UConn faces hot-shooting Marquette in semifinals
UNCASVILLE — After the quick turnaround, the UConn women will face a different challenge Sunday in the Big East Tournament semifinals.
The most effective defensive team in the league, UConn, goes up against the hottest offense so far in the tournament, Marquette.
“Some of the easy baskets we got will not be there [vs. UConn],” Marquette coach Megan Duffy said, after the Golden Eagles defeated DePaul, 105-85, on Saturday. “We understand that. Their defense continues to be taken up to another level as they get all their bodies back.”
Marquette shot a tournament-record 66 percent, and the teams combined for the largest number of points in tournament history. However, UConn held Georgetown to nine first-half points, tied for the fewest ever in a Big East Tournament, in its 84-38 victory.
UConn defeated Marquette twice this season, 72-58 and 69-38. The Golden Eagles, having knocked off DePaul. have put themselves in the NCAA Tournament bubble. So for them the stakes will be high, but with little to lose.
“I’m just thrilled that we finally showcased the team we can be,” Duffy said.
Here what you need to know about the matchup:
The basics
Big East semifinals
Site: Mohegan Sun Arena
Day/Time: Sunday, 3 p.m.
Series: UConn leads, 14-0
Last meeting: UConn 69-38, Feb. 23 at XL Center
TV: FS1 (Lisa Byington and Sarah Kustok)
Radio: UConn Sports Network (Bob Joyce, Debbie Fiske)
Marquette (21-9) probable starters, sixth player: Liza Karlen, F, 6-2, So.; Lauren Van Kleunen, F, 6-2, Gr.; Chloe Marotta, F, 6-1, Sr.; Karissa McLaughlin, G, 5-7, Gr.; Jordan King, G, 5-11, Jr.; Antwainette Walker, G, 5-11, Jr.
UConn (23-5) probable starters, sixth player: Nika Mühl, G, 5-10, So.; Aaliyah Edwards, F, 6-3, So.; Christyn Williams, G, 5-11, Sr.; Azzi Fudd, G, 5-11, Fr.; Paige Bueckers G, 5-11, So.,; Olivia Nelson-Ododo, F, 6-5, Sr.
The matchup
UConn offense: UConn’s offense is bound to benefit from having Paige Bueckers on the floor more in each game. She had a very efficient 16 points vs. Georgetown on Saturday, shaking the rust off her scoring skills in her third game back from the knee injury.
UConn defense: UConn is doing everything right on defense, turning the opponent over, and making opposing ballhandlers and shooters uncomfortable with relentless pressure. This is the result of having nine healthy, experienced player.
Marquette offense: It was hard to believe Marquette, after scoring 105 points vs. DePaul, was the same team that managed only 38 against UConn two weeks ago, and averaged 66 during the season. The Golden Eagles had five in double figures, making 44 of 67 shots from the floor. They went 17-for-49 vs. UConn.
Marquette defense: The Golden Eagles hold opponents to 58.6 points per game, 38.9 percent from the floor and 27.6 on 3s. Those numbers will be tested with UConn at full strength.
UConn keys: Play tough on the boards and keep the defensive pressure on a Marquette team that settled into a rhythm on Saturday.
Players to watch: All eyes on Bueckers, who is approach her pre-injury form. Karlen, with 26 points and 14 rebounds, comes off a monster game for Marquette.
About Marquette’s coach: Megan Duffy, 37, in her third season at Marquette was Big East coach of the year in 2019-20. A former WNBA player with the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty, she coached Miami (Ohio) two seasons before coming to Marquette. Duffy’s record at the two schools is 106-41.
Marquette’s mascot: Iggy the Golden Eagle, who is named after St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Famous alumni: NBA players Jimmy Butler, Jae Crowder, Markus Howard, Wesley Matthews, Juan Toscano-Anderson.
Dom Amore can be reached at damore@courant.com