Newark. N.J. – Seton Hall (8-4) accomplished the unthinkable, taking down #5 Connecticut (10-2) in their Big East home opener 75-60. The last time UConn lost to an unranked opponent, coincidentally was against Seton Hall last January, going to the wire 67-66. The Hall would gain control of this one earlier, thanks to Kadary Richmond’s all-around game, Jaden Bediako on the glass, and Dre Davis’s relentless paint attack following the injury and foul woes for star Huskies’ center Donovan Clingan.
Clingan was the most vital piece for UConn Wednesday night. After missing three shots on his first possession, he’d go 7-of-9, scoring 14 points in the paint, in a mere 14 minutes. Seton Hall did all they could to deny him the ball but struggled to handle Clingan’s incredible 7’2 frame in the post or on the offensive glass (5 offensive rebounds). UConn gave their big man touches every trip down, swinging the ball constantly looking for the post entry pass. He led them to a 20-10 lead with nine minutes left in the first half. At the end of this stretch he’d aggravate his left wrist guarding a backdown, which he already had taped up before the game. 
The Hall began chipping away in the next several minutes. Bediako was doing all he could in the paint for the Hall, keeping them in the race with five points and seven rebounds in the half. They’d gain control of the momentum after an and-1 finish from Richmond, triggering the auto-sub by Coach Hurley following Clingan’s second foul. Richmond would score seven straight and the Pirates would finish the half on a 16-7 run taking the lead back with rim pressure. The Prudential Center was rocking into the second half.
Clingan would start the next half where he left off, getting the first six points for Connecticut. Then, on a Bediako offensive board, he would not only foul Bediako, but appeared to roll his ankle badly. He would not return in the game,and UConn were lost without his dominant paint presence on both ends. They went -22 in the game without him, as Alex Karaban, Tristen Newton, and Cam Spencer struggled to carry the offensive burden. Seton Hall had the size to defend on the perimeter and allowed very little dribble penetration. The Huskies shot 4-of-21 from three, hitting only one the entire second half. It showed how dependent of the big man they really were.
Without Clingan to help, UConn struggled to carry the defensive burden as well. Seton Hall, not known for being a perimeter team, saw a vulnerable target now at the rim. Richmond and Davis got to their spots in the paint easily, with the defense knowing their intent every time down. Dre Davis spared Karaban no mercy driving and posting him up multiple times for baskets. Davis went on to finish with 17 points on the night, but it was Richmond who was the star of the night.
Richmond displayed the whole package. UConn couldn’t stop him from getting downhill and creating space against anybody they threw at him. All they could do was foul, as he’d draw six fouls, finishing three and-1s with his strength through contact and soft touch around the rim. He was perfect at the line too, 7-of-7. He fueled the transition game with incredible activity on the defensive end bagging eight steals and a block. His 6’9 wingspan caused issues all night, and his instincts to be around the ball so frequently was a sight to see. He’d finish with 22 points, six rebounds, five assists and the eight steals.
UConn showed a lack of desire and focus to compete on the road once their centerpiece Clingan went down. He won’t always be available with the nature of his size and his drawing plenty of contact in the post. His status for their next game Dec. 23rd against St. John’s (8-3) remains unknown, but they will need to figure out how to create efficient offense without him regardless.
This is the Pirates first win over a top-5 ranked opponent since 2021, at Michigan. The victory sets a great precedent in the locker room for coach Shaheen Holloway, proving his team can compete with anyone if they can beat the reigning national champs by double digits. Seton Hall looks to maintain a top position in the Big East conference table hitting the road Dec. 23rd as well against Xavier (6-6).
This article was written by Justin Maldonado, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.
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