No. 15 St. John's misses 24 straight shots to end blowout loss to No. 6 UConn in historic defeat for Rick Pitino

No. 6 UConn had no issue getting past Rick Pitino and No. 15 St. John's whatsoever Wednesday night. But St. John's shut down offensively in the second half in a way that no Pitino team ever had before.

The Red Storm made just two field goals and managed only 14 total points in the second half in a 72-40 loss at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford. It marked the team's fewest points scored in a game since 2013 and was easily the most lopsided loss of the Pitino era. It was the fewest points a Pitino-led team had ever scored. The longtime head coach, who has been in the sport for five decades, had a previous low of 43 points when he was with Boston University in 1981,according to CBS Sports' Matt Norlander.

To make the second half worse, both of St. John's made field goals came quickly after the break. Zuby Ejiofor hit a 3-pointer about 90 seconds into the second period, and then he made a layup about a minute later. That was it.

The Red Storm missed 24 straight shots to end the game over the next 17:28. UConn ended up outscoring St. John's 31-14 in the second half to cruise to the 32-point win. That stretch of 24 missed field-goal attempts is the longest streak of missed FGs by a ranked team and a Big East team in the past eight seasons, and the longest streak by any Division I team since 2022,according to ESPN.

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"That's probably only happened to me two times in my career ... It's all on me," Pitino said. "I'm very disappointed."

Joson Sanon led St. John's with 10 points and was the only Red Storm player to hit double figures. The Red Storm went 11-of-56 from the floor and 5-of-20 from behind the arc. The loss, which snapped a 13-game win streak, moved the Red Storm to 22-6 on the year.

Pitino didn't really have any answers after the game, either. He seemed just as confused as everybody else.

"I don't know what it is, all I know is we didn't play good offense," Pitino said. "We did things that we've never done. Again, it's something I have to question about myself and I will question it because the team did not do the things we've done in the last 13 games."

Tarris Reed Jr. led UConn with 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Alex Karaban added 14 points. Solo Ball finished with 11 points. The Huskies shot 47% from the field. UConn (26-3) reclaimed the lead in the Big East from St. John's after a bad loss to Creighton last week opened the door in the conference standings.

St. John's completely failed to take advantage of the opportunity to put some space between itself and UConn with three games left in the regular season. Now, with UConn back in the lead, St. John's will have to be perfect and get some help in order to claim a second straight regular-season title.

That starts Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

"We'll get ready for Villanova. We're still playing for a league championship," Pitino said. "It doesn't matter whether you lose by one or 40, the league championship is still at stake. Obviously, we have to make our corrections and move on."

byDaniel Coleman

in

February 26, 2026

No. 15 St. John's misses 24 straight shots to end blowout loss to No. 6 UConn in historic defeat for Rick Pitino

No. 6 UConn had no issue getting past Rick Pitino and No. 15 St. John's whatsoever Wednesday night. But St. John'...

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March Madness predictions: 13 teams who can win men's tournament

March Madnessis quickly approaching, with themen's college basketballregular season coming to a close in the coming weeks. A few teams are starting to pull ahead as national championship favorites.

Eight of the last nine national champions have been No. 1 seeds in theNCAA tournament,with the lone exception being UConn in 2023, as the Huskies were a No. 4 seed. Of course, UConn repeated as national champions in 2024. Coincidentally enough, the last team lower than a No. 4 seed to win a title was also UConn, when it won as a No. 7 seed in 2014.

BRACKETOLOGY:NCAA tournament prediction has another shakeup

That said, math favors the NCAA tournament champion being a team that dominated the regular season, which makes plenty of sense.

Here's a look atUSA TODAY Sportspredictions for which teams can win a national championship this season:

March Madness predictions 2026: Who can win a national championship?

Michigan

It only took Dusty May two seasons as head coach to turn Michigan into a national championship contender, as the Wolverines are 26-2 this season with wins over Gonzaga, Purdue and Michigan State, which all also appear on this list.

Michigan is the only team in the country ranked inside the top five of both KenPom's offensive and defensive adjusted efficiency, ranking No. 5 and No. 2 in the metrics, respectively. UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg is one of the best all-around players in the country, averaging 14.2 points with 7.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game on 49.6% shooting.

