Huskies tip off tough stretch at Creighton

UConn has traveled all over the world through the years, from Israel to England, Alaska to Hawaii, the Garden to Greenville, N.C.

The Huskies have never been to Omaha, Neb. Until now.

No. 23 UConn will face Creighton for the second time this season — and ever — on Saturday at CHI Health Center (noon, FOX). The 11th-ranked Bluejays broke the Huskies’ hearts on Dec. 20 at Gampel Pavilion,

rallying to tie the game on a last-second shot in regulation, then winning 76-74 in overtime.

Now, UConn (7-2, 4-2 Big East) is looking for revenge as it begins what figures to be a rather taxing eight-day stretch.

After Saturday’s game, the Huskies are slated to host Butler on Tuesday night. The Bulldogs just postponed their game with Seton Hall on Friday due to COVID-19 issues, however, so Tuesday’s game seems unlikely. Two nights later, however, UConn hosts No. 3 Villanova, which showed no rust from its own 27-day pause with a win over Seton Hall on Tuesday.

Then, on Jan. 31, UConn travels to Queens, N.Y. to face St. John’s — which just beat the Huskies on Monday in Gampel.

“We’re coming off a game that we were out-toughed in, which (should) never happen to us — ever again,” coach Dan Hurley told reporters on Friday night. “It’s certainly OK to lose during the course of the season.

Sometimes you play a superior opponent, sometimes you don’t play your best game — you just don’t make shots, the ball doesn’t fall. But, for me, the last couple of days it’s like a thorn in your side just having to live with the fact that you were out-toughed.”

Hurley also so had some bad news to report on the James Bouknight front. It appears the super sophomore guard, who underwent elbow surgery on Jan. 12, may not be back for a

David Butler II / Associated Press James Bouknight, rear, scored 40 points in the first meeting between UConn and Creighton earlier this season. He will be sidelined for Saturday’s game after undergoing elbow surgery on Jan. 12.