Putting it all together
As postseason arrives, UConn playing its best ball of entire season
STORRS — The last game of the UConn men’s basketball season was a party, and everybody was invited.
By everybody, we mean everyone on the roster. We’re not quite ready for real bashes yet, but if you’re planning one for the day restrictions are lifted, it could certainly have a Huskies theme.
“No one has any control over when you’re actually playing your best basketball,” coach Dan Hurley said. “Some players slump late in the year and get themselves out of it. Or guys deal with injuries. You just become a better team as the season goes on. You become a stronger team. You’re more connected. Everyone understands their roles. Alot of this time of year is about matchups.”
Whatever the factors, the Huskies are playing their best basketball at the right time. They
came on strong at the end of last season and have done it again. And this time, the momentum they are taking into the conference tournament will not go to waste. They are to either Providence or DePaul in the Big East quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden on Thursday at 9 p.m.
The Huskies did it all in the 98-82 win over Georgetown to close out the regular season, a game Hoyas coach Patrick Ewing called “a royal [butt] kicking.”
Eleven players scored, six in double figures led by James Bouknight with 21. The Huskies shot 59.3 percent, scored 32 points in the paint, 17 on the fast break and went 12-for-28 on 3-pointers.
“James is a star player, and our depth is impressive,” Hurley said.
The Huskies, who led 51-25 at the half, did “play to the scoreboard,” Hurley said, and allow 58 points in the second half, which is just enough for him to harp on over the next few days in practice.
UConn (14-6, 11-6 Big East) was able to win throughout the year with a couple of the elements coming together, but in these last four games, everything has fallen into place. Starting with their 30-16 spurt to finish the game at Georgetown on Feb. 23, the Huskies have outscored the opposition by 59 points.
How it happens is hard to explain, but as the postseason begins, the Huskies are playing their best basketball.
“To be able to consistently play games has just allowed us to improve and get comfortable and play better basketball,” Hurley said. “Just getting that consistent practice, getting that routine, has allowed us to play good ball. We dealt
with a lot of stuff this year.”
Here are some other takeaways from the last game:
Nice gesture
UConn was able to allow about 200 front-line health care workers into the building for the last game, a just reward for all they have done for all of us. Hurley offered a shoutout after the game: “It was great to have the frontline health care workers here today,” he said. “Those are real heroes, and just to have them in the building today, it was an honor to perform in front of you and we appreciate everything.”
Seniors have their day
After the very well done pregame ceremony, for which the families of each of the seniors recorded a video, all of the seniors played a part in the game. Isaiah Whaley went 5-for-5 in 14 minutes, Tyler Polley scored 11, Josh Carlton hadseven points and seven rebounds, junior BrendanAdams, honoredbecause he is about to graduate after three years — a heck of an accomplishment — had two points and two assists. After the season, Hurley said, everyone will talk about what to dowith the potential extra year of eligibility.
Milestone for Hurley
Adams had the honor of presenting a game ball to Hurley, to mark his 200th career win. To reach the mark in 11 seasons, with this one abbreviated, is impressive enough. But Hurley, 200-140, was able to do it despite changing jobs twice, which meant starting over just as Wagner and Rhode Island got rolling. Assuming he now stays in one place long enough to gather the long-term success, the result of the foundation he has built, he could get his next 200 even quicker. He is signed through 2027.
Big East honors for Sanogo, Bouknight
Adama Sanogo, who had 26 points and 19 rebounds in the wins over Seton Hall and Georgetown, was the Big East’s freshman of the week a second time. He was also named Feb. 15. James Bouknight, who had 37 points and nine rebounds during the week, made the conference honor roll for the fifth time this season.