UConn Survives Late Rally, Holds Off PC
The Story: We can all finally exhale as the No. 4 seed UConn men outlasted No. 5 seed Providence 73-66 in the Big East quarterfinals yesterday afternoon and will face top-seeded Marquette tonight for the right to play for the Big East title (6 p.m., FS1).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Breathe, Huskies faithful. UConn showed why it is a national title contender in beating Providence — and why it could be upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year.
• No. 11 UConn (25-7) built a 26-point lead against the Friars early in the second half and was dominant, explosive and suffocating defensively in one of its most impressive performances of the season.
• The Huskies nearly gave it all back in the last 10 minutes by allowing Providence to go on a 26-5 run and needed a clutch 3-point shot from Alex Karaban and some fine play by Tristen Newton to secure the win.
• Jordan Hawkins delivered with a team-high 19 points on 13 shots and Newton, off the bench, was stellar with 16 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
• Andre Jackson was his explosive self and had another all-around performance with nine points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
TURNOVERS ARE DEATH: How did the Huskies not blow out the Friars? Turnovers. UConn had 18 turnovers that led to 20 points. Its length, dominance, shooting and size helped build the 26-point lead, but its inability to handle pressure — physical and mental nearly led to a historic cough-up. Eighteen turnovers won’t cut it today against Marquette.
WHAT DID HURLEY SAY? “We were elite defensively in the first half — 29 percent [shooting by Providence]. We held them to 1-for-9 from 3. I thought we got away from our principles of maybe taking away the paint. But, again, I think it was the fouling that just disrupted the rhythm of the game. We were playing such great basketball at both ends of the court. And once it turned into a whistle-fest and we were putting them at the free throw line, they were able to chip away. Mix in some live-ball turnovers and you can’t get back and get set defensively. I think that’s why they shot 51 percent from the field.”
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: There was a lot to like from the Huskies. UConn shot 53 percent and had 21 assists on 28 baskets. That’s the style of play we want to see. We’re a little concerned about Providence’s 47-point second half, but we can chalk that up to the turnovers and the Friars’ desperation.
• Huskies were 13-for-30 from 3-point range and those 39 points were a significant part of their scoring. They also managed 24 points in the paint.
A MARQUETTE RUBBER MATCH: The Huskies split the series with Marquette as each team won at home. UConn is going to be the home team at MSG tonight (hopefully Providence and St John’s fans sold their tickets) and it is sure to be a raucous atmosphere.
• The No. 6-ranked Golden Eagles rallied from 13 down to knock off St. John’s in overtime in the opener yesterday afternoon. Tyler Kolek, the Big East Player of the Year, showed why he earned that award with a standout game as he had 19 points — all after halftime — as well as nine rebounds and six assists.
• The key to beating Marquette is balance. Kolek is the game manager at point guard and the Golden Eagles have wings and scorers galore with Oliver-Maxence Prosper and Kam Jones, and Oso Ighodoro, who had a double-double yesterday, is dominant inside.
• Marquette is an excellent 3-point shooting team and figures to improve on a 9-for-34 performance from beyond the arc.
BOTTOM LINE: Tonight’s game has everything you can ask for. It’s at MSG, on a Friday night, and features two teams with Final Four aspirations that are in need of a victory to improve seeding. The Huskies have an outside shot at a No. 2 seed if they can win the Big East tournament and Marquette will be a No. 2 seed if it runs the table.
• This is basketball in March and it’s been a long time since we’ve seen the Huskies get to the Big East final. The last time was in 2011, when they completed Kemba Walker‘s magical run.
— John Silver
Morning Reads
• The Huskies had no shortage of celebrity fans at MSG. Packers running back Aaron Jones (Tristen Newton's cousin) and comic legend and our hero here at The Daily, Bill Murray (assistant coach Luke Murray's dad), were among those in attendance. Want to impress your kids? Tell them Marc D'Amelio and his family are UConn nuts. (Hearst Connecticut Media)
• There's snow on the ground, but that isn't going to stop the softball team from starting its home schedule this weekend in Storrs. (UConnHuskies.com)
Top photo: Jordan Hawkins goes up for a layup in the Big East quarterfinal win over Providence at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Ian Bethune for The UConn Daily)