Michigan belongs at the top, or at least very close to it, among the national championship favorites this season.

Duke

Duke has been the best defensive team in the country this season per KenPom, and also has one of, if not the frontrunner for national player of the year in Cameron Boozer.

Boozer, who's averaging 22.7 points with 10.7 rebounds and four assists per game on 58.3% shooting this season, has had a Cooper Flagg-like impact on the Blue Devils.The surefire top-five pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draftwas tremendous inDuke's win over Michiganon Feb. 21, scoring 18 points with 10 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in the win.

Duke isn't quite as loaded as it was last season with top-three NBA picks Flagg and Kon Knueppel, but the Blue Devils are more than capable of winning a title.

Arizona

Fifth-year coach Tommy Lloyd, a former Mark Few assistant at Gonzaga, has reloaded Arizona this season after the Wildcats lost four starters from 2025's Sweet 16 team.

Arizona is young, with three true freshmen starters. The Wildcats are led by Brayden Burries and Koa Peat, who are averaging 15.5 and 13.8 points per game this season. Fellow true freshman Ivan Kharchenkov is also averaging 10.1 points this season.

Arizona ranks eighth in KenPom's adjusted offensive efficiency and third in adjusted defensive efficiency while playing in the Big 12, likely the best conference in college basketball this season. It has three wins over top-10 ranked teams – Florida, UConn and Houston – and looks like one of the best Final Four bets in 2026.

Florida

Reigning national champion Florida lost its three starting guards from last season's team – March Madness hero Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin and Will Richard. However, the Gators' frontcourt trio of Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu all returned, and form perhaps the best group of big men in the country.

Haugh, Condon and Chinyelu are averaging 17.3, 14 and 11.5 points per game this season, respectively. They're also averaging a combined 26 rebounds per game, and Chinyelu leads all players nationally with 11.6 boards per contest.

The guard play has been suspect at times this season, but the Gators are rolling as of late with a 12-2 record in conference play. Florida could go as far as starting guards Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee take them, or its frontcourt could continue dominating and make their shaky play not even matter.

Houston

Houston is amid a 3-game losing streak, a rarity under legendary coach Kelvin Sampson, one of the best to never win a national title. The Cougars are coming off a national championship runner-up finish in 2025.

Houston boasts one of the most dynamic guards nationally in true freshman Kingston Flemings, who paces the offense with 16.6 points and 5.1 assists per game. Flemings, paired with returning starters Milos Uzan, Emanuel Sharp and Joseph Tugler, makes for a lineup with loads of experience.

The Cougars rank 15th in adjusted offensive efficiency and eighth in adjusted defensive efficiency, which is still elite but worse than their usual standards. Houston is still one of the strongest bets to reach the Final Four, which it has done twice since 2020.

Illinois

Illinois has scored better than anyone in college basketball this season, with all five starters averaging in double digits while ranking No. 1 in adjusted offensive efficiency. True freshman Keaton Wagler has been a great surprise for the Fighting Illini, raising their ceiling by averaging 18.2 points with 5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 42% from 3-point range.

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Illinois' defense is the worst among KenPom's top-15 ranked teams, which could pose a threat come NCAA tournament time. Still, their transfer-heavy lineup could have enough firepower to make a run to a national title.

Purdue

The preseason No. 1-ranked team hasn't been quite as good as expected, but is still a top national championship contender.

Purdue's backcourt of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer have likely more experience than anyone in college basketball, as the four-year starters have been together since 2022-23. Smith, one of the best playmakers in the sport, is averaging 8.7 assists per game and paces an offense that ranks second nationally per KenPom.

Trey Kaufman-Renn, who led the team averaging 20.1 points per game last season, has taken a step back in 2025-26 averaging 13.3 points per contest. His emergence in March could be an X-Factor for the Boilermakers, and he could be heating up, with 27 and 20 points in his last two outings.

Michigan State

Never count out Tom Izzo in March Madness. The legendary coach hasn't won a national title since 2000, but has six Final Four appearance since and has an experienced roster in 2026.

