University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Creighton
UCONN MBB CHALLENGES CREIGHTON IN BE TOURNEY SEMIFINALS
3/12/2021 5:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UConn Athletic Communications / March 12, 2021
NEW YORK – The UConn men's basketball team, fresh off a 94-60 romp in the BIG EAST Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday night, face a more difficult test Friday night as the #3-seeded Huskies face #2-seeded Creighton in the semifinals. The game is set for a 9 p.m. tipoff at Madison Square Garden and will be televised by FS1.
The Huskies (14-6), riding a five-game winning streak, had little trouble eliminating #11-seed DePaul in the quarterfinal game, UConn's first BIG EAST Tournament game since 2012. Creighton (19-7), ranked No. 17 in both national polls, defeated the Huskies twice during the regular season, however, and boasts a veteran team that has maintained its national ranking throughout this season.
The winner of the semifinal will play for the BIG EAST championship against either Seton Hall or Georgetown on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. (FOX).
UConn will likely stick with its usual starting five, led by sophomore James Bouknight, the team's top scorer (19.4). Bouknight, who scored 40 points against Creighton the first time the teams met, suffered muscle cramps and had to leave Thursday night's quarterfinal game, but is expected to play Friday. Junior R.J. Cole (12.7) and junior Tyrese Martin are also double-figure scorers for the Huskies. Martin is the team's top rebounder (7.4) and Cole leads in assists (4.4).
The final two starting spots are usually filled by senior Isaiah Whaley, among the nation's leaders in blocked shots (2.8), and blossoming freshman Adama Sanogo (7.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg). The Huskies' deep bench includes BIG EAST Sixth Man of the Year senior Tyler Polley, freshman Andre Jackson, sophomore Jalen Gaffney, and senior Josh Carlton.
UConn's last two games, a 98-point total against Georgetown and 94 against DePaul, have lifted the team's average to 73.3 ppg, while allowing a league-leading 64.9. The Huskies also hold a plus-5.9 rebounding advantage over opponents.
Creighton is coming off a romp of its own, defeating Butler, 87-56, in the quarterfinals. The Bluejays, who have won six of their last eight, boast five double-figure scorers, led by junior Marcus Zegarowski (15.5), who is also the team's top assist man (4.4). Christian Bishop is the Bluejays' top rebounder (6.0).
The game will mark the 14th semifinal appearance for UConn, which has a 10-3 record in those games. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
