UConn’s men’s basketball team defeated St. John’s 72-40 on Saturday, February 28, 2026, marking the largest margin of defeat in Rick Pitino’s coaching career at St. John’s, according to ESPN.
The Huskies’ dominant performance at Madison Square Garden propelled them to rise in the Top 25 And 1 college basketball rankings, according to CBS Sports. UConn ended St. John’s eight-game winning streak with the decisive victory. The 32-point defeat was described as “gruesome” by the Modern York Post, highlighting the stark contrast in performance between the two Big East rivals.
St. John’s struggled offensively throughout the game, a factor analyzed by Storm The Paint, which noted the team’s difficulties in finding any consistent scoring rhythm against UConn’s defense. The Huskies, conversely, established an early lead and maintained control for the duration of the contest.
The win for UConn solidifies their position as a leading contender in the Big East, and a likely participant in the NCAA tournament. NCAA.com reports that, alongside UConn, St. John’s remains in contention for an NCAA tournament berth despite the loss, though their path became more challenging.
The women’s basketball teams from both universities also met at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. No. 1 UConn women’s basketball faced St. John’s, with details regarding the time and television broadcast available through CT Insider.
