Xavier Basketball Faces UConn in Big East Tournament Quarterfinals
Xavier basketball, the No. 10 seed in the Big East Tournament, is set to face the No. 2 seed UConn Huskies on March 12, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET.
Xavier enters the matchup with a record of 15-17, including a 6-14 mark in the Big East. The Musketeers advanced to the quarterfinals after a thrilling 89-87 victory over Marquette in the first round. In contrast, UConn boasts a strong record of 27-4 and a 17-3 record in the conference, having received a bye in the first round.
Historically, Xavier has performed well in the Big East Tournament, holding a 7-2 record in quarterfinal matchups. This season, the Musketeers have made a school-record 300 three-pointers and lead the Big East with an impressive assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.78.
UConn, ranked No. 6 in the latest Associated Press Poll, has consistently been a formidable opponent in the tournament, winning in the quarterfinals every year since rejoining the Big East. However, they will be without Jaylin Stewart, who is sidelined due to right knee inflammation.
“UConn, although they lost their last one, is the class of this league and a championship program. They’re what we’re striving to be,” said Xavier head coach Richard Pitino, acknowledging the challenge ahead.
In preparation for the game, Pitino emphasized the need for a different approach compared to their previous encounters with UConn, stating, “We’re going to do the total opposite of what we did the first two times in everything that we do.” This reflects a strategic pivot as they aim to upset the higher-seeded Huskies.
UConn head coach Dan Hurley expressed optimism about his team’s preparation, noting, “Jaylin would be available for that game… so it gives us a little more time to work on a couple of different lineups.” This indicates a potential adjustment in UConn’s strategy as they head into the quarterfinals.
The matchup marks a significant moment for both teams, as Xavier and UConn have met only once in the tournament before, with UConn winning that encounter in 2024. As the tournament progresses, both teams will be looking to solidify their legacies in the Big East.
With the stakes high and both teams eager to advance, the upcoming game promises to be a thrilling contest in the Big East Tournament.