POWERFUL HUSKIES
UConn men play efficient offense in 94-66 win over UMKC.
STORRS — Grad students are expected to bring experience, leadership, intangibles when they arrive at a new school.
Tarin Smith brings all of that, but talent is a good thing. That plays, also.
“He puts so much pressure on the defense in transition,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said, “and then in the half court, because he’s so strong and athletic, he can get to the paint so easy.
“And when he takes good 3s, he’s a pretty good 3-point shooter. He’s been in the sixth-man role by design, because he hasn’t been healthy, and he has a minutes limitation. … But he’s looked pretty good ‘not healthy.’ ”
Smith, who has been dealing with a strained quad, played an expansive role Sunday, scoring 22 points in 19 minutes in the Huskies’ efficient, 94-66 victory over Missouri-Kansas City before 7,261 at Gampel Pavilion.
The grad student from Duquesne gave UConn a boost off the bench in both halves, and ended up 10-for-12 from the field with five rebounds and two assists.
“He brings so much,” said Jalen Adams, who scored 20, shooting 7-for-10. “He’s so versatile. He’s unselfish. … He kind of plays similar to me. He’s crafty in the ball screens. If his jumper’s not falling, he can get to the paint, and he can drive and kick out for somebody else. He’s unselfish, and he has a
good eye at the point guard position.”
Smith, 6 feet 3, didn't realize until after the game that his high school coach, Bob Hurley Sr., from St. Anthony's in Jersey City, was in the stands. Hurley's son, who now coaches the Huskies, knew what he was getting the day Smith signed on.
“When you get guys who played for great coaches, you just know they're going to play well for you,” Dan Hurley said.
The Huskies had minor lulls at the start of the game and in the second half, but otherwise dominated UMKC (0-3), doing what they did not do in the opener against Morehead State — put an overmatched mid-major away when they had the chance.
“Coach says, ‘Step on their neck,' ” said Tyler Polley, who scored 12 points. “When they get up, step on their neck, ramp the defense up. That's what he emphasized: The great teams don't let up.”
Said Hurley, “Thrilled to be better than we were on Thursday night. I thought we showed a lot more of that killer relentless-
ness.”
Alterique Gilbert had 12 points and four assists, and Christian Vital, though 2-for-13 from the field, led a team effort in rebounding with 10. The Huskies were 35-for-65 (53.8 percent) from the field and hit their last six 3-point attempts to finish 12-for-27.
UConn's defense prompted 18 turnovers, turning them into 27 points, scoring 26 on the fastbreak.
“I think we're starting to realize how good we can be,” said Smith, who scored 12 against Morehead State in the opener, “and we're letting ourselves be as good as we can be.”
Keeping in mind that few wins have come easily — regardless of the opponent — in recent years, this was a step forward for UConn (2-0), with another needed to face Syracuse on Thursday and either Oregon or Iowa on Friday as the 2K Empire Classic, which benefits the Wounded Warrior Foundation, culminates at Madison Square Garden.
“If they guard the way they guarded (Sunday), they'll give themselves a chance night in and night out,” said UMKC coach Kareem Richardson.
Smith, who played at Nebraska and Duquesne, where he was the Atlantic 10 sixth man of the year, before coming to UConn, has never played in the Garden.
“I'm excited for that for sure. I'll have a lot of people there,” Smith said. “That's something you dream about.”
UConn was leading 11-10 when Smith checked in with 15:11 left in the half, and he helped ignite a 14-0 run. He scored 15 in the first half, hitting a 3-pointer near the end as the Huskies took a 50-33 lead at the break, averaging 1.43 points per possession.
Injury update
Isaiah Whaley, who sprained an ankle Thursday night, did not suit up. He did practice on a limited basis Friday and Saturday, but was deemed not quite ready to go. … Bob Hurley Sr. missed his son's debut as UConn coach. He was at Disney World with grandchildren, Dan Hurley said. … UConn's other grad transfer, Kassoum Yakwe, in his first significant action, played 14 minutes, had four points, three rebounds, a block — and five fouls. … Danny Dixon led UMKC with 15 points.