Sanogo and No. 20 UConn advance to PKI finals with win over No. 18 Alabama
After beating Oregon in the quarterfinals in the first round of the Phil Knight Invitational, the No. 20 UConn Huskies were facing their first real test of the year against a talented No. 18 Alabama team. They found a big lead early, lost it but never let Alabama get it back, winning their first ranked game of the year 82-67 in a runaway finish. Adama Sanogo was phenomenal, scoring 25, adding four boards and two blocks to help the Huskies to the PKI finals.
The contest began with great defense on both sides, as the Crimson Tide forced a shot clock violation in possession one. There were three blocks, a steal and a five-second violation before Charles Bediako converted on an and-one three minutes in to get the scoring started. Sanogo followed it up with a nice runner and Hawkins hit a three off the screen. New Jersey native Jahvon Quinerly followed that up with a layup to tie things up.
Hawkins hit another stepback three and Brandon Miller got going with a transition slam. Alex Karaban found Sanogo inside for the close shot, but Mark Sears evened the score at 10 with three points the old-fashioned way. Karaban played some great defense with a series of rebounds and deflections, helping the Huskies stay in the game with their offense not clicking.
Calcaterra, an effective sparkplug this year, hit a floater in his first minute in the game and then a three on the next possession. Andre Jackson found Karaban in transition for the deep ball and all of a sudden it was 18-10. Jackson got a bucket of his own on the break and Hawkins glided in for the layup. Hassan Diarra surprisingly blocked a shot, Clingan scored a close one and Alabama turned it over again.
The Tide finally hit a three to break the 14 point run, but Jackson got another shot to fall to keep the momentum going. Tristen Newton lobbed one up to Clingan for a flush and Miller answered with a trey. Karaban had yet another gorgeous pass to Hawkins for the triple but Rylan Griffin hit one of his own.
The teams went through another tough offensive stretch until Griffin splashed one in from deep to cut things to single-digits. Miller got yet another bucket, Sanogo picked up an offensive foul and Noah Clowney cut the deficit to five at the half with a dunk. The Huskies squandered a 15 point lead in the closing minutes of the first period and things were much closer than they could have been.
Karaban ended the Bama 9-0 run with a wide open flush to start the half but Nimari Burnett answered with a tough fadeaway. Nate Oats got a technical after a Sanogo block and Hawkins nailed the free throws. Karaban fouled Burnett on the deep ball, and he hit two of the three. Sanogo got the reverse layup to go off the Newton dump-off and the Huskies continued to narrowly stay ahead.
Sears once again cut it to three with a close look but Calcaterra hit a trey, this time fading away in the corner. Jackson threw up several threes but couldn't hit and then he fouled Clowney on the and-one. Jaden Bradley and Clowney combined for three free throws and all of a sudden it was tied again. Karaban swished a pair from the stripe and Clingan swatted Quinerly’s shot into the third row, doing everything possible to prevent an Alabama lead.
Despite Clingan’s efforts, Noah Gurley still got a hook to go, but Calcaterra and Hawkins helped Connecticut to a 4-0 run. Bradley hit a fallaway and went on his own 4-0 run to get things even. The teams each exchanged ticky-tack fouls and there free throws aplenty with nine minutes to go. Neither team could gain much separation, going back and forth.
With the Huskies up four, Hawkins picked up his fourth foul and Sears made just one of two. Sanogo got a fast break slam off the Newton lead pass and then he swatted a Miller shot hard off the glass. As if to ink his name on the headline of this one, Sanogo nailed his first three of the night to balloon the advantage to 63-53 with five minutes to go.
Newton hit a deep three for his first field goal and Quinerly was called for the double dribble. A Sanogo layup helped the lead back up to 15 and Karaban got a three to join the party. Sanogo got another inside but Sears broke the 17-1 run with the triple, but it wasn’t enough, as the Huskies closed well.
TAKEAWAYS...
Sanogo had his fingerprints all over this one, doing just about everything in the win. His inside game was strong, he defended Miller well and he also hit a three. He’ll need to be strong Sunday in the championship as he continues to try to put his name into the 2023 NBA draft conversation.
Newton also had a night to remember, making another push at a double-double with nine points and eight assists. Although he didn’t have quite the scoring output he produced Thursday, Newton still played extremely well. His effect on this team has been incredible, as he’s been a great calming force and reliable free throw shooter.
Karaban continues to make a positive impression during his young freshman season, with 12 points and four dimes. He also had a great defensive impact, forcing Hurley to keep him on the floor throughout the game.
This looks like one of the best UConn teams in recent history, dominating their past two Power Six opponents, along with the mid-majors that came before. No Husky team under Hurley has been this good this early and they should be in line for an upgrade in the polls come Monday.
First though, the Huskies will vie for the championship of the PKI on Sunday at 10 p.m. EST, playing unranked Iowa State, who just beat No. 1 UNC this afternoon. The game will air on ESPN.
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