University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Seton Hall
Huskies Open BIG EAST Tournament Play Vs. Seton Hall
3/10/2022 12:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UConn Athletic Communications / March 10, 2022
NEW YORK – The UConn men's basketball team, seeded third in the BIG EAST Tournament, begins postseason play with a quarterfinal game against sixth-seeded Seton Hall on Thursday night at 9:30 at Madison Square Garden.
The No. 20/20 Huskies (22-8) come into the tournament with six wins in their last seven games and are facing an even hotter opponent, since Seton Hall (21-9) has won its last six straight, including a 57-53 victory on Wednesday night in the first round of the BIG EAST tourney. UConn had a bye through the first round.
UConn is led by three double-figure scorers – guard R.J. Cole (15.8) and forward Adama Sanogo (15.3), both of whom were First Team All-BIG EAST selections, and guard Tyrese Martin (13.4). Sanogo (8.6) and Martin (7.6) are also the team's top two rebounders and Cole leads the team in assists (4.1). The trio are joined in the usual starting lineup by forward Isaiah Whaley (7.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and guard Andre Jackson (6.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg).
Seton Hall is led by guard Jared Rhoden (16.2 ppg), also a First Team pick, and forward Alexis Yetna (8.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg).
The two teams split their regular-season series, with each team winning at home. Seton Hall captured a 90-87 decision in overtime on Jan. 8 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., while UConn got even, 70-65, on Feb. 16 at Gampel Pavilion. For the Huskies, Sanogo was a major factor in both games, with 18 points and 16 rebounds in the first meeting and 20 points and 16 rebounds in the second.
It is UConn's 35th appearance in the BIG EAST Tournament and the Huskies own a 37-27 all-time record in the tourney with seven championships. Last year, UConn's first year in the tourney since 2012, the Huskies posted a 1-1 mark, topping DePaul in the quarterfinals before bowing to Creighton in the semis.
The winner of tonight's game advances to the BIG EAST semifinals against the winner of Thursday's Villanova-St. John's contest. The semifinal is set for Friday night at 9 p.m. (FS1).
