The Huskies did not simply do it with elite-level capturing on Thursday evening. They locked down the nation’s main scorer, Eric Dixon, holding him to simply eight factors in what was possible the ultimate recreation of his school profession. UConn ended Dixon’s streak of 47 consecutive video games in double figures, a streak that now belongs to Marquette star Kam Jones. In doing so, the Huskies additionally denied Dixon of Kerry Kittles’ program scoring report of two,243 factors, with the fifth-year senior sitting at 2,235.
However most vital for Karaban and the Huskies is that the staff seems to be peaking on the good time, successful their fifth straight recreation.
“It is March, and round right here, we’re determined for championships,” Karaban stated. “Now we have to be enjoying our greatest basketball this time of yr. There is no different approach. Carrying that UConn jersey, you must play with a sure swagger, particularly in March the place championships are received.”
Karaban completed the sport with 18 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, whereas Liam McNeeley adopted him with 12 factors, and Solo Ball and Samson Johnson had 11 apiece.
Samson Johnson finishes powerful and-1 layup, extending UConn’s lead over Villanova
Past the balanced offense, the Huskies received the rebounding battle, 31-22, and used their physicality to shut out the sport.
“I discovered it encouraging that we have been inside 5 at halftime,” UConn coach Dan Hurley stated. “I feel for us to shut a recreation like that to start out the postseason, it exhibits a blueprint of what is doable for this staff.”
In a approach, the Huskies reminded all people of what was doable after it felt like their season was heading within the mistaken path following a 68-62 loss to St. John’s again on Feb. 7. However after that, UConn avenged an early-season defeat to Creighton with an unimaginable win over the Bluejays behind 38 factors from McNeeley.
Friday evening’s rematch is fascinating for quite a lot of causes. For starters, Creighton coach Greg McDermott is 8-4 towards Hurley in his profession. UConn is making an attempt to advance to the Large East title recreation for the second straight yr, one thing that they had not achieved since 2011, earlier than doing it final season. In the meantime, Creighton has reached the semifinal spherical of the Large East Event 4 instances since 2014, however has but to win it.
In what has developed right into a rivalry for the reason that Huskies returned to the league, Friday evening’s semifinal matchup might ship the products in what’s going to possible be Ryan Kalkbrenner’s ultimate recreation towards Connecticut.
However late Thursday night, into the early hours of Friday morning, Hurley was all smiles after watching his staff put collectively a dominant second half. The Huskies have the look of a staff that’s peaking at simply the correct time.
“It is Lent, so I am a training Catholic,” Hurley stated with a chuckle following the sport. “It is again to the resort room and on to a slice of cheese pizza for me. Then, we’ll transfer to the good staff that’s Creighton.”
John Fanta is a nationwide school basketball broadcaster and author for FOX Sports activities. He covers the game in quite a lot of capacities, from calling video games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Community to offering commentary on The Subject of 68 Media Community. Observe him at @John_Fanta.
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