Key numbers from UConn’s win over DePaul

UConn is 4-1 and 1-1 in the Big East following Wednesday night’s 82-61 romp over Dave Leitao and DePaul. The Huskies are a free throw or two away from being undefeated and, most likely, ranked in the AP Top 25. Alas, they’ve still got work to do, but the talent is here — and with Akok Akok likely ready for game action at some point in the team’s upcoming road trip, more is on the way.

Here are some key numbers gleaned from the win over DePaul.

116

James Bouknight’s points total this season — the most by a UConn player through five games since Kemba Walker (150 points) in 2010, per stats guru Katie Sharp. Bouknight “only” scored 20 on Wednesday night, half his total from the Huskies’ prior game, an overtime loss to Creighton. Bouknight shot 6-for-13, missing all four 3-point attempts, and Hurley graded his performance a “C-plus.” But the precocious sophomore guard had plenty of scoring help this time around, led by Tyrese Martin (22 points) and Josh Carlton (10).

“There’s obviously gonna be games where we’re gonna need him to get 27, 28 (points) in a big-time game

to close it out down the stretch,” Hurley said of Bouknight. “Twenty (points) on 13 shots is a pretty good day for him.” 29

Tyrese Martin’s efficiency stat, as calculated by points + rebounds + steals + blocks - missed shots - turnovers. The junior forward easily had the best score among UConn players; Bouknight’s 19 was second. Martin notched a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, and he scored in a variety of ways — putbacks, drives, a pair of 3-pointers and a vicious two-handed slam. And while Hurley consistently notes that R.J. Cole could emerge as the Huskies’ second scoring option to Bouknight, it’s Martin’s versatility that may make him a more likely candidate for that role.

MINUS-13

The plus/minus rate of DePaul point guard Charlie Moore, the Blue Demons’ best player and the guy who makes their team go. It’s the second straight game a high-level opposing point guard has been held in check; Big East preseason player of the year Marcus Zegarowski of Creigton was held to 4-for-14 shooting (1-for-8 from 3) 10 days earlier. The common denominator? Both were guarded primarily by R.J. Cole, the UConn point guard not previously known for his defensive skills.

11, 10

Josh Carlton’s points and rebounds totals, good for his eighth career doubledouble. Carlton has now responded well on the heels of poor showings. After playing a combined three minutes in the Huskies’ first two games, the 6-11 senior popped off the bench for nine points and 11 boards in a Dec. 3 win over USC that got him into the starting lineup for Creighton. Carlton put up a clunker in that one (two points, five boards), and started Wednesday night on the bench. But after freshman Adama Sanogo struggled in the early minutes, Carlton played much of the rest of the way — even showing a bit of aggression on a heldball off a rebound with DePaul’s Ray Salnave.

2ND

The preseason all-Big East team that James Bouknight was named to by the league’s coaches. Charlie Moore was voted first team. Think about that.