Newark. N.J. – Seton Corridor (8-4) completed the unthinkable, taking down #5 Connecticut (10-2) of their Huge East residence opener 75-60. The final time UConn misplaced to an unranked opponent, coincidentally was towards Seton Corridor final January, going to the wire 67-66. The Corridor would acquire management of this one earlier, due to Kadary Richmond’s all-around sport, Jaden Bediako on the glass, and Dre Davis’s relentless paint assault following the harm and foul woes for star Huskies’ middle Donovan Clingan.
Clingan was probably the most important piece for UConn Wednesday night time. After lacking three pictures on his first possession, he’d go 7-of-9, scoring 14 factors within the paint, in a mere 14 minutes. Seton Corridor did all they may to disclaim him the ball however struggled to deal with Clingan’s unbelievable 7’2 body within the publish or on the offensive glass (5 offensive rebounds). UConn gave their massive man touches each journey down, swinging the ball continually in search of the publish entry cross. He led them to a 20-10 lead with 9 minutes left within the first half. On the finish of this stretch he’d irritate his left wrist guarding a backdown, which he already had taped up earlier than the sport. 
The Corridor started chipping away within the subsequent a number of minutes. Bediako was doing all he might within the paint for the Corridor, protecting them within the race with 5 factors and 7 rebounds within the half. They’d acquire management of the momentum after an and-1 end from Richmond, triggering the auto-sub by Coach Hurley following Clingan’s second foul. Richmond would rating seven straight and the Pirates would end the half on a 16-7 run taking the lead again with rim strain. The Prudential Heart was rocking into the second half.
Clingan would begin the following half the place he left off, getting the primary six factors for Connecticut. Then, on a Bediako offensive board, he wouldn’t solely foul Bediako, however appeared to roll his ankle badly. He wouldn’t return within the sport,and UConn had been misplaced with out his dominant paint presence on each ends. They went -22 within the sport with out him, as Alex Karaban, Tristen Newton, and Cam Spencer struggled to hold the offensive burden. Seton Corridor had the dimensions to defend on the perimeter and allowed little or no dribble penetration. The Huskies shot 4-of-21 from three, hitting just one the complete second half. It confirmed how dependent of the large man they actually had been.
With out Clingan to assist, UConn struggled to hold the defensive burden as nicely. Seton Corridor, not recognized for being a fringe group, noticed a weak goal now on the rim. Richmond and Davis bought to their spots within the paint simply, with the protection understanding their intent each time down. Dre Davis spared Karaban no mercy driving and posting him up a number of instances for baskets. Davis went on to complete with 17 factors on the night time, however it was Richmond who was the star of the night time.
Richmond displayed the entire bundle. UConn couldn’t cease him from getting downhill and creating house towards anyone they threw at him. All they may do was foul, as he’d draw six fouls, ending three and-1s together with his energy by contact and smooth contact across the rim. He was good on the line too, 7-of-7. He fueled the transition sport with unbelievable exercise on the defensive finish bagging eight steals and a block. His 6’9 wingspan brought about points all night time, and his instincts to be across the ball so steadily was a sight to see. He’d end with 22 factors, six rebounds, 5 assists and the eight steals.
UConn confirmed an absence of need and focus to compete on the highway as soon as their centerpiece Clingan went down. He gained’t at all times be obtainable with the character of his measurement and his drawing loads of contact within the publish. His standing for his or her subsequent sport Dec. twenty third towards St. John’s (8-3) stays unknown, however they might want to work out the way to create environment friendly offense with out him regardless.
That is the Pirates first win over a top-5 ranked opponent since 2021, at Michigan. The victory units an excellent precedent within the locker room for coach Shaheen Holloway, proving his group can compete with anybody if they will beat the reigning nationwide champs by double digits. Seton Corridor appears to take care of a high place within the Huge East convention desk hitting the highway Dec. twenty third as nicely towards Xavier (6-6).
This text was written by Justin Maldonado, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You may observe us on Fb, or on twitter.
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