Big East Basketball: Late game heroics from RJ Cole leads UConn over Villanova
On an otherwise boring night in college basketball, UConn and Villanova went to the wire. And despite not having their head coach, the Huskies prevailed.
The UConn Huskies beat the Villanova Wildcats 71-69. The Huskies were led by Adama Sanogo. Sanogo had 20 points on 57 percent shooting. The Wildcats were led by Collin Gillespie. Gillespie had 17 points on 44 percent shooting from the floor.
It seemed like Villanova had this game late. The Wildcats were up by four with 26 seconds left. Tyler Polley made an unbelievable three to make it a one-point game. Uconn was able to play great defense on the next possession to force a turnover on the Inbound.
On the next possession, the Huskies were able to get R.J Cole alone on one side of the floor. Uconn got the ball to Cole who then drove to the basket to make the game-winning layup. Cole drew a controversial charge on the other end of the floor. Andre Jackson made a free throw to end the game and Uconn came out with the win.
The Wildcats came into this game with a clear shot at the Big East regular-season title. After beating Providence, the Wildcats just needed to win at Uconn and Providence (again). Villanova was the betting favorite to come out with the Big East Title before this game.
With the loss, Providence just needs to beat Xavier and Creighton for the Big East regular-season title. Although Xavier and Creighton are solid teams, they are not on the Friars’ level. It looks like Ed Cooley will win Providence its first-ever Big East regular-season title.
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If the Huskies can care of Georgetown on Sunday, they will most likely be ranked top 15 in next week’s AP Poll. That is the first time they will be in the top 15 since the 2013-14 season. If the Huskies can take care of their three remaining games this season, they should be in the discussion for a 3 seed or higher. All of their remaining three games are very winnable.