UConn Outlasts Marquette for the Big East Title
New York, NY— Dan Hurley and the Connecticut Huskies took control in the second half en route to a 73-57 win for their first Big East Title since 2011. The last UConn team to do it was the infamous Kemba Walker era, now Tristan Newton and his teammates hoist the coveted trophy. With Marquette not playing with 1st Team All-Big East guard Tyler Kolek for the entire Big East Tournament, they turned to Iso Ighodaro and Kam Jones to get them to the championship Saturday. With wins over Villanova in overtime, and squeaking by the Providence Friars, heavy legs caught up with them deep into the championship.
In what was a defensive clinic in the first half, Marquette would hold the Huskies to only two points through the first eight minutes. The collective defense for the Golden Eagles would frustrate the top seed to open up the game. As time went on into the first half, the reigning National Champions got back into the Madison Square Garden groove, in being efficient on the offensive end. They would crawl back to a two-point lead late in the first half, courtesy of Tristan Newton’s head-on three three-pointer. With the 26-24 lead at the half, the Huskies were poised to take the reins into the remaining twenty. UConn then pulled away late and started to feel the crowd in Madison Square Garden. Donovan Clingan led the way with 22 points and 15 boards, while Tristan Newton added 13 points himself. The Big East regular season champs would turn into the Big East Tournament champs in the blink of an eye. Kam Jones tallied 13 points and eight rebounds in the losing effort for Shaka Smart’s team. Even in difficult times without Kolek, Marquette still showed grit in the fight.
In having multiple Big East first-teamers and one of the best coaches in America, UConn will roll into the NCAA Tournament on a high. The Huskies are primed for a run to go back-to-back and have the pieces to do so. Always finding a way to win even in difficult times, Dan Hurley shows the true character needed to give his team that extra boost. Now both teams will await Selection Sunday, where not only UConn but Marquette will also await their seeding. The 1 seed is more than locked up for UConn, where they can make another run if the path is right. Marquette will look at being a two-to-three seed while seeing how the other conferences pan out.
