Well that was fun, wasn’t it?
UConn has been waiting for baited breath for James Bouknight to come back for nearly two weeks know, with that urgency going into overdrive after the team’s first loss to Providence last week. With last Saturday’s win against Xavier however, the Huskies showed that they could beat a strong opponent without their star. They carried that momentum over to Tuesday night, and played a more complete game with Bouknight back, not looking like he missed a day at all.
UConn defeated Providence 73-61 to improve to 10-5 (7-5 Big East).In just 24 minutes, Bouknight scored 24 points against the Friar defenders, who looked helpless to stop him. The Huskies led for nearly the entire game and by double dights for most of the second half.
The first half was the Bouknight and Tyrese Martin show, as the pair combined for 28 of the team’s 37 points. After not scoring in the first 3:06, UConn went on an 11-0 run to go up by seven. The final basket in this run was a Martin layup off a pass from Bouknight, who had just come in the game moments before. Both teams started off strong on offense, with the Huskies mainly scoring on laups and off turnovers and Providence on 3-pointers. A three by A.J. Reeves tied the game at 19 with 9:51 to go.
After the Friars tied the score, Bouknight gave UConn the lead for good on a 3-point play. This was talready he sophomore’s fourth basket, with the first being a spectacular dunk off an offensive rebound. Bouknight displayed great athleticism and shot-making ability from the moment he stepped on the court. He made multiple difficult layups, passed the ball well and played solid defense.
After their hot start, Providence cooled off and the Huskies defense executed much better. They forced key turnovers and consistently challenged shots at the rim, with Whaley, Bouknight and Jackson (defending star David Duke) in particular stepping up. The Friars hit just three field goals in the last six minutes. UConn did an excellent job rebounding on both ends throughout the first half, setting a tone that would last the whole game.
In the second half, other players carried the load, as Bouknight and Martin scored “only” eight combined points. With Sanogo fighting foul trouble, Josh Carlton stepped up and scored seven points. Tyler Polley hit two 3-pointers as well as a jumper, scoring nine points. Bouknight continued to impress on both ends before sitting out the last few minutes due to a cramp. Following a dunk by Whaley off a pass by Cole 4:48 into the half, UConn led by double digits the rest of the way and pushed their lead to 18 multiple times. The defense continued to play well, limiting Providence to very few 3-point opportunities and holding them scoreless for long stretches. The Friars did not break the 50-point mark until there was just over seven minutes left.
After the Huskies coming-out party on offense against Xavier, they were even more efficient against Providence with Bouknight in the fold. UConn shot 46.8% overall (the team’s highest percentage since its second win against Butler) and 5-12 from three. Bouknight was 7-13 from the field and 4-5 at the line and added two steals, while Martin shot 8-16 to finish with 18 points and seven rebounds, four offensive. Cole struggled to make shots late in the game, but still finished with 13 points and five assists. Carlton had seven points and rebounds (four offensive) and two blocks, and Whaley grabbed six rebounds and added three blocks. The Huskies outrebounded Providence 42-32 and had 12 assists.
The Friars shot just 36.2% from the field and made only four threes, and had 11 turnovers to nine assists. Duke finished with 11 points but shot just 3-16 from the field, and a week after scoring 20 points against UConn, Nate Watson was held to six points. The only Providence player who had a strong offensive game was Alyn Breed, who scored 14 points on 5-11 shooting.
The Huskies had an extremely encouraging night all around against Providence. The excitement and offensive firepower Bouknight brought was awesome, and UConn’s defense had its best performance in a while. It is going into Saturday’s game at Villanova with a lot of momentum, and its setting up to be one of the best Big East matchups of the season.
Here are my game observations for the encouraging win against Providence:
James Bouknight is good, you guys:
While I believed that Bouknight could have a good performance and provide UConn the necessary energy to earn a decisive win, he frankly exceded my expectations. Bouknight was extremely efficient on offense, not displaying any rustiness with his shot. He demonstrated a ton of confidence and did not hesitate from going inside or taking difficult shots despite the injury. Bouknight also passed and rebounded the ball well, grabbing four. I was also really impressed with his tenacious defense which resulted in two steals. Bouknight has improved on that end throughout the season.
