Xavier Basketball Faces UConn in Big East Tournament Quarterfinals
Xavier basketball is preparing to face the UConn Huskies in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals on March 12, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET.
Xavier enters the matchup as the No. 10 seed with a record of 15-17, including 6-14 in the Big East. They advanced to the quarterfinals after a thrilling 89-87 victory over Marquette in the first round. In contrast, UConn, the No. 2 seed, boasts an impressive record of 27-4, with a 17-3 mark in the conference, and received a bye in the first round.
Historically, Xavier has performed well in the Big East Tournament, holding a 7-2 record in quarterfinals. This season, they have set a school record by making 300 three-pointers and lead the Big East with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.78. UConn, ranked No. 6 in the latest Associated Press Poll, has maintained a strong presence in the tournament, winning in the quarterfinals every year since rejoining the Big East.
Despite their strong season, UConn will be without Jaylin Stewart, who is sidelined due to right knee inflammation. UConn head coach Dan Hurley expressed optimism, stating, “Jaylin would be available for that game… so it gives us a little more time to work on a couple of different lineups.”
Xavier head coach Richard Pitino acknowledged the challenge posed by UConn, saying, “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.” He also emphasized the need for a different approach in this matchup, stating, “We’re going to do the total opposite of what we did the first two times in everything that we do.”
The two teams have met only once in the tournament, with UConn emerging victorious in their previous encounter in 2024. As the Musketeers prepare for this critical game, they will aim to leverage their recent momentum and historical success in the tournament.
With both teams having much at stake, the upcoming clash promises to be an exciting matchup in the Big East Tournament. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Xavier basketball will perform against a formidable UConn squad.
