Tuesday night, the basketball universe witnessed an absolute banger between the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies and the Florida Gators in Madison Square Garden. The Jimmy V Classic matchup featured the last two NCAA champions: the defending champs, the Gators, attempted to make a meal out of the Huskies.

The Jimmy V Classic is an annual event featuring games between top basketball teams, whose purpose is to raise money and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The V Foundation was created by legendary college basketball coach Jim Valvano, who sadly lost his battle with cancer in 1993 at the age of 47.

Opening Tip-off

The fifth-ranked Huskies rolled into MSG, or “Gampel South” as it is often called due to UConn‘s success in New York’s basketball Mecca, to fend off the 18th-ranked Gators. Following a heartbreaking loss to Arizona on November 19, UConn had won four straight entering the game and hoped to hand Florida its fourth loss of the season.

UConn’s starting center, Tarris Reed Jr., returned from an ankle injury and came into the game strong, scoring on the opening possession with a jumper. Reed Jr would then make a layup as he scored the first four points of the game. He would tally 12 points on the night, in addition to five rebounds. Alex Karaban would sink a three-pointer, giving the Huskies an early 7-2 lead.

UConn would jump out to an early 11-6 lead, but soon enough, Florida would take control and go on a 12-0 scoring run. Things could’ve gotten ugly for the Huskies until guard Solo Ball made a jump shot to end their scoreless drought. An 8-0 run by UConn was capped off by a key basket by Karaban and three-pointers by Jaylin Stewart and Ball brought the Huskies back as they recaptured the lead, 21-20.

Florida’s point guard Xaivian Lee (almost) single-handedly kept the Gators in the game, scoring 13 points and dishing out two assists in the first half. UConn was able to keep him contained in the second half, where he was held to only six points. He finished the game with 19 points, five assists, and six rebounds.

Halftime

At halftime, UConn held a 39-32 lead. The Gators came out hungry, going on a 7-0 run and gaining their first lead of the second half, 49-46, causing the Huskies to regroup during a timeout. Bronx-native, Malachi Smith would make a step-back jumper, allowing UConn to regain the lead, 52-51. Smith would dish out nine assists, to go with his five points.

Both teams would trade baskets, and the lead flip-flopped. Big East Freshman of the Week, Braylon Mullins, hit a lead-stealing jumper, which swung the momentum in the Huskies’ favor. Karaban came up with a big shot block, as he seemingly has done all season, which he followed with a three-pointer, giving Connecticut a four-point advantage, 59-55.

After a Gators timeout, Ball hit his third triple of the night. Before Florida could catch their breath, Smith would score on a fast break and extend UConn’s lead to eight, 66-58. The Gators used their final timeout with four and a half minutes left to play. I am not sure what was said in the huddle, but Florida cut the lead in half before another Karaban score extended the lead to 68-62.

The Gators cut the lead back down to three, but the Huskies’ stifling defense caused a costly turnover with 9.4 seconds left, forcing a five-second violation on an inbound pass. The Huskies shot ten free throws in the final minute of play, and the nail in the coffin came on a free throw by Ball, which sealed the fate of the struggling champions. UConn left the court with a hard-earned 77-73 win.

Both teams are back in action this weekend. #5 UConn (9-1) welcomes Texas (7-3) on Friday, 12/12 at 8:00 pm. #18 Florida (5-4) will host George Washington University (8-3) on Saturday, 12/13 at 2:30 pm. Following their game against the Longhorns, the Huskies have tough matchups against Big East rivals Butler (7-2) and DePaul (7-3). The Gators will look to get on track when they face St. Francis (2-8) and Colgate (6-5) over the next couple of weeks.

Hus-Keys to Victory

1. Despite the Gators’ rebounding edge (36 total, 13 offensive), UConn (23 rebounds, 3 offensive) managed to outscore Florida 7-6 on second-chance points.
2. UConn shot 50% from the floor, including 42.4% from downtown.
3. The Huskie reserves outscored the Gators’ bench 20-6.
4. UConn served up 18 assists on 29 made field goals. Smith led the way with nine.
5. The Huskies’ defense held the Gators to 42.4% shooting from the floor and a measly 26.7% from beyond the arc.

UConn Leaders

1. Solo Ball (G): 19 points, two assists, one rebound
2. Alex Karaban (F): 13 points, on assist, two rebounds
3. Tarris Reed Jr. (C): 12 points, two assists, five rebounds

Florida Leaders

1. Xaivian Lee (G): 19 points, five assists, six rebounds
2. Thomas Haugh (F): 18 points, one assist, two rebounds
3. Alex Condon (F): 14 points, four assists, nine rebounds