Multi-year starters Jeremy Fears Jr. (15 points and 9.2 assists per game) and Jaxon Kohler (12.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game) lead the way for the Spartans. Returning contributors Coen Carr and Carson Cooper have emerged as starters in 2026 and both average in the double figures.

The Spartans lack a go-to scorer and could win a title if their offense gets hot.

Iowa State

Iowa State has been one of the Big 12's top programs for a few years now, but doesn't have much NCAA tournament success to show for it, with only a pair of Sweet 16 appearances since T.J. Otzelberger took over in 2021.

The Cyclones were bounced in the Round of 32 last season, despite having a veteran roster. They also have an experienced group this season, and are looking to avoid that same fate this season.

Iowa State is led by a trio of multi-year starters in Milan Momcilovic, Joshua Jefferson and Tamin Lipsey, who are averaging 17.4, 16.6 and 13 points per game this season, respectively. The Cyclones can shoot and defend, which is a recipe for success in March.

Kansas

Kansas has been solid without star freshman Darryn Peterson this season, even taking down Arizona without the projected No. 1 overall pick. Still, the Jayhawks' ceiling is highest when Peterson is at his best.

Peterson is averaging 19.5 points per game this season while shooting 40.5% from 3-point range but has missed 11 games. If he can stay on the court, the Jayhawks are a true national title threat.

UConn

UConn is back to college basketball elite status this season after being a bubble team in 2025. The Huskies have won two national titles under Dan Hurley, and he has another squad capable of winning a championship in 2026.

UConn has three returning starters in Solo Ball, Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban, a four-year starter for the Huskies. UConn added true freshman Braylon Mullins and Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr. to its backcourt, with both additions providing a huge boost to last season's core.

The Huskies haven't been tested much in Big East play, but have nonconference wins over Illinois and Florida. They rank No. 12 in KenPom's overall adjusted efficiency ratings.

Gonzaga

Gonzaga has one win this season over a currently ranked team (Alabama), and has dominated WCC play, per usual, which makes it hard to know just how good the Bulldogs are opposed to other seasons.

Gonzaga's frontcourt duo of Graham Ike and Braden Huff is stellar, as the duo is averaging 19.9 and 17.8 points per game this season, respectively. Outside shooting could be a problem in March Madness, though.

Arkansas

Arkansas surprised many last season when it reached the Sweet 16 despite being a bubble team for most of the season under John Calipari. The Razorbacks likely won't be a top-three seed in the NCAA tournament, but maybe is a sleeper national title team.

True freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. is one of the best players in the country, averaging 22.2 points with 6.2 assists per game this season, and scored 49 points in an overtime loss to Alabama on Feb. 18.

Arkansas ranks fourth nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency and is capable of getting hot and making a run.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:March Madness predictions: Teams that can win 2026 NCAA tournament

byDaniel Coleman

in

February 26, 2026

March Madness predictions: 13 teams who can win men's tournament

March Madnessis quickly approaching, with themen's college basketballregular season coming to a close in the coming w...

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Top 5 performances by Connor Hellebuyck, USA hockey hero and NHL goalie

Connor Hellebuyck, the primary reasonTeam USA broke its 46-year Olympic men's hockey gold medal drought, forever dispelled his previous tag of not being a big-game goaltender.

The three-time Vezina Trophy recipient and reigning Hart Trophy winner, proved to everyone why he's so decorated and in need of a larger trophy cabinet. U.S. President Donald Trump even said on Tuesdayhe will award Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Let's dive into Hellebuyck's five best performances, three of which came from his first trip to the NHL playoffs. Nobody will be surprised to see which is cemented in the No. 1 spot.

And I doubt he'll ever top the performance we witnessed to culminate the2026 Milano Cortina Games.

Members of the US Men's Olympic hockey team are recogized by US President Donald Trump as he delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Feb. 24, 2026.

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See US men's hockey players honored by Trump at State of the Union

Members of the US Men's Olympic hockey team are recogized byUS President Donald Trumpas he delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Feb. 24, 2026.

Connor Hellebuyck's top 5 performances

5. 2017-18 playoffs (Game 4, first round)

Hellebuyck has five shutouts in 58 playoff games, two of which occurred in consecutive games in the first round of the 2017-18 postseason against the Minnesota Wild.

