Huskies a step from Final Four after blowout of Razorbacks
After Uconn lost as a 5 seed to 12thseeded New Mexico State in the first round of last year’s NCAA Tournament, Huskies coach Dan Hurley told his core players they would be back on this stage.
Not only would they return, but Hurley said he would surround them with players capable of taking them deep into March.
They are certainly doing that.
The Huskies’ 88- 65 victory over Arkansas in the West Region semifinals on Thursday night was their third by double digits in as many games.
Jordan Hawkins scored 24 points to lead the dominant effort.
Fourth- seeded Uconn (28- 8) will play either UCLA or Gonzaga on Saturday for a spot in the Final Four, a stout response to last year’s early exit.
“We really from that day on really held each other to
a higher standard and just told each other we’re going to push for a national championship,” Uconn guard Andre Jackson Jr. said. “We’re going to push for that type of standard every day in practice and we’re going to hold each other to that.”
Uconn is playing like a
team capable of winning its fifth national title and first since 2014. The Huskies have outscored their three March Madness opponents by 62 points.
“They’ve got a real complete team, probably the most complete team in the country,” Arkansas guard Ricky Council IV said. “I
think they can definitely win it all.”
The Huskies won their first two games by outscoring Iona and Saint Mary’s by a combined 86- 49 in the second half.
Uconn surged early against Arkansas with a 14-point run and took a 4629 lead into halftime.