It was a thriller between the UConn Huskies and Villanova Wildcats on Saturday in the Big East.

Villanova took No. 2 UConn to the brink, but couldn’t close in an overtime loss.

A pair of Big East rivals that have collected their fair share of titles over the last decade meet up on Saturday, Jan. 24 at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, Conn. where the Villanova Wildcats are visiting the No. 2 UConn Huskies.

Lately, it hasn’t been pretty for the Huskies, but they're earning victories in the final minutes of games. UConn is 9-0 in Big East play after Saturday’s OT win.

Villanova guard Bryce Lindsay (2) shoots as UConn forward Alex Karaban defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Solo Ball had 24 points, including a key 3-pointer in overtime, and Alex Karaban had all of his 17 after halftime as No. 2 UConn beat Villanova 75-67 on Saturday. Silas Demary Jr.

A 22-point deficit heading into the final quarter was just too much. In the end, Villanova found themselves on the tail end of a 71-58 final against St. John’s on Saturday in New York City. For St. John’s,

The UConn men’s basketball team trailed Villanova with two minutes left in overtime on Saturday when Solo Ball shook Devin Askew off to the side and pulled up for three from a few feet beyond the arc.