University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Xavier University
UConn Takes On Xavier In Top 25 Matchup
1/24/2023 7:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UConn Athletic Communications / Jan. 24, 2023
STORRS, Conn. – The UConn men's basketball team is hoping to carry over the momentum from Sunday's 30-point victory to Wednesday night's game at Gampel Pavilion.
The Huskies (16-5 overall, 5-5 BIG EAST) broke a three-game losing streak in a big way on Sunday, thumping Butler, 86-56, at the XL Center in Hartford. Wednesday's game offers an opportunity to make an even bigger statement as they play host to BIG EAST-leading Xavier (16-4, 8-1) at 6:30 p.m. (FS1).
After a 14-0 start, the Huskies suffered their first loss of the season at Xavier on Dec. 31, the beginning of a difficult stretch during which they went 1-5.
"We tried to stress to the team that every team in the country goes through a bad 10-day period, or two-week period," UConn coach Dan Hurley said after the Butler win. "The way the schedule set up for us, it sent us out to Xavier, then you go to Providence and to Marquette, three nationally-ranked teams … usually, in-between those games, you might play a bottom team in the league, where you can get right.
"It was the perfect storm, but that's over now. We won one and now we cannot wait to get to Gampel on Wednesday, where we've won a lot of games in a row." Â
UConn, ranked #19/#20, takes a spotless (6-0) record at Gampel Pavilion this season into Wednesday's contest. In fact, the Huskies are currently riding a 17-game win streak at their on-campus home.
The Huskies received a big boost from stalwarts Adama Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins on Sunday, as Sanogo posted his fourth double-double of the season with 17 points and 14 rebounds, while Hawkins led all scorers with 20 points. Freshman Alex Karaban continued his consistent play with 15 points and 5 rebounds, collecting his fourth BIG EAST Freshman of the Week award in the process. Guard Tristen Newton had his second straight double-figure game with 11 points and fifth starter Andre Jackson handed out 4 assists.
Sanogo continues to lead the team in scoring (17.2) and rebounding (7.1), while Hawkins (15.5) and Karaban (10.1) are also in double-figures and Jackson is the leader in assists (4.6).
The #13/#12 Musketeers have won 12 of their last 13 games behind an impressive offensive attack that averages 84.1 points per game and boasts all five starters averaging double-figures. Grad student guard Souley Boum leads the way at 16.6 ppg, followed by senior forward Zach Freemantle (15.4), grad center Jack Nunge (14.5), junior guard Colby Jones (14.3) and senior guard Adam Kunkel (10.6).
Freemantle (8.5) and Nunge (8.1) are Xavier's rebound leaders and Kunkel hands out the most assists (5.2).
The Musketeers are shooting .501 overall as a team and .397 from three-point range. They own a +8.7 scoring margin and a +6.6 rebounding margin over their opponents.
"They have a lot of weapons at all positions," UConn guard Joey Calcaterra said. "Their guards are all shooters and they all can attack the hoop."
In the first game between the teams, UConn held a narrow 42-41 edge at halftime, but Xavier held the Huskies to 31 second-half points to capture an 83-73 win. UConn was led by Sanogo with 18 points, and Jackson with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists.
"Once a team gets you, you want to get them back," UConn junior Andre Jackson said. "It's motivation. Nobody wants to get swept by anybody. That's not acceptable, especially here at UConn."
