University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Butler University
No. 3 UConn MBB Opens BIG EAST Schedule At Butler
12/15/2022 11:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UConn Athletic Communications / Dec. 16, 2022
The UConn men's basketball team will try to carry its non-conference success over to BIG EAST Conference play as it opens its league schedule on the road Saturday, traveling to Indianapolis to meet Butler at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse (7 p.m., FS1).
The #3/#3 Huskies (11-0), off to the program's best start in 14 years, just completed the sixth undefeated non-conference schedule since first joining the BIG EAST in 1979-80 and has steadily climbed in the national polls. But the team is well-aware that the intensity level skyrockets when the conference games begin.
"Much closer games, being involved in dogfights, more physical games," UConn Coach Dan Hurley said about conference play. "I think nonconference games tend to get refereed a little bit softer and then they kind of let you beat the hell out of each other in conference games, especially in the Big East and maybe the Big Ten."
The rest of UConn's regular-season schedule consists of 20 BIG EAST games.
"Obviously every game in conference play is so difficult because you know each other so well and it's one of 20 and it's a grind," Hurley said. "So we know that our string of double-digit, coasting to victories is about to turn into much different type of games. And we're mentally preparing for that."
Butler, under returning head coach Thad Motta, is likely itching to get its first-ever win over UConn (0-5 vs. the Huskies) and even more so because of UConn's lofty ranking.
"Butler is much improved," Hurley said. "They start five guys, any of whom could lay 20 points on you."
The Bulldogs (8-3) have started the same five-man unit in all 11 games so far and all five average in double figures. Guards Jayden Taylor (14.9) and Chuck Harris (14.5) lead the team in scoring, center Manny Bates leads in rebounding (13.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and blocked shots (2.8), while Eric Hunter Jr. (12.5 ppg) and Simas Lukosius (11.5), who leads in assists (3.7), round out the starters.
The Bulldogs are an excellent shooting team, with a .502 field goal percentage as a team overall and a .366 three-point field goal percentage. Butler is averaging 75.0 points per game and allowing 63.3.
UConn has run up a string of impressive numbers of its own during its 11-0 run. The Huskies are averaging a league-leading 85.0 points per game and allowing only 58.5, both stats ranked 13th nationally. UConn's scoring margin of plus-26.4 points ranks second.
UConn has four players averaging double figures, led by junior Adama Sanogo's 18.3 points per game. Sophomore Jordan Hawkins is at 14.4, freshman Donovan Clingan is at 10.5, and senior Tristen Newton at 10.0. Clingan is the leading rebounder at 6.9 and Newton tops in assists at 4.4.
Butler is undefeated (6-0) at home this season, while UConn is 1-0 in true away games and 4-0 in all games away from home.
