Second-ranked UConn will try to increase its successful streak to 16 video games and stay unbeaten within the Massive East when it faces Windfall on Tuesday evening in Storrs, Conn.
The Huskies (19-1, 9-0 Massive East) remained the one undefeated staff within the convention once they beat Villanova 75-67 in additional time on Saturday. Junior guard Solo Ball tossed in a game-high 24 factors within the win. He was 5 of 12 on 3-point makes an attempt.
“I believe we have a will to win,” UConn coach Dan Hurley stated. “We do not have a capability to maintain the extent of basketball we have to play at each ends of the court docket to be like we had been in (2024). Typically, as a coach, that final nice staff you’ve gotten, you are type of measuring your staff up towards. The deficiencies we have now right here, I really feel prefer it’s extra just like the (2023) staff, issues we’re nonetheless working by means of.”
UConn’s final three convention video games have been nail-biters. The Huskies withstood a late rally to beat Seton Corridor 69-64, edged Georgetown 64-62 after which outlasted Villanova.
“We have discovered a approach to win so many instances, and that is simply one other one,” stated senior ahead Alex Karaban, who scored 17 factors towards Villanova, all of which got here over the past 9:03 of regulation and the five-minute additional time. “We have simply acquired to study to not put ourselves in these positions.
“We’re not at UConn simply to be glad as a result of we’re 19-1. We all the time nitpick and see what we need to do higher. However on the identical time, we have to take a step again and understand we have put in lots of exhausting work. Sure, these video games have been shut and we discover methods to win, however we’re grateful and blessed to be 19-1 and we’re simply going to stack wins.”
Windfall (September 11, 2-7) has had a tricky time ending video games this season, and that was the case in Saturday’s 81-78 house loss to Georgetown. The Hoyas rallied from a 21-point second-half deficit by scoring 56 factors within the closing 20 minutes.
“Only a crusher — a crushing defeat,” Windfall coach Kim English stated. “You realize, story of two halves. I’ve not completed a ok job constructing a degree of toughness and self-discipline that is wanted to have an opportunity to win — actually, actually win.”
The Friars have misplaced 5 of their final six video games, a stretch that started with a 103-98 additional time setback towards visiting UConn on Jan. 7. Windfall had an 11-point lead with 3:12 to play in regulation in that recreation.
UConn freshman Braylon Mullins was hit within the face throughout Saturday’s win over Villanova and is in concussion protocol. Mullins led all scorers with 24 factors within the first assembly with Windfall, when the Huskies made 18 of their 32 3-point makes an attempt.
The Friars have been taking part in with out senior guard Jason Edwards, who has missed the final 4 video games with a foot damage. Edwards, the No. 3 scorer within the Massive East (17.2 factors per recreation), had a strolling boot on his proper foot throughout Saturday’s recreation towards Georgetown.
Windfall’s Jaylin Sellars is the No. 5 scorer within the Massive East (16.0). Ball (14.6), Tarris Reed Jr. (14.2) and Karaban (13.8) are UConn’s main scorers.
UConn’s solely loss got here towards then-No. 4 and presently top-ranked Arizona 71-67 on Nov. 19 in Storrs.
–Subject Degree Media
