University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Villanova University
#2 Huskies Get Back Into Action Against Villanova
12/27/2022 9:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UConn Athletic Communications / Dec. 28, 2022
There might be good news and bad news surrounding the time off the UConn men's basketball team around the Christmas holiday. The good news already happened – the Huskies got some well-deserved rest and relaxation after playing 13 games in a busy six-week span. The bad news would be if they lost some of the momentum that lifted them to a 13-0 record and the No. 2 ranking in the national polls.
"Some part of you wants to keep playing because we were in such a good rhythm and the group was so successful," UConn Coach Dan Hurley said. "But they also recharged, got a couple of days to go home and they deserve a break. This team really pushed it."
UConn 13-0 overall, 2-0 BIG EAST) will find out if it can pick up where it left off when it plays host to longtime opponent Villanova on Wednesday night at the sold-out XL Center in Hartford (6:30 p.m., FS1). Villanova (7-5, 1-0) is on a streak of its own, winning its last five.
Although the Huskies have a perfect record, they are far from perfect, according to their coach.
"In my mind, you're hyper-aware as a coach of any little crack in preparation or in culture or in mentality, and you're even more aware after they've been away for a couple of days because you don't know what anyone's telling them," Hurley explained. "There was enough bad things in the Georgetown game that if we make those mistakes again, in our coming schedule, we won't be as fortunate."
The Huskies defeated Georgetown, 84-73, on Dec. 20, but Hurley thinks there was plenty for UConn to improve upon.
"We've turned the ball over too much, we just had an uncharacteristic defensive rebounding performance, maybe we could have got the ball into the paint more, there's always little things creeping up," Hurley said. "There's always stuff to do."
The Huskies are led by junior Adama Sanogo in scoring (18.6) and rebounding (7.2), with junior Andre Jackson Jr. handing out the most assists (5.1) and freshman Donovan Clingan leading in blocked shots (2.0).
The Huskies are challenging a hot Villanova team which has hit its stride after struggling a bit to open the season. The Wildcats are led in scoring (16.1) by junior Eric Dixon, with freshman Cam Whitmore tops in rebounding (6.2) and grad Caleb Daniels leading in assists (3.5).
"They are one of the best offensive teams we'll play all year," Hurley said. "They have four players returning who played in the Final Four and then you add in a potential (NBA) lottery pick who is back and healthy. They have a lot of top-level recruits and guys who are at championship level.
"They've had a really hard schedule and you can see how much they've improved."
UConn and Villanova have played 71 times, with Villanova holding a 39-32 edge. The Wildcats have had the better of the series lately, winning six of the last seven meetings. UConn, however, is 8-0 at home this year, including 3-0 at the XL Center.
And perhaps the Huskies are still riding a wave of momentum.
