Storrs, Connecticut – Connecticut scored 26 points at the first 8:22 of the game.
The Husky are threatening to escape from St. John's at the Revved-Up Gampel Pavilion as they have got the shot they wanted.
So Rick Pitino went to the press in his full court.
With the remaining 31:22, no. The 19 Husky managed just 36 points.
“Sometimes you get into the game with the way you play defense and that completely changes.” Win. “Once the game plan goes out the window as other teams tear it off.”
That decision changed the game.
The press contributed to forcing 22 UConn turnovers, leading to the point of 18 John.
When the pressure wasn't leading to Husky mistakes, it took time from the watch and less time to get high quality shots.
They were caught up in three shot clock violations, missing 17 of their final 20 three-point attempts, and the outstanding sophomore solo ball was blank after halftime.
“I felt they were shooting the ball too well, and what the press did for me for 40 years is that they're wearing people who don't shoot the ball on their legs,” Pitino said. I did. “It's always been a gift my team has. If we can wear their feet, they won't shoot it either. They're coming to us and they're just too easy. We were getting a shot. So I felt that the full court press took a bit of starch from their shots and spent a bit of time in the backcourt making us very aggressive.”
“We pushed more than usual, but that's because they were doing offensively early on.”
UCONN star freshman Liam McNeely came back from the bench due to a month's absence, with ankle sprain coming back to score 18 points in 29 minutes.
This marked St. John's first victory in front of Gampel Pavilion fans since 2000.
It was 1984-85 when Johnny last started 12-1 in Big East Play.
