The final score will be much closer than this game let on, but UConn has defeated Villanova, 73-63. A balanced scoring effort and stifling defense for most of the second half got it done, but I can’t imagine Hurley will be thrilled with letting a 21-point lead get cut in half.

Four fouls on Tarris right before the U4. Driscoll rung him up for a charge, and it was the right call. Down the stretch they come now, with UConn taking a 67-48 lead into the final 3:44.

Stewart is doing more than just the two threes. He just keyed UConn’s last push in transition, sending the Huskies to the U8 up 15 on Villanova. The visitors are in control with 6:36 still to sort out, holding a 61-46 advantage on the Wildcats.

Three on Tarris. Both teams are now shooting the rest of the way.

Four fouls on Braylon Mullins.

Willard just called his last timeout. There’s still 10:21 remaining in regulation, but #UConn has gotten Villanova disjointed coming out of halftime. The Husky lead is up to 15 now, a 56-41 margin on the Wildcats.

And Willard burned another timeout not even two minutes later. The UConn run is up to 13-2 since the intermission.

Another Big Red chant ensued after the timeout, for those of you scoring at home.

Solo was pure from dead center, and splashed it to extend #UConn’s run out of the locker room to 10-2. It also launched Kevin into a 30 to try and regain some semblance of order on the Villanova sideline. That’s where it stands at the 16:33 mark, with the Huskies up 10, 44-34.

Braylon Mullins now has THREE fouls for #UConn.

Commissioner Jay was just honored as part of Villanova’s newly-inducted hall of fame class.

That was an excellent first half, all things considered. #UConn hasn’t always had answers for Perkins or Lewis, but has managed to shut everyone else down for the most part and Reibe’s help defense has been exceptional. After 20, it’s the Huskies 34, and Villanova 32.

That might be the first time I’ve seen Matt Hodge miss a corner three. That shot is so automatic every time.

Villanova is on a 12-4 run, and Hurley wants a timeout after UConn’s seventh turnover. Five of those giveaways have come against Demary, who is having a hard time with pressure once again. The Wildcats are up three with 4:29 remaining before halftime, 30-27. #NovaNation #GoNova

Two fouls on Tarris.

Kris Jenkins just got a warm hand from everyone here. I think I’ve finally made my peace with that shot a decade later.

Karaban just put #UConn back in front not too long ago, and the defense is picking up on both sides with 7:56 still to get through in this first half. The Huskies have made their last four shots, but Villanova is staying within reach, only trailing by a 25-23 tally.

Not sure if or how it came out on the broadcast, but there was a Big Red chant next to us on press row from a handful of #UConn fans who made the trip down.

Both teams played their second units for a decent amount in that last segment, and Jayden Ross had outstanding defense on Devin Askew, with Eric Reibe playing good help D late. It’s #UConn 23, and Villanova 18 after a Willard timeout with 10:21 remaining in the opening stanza.

The first 6:16 of this game might be the best opening sequence I’ve seen in 70 games so far this season. It ended with a 15-14 #UConn lead. Every Husky has scored so far after Perkins got the first eight for Villanova, and the first foul of the night was just called.

Off and running in the beautiful city of Philadelphia before a capacity crowd of 20,000-plus. Perkins wasted little time getting Villanova on the board, while a Demary drive fell just off the mark. Away we go 54 seconds in. #UConn #NovaNation

Both sides have their usual starters, as expected: UConn — Silas Demary, Jr., Solo Ball, Braylon Mullins, Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed, Jr. Villanova — Acaden Lewis, Bryce Lindsay, Tyler Perkins, Matt Hodge and Duke Brennan.

The two teams I’ve seen most often this season, fittingly in my favorite city tonight. Game #70 is a big one in the Big East, as Villanova welcomes No. 5 UConn to the sports complex.

Iona needed it. The Gaels GOT IT. And with Mount St. Mary’s defeating Niagara, Dan Geriot is headed to the MAAC tournament in his first year as head coach, thanks to a 72-64 overtime win over Saint Peter’s. #MAACHoops

Both teams started overtime in the right direction. Happy Friday, Karl Hess. @anonymouseagle.bsky.social

CJ Anthony had an excellent look for the win just off dead center, and it hit the back rim. Saint Peter’s picked up the rebound, and we’re getting five more minutes here, at the very least. To overtime we go, deadlocked at 61. #MAACHoops

First time at Draddy since the death of Manhattan and MAAC legend of Ronnie Weintraub. Not the same without him, sadly. @dalydoseofhoops.bsky.social

Off and running in New Rochelle, where Williamson missed a turnaround hook shot off the tip for Saint Peter’s. Akametu’s runner at the other end rimmed out, and an Eaton floater just broke the seal. #MAACHoops

Back home on a Friday night. Iona needs a win and a Niagara loss to clinch a #MAACHoops tournament berth. The Gaels will try to take care of the former tonight against Saint Peter’s. Game #69 for those of you scoring at home.

