NEW YORK, NY — It’s now on for No. 1 St. John’s and No. 2 UConn in the 2026 Big East Tournament Championship as the Huskies secured a 67–51 victory over No. 11 Georgetown Friday night at Madison Square Garden in the conference tournament semifinals.
The Red Storm secured its spot in the championship game earlier in the day, defeating No. 4 Seton Hall.
For UConn, using a strong defensive performance and steady offense to control the game from start to finish, the Huskies established momentum early and carried a 32–21 lead into halftime before continuing to extend their advantage in the second half.
With the 67-51 win over No. 11 Georgetown Friday night at MSG, No. 2 UConn advanced to the Big East Tournament Championship game and will now face No. 1 St. John’s Saturday night – Image Credit: UConn Men’s Basketball
Freshman Braylon Mullins led UConn with a team-high 21 points, helping the Huskies maintain their rhythm offensively while keeping pressure on the Hoyas throughout Friday’s semifinals. UConn’s defensive effort also played a key role, limiting Georgetown’s scoring opportunities and preventing them from closing the gap.
Tarris Reed Jr. (six points, eight assists, and seven rebounds) was another important presence for the Huskies, contributing with his physicality and energy on the floor.
After the game, the senior center reflected on the mindset that continues to guide the team during their tournament run, stating, “For me, the joy of the Lord is my strength.”
“That’s where I get my foundation. That’s everything, that’s my motivation, that’s the way I move. Just finding that joy as a team together and being present. It’s so easy to get caught up in everyday life and not really just focus on the process. Just enjoy the journey.”
Tarris Reed Jr. spoke to Latino Sports following UConn’s win on Friday night and talked about preparing for the championship game as well as how he tries to not overthink in high-intense moments (WATCH) – Image Credit: UConn Men’s Basketball
Following the win, UConn’s head coach Dan Hurley recognized the quick turnaround before the championship game, less than 24 hours away, and emphasized that preparation will be limited with both teams focused on rest and recovery before tipoff—playing in three games in a span of three days.
“I think it’s definitely from a game-planning standpoint, but the thing with this one is it’s a no-day prep,” said Hurley. “You’re going to wake up tomorrow, it’s going to be breakfast. I don’t imagine either team is going to shoot around. We’re both probably going to try to save our legs.”
Hurley added that the Huskies will rely on their familiarity and mindset heading into the championship matchup.
Championship Saturday!
The Huskies, moving on to the Big East Tournament Championship game, will look to carry their winning momentum from the last two games into a highly-anticipated matchup against No. 1 St. John’s.
All the action begins at 6:30PM ET from Madison Square Garden, with national television coverage broadcasted on FOX.
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