University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Xavier
UConn Entertains Xavier In Saturday Matinee At Gampel
2/18/2022 11:54:00 AM | Men's Basketball
UConn Athletic Communications / Feb. 18, 2022
STORRS, Conn. – The UConn men's basketball team begins a five-game run to the end of the regular season on Saturday (noon, FOX) by playing host to Xavier in the next-to-last game of the year at Gampel Pavilion. The game is an advance sellout.
The No. 24/24 Huskies (18-7 overall, 9-5 BIG EAST), who have won two straight and three of their last four, will be out to even the season series against the Musketeers (17-8, 7-7), who defeated UConn, 74-68, just nine days ago in Cincinnati.
"Of course you're always motivated to play against a team that beat you," said UConn graduate guard R.J. Cole.
Since the loss to Xavier, UConn has won games against St. John's at Madison Square Garden and against Seton Hall at Gampel, the latter in front of a sold out crowd. Cole, sophomore Adama Sanogo, and senior Tyrese Martin combined for 52 points and 29 rebounds in the 70-65 win over Seton Hall.
The trio, along with grad Isaiah Whaley and sophomore Andre Jackson, form the Huskies' usual starting lineup, which has a 14-3 record this season. Cole is the Huskies' top scorer (16.2) and assist leader (4.4), while Sanogo is the leader in rebounds (8.6).
The win over UConn was Xavier's lone victory in its last four games, which includes an 86-73 home loss to St. John's last Wednesday. The Musketeers are led in scoring by 7-foot center Jack Nunge, who poured in 22 in the game against UConn. Colby Jones is the top rebounder for Xavier (7.6) and Paul Scruggs hands out the most assists (4.3).
UConn and Xavier have met four times overall (series tied, 2-2), but the Musketeers have never played UConn either in Storrs or Hartford. UConn captured a win in the second round of the 1991 NCAA Tournament in Minneapolis, Xavier was a double-overtime winner in their meeting in the 2019 Charleston Classic. They only met once last season due to Covid, with UConn winning at the Cintas Center and Xavier took the Cintas Center game nine days ago.
The Huskies are 11-2 at home this season and a perfect 6-0 at Gampel Pavilion.
