The UConn Huskies men’s basketball team has been a powerhouse for years. Six National Championships including back-to-back champions in 2023 and 2024. This year has been about the same. The Huskies are on a seven-game winning streak, beating two top-25 teams in Baylor and Gonzaga (on a neutral court).
The Huskies did suffer a blow in the second half against Depaul. Freshmen sensation and almost certainly a lottery pick in this year’s NBA draft, Liam McNeeley suffered what looked like a gruesome ankle injury. He was limping badly and was helped off the court and back to the locker room by trainer James Doran.
He did return to the bench in the final seconds, wearing a walking boot. He was scheduled for an MRI late Thursday or early Friday. Coach Dan Hurley said that McNeeley would probably not be available for “some time”.
Huskies Find a Way to Win After Setback
The Huskies struggled once McNeeley got hurt, and seemed rudderless, making a rash of bad turnovers and missing shots. “He’s such a key piece for us, offensively and defensively,” Alex Karaban explained. “He does so much for us out there. We didn’t respond how we should have, and at times we just let our foot off the gas and let our guard down.” DePaul cut a 22-point Huskie lead down to nine, with a chance to cut it even closer, but Jayden Ross blocked Tony D’Amico’s layup attempt.
The Huskies followed with a trio of 3-pointers, two by Alex Karaban, sandwiched around one from Solo Ball, and held on for an 81-68, New Year’s Day victory at Wintrust Arena. Ball, a sophomore, hit a career-best 3-pointers, five of them over the final three minutes of the first half and the first four of the second, and finished with a game-high 22 points to go with six rebounds, both career-best. Karaban added 18 points and Samson Johnson 10 for the 11th-ranked Huskies, who improved to 11-3 overall and 3-0 in the Big East.
“I was just letting the game come to me,” the 6-foot-4 guard said. “I didn’t shoot until about 10 minutes into the game. I was just trying to make sure that I would let the game come to me and not force any shots. I think that propelled me through the rest of the game.”
UConn’s Domination of DePaul Continues
UConn shot a blistering 14-29 from 3. More importantly, they held DePaul, fifth in the nation with 11.8 3-pointers per game, to 3-12 from distance. UConn has won its last 19 contests against DePaul (9-5 0-3), and is 20-1 all-time against the Blue Demons. There were nine NBA scouts credentialed for Wednesday’s game.
Newton’s Journey Continues: Wolves Claim Guard Waived by Pacers
Tristen Newton was waived by the Pacers on Wednesday, on Friday he was signed by the Timberwolves. He spent most of this year in the G-League, averaging 16.4 points. 6.7 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals on 39.5% shooting from three-point range in 14 games with the Indiana Mad Ants.
Newton was the 49th pick by the Indiana Pacers. He was a consensus first-team All-American, averaging 15.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists on 41.5% shooting from the field as a fifth-year senior. He registered 2 triple-doubles and 11 double-doubles in 40 games. He helped the Huskies to back-to-back national championships after three years at East Carolina, earning final four most outstanding player honors. He also won the Bob Cousy Award as the top point guard in the country and was a first-team All-Big East selection.
Sanogo Promoted to Bulls Roster: G League Stint Pays Off
Adama Sanogo is back with the Bulls after getting promoted from the G-League’s Windy City Bulls. Sanogo racked up several awards in his two seasons at UConn, winning a National Championship in his last season, and winning the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player. He became the first African-born player since Hakeem Olajuwon. It remains to be seen what role Sanogo will have if any, he can provide good size and rebounding for the Bulls.
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