Albany put on arguably the best second half of the America East season, ending NJIT’s six-game win streak in the process. The Great Danes dominated after halftime, outscoring NJIT by a commanding 49-21 margin to knock off the Highlanders, 81-63. UMBC now leads the America East.

BREAKING: NJIT’s field goal drought. The Highlanders just made a shot from the floor for the first time since the 13:49 mark, but by this time, the damage may have already been done. Albany was on a 26-3 run before that, and still has a 76-60 lead with 3.54 to go. #AEHoops

That was a phenomenal close to the half by NJIT, who got serious over the last six minutes and started driving away from Albany once Robinson and Fulton started making plays with and without the ball. After 20 in Newark, the Highlanders hold a 42-32 advantage. #RollTech #AEHoops

Off and running on the corner of Warren and Lock, where Albany worked the shot clock to perfection and got a dunk as it expired, only for Ari Fulton to answer on the ensuing possession for NJIT. Grant Billmeier’s 2-3 zone is stifling the Great Danes in the early going. #RollTech

Definitely going to keep an eye on this one since I’m in Newark and Vermont is down here on Saturday.

NEWARK, N.J. — Let’s see if I remember how to do this after a week off. Back in the saddle for game #68, and something I’m very happy to see: America East-leading NJIT. The best-kept secret in the Garden State hosts Albany tonight. #RollTech #AEHoops

Miami 86, UMass 77 final. WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW and oh

Golden Bally coming out of retirement for one night only to see the 25-0 RedHawks. Last time I saw a ranked team here, the world ended a couple weeks later, so let's not do that again.

Seton Hall lives to fight another day, sweeping Providence and walking away with an 87-80 win. Budd Clark’s latest masterpiece involves 31 points and eight assists as the Pirates improve to 17-8, and 7-7 in Big East play. Three big ones await, starting Sunday at Butler.

“Change your barber” chant from Seton Hall fans to Duncan Powell. #pcbb

They’re going down the stretch in Newark, and Seton Hall is 3:28 away from picking up a much-needed win. All the Pirates have to do is protect the 75-69 cushion they currently enjoy, and get Budd Clark to the finish line before he picks up a fifth foul. #shbb #HALLin

Budd just picked up his fourth, and that may not have been the most popular call from Tim Smith if the fans here have anything to say about it. #shbb #HALLin

Seton Hall has completely flipped this game going to the U8. Budd turned it on its head in that last segment, and he has 20 points with seven assists as the Providence shooting has finally cooled off. At the 7:47 mark: Pirates 67, Friars 63. #shbb #HALLin

Budd, for the lead. Kim wants a 30 at the other end, and gets one to the strains of Onward Setonia. Clark has 18, and with 12:15 on the clock, the Pirates have their first advantage of the night, at 57-55. #shbb #HALLin

Find someone who loves you the way Budd Clark loves taking and making tough twos. #shbb #HALLin

Three on Budd, but Sha isn’t taking him out. #shbb #HALLin

Seton Hall will have a chance to take the lead a forcing a 5-second call going into the U16. That came after a Tajuan Simpkins corner triple to pull the Pirates within two. This remaining 15:50 feels like it could be an eternity, with Providence clinging to a 51-49 edge here.

Kim English just got a technical. Evon Burroughs pulled the trigger after Kim went apeshit on a no-call following contact on Vaaks shooting a three. #pcbb

Seton Hall stole most of that last stretch with Clark on the bench, and then Fisher committed the cardinal sin on Powell right before the horn. He hit two of three, and after 20, Providence is taking a 43-39 lead to the locker room. #pcbb #shbb #HALLin

Seton Hall is down four with 3:52 remaining before halftime, 36-32. The score and pace isn’t exactly where the Pirates would probably want it, but the defense has slowly started coming back around. Budd just has to get through this last stretch without picking up his third foul.

Two fouls for Budd. Not ideal, but Sha lets him play on. #shbb #HALLin