University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Butler
UCONN MBB HOME FOR REMATCH WITH BUTLER
1/25/2021 3:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UConn Athletic Communications / Jan. 25, 2021
STORRS, Conn. – The UConn men's basketball team is back in Gampel Pavilion for a two-game BIG EAST stretch that includes a rematch against Butler and a visit from #3 Villanova.
The Huskies (7-3 overall, 4-3 BIG EAST) will meet Butler on Tuesday, Jan. 26, with the tipoff at 8:30 p.m., televised on FS1. Just two days later, Villanova comes to Storrs on Thursday, Jan. 28, with a 9 p.m. tipoff on FS1.
UConn and Butler met for the first time in a regular-season game on Jan. 9 in Indianapolis, which resulted in a 72-60 UConn victory. Playing their first full game without injured leading scorer James Bouknight (Brooklyn, N.Y.), the Huskies received a huge lift off the bench from senior Tyler Polley (Miramar, Fla.), who swished five three-pointers on his way to a game-high 19 points off the bench. The Huskies also got boost from junior Tyrese Martin (Allentown, Pa.), who poured in 15 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, handed out 3 assists and had 2 steals.
UConn will still be without Bouknight in Tuesday's rematch, as he recovers from elbow surgery. Also, freshman Andre Jackson (Amsterdam, N.Y.) remains sidelined while he heals a broken bone in his wrist and redshirt sophomore Akok Akok is questionable with a bruised shin.
The Huskies will be out to break a two-game losing streak, which followed four straight wins. Besides Bouknight, Martin leads the team in scoring (11.0) and rebounding (7.3). Junior R.J. Cole (Union, N.J.) is also averaging double-figures (10.9) and is tops in assists (4.0).
UConn leads the BIG EAST in scoring defense (64.6) offensive rebounds (13.9) and rebound margin (+3.6).
Butler (5-7, 4-5) has won its last two, including an overtime victory against Creighton. The Bulldogs are receiving inspired play from guard Jair Bolden, one of the top outside threats in the BIG EAST, and forward Bryce Nze, averaging 12.3 rebounds over his last three games. Nze scored 18 against the Huskies in their first meeting.
