**St. John’s Upset Over UConn Shakes Up College Basketball Rankings**
Key Takeaways:
- St. John’s upset No. 3 UConn 81-72 in a pivotal Big East matchup at Madison Square Garden.
- UConn dropped to No. 6 in the latest AP Top 25 poll after the loss.
- A poor free-throw performance and high turnover count contributed to the Huskies’ defeat.
STORRS, CT — The trending topic “st john’s basketball” surged on Monday after the St. John’s Red Storm pulled off a marquee upset over No. 3-ranked UConn, defeating the defending national champions 81-72 at Madison Square Garden. The loss dropped UConn to No. 6 in the latest AP Top 25 Men’s College Basketball Poll, sending waves through the college basketball landscape days ahead of NCAA tournament positioning discussions.
Red Storm’s Statement Win at Madison Square Garden
On Friday, February 2, the No. 22-ranked Red Storm stunned the Huskies in front of a roaring MSG crowd, taking their biggest win of the 2025-2026 season. St. John’s leaned on senior leadership and aggressive defensive pressure to disrupt UConn’s rhythm, forcing the Huskies into 15 team turnovers—including 9 from sophomore guard Silas Demary Jr., who otherwise led UConn with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Despite shooting well from beyond the arc, UConn struggled mightily at the foul line, converting just 42 percent of their free throws—a glaring weakness that proved costly. St. John’s capitalized with strong play from their backcourt and took over late in the second half. The victory improved the Red Storm’s record to 18-6 overall and solidified their bid for a higher tournament seeding in March.
What Led to the Breakthrough for St. John’s?
Friday’s win represents more than just a single-game victory—it signals a turning point for the Red Storm under head coach Rick Pitino, who took over the program in 2023 and has transformed the culture. Despite uneven early-season performances, St. John’s seems to be peaking at the right time. The victory marked their second straight win over a top-25 team, following a previous triumph over then-No. 18 Creighton.
For UConn, the loss was their first in Big East Conference play this season, dropping them to 12-1 in the conference and 22-2 overall. Until Friday, the Huskies had dominated the field with their experience, defensive discipline, and powerful frontcourt. However, uncharacteristic mistakes and pressure from St. John’s led to a significant blemish on what was a near-perfect record.
Implications for Rankings and Postseason Scenarios
The immediate consequence of the loss is Connecticut’s slide in the AP Poll from No. 3 to No. 6, allowing other high-performing programs like Purdue and Houston to move ahead in national prominence. While UConn remains a likely top seed in the NCAA Tournament, this defeat underscores potential vulnerabilities—especially from the foul line and in turnover-prone guard play.
St. John’s, meanwhile, has vaulted into serious contention for an NCAA Tournament berth. Once on the bubble, the Red Storm now boast a growing résumé, including back-to-back top-25 wins. If the momentum continues, Pitino’s squad could enter March Madness as a legitimate threat to more widely favored programs.
Looking ahead, UConn will aim to regroup with a road matchup against Butler on Wednesday, February 7, at Hinkle Fieldhouse. UConn head coach Dan Hurley must recalibrate his rotation and shore up the team’s shooting efficiency at the charity stripe. Meanwhile, St. John’s faces a potential ranking boost and heightened media attention given their upward trajectory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is st john’s basketball trending?
A: St. John’s upset No. 3 UConn in a crucial Big East matchup, pushing the Red Storm up in national relevance and dropping UConn in the AP Top 25.
Q: What happens next?
A: UConn plays Butler in Indianapolis on Wednesday, February 7, at 7:30 p.m. St. John’s prepares for its next conference battle with momentum on its side.
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