With Bouknight back, UConn will be a much better offensive team, and improve on defense as well. Bouknight is not only capable of scoring roughly 20 points per game, his average for the season. He will open up the offense and provide better scoring opportunities to his fellow guards as as Martin and Polley, who can get higher-quality looks from three, and allow the Huskies to play in the uptempo style that has been successful the last two games. Bouknight needs to build up his stamina, but he makes the team capable of beating anyone. It’s nice to have a full-blown star again.
UConn’s defense and rebounding has become its greatest strength again
The Huskies were an excellent defensive team in the first half of the season, allowing only two opponents (Central Connecticut and Creighton) to score over 70 points in a game. However, they had a mid-season swoon, allowing 70 or more points as they lost four of five). At the same time, UConn rebounded less effectively, and has lost or tied the rebounding margin in four of the five losses. Against Xavier and Providence however, the team reestablished its superiority in these areas.
In the last two games, the Huskies have executed very well on defense. They made it difficult to score in the paint and in traffic, and have switched and hedged more efficiently then they were doing in the losses. Playing at a faster pace also made Xavier and Providence susceptible to turnovers. Whaley has been outstanding and blocked eight shots, and Carlton and Amada Sanogo have both defended well at times. Meanwhile, Martin and Cole continue to be mostly reliable on that end, while Jackson has shown a ton of growth as a defender with each game. Add Bouknight and Akok Akok to the mix, and the defense can shut down anyone.
UConn outrebounded Xavier by four and Providence by 10, and it hasn’t just been the bigs who have been grabbing boards. Six Huskies grabbed four or more rebounds against Providence, and that gang rebounding mentality can allow the team to tire out and overwhem opponents, especially on the offensive end. Uconn is now sixth in the country in offensive rebounding rate according to KenPom (36.8), and are second in the Big East in offensive rebounds per game and fifth in total rebounds. If it can use its size and athleticism to continue maintaining their rebounding advantage against the remaining regular season opponents (particularly Villanova and Setion Hall, which both have excellent offenses), then the Huskies offense should be effective enough to win all these games.
Huskies get contributions from everywhere for the second straight game
I have already exposed on the impressive depth UConn showed in Tuesday’s game, but I wanted to focus on it more here. At guard, the team had the theatrics of Bouknight as well as the steady play of Cole and key plays on both ends by Jackson. Cole looks more comfortable running an uptempo offense and has passed the ball well recently. While he is still an inconsistent shooter, the redshirt junior has demonstrated a better ability to finish at the rim the last few games and knock down pull-ups. Cole has averaged just over 14 points in the last eight games and scored in double figures in each contest, and he’ll get more open shots with Bouknight back. Jackson still needs to be more consistent on defense and avoid foul trouble (he had four in 21 minutes against the Friars), but he again provied himself a solid rebounder and excellent passer, and his athleticism and speed makes him a perfect compliment to Bouknight. If Gaffney can be even slightly more consistent, then UConn can have one of the best backcourts in the Big East going forward.
At the forward spots, Martin and Polley both have played well the last two games. Martin has scored 33 points in the last two games and proven himself to be UConn’s second-best player over the last few weeks. The junior transfer can score inside as well as shoot over the defense, and still contribute on the boards and on the defensive end even when he’s not shooting well. I expect him to keep up the strong play. Polley seems to have found his shooting stroke the last two games, and its been nice to see him not just focus on shooting threes. With Bouknight back, he should get even more open looks.
Whaley has played excellent defense the last two games both as a power forward and at center, and he demonstrated against Xavier what he is capable of on offense as well. I discuss Carlton’s performance more below, and I am sure Sanogo will continue to show growth in some of the remaining games. If Akok can consistently get on the floor, the Huskies frontcourt will be a force to be reckoned with on both ends.
Josh Carlton reminds fan of his skills
With the emergence of Sanogo, Carlton has received little playing time recently. Akok may take away from his opportunities to get on the floor as well. Nevertheless, the senior center demonstrated he can still be a valuable piece of the bench. Carlton did a great job of beating out Providence players for reobunds and flashed his ability to score in the low post, even adding a few foul shots for good measure. Add the blocks, and Carlton showed he can be a force in short bursts when he matches up well against fellow bigs. If Carlton continues utilizing his skills well and play with energy off the bench, he can make the Huskies better on both ends and help the team out when teammates are in foul trouble.
HUSKY NATION 