Tribute to Josh Dix’s Mother
In a poignant moment before their Big East showdown against Creighton on February 18, the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team observed a period of silence honoring the late mother of Josh Dix, a player for the Bluejays. Dix’s mother passed away due to colon cancer just two weeks prior, a loss that weighed heavily on him throughout the game.
Creighton’s Remarkable Victory
Amidst the emotional backdrop, Dix rose to the occasion, scoring 13 of his total 21 points in the second half, leading Creighton to a surprising 91-84 victory over the fifth-ranked Huskies at their home court in Storrs, Connecticut.
“I really respect this university for doing that and thinking of my mom. I know she would greatly appreciate it. I know she saw that,”
– Josh Dix, as reported by ESPN.
Turning the Tide
The Bluejays had previously faced a heavy loss against the Huskies on January 31, where they fell by 27 points. However, the team transformed their prospects significantly in this rematch, disrupting UConn’s unbeaten home record in the conference for the season. Creighton coach Greg McDermott emphasized the importance of this victory for his squad, which has been navigating through a difficult period.
“That locker room is still healing, and they needed a shot in the arm. We’ve shed a lot of tears, and they needed something like this. It’s a great win for us. I’m not sure I’ve ever been prouder of a group,”
– Greg McDermott.
Josh Dix’s Performance
Dix, who joined Creighton from Iowa, has been averaging 12.3 points per game this season. Notably, he had struggled in the earlier encounter against UConn, failing to score and missing all six attempts. However, on this occasion, he displayed remarkable skill, shooting 60% from the field and contributing not just in scoring, but also grabbing eight rebounds.
“I couldn’t do it alone. 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,”
– Josh Dix.
Dix highlighted the support he received during this tough time, stating, “Basketball brings a lot of joy to a lot of people, so that kind of takes your mind off a lot of stuff. They have meant a lot, and this can either separate you or bring you closer to your teammates. The last couple of weeks haven’t been easy, but they stuck by my side.”
