UConn basketball got crushed in an 85-66 defeat against the Creighton Bluejays.
This was not what UConn had in mind for their first game since being the unanimous No. 1 in the AP poll for the first time in team history. Omaha, Nebraska continues to be the the Huskies’ house of horrors as they will once again have to wait until next season to get their first win there. Two notable game notes – this was the first time Creighton has ever beaten a team ranked No. 1 in the AP poll and this was UConn’s 21st consecutive road loss against a ranked AP team on the road.
The game was tight during the first half with the Huskies and Jays even 21 to 21 with 8:34 remaining, until Creighton blitzed UConn with an 18-2 run over the span of five minutes to maintain a big double figure lead that would never be surrendered.
Credit to UConn for cutting the lead to 10 with 4:40 remaining in the second half, however, this was the closest the game would ever get in the second half and Creighton ended up with the win 85-66.
Steven Ashworth showed why he was so coveted in the portal hitting five massive three-point shots and was a huge reason why Creighton was able to build their lead to as high as they did. The two-time Big East defensive player of the year, Ryan Kalkbrenner, lived up to his name with four blocks and anchored a defense that held a high-flying UConn offense to just 66 points.
Takeaway #1: Anything can happen in college basketball
Tuesday night in Omaha was just another example of why teams should never get complacent in college basketball. UConn basketball looked like an unbeatable team, smashing No. 4 Marquette at home by 28 points, only to turn around the next game and get embarrassed by 19 points on the road to No. 15 Creighton.
The unpredictability of the sport and the amazing home atmospheres are why we all love college basketball so much. Creighton has an outstanding home crowd and showed why they have one of the toughest venues to travel to in the Big East. Whether a ranked team at home should storm the court will always be a debate amongst fans, I’ll leave that one for the internet.
THIS IS OMAHA pic.twitter.com/cwI4UBgAcE
— Creighton Men’s Basketball (@BluejayMBB) February 21, 2024
Takeaway #2: Bluejays flying high at the right time
Just a year removed from an elite eight run that ended on a last-second loss, many had Creighton getting back there in their preseason predictions. Early season losses to Colorado State and UNLV had many people doubting this team, however, these losses aren’t as surprising in hindsight after how great the Mountain West has been this season. The Bluejays are peaking at the right time, having now won seven of their last nine conference games- both losses being Big East classics including a thrilling loss in OT at Providence and a 99 to 98 loss in a shootout against Butler.
Creighton has all the ingredients again for another deep run in March. Steven Ashworth has been on an absolute tear and the Bluejays can shoot as well as any team in the nation. They hit 14 three-point shots against UConn and limited the Huskies to just three of their own. If they can do that consistently they are going to be a tough out in March.
Takeaway #3: Tristen Newton is that guy
In a game where nothing seemed to go right for UConn, Tristen Newton shined once again. He led the way for UConn with an impressive 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists and was, at times, the only sliver of offense UConn had. He has shown the ability to take over games, a-la the 2023 National Championship. But this has now become a trend. He scored his season-high 31 points at Allen Fieldhouse and almost willed the Huskies to a victory in the toughest arena in the sport. When the lights are brightest, Newton always seems to shine, the biggest question for UConn basketball will be who else will join him?
Here’s my biggest takeaway if I’m UConn: Once again, Tristen Newton is showing he can take over on a night when nothing else is working. It probably isn’t going to lead to a win in Omaha, but there’s going to be a night in March where UConn needs that.
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) February 21, 2024
Next game for UConn: vs. Villanova (Feb. 24 – 8 p.m.)
Next game for Creighton: at St. John’s (Feb. 25 – Noon)