Huskies roll to blowout win
HARTFORD — UConn would have lost this game a year ago
No, that’s not right. No incarnation of UConn basketball over the past 30 years would have lost to what the University of New Hampshire put on the XL Center floor Saturday afternoon.
But UConn would have probably struggled a little too much to put the Wildcats away last season. Probably would have led by, like, six or eight points at halftime, put together a little 10- 0 run at some point in 91 66 the second half and won by, say, 16.
Instead, the Huskies pretty much dominated from the start — a Josh Carlton dunk 15 seconds in — and rolled to a 91- 66 victory over UNH before 8,351.
What a difference a year can make.
“We don’t even think about last year anymore,” junior guard Christian Vital noted. “We knew what we were supposed to do. We’re supposed to beat teams like this by a good amount, in a game where everybody can get in and have fun. Just a great team effort, everyone contributes. We realize where we’re at.”
Carlton dominated inside early and often and fin- ished with a career highmatching 17 points, leading five UConn players in double figures. Jalen Adams also scored 17 on 8- for- 10 shooting, Vital notched his third career double- double ( 14 points, 10 rebounds), Tyler Polley matched his career best with 12 points and Alterique Gilbert added 11.
A fun game for all. “Generally pleased with getting a comfortable win,” said hard- to- please head coach Dan Hurley. “( And) just kind of being able to handle our business.”
The news got even better after the game, when UConn announced that redshirt freshman forward Sid Wilson has been reinstated for all basketball competition. Wilson had been allowed to practice with the team, but not play, since his suspension was announced on Oct. 31. It’s still not clear what his violation was.
“I think he fits Coach’s system well, playing a small forward and at the fourspot,” Carlton said of Wilson. “He’ll be able to bring shooting and rebounding, a toughness. I think he’s gonna be a real good addition to the team.”
Not that it was all perfect on Saturday. The Wildcats, who entered the game hitting just 35 percent of their shots against Division 1 competition, had a few too many open looks and were hitting at a 49 percent clip