University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Villanova
No. 1 UConn Hosts Villanova For White Out Saturday Night
2/23/2024 10:58:00 AM | Men's Basketball
STORRS – The No. 1 UConn men's basketball team (24-3, 14-2 BIG EAST) will look to bounce back on Saturday night when it plays host to Villanova (15-11, 8-7 BIG EAST) at Gampel Pavilion. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. on FOX Primetime Hoops with Gus Johnson and Jim Jackson on the call.
Prior to Saturday's contest, ESPN's College GameDay will originate from Gampel Pavilion. The show will air from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. More information can be found here.
Saturday night is Bleed Blue, Wear White night at Gampel Pavilion. Fans are encouraged to wear WHITE. At halftime of the contest, UConn will officially retire the number 32 of the legendary Richard "Rip" Hamilton. He will become the second men's basketball Husky to have his number enshrined in the Gampel rafters.
UConn is coming off a setback on Tuesday night at No. 15 Creighton, falling to the Bluejays by a score of 85-66. Tristen Newton (El Paso, Texas) turned in a huge effort for the Huskies in defeat, finishing with 27 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. UConn dropped its first game in six weeks playing as No. 1 after Creighton knocked down 14 3-pointers in the contest.
The Huskies are looking for a season sweep of the Wildcats, knocking off Villanova on Jan. 20 in Philadelphia by a score of 66-65. Newton led the way for Connecticut in that win, scoring 25 points. Since UConn returned to the BIG EAST for the 2020-21 season they are 4-4 against the Wildcats, now sitting at 35-39 all-time against VU in a series dating back to 1941.
Newton leads a potent offense for UConn with a team-high 15.4 points per game, also pacing the squad with 6.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. The All-America candidate was recently named to the late season watch lists for both the Wooden Award and the Naismith Award.
Cam Spencer (Davidsonville, Md.) checks in at second on the squad with 14.8 points per game, ranking top-10 nationally with a 43.8 percent mark from 3-point range. Alex Karaban (Southborough, Mass.) adds 14.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while Donovan Clingan (Bristol, Conn.) checks in at 12.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game on 64.5 percent shooting from the floor.
The Wildcats visit Connecticut with a 15-11 record on the year and an 8-7 mark in BIG EAST play. Villanova most recently in action at home on Tuesday night, taking down Butler to win its third-straight game. Eric Dixon leads the Wildcats with 15.9 points per game, while TJ Bamba (10.4 ppg) and Justin Moore (10.0 ppg) also average double-figures. Villanova ranks top-20 in the nation in defensive efficiency, per Kenpom.
Following Saturday night UConn will have over a week off for its second bye, returning to action against Seton Hall on March 3.
