Sports Reviews of UConn’s death following the Maui Invitational? Very a lot exaggerated.
Following the Huskies’ 0-3 exhibiting in Maui, Dan Hurley’s crew has done a total 180 in the final two weeks, beating Gonzaga 77-71 on Saturday evening in front of a packed rental at Madison Sq. Garden to cap a stretch of wins that started with Baylor and Texas.
In a sport that had a expressionless-March if truth be told feel to it, Connecticut overcame the absence of initiating spacious man Samson Johnson for the final 31 minutes of the contest after he exited with a head wound in the necessary half. The Huskies purchased the compulsory stops expressionless in the sport and were in a position to conquer a tough perimeter shooting evening to flee with a victory over the No. 8-ranked Zags. Or no longer it is an announcement fetch from UConn, one which must launch the Huskies relieve into my prime 15 this week.
With that acknowledged, here are three key takeaways from UConn’s fetch over Gonzaga.
[Read more: Gonzaga’s Mark Few relies on ‘competitive spirit’ in ever-changing college landscape ]
Liam McNeeley is unquestionably one of many five easiest newbies in college basketball.
On a evening the build UConn critical particular person Alex Karaban used to be ice-cool from 3-level land, finishing 0-for-7 from beyond the arc, the 6-foot-7 McNeeley served because the Huskies’ alpha and seemed love certainly one of many most traditional avid gamers in the sport. His ground-sport and if truth be told feel is off the charts, a reason he will most in all probability be a prime-10 decide in the NBA Draft near June. He finished with a profession-high 26 capabilities to maintain company with seven rebounds, four assists and no turnovers. At any time when Connecticut wished a play, McNeeley delivered.
UConn’s defense has figured issues out.
The Huskies seemed lost on defense at the Maui Invitational. Now, this neighborhood has improved enough on the perimeter to be stable. And since this UConn crew is the sort of stellar neighborhood on the offensive stop, they intention no longer must be exceptional defensively, however rather, stable. On a evening when the Huskies shot stunning 5-for-24 from downtown, they contained the nation’s 2nd-easiest offense from 3-level vary, conserving Gonzaga to 6-of-16 from deep.
Ryan Nembhard scored 16 capabilities for the Zags, however UConn compelled him to steal 15 shots to attain it. Credit to Hassan Diarra for his 35 minutes. The fifth-twelve months senior is a frontrunner on the defensive stop and did his phase. Nolan Hickman used to be moreover held scoreless. The numerous breakout performer for UConn on the season, and on this sport: Jaylin Stewart. He is the most up-to-date standout in the Huskies’ participant pattern manufacturing facility, delivering 10 capabilities on Saturday.
Hassan Diarra spins and finishes a layup via contact, extending UConn’s lead over Gonzaga Huskies maintain the glass, even with out their spacious man.
When Johnson went down with the wound, it made you straight away marvel: How can also UConn dangle with Gonzaga on the inner? The Huskies silent managed to search out a methodology to out-rebound Gonzaga, 35-34, and fetch the war in the paint, 38-34. Michigan switch Tarris Reed delivered 12 capabilities and 6 rebounds off the bench, and when he used to be in unpleasant distress, Youssouf Singare gave a serviceable seven minutes.
Bigger than anything, UConn’s fetch over Gonzaga confirmed that, yes, a three-peat remains to be in play. This crew possesses gigantic upside – and the most traditional quality of all – high-level shotmaking. McNeeley is beyond his years.
John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and creator for FOX Sports activities. He covers the sport in a diversity of capacities, from calling games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Community to offering commentary on The Field of 68 Media Community. Be conscious him at @John_Fanta .
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