Creighton upsets UConn at home 68-63 as the defending champions falter
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Before the season began, if you asked people in Big East Conference media what the biggest game of the season might be, many would point to either of the two matchups between UConn and Creighton. Coming off back-to-back titles, the UConn Huskies were tabbed as the top team in the conference - in spite of all the players they lost to the NBA.
![[After struggling to start the season, coach Greg McDermott's Bluejays are righting the ship]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/18/19/94245089-14300101-image-a-2_1737227870705.jpg)
Just behind them were the Bluejays of Creighton - a team anchored by a monstrous presence in the paint and featuring shooters and playmakers around the perimeter. Unfortunately, both teams have struggled throughout the season, meaning that prior to this afternoon, neither team was exactly meeting their lofty expectations.
![[Creighton relies heavily on the paint presence of 7-foot center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/18/19/94246253-14300101-image-a-5_1737228258481.jpg)
But in a sport like college basketball, even teams that are punching below their weight are able to provide fireworks. A back-and-forth affair resulted in a tighter result than expected - with Creighton shocking the defending champions at their home of Gampel Pavilion. It's their first defeat at Gampel since January 2023 and will cause many to wonder if a three-peat is a long shot for the Huskies.
![[Steven Ashworth (1) has also been a reliable, but occasionally inefficient, shooting guard]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/18/19/94246255-14300101-image-a-6_1737228262015.jpg)
Jamiya Neal (5) of Creighton dribbles into the paint against Jaylin Stewart (3) of UConn. These teams began the season one and two in the Big East’s preseason coaches poll. The expectation was that these two teams would be at the top of the college basketball world and would easily walk into spots in March Madness.
![[Connecticut coach Dan Hurley reacts during a game against Creighton on Saturday]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/18/19/94245091-14300101-image-a-3_1737227943396.jpg)
