HARTFORD, Conn. — UConn fans lined up outside Hartford’s XL Center, some as early as seven hours before tip-off, eager to watch the men’s basketball team take on Big East rival Villanova on Wednesday. In another game where the program’s identity was tested, the Huskies made shots in key moments and satisfied its deafening crowd with a tightly contested 74-66 victory.
It is just the second time UConn (14-0) beat Villanova in eight contests since the 2014 NCAA Tournament Round of 32.
Jordan Hawkins, who scored UConn’s first points three minutes in from the free-throw line and finished with a team-high 22 points, converted on a spectacular 3-pointer while being fouled and made the bonus free throw to give the Huskies some breathing room, 16-12.
