John Fanta
College basketball broadcaster and reporter
Reports of UConn’s demise after the Maui Invitational? Highly exaggerated.
After the Huskies went 0-3 in Maui, Dan Hurley’s team completed a complete 180 over the past two weeks, beating Gonzaga 77-71 on Saturday night in front of a packed house at Madison Square Garden to cap a winning streak that started with Baylor and Texas.
In a game that resembled the one from late March, Connecticut overcame the absence of starting big man Samson Johnson for the final 31 minutes of the contest after he exited with a head injury in the first half. The Huskies got the necessary stops late in the game and were able to overcome a tough perimeter shooting night to escape with a victory over the No. 8-ranked Zags. It’s a declared win for UConn, one that should put the Huskies back in my top 15 this week.
With that said, here are three key takeaways from UConn’s win over Gonzaga.
(Learn more: Gonzaga’s Mark Few relies on ‘competitive spirit’ in ever-changing college landscape)
Liam McNeeley is one of the top five freshmen in college basketball.
On a night where UConn star Alex Karaban was ice cold from 3-point land, finishing 0 of 7 from beyond the arc, the 6-foot-7 McNeeley served as the Huskies’ alpha and looked like one of the best players. in sports. His ground game and feel are off the charts, which is why he will be a top-10 pick in June’s NBA draft. He finished with a career-high 26 points, along with seven rebounds, four assists and no turnovers. Every time Connecticut needed a play, McNeeley delivered.
UConn’s defense figured things out.
The Huskies looked lost on defense at the Maui Invitational. Now this group has improved enough on the perimeter to be solid. And because this UConn team is such a brilliant group on the offensive end, it doesn’t need to be amazing defensively, just solid. On a night when the Huskies shot just 5 of 24 from downtown, they contained the nation’s second-best 3-point attack, holding Gonzaga to 6 of 16 from deep.
Ryan Nembhard scored 16 points for the Zags, but UConn forced him to take 15 shots to do so. Thanks to Hassan Diarra for his 35 minutes. The fifth-year senior is a defensive leader and has done his part. Nolan Hickman was also held scoreless. The other standout artist for UConn this season and in this game: Jaylin Stewart. He is the latest standout player in the Huskies’ player development factory, recording 10 points Saturday.
Hassan Diarra turns and finishes a contact layup, extending UConn’s lead over Gonzaga
The Huskies own the glass, even without their big man.
When Johnson was injured, you immediately wondered: How was UConn able to hang with Gonzaga inside? The Huskies still managed to find a way to outrebound Gonzaga, 35-34, and win the battle in the paint, 38-34. Michigan transfer Tarris Reed had 12 points and six rebounds off the bench, and when he got into foul trouble, Youssouf Singare allowed seven serviceable minutes.
More than anything, UConn’s win over Gonzaga showed that, yes, a three-peat is still in play. This team has great potential – and the best quality of all – high-level shooting. McNeeley is beyond his years.
John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers sports in a variety of capacities, from calling games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him at @John_Fanta.
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