ESPN News ServicesMultiple AuthorsFeb 18, 2026, 10:02 PM ET
STORRS, Conn. — UConn held a moment of silence for the late mother of Creighton’s Josh Dix before Wednesday’s Big East game. The night ended with the Bluejays star getting hugs and words of encouragement from fans who made the trip from Nebraska to Storrs.
“I really respect this university for doing that and thinking of my mom,” Dix said. “I know she would greatly appreciate it. I know she saw that.”
In the four games since his mother’s death, Dix is averaging 16 points, five rebounds and two assists. Creighton lost two of those games. The Bluejays lost to the Huskies by 27 points in the game before Dix’s mother died, and faced another uphill battle Wednesday, with Creighton closing as a 15.5-point underdog.
Dix, a transfer from Iowa who leads Creighton in scoring has leaned on many people, including teammates, during this trying time.
“I couldn’t do it alone,” Dix said. “My family, my teammates, my coaches, they all stick by my side. I try not to be alone; I try to be around people who want to see you do well.
“Basketball brings a lot of joy to a lot of people, so that kind of takes your mind of a lot of stuff. They have meant a lot, something like this can either separate you or get you closer to your teammates. They have all been by my side. The last couple of weeks haven’t been easy, but they stuck by my side.”
“They have dealt with some emotional pain, not just with Josh, but with Blake [Harper], whose mother died of breast cancer in 2023,” Hurley said. “I have so much respect for Mac, for Creighton, for their program.”
UConn retired the number of former Huskies star Emeka Okafor in a ceremony Wednesday night. The 2004 NCAA champion and National Player of the Year was honored at halftime, becoming the third UConn men’s basketball player to have his number retired after Ray Allen and Richard Hamilton.
UConn coach Dan Hurley sent his best to the Creighton team.
Dan Hurley after UConn’s loss: ‘The defense has been a joke’ (0:45)UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley lights up his team’s defense after the Huskies lose at home to Creighton. (0:45)