, with Solo Ball contributing 11 points and four assists, and Silas Demary Jr. adding seven points, eight rebounds, and five assists. The Huskies’ starters completely outclassed St. John's starting five, outscoring them 61-28. UConn’s dominance in the paint was equally impressive, outscoring the Red Storm 42-12 in that area.
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Despite Zuby Ejiofor’s early second-half baskets for St. John's, UConn responded with a 16-0 run, effectively sealing the game. A driving layup by Karaban extended their lead to 23 points with 13:42 remaining, and the Red Storm never recovered.
Looking ahead, St. John's will aim to bounce back when they host Villanova at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. Meanwhile, UConn will look to maintain their momentum as they host Seton Hall on the same day.
This game wasn’t just a win for UConn—it was a statement. But was it a one-off performance, or a sign of things to come? What do you think? Is UConn the team to beat in the Big East, or can St. John's regroup and challenge for the top spot? Let us know in the comments below!