Hellebuyck made the identical number of saves in Games 4 and 5, with 30 each. Due to playing on the road with the series still hanging in the balance (2-1 Jets), his Game 4 performance was marginally better.

The Jets won 2-0, leading to their Game 5 series clincher at home.

4. 2017-18 playoffs (Game 1, second round)

Playing in Nashville, one of the most inhospitable playoff environments, the Jets faced a daunting task against No. 1 seed Nashville in Game 1.

Hellebuyck made the 4-1 upset appear effortless despite the relentless barrage of attacks he was up against. He made 47 saves on 48 shots, finishing with a .979 save percentage.

Kevin Fiala broke Hellebuyck's shutout bid early in the third period, but the Jets' netminder was named the first star of the game.

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3. 2020-21 playoffs (Game 2, first round)

The Jets stormed into Edmonton in the second straight COVID-impacted playoffs and prevailed 1-0 over the Oilers in overtime, thanks to Hellebuyck's heroics.

He made 38 saves against Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Co., providing Winnipeg with a commanding 2-0 series lead heading back to Winnipeg for Game 3.

What made the goose egg even more impressive is the fact the Oilers haven't been shut out in the playoffs at home since that fateful night at Rogers Place.

2. 2017-18 playoffs (Game 7, second round)

Easily his best Game 7 performance, Hellebuyck marched into Nashville and silenced the raucous home crowd.

He made 36 saves on 37 shots for a .973 save percentage, propelling the Jets to a 5-1 victory and securing their place in the Western Conference final against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Hellebuyck won three of four in Nashville during his most successful playoff series.

1. 2026 Olympic gold medal game

With the weight of a nation and a 46-year wait tossed on his shoulders, Hellebuyck stood taller than the world's tallest building, assemblingarguably the greatest goaltending performancein any competition, ever.

He faced 42 shots, many of which were of the high-danger variety, and turned aside 41. He made several monumental saves, including on Canada's 5-on-3 second-period power play, and stopped McDavid and Macklin Celebrini on breakaways.

That merely scratches the surface of his fairytale-like performance on the world's biggest stage.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck top 5 games across NHL and Olympics

byDaniel Coleman

in

February 26, 2026

Top 5 performances by Connor Hellebuyck, USA hockey hero and NHL goalie

Connor Hellebuyck, the primary reasonTeam USA broke its 46-year Olympic men's hockey gold medal drought, forever d...

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Third victim dies from wounds suffered in Rhode Island ice rink attack, police say

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Adeadly shootingduring a youth hockey game in Rhode Island last week has claimed a third victim, a grandfather whose daughter and grandson were also killed in the attack, authorities said.

Gerald Dorgan, who had been in critical condition, has died from his injuries, Pawtucket police said Wednesday.

Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien said he was heartbroken that another person has died because of the shooting.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victim's family, friends, and all those impacted by this tragic act of violence," he said in a statement.

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Dorgan's daughter, Rhonda Dorgan, and grandson, Aidan Dorgan, were also killed in the shooting.

Police identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, 56, who died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Dorgan also went by the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano, authorities said. Robert Dorgan's ex-wife was Rhonda Dorgan and adult son was Aidan Dorgan.

Officials have said the shooter was specifically targeting family members.

Rhonda Dorgan's mom, Linda Dorgan, and a family friend, Thomas Geruso, were wounded.

Law enforcement have credited several people who intervened and quicklystopped the attack. At least three bystanders were able to contain the shooter in the middle of the stands as the crowd fled and ran around them.

byDaniel Coleman

in

February 26, 2026

Third victim dies from wounds suffered in Rhode Island ice rink attack, police say

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Adeadly shootingduring a youth hockey game in Rhode Island last week has claimed a third victim, ...

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Cuba says its forces kill four attempting to ‘infiltrate’ island on Florida speedboat

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Cuba said its forces fatally shot four heavily armed people attempting to "infiltrate" its territory on a Florida-registered speedboat on Wednesday, amid simmering tensions between the communist island and the US.

Cuban border guard troops approached the boat after it entered their territorial waters in Falcones Cay, Villa Clara province, just over 100 miles from Florida, the country's interior ministry said in a statement.

