St. John's vs. UConn: Clash for Big East Supremacy

A critical Big East conference battle is set to unfold on Wednesday as the No. 15 St. John's Red Storm visit the No. 6 UConn Huskies in Hartford, Conn. This highly anticipated game could significantly shape the race for the regular-season title and the top seed in the conference tournament. St. John's enters the contest riding an impressive 13-game winning streak and aims to extend it to 14, a feat not seen for the program since the 1984-85 season. The Red Storm's recent defensive performances have been notable, holding opponents to low shooting percentages. The team is looking to Dylan Darling, who scored 17 points in their last game, and Bryce Hopkins, who earned Big East Player of the Week honors for his double-double performance, to lead the charge. St. John's previously defeated UConn 81-72 on Feb. 6, a game where UConn committed 15 turnovers. UConn, with a 25-3 record, is determined to avoid dropping four consecutive games to St. John's for the first time since the early 1980s. After a loss to Creighton, the Huskies responded with a strong defensive effort in their recent win against Villanova. Coach Dan Hurley emphasized the need for consistent elite defense and sharp offense, highlighting the team's depth as a key factor. The outcome of this matchup is crucial for UConn's aspirations to win the Big East regular-season championship, as coach Hurley noted they "can't afford to lose another game."