The No. 21 Connecticut Huskies went on a 6-0 run in the final 21 seconds to take down the No. 8 Villanova Wildcats 71-69 on Tuesday night in Big East college hoops action.
The finish was bonkers, with UConn doing everything right — and having everything go right — in the final seconds.
With Villanova leading 69-65, UConn’s Tyler Polley nailed a three-pointer with 20.9 seconds remaining. On the ensuing play, Villanova star Collin Gillespie was tied up in the backcourt with 17.5 seconds remaining, resulting in a jump ball- possession arrow UConn.
No. 21 UConn stuns No. 8 Villanova in a crazy finish: a thread.
UConn trailed 69-65 when Tyler Polley nailed a three-pointer to make it a one-point game with 20.9 seconds remaining.
On the ensuing play, UConn tied up Collin Gillespie to force a jump ball (possession UConn). pic.twitter.com/2EAeSBJ5oU
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 23, 2022
The Huskies took advantage of the possession, with R.J. Cole driving for a go-ahead bucket with 5.9 seconds remaining.
UConn then took a 70-69 lead with this R.J. Cole bucket with 5.9 seconds remaining. pic.twitter.com/CYeEpy1vOo
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 23, 2022
That was followed by a controversial call, when a Gillespie drive to the basket was ruled an offensive foul with 1.1 seconds remaining. “Block or charge?” remains the hardest call in basketball.
Villanova star Collin Gillespie thought he drew a shooting foul 1.1 seconds remaining, but it was ruled an offensive foul.
Here’s how the play looked live on the FS1 broadcast, with the replay angles to follow: pic.twitter.com/G1GIZtTTZ8
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 23, 2022
Villanova star Collin Gillespie thought he drew a shooting foul 1.1 seconds remaining, but it was ruled an offensive foul.
Here’s how the play looked live on the FS1 broadcast, with the replay angles to follow: pic.twitter.com/G1GIZtTTZ8
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 23, 2022
UConn fans rushed the floor after the final buzzer of a big 71-69 win.
Villanova star Collin Gillespie thought he drew a shooting foul 1.1 seconds remaining, but it was ruled an offensive foul.
Here’s how the play looked live on the FS1 broadcast, with the replay angles to follow: pic.twitter.com/G1GIZtTTZ8
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 23, 2022
It’s UConn’s first win over Villanova since the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
This all happened after UConn head coach Danny Hurley was ejected in the first half for a comical reason.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.