Uconn Basketball: No. 6 Huskies host No. 15 St. John’s in pivotal Feb. 25 showdown
UConn men’s basketball (25-3, 15-2) will host St. John’s (22-5, 15-1) on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 7: 00 p. m. in a matchup that could reshape the top of the Big East standings. The outcome matters because the Huskies must win and receive outside help to regain control of a potential regular-season title.
Uconn Basketball heads into Feb. 25 Hartford showdown
The game is scheduled for 7: 00 p. m. at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, Connecticut, with radio coverage on the UConn Sports Network, Sirius XM 84 and Sirius/XM online streaming. The Huskies check in at No. 6 in the Poll, No. 11 in KenPom and No. 10 in the NET, while St. John’s is No. 15 in the Poll, No. 22 in KenPom and No. 23 in the NET. KenPom’s projected score for the contest is UConn 76, St. John’s 70.
St. John’s rankings, recent form and Creighton tune-up
The Red Storm’s KenPom footprint lists them with the country’s 45th-ranked offense and the 15th-ranked defense. St. John’s has surged after a lackluster non-conference slate, most recently beating Creighton by 29 points at Madison Square Garden; that Creighton team had just beaten UConn in Storrs. Rick Pitino has the program positioned to return to the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back years for the first time since St. John’s made three straight appearances from 1998–2000.
UConn defensive arc, Villanova rebound and availability
UConn’s defense registered as the 13th-most efficient nationally and had been a top-10 unit before a difficult four-game stretch in early February. In the 12 Big East games leading up to the first meeting with St. John’s, the Huskies allowed more than 70 points only twice, both against Providence. In the four-game dip that followed, they surrendered an average of 79. 3 points per game. The Huskies answered on Saturday with a quality road win at Villanova, holding the Wildcats to 41 percent shooting and limiting several primary scorers; UConn blocked eight shots and allowed just 63 points. The team’s bench played a notable role in the second-half surge that sealed that victory. As of now, everyone should be available for the Huskies; the Big East availability report will be released three hours before tip-off.
Series history, Feb. 6 rematch and recent leaders
The programs have met 74 times, with St. John’s holding a 40–34 advantage overall. In the Dan Hurley era, UConn has won six of 11 matchups. The teams last met on Feb. 6, 2026, when St. John’s defeated UConn 81–72 at Madison Square Garden. In that game Silas Demary Jr. led four Huskies in double figures with 18 points. UConn’s 18-game winning streak was snapped by St. John’s in their earlier meeting this season; a return win in a sold-out Hartford would shift momentum as the regular season winds down.
Pitino and Hurley’s rivalry tension adds to stakes
The matchup carries emotional weight beyond standings because of an intensified dynamic between Rick Pitino and Dan Hurley. There is palpable tension between the coaches, and college basketball fans have become fascinated with their relationship. Each meeting draws attention to whether the rivalry will again produce an uncomfortable exchange similar to a moment 32 years ago when Temple coach John Chaney nearly struck UMass coach John Calipari in the press room; Chaney literally yelled the words "I'll kill you!" at Cal that day. It has not escalated to that level between Pitino and Hurley, but that history looms over the series.
What makes this notable is how on-court stakes and off-court narratives converge: a high-stakes conference clash featuring two ranked teams, KenPom projections placing the game in reach for the Huskies, and a coaching relationship that adds another layer of scrutiny.
The mathematical path to the Big East regular-season title is narrow. UConn is no longer in sole control and must beat St. John’s and then rely on help; if both teams finish 18–2, tiebreaker rules and head-to-head results against teams in descending order would award St. John’s the title. With the season closing, every defensive stop, bench contribution and coaching matchup will carry amplified consequence.
For readers seeking ongoing St. John’s updates, Zach Braziller offers a text-message service and question-and-answer access through the Sports+ subscription platform.