A passenger on the speedboat shot at the Cuban vessel, wounding its commander, and prompting Cuban forces to return fire, according to the statement. Six other people aboard the speedboat were wounded and are in custody and receiving medical attention.

The passengers were Cuban residents of the US and were armed with assault rifles, handguns and Molotov cocktails, and had "intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes," according to a later statement from the ministry.

Two of the surviving passengers were previously wanted by Cuba for terrorism, the ministry added.

The vessel was not carrying US government personnel and was not on a US government operation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier.

The registration number given by Cuban authorities, FL7726SH, matched a 24-foot power boat that was manufactured in 1981, according to maritime database records.

Another individual who was sent from the US to "facilitate the reception of the armed infiltration" was arrested and has since confessed, the Cuban interior ministry statement said. CNN has reached out to the White House regarding the latest Cuban statement.

The shootout comes amidheightened tensionsbetween the US and Cuba. Following the US ousting in January of Venezuelan leader and Cuban ally Nicolás Maduro, the administration of US President Donald Trump has set its sights on Cuba, blocking all oil deliveries to the island and talking of regime change.

The blockade has brought Cuba's economy to its knees, with the Caribbean nation experiencing its worst era ofeconomic uncertaintyin decades and the UN warning of a potential humanitarian "collapse."

The USeased the embargo slightlyon Wednesday, saying it would grant licenses to private Cuban entities looking to resell oil from Venezuela, the main supplier of crude and fuel to the Cuban market. That market is largely dominated by the public sector.

Cuba has clashed with US boats before

Cuba's forces have engaged in skirmishes with US boats entering its waters in the past, though it is rare to see deadly shootouts on this scale.

Havana's ministry of the interior said itintercepted 13 US speedboatsin 2022 with 23 crew members who it accused of "carrying out human trafficking operations" taking people from Cuba to the US.

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The north coast of Villa Clara province, where the speedboat was intercepted on Wednesday, is known for its white-sand beaches, shallow waters and sandbars. The US Coast Guard has previously intercepted speedboats off its coast that it said were carrying illegal migrants to the US, which is home to a Cuban exile community largely opposed to the island's communist government.

The fatal shooting comes just one day after the 30-year anniversary of when theCuban military downed two planesbelonging to the Cuban-American humanitarian organization Brothers to the Rescue over the waters north of Havana, killing four.

Earlier this month, Trumpextended a Clinton-era emergency measure, enacted after Cuba shot down the planes, which allows US authorities to board any vessel which may be headed toward Cuba.

Nearly one million Cubans have fled to the US in recent years, withthousands attemptingthe perilous sea journey to Florida in makeshift vessels. However, unlike previous Republican and Democratic administrations, which generally treated Cubans as political refugees and gave them a unique fast track to US residency,Trump has deported Cubansin record numbers.

US officials call for investigation

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US embassy in Havana was looking into the incident after being informed of it by Cuban authorities. The Department of Homeland Security and the US Coast Guard are also involved.

"We're going to find out exactly what happened here and then we'll respond accordingly," said Rubio, who was in the region on an official visit to Saint Kitts and Nevis.

"Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts on open sea like that," he added. "It's something, frankly, that hasn't happened over Cuba in a very long time."

Officials from Florida called for an investigation and for the Cuban government to be held accountable.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said he has directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to help federal, state, and law enforcement authorities begin an investigation.

US Republican Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez, whose district includes the southern tip of Florida, said the incident raised concerns about the use of lethal force against people aboard a US-registered vessel and called for an investigation into the incident.

"United States authorities must determine whether any of the victims were US citizens or legal residents and establish exactly what occurred," he said in a statement posted to X. "The regime in Cuba must be relegated to the dustbin of history for its countless crimes against humanity."

Republican Senator Rick Scott, also from Florida, called the incident "deeply concerning" and said the Cuban government "must be held accountable."

CNN's Max Saltman, Patrick Oppmann and Jennifer Hansler contributed to this report.

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byDaniel Coleman

in

February 26, 2026

Cuba says its forces kill four attempting to ‘infiltrate’ island on Florida speedboat

Lee el artículo en español Cuba said its forces fatally shot four heavily armed people attempting to "inf...

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