University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Xavier
No. 4 Huskies Head To Xavier On Wednesday Night
1/9/2024 10:19:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CINCINNATI – The No. 4 UConn men's basketball team (13-2, 3-1 BIG EAST) is back in action on Wednesday night when it takes a three-game winning streak into the Cintas Center to take on Xavier (7-7, 1-2 BIG EAST). Tip-off between the Huskies and Muskies is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1 with Jeff Levering and LaPhonso Ellis on the call.
The Huskies will have revenge on the mind when they visit the Queen City, as Xavier was the only team in the BIG EAST to manage a season sweep of Connecticut a season ago. All-time in the series that dates back to 1991, UConn is 3-4 against Xavier, including a 2-3 record as league-mates. Connecticut is 1-2 all-time at the Cintas Center, with the win coming in the fan-reduced 2020-21 season.
UConn is coming off a thrilling 88-81 victory at Butler on Friday night, a contest that saw the Huskies rally from seven down at the half with an explosive second stanza. The Huskies shot over 60 percent and scored 53 points in the second half in Indianapolis, getting 20 points from Alex Karaban (Southborough, Mass.) to lead the way in the win. Tristen Newton (El Paso, Texas) added 17 points and five assists while Cam Spencer (Davidsonville, Md.) and Stephon Castle (Covington, Ga.) both scored 14, with Castle grabbing nine rebounds to narrowly miss his first career double-double.
The Huskies have been led this season by their potent offense, currently leading the BIG EAST in a slew of offensive categories including scoring offense, assists per game, field goal percentage, assist/turnover ratio and scoring margin. Newton and Spencer are tied for the team-high with 15.1 points per game apiece, followed closely by Karaban at 14.8 a contest. Newton also leads the Huskies in assists (5.7) and rebounding (6.5).
Xavier hosts UConn after a week-long layoff, last playing on Jan. 3 in a setback at Villanova. XU is led by prolific transfer Quincy Olivari, who averages a team-high 17.9 points per game and shoots 41.1 percent from 3-point range. Desmond Claude also averages double-figures for the Musketeers with 14.8 points per game. Xavier is first in the BIG EAST in 3-point percentage defense, holding foes to a 29.6 percent mark from distance, and are second in the league in overall field goal percentage defense with a 39.7 percent against mark.
Following the match-up in Cincinnati, UConn returns home for two-straight in Connecticut. First up is a Sunday matinee against Georgetown on Jan. 14 at noon.
