Xavier Basketball Faces UConn in Big East Tournament Quarterfinals
Xavier basketball is set to face the UConn Huskies in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament on March 12, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 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 a 6-14 mark in the Big East. They advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Marquette 89-87 in a thrilling first-round game. In contrast, UConn, the No. 2 seed, boasts a strong record of 27-4 and a 17-3 record in conference play, 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, they have set a school record by making 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, winning in the quarterfinals every year since rejoining the Big East.
In their only previous tournament meeting, UConn emerged victorious against Xavier in 2024. UConn head coach Dan Hurley noted that Jaylin Stewart will miss the tournament due to right knee inflammation, which could impact their lineup strategy.
Xavier head coach Richard Pitino acknowledged UConn’s status as a championship program, stating, “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 emphasized the need for a different approach in this matchup, saying, “We’re going to do the total opposite of what we did the first two times in everything that we do.”
As the teams prepare for this critical game, both coaches are focused on their strategies and player performance. Xavier aims to leverage their strong assist game, currently second in the Big East and 16th nationally at 17.8 assists per game. UConn, with a historical advantage of 9-5 in their all-time series against Xavier, will look to maintain their dominance.
With the stakes high in this quarterfinal matchup, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the game unfolds. The outcome could significantly impact both teams’ trajectories as they aim for a deeper run in the tournament.
