Emotions ran loud Friday night in Madison Square Garden as Creighton advanced to the Big East final over the two-time defense of national masters in Uconn.
Bluejay’s coasted to a win and was able to dribble the ball out in the last seconds.
With the second-seeded Bluejays, who led 69-62, they got a defensive rebound with less than 10 seconds left, and Huskies coach Dan Hurley signaled for his team to let the clock run out without enthusiasm.
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Connecticut Huskies Guard Hassan Diarra (10) shouts at Creighton Bluejay’s guard Jamiya Neal (5) when time runs out on Huskies in the second half of Madison Square Garden. (Robert Deutsch-Misted Pictures)
However, Jamiya Neal started down the left sideline for a 1.5 second sludge and hung on the edge of a pullup. After his skirmish with diarrhea, Neal waved his arms to shoot Creighton fans in the sales quantity.
Huskies Guard Hassan Diarra pushed Neal in the chest and looked to squares with fist for a few seconds when the two were face to face.
Creighton Center Ryan Kalkbrenner separated them by pushing Neal away as whistles blow and the players came from benches in Madison Square Garden.
Order is restored pretty quickly, but the emotions were still tense after the game.
“I mean, they were already up with seven seconds left,” Diarra said. “He didn’t want to dribble the ball out. Went in for a fancy thump. I just felt it was disrespectful to the basketball match.”
Creighton Bluejays Guard Jamiya Neal (5) Dunks at Connecticut Huskies as time ran out on Huskies in the second half at Madison Square Garden. (Robert Deutsch-Misted Pictures)
Neal admitted that he “was caught by the game’s feelings” and apologized.
Hurley and Bluejays -coach Greg McDermott already approached each other along the sidelines to shake hands when Neal started for his can. McDermott seemed to apologize to Hurley immediately afterwards, and again when the game ended.
Creighton and Uconn have already had their beef this year. Hurley spotted Creighton fans last month, after Huskies brought home a road gain, waved goodbye to the crowd and shouted out, “Two rings!”
Last year, Hurley also threatened to “knock out” a Creighton fan.
Jamiya Neal, #5 of Creighton Bluejays, dunks the ball in the second half of a semi -final match against Connecticut Huskies under the Big East Men’s Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 14, 2025 in New York City. Bluejays won 71-62. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
It will be Creighton against St. John’s for the Big East title in Garden Saturday at. 6.30 pm in what is definitely a heavy red storm audience.
