BUFFALO, NY – In a matchup of old Big East foes, Connecticut held off second-seeded Villanova 77-65 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
Despite suffering a lower-leg bruise in the second half, senior guard Shabazz Napier led the Huskies with 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field.
Sophomore guard Ryan Arcidiacono led the Wildcats with 19 points and 6 assists.
Kevin Ollie’s squad will return to the familiar confines of Madison Square Garden a year after leaving the Big East for the American Athletic Conference and serving a one-year probationary ban from the NCAA tournament.
Gary Cohen and Kevin Grevey called the action on WestwoodOne Sports.