University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Providence
UCONN MBB HOSTS PROVIDENCE
2/15/2021 3:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UConn Athletic Communications / Feb. 15, 2021
STORRS, Conn. – For the second time in just seven days, UConn and Providence will face off in a BIG EAST contest, this time at Gampel Pavilion, on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. (FS1).
UConn will be out to avenge a 70-59 loss it suffered last week at Providence's Alumni Hall. UConn is 8-2 all-time against Providence at Gampel Pavilion.
The Huskies (9-5 overall, 6-5 BIG EAST) are coming off an inspiring 80-72 road victory at Xavier on Saturday, their fourth conference road win of the season. In the absence of leading scorer sophomore James Bouknight (20.3), who missed his eighth game with an elbow injury, the Huskies have been led by the scoring of junior guards R.J. Cole (12.1) and Tyrese Martin (12.1). Martin is also the team's top rebounder (7.4) and Cole leads in assists (4.2).
UConn senior Isaiah Whaley leads the BIG EAST in blocked shots (2.7), while Martin is second in offensive rebounds (2.9) and third in steals (1.6). As a team, the Huskies lead the BIG EAST in scoring defense (65.9) and blocked shots (5.1), and rank second in field goal percentage defense (.428) and offensive rebounds (11.9).
Providence (11-10, 7-8) picked up a road win at DePaul, 57-47, after defeating UConn last week. The Friars have a potent one-two scoring punch in junior guard David Duke (17.4) and senior center Nate Watson (17.2). Duke also leads the team in assists (4.9) and Watson is the leading rebounder (6.8). As a team, the Friars lead the league in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.294).
In last week's game, the teams battled evenly until Providence managed to gain a cushion midway through the second half and held on for the victory. Duke and Watson each scored 17 to lead the win.
In their long history as New England and BIG EAST rivals, UConn and Providence have played twice during the regular season 22 times. UConn has earned the season sweep 10 times, Providence has earned the sweep four times, and they have split eight times.
