UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, Creighton stunned No. 5 UConn with a 91-84 victory on February 15, 2023, marking UConn’s first conference home loss this season. The Bluejays, who were a staggering 15.5-point underdog at DraftKings Sportsbook, delivered a crushing blow during a night that was supposed to honor former star Emeka Okafor with his jersey retirement.
Josh Dix shone in the second half, scoring 13 of his 21 points, while Nik Graves added 18 points to lead Creighton (14-13, 8-8 Big East) to this historic win. Creighton coach Greg McDermott made history by becoming the first coach to defeat a Dan Hurley-led team four times on the road, solidifying this upset as a significant milestone.
The loss is particularly devastating for UConn (24-2, 14-2), as they had a strong start, leading by seven points early in the second half. However, the Huskies struggled offensively, shooting just 34% in that half. Braylon Mullins was the standout for UConn, scoring 25 points, while Silas Demary Jr. contributed 17 points and nine assists. Tarris Reed Jr. and Fedor Zugic added vital contributions, but it wasn’t enough.
The game turned dramatically when UConn missed 10 of their next 11 shots during Creighton’s critical 14-2 run, allowing the Bluejays to surge ahead. Creighton’s performance at the foul line also played a crucial role, outscoring UConn 27-11 in free throws, a stat that proved pivotal in the outcome.
The atmosphere was electric as UConn honored Okafor, the third player in the program’s history to have his number retired, joining legends Ray Allen and Richard Hamilton. The ceremony took place at halftime, adding an emotional layer to the night that was ultimately overshadowed by Creighton’s upset.
This victory marks Creighton’s first road win against an AP top-five opponent since their triumph at Villanova in January 2014, according to ESPN Research. The Bluejays are now poised to capitalize on this momentum as they head deeper into the season.
WHAT’S NEXT: Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how UConn rebounds from this setback. With their next game approaching, the Huskies must regroup to maintain their standing in the highly competitive Big East conference. As for Creighton, this win could be a turning point, boosting their confidence as they aim for postseason play.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the implications of this game ripple through the college basketball landscape.
