Bring on the postseason.
The UConn Huskies showed they were ready for primetime with a 98-82 drubbing of Georgetown on Saturday in the regular-season finale.
James Bouknight led the way with 21 points and Jalen Gaffney added 15 for the Huskies (14-6, 11-6 Big East), who head off to the Big East Tournament as the third seed.
“This game was an important game on a number of levels, but we wanted to honor our seniors by finishing the season the right way,” said UConn head coach Dan Hurley, who picked up his 200th career college win.
Six Huskies had double digits in points, with Tyler Polley, Tyrese Martin, and Isaiah Whaley each adding 11, while freshman Adama Sanogo had 10 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. Senior Josh Carlton finished with seven points and seven rebounds of his own.
UConn raced out to a 12-0 lead and never trailed. It was the second-most points the Huskies have scored this season, with a 102-75 season-opening victory over Central Connecticut State being the only time they put up more.
The Huskies won the board battle 35-26 and tied a season-high with 22 assists.
Jahvon Blair led Georgetown (9-12, 7-9) with 22 points.
WHAT WENT WELL
Finishing Strong: Hurley wanted to keep team intensity high after the big win over Seton Hall, and the Huskies didn’t let him down. They made their first six field-goal attempts, while Bouknight and Gaffney almost outscored the Hoyas alone. It was the second-most points scored in a half this season (also against Central Connecticut State) as they led 51-24 at the break after shooting 57.6 percent. UConn shot a season-high 59.3 for the game.
Hurley: “Finishing the regular season, and obviously, finishing this last home game against a team that really only lost to us recently, we knew it was just as important to win the game and complete the regular season.”
Polley: “That was definitely the plan to come out strong, come out fast, and make the first punch.”
Bouknight: “I feel like we came into the game with a better gameplan than them.”
Three-Headed Backcourt: Cole and Bouknight have played well together the past few games, but Gaffney showed he’s got game, too. The sophomore guard was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field as he recorded his first double-digit scoring game since hitting 20 against Seton Hall on Feb. 6. Cole (seven points) broke his string of 12 double-digit scoring games, but he had a season-best eight assists with just two turnovers.
Hurley: “He (Gaffney) flashed his talent in the Seton Hall game and he’s flashed his talent all the time around us. I just think players come into their own at different points in their career. There’s instant gratification obviously if players don’t do it right away like he's developing. His body’s developing, he’s developing mentally. When we recruited him I thought he had a chance at the next level because of the athleticism and talents.”
Gaffney: “We were just looking for each other out there, sharing the ball. We have a great offense and a lot of players can score the ball. Today it came easy for us.”
Bombs Away: The Huskies set a season-high with 12 three-pointers on 28 attempts. Four players did all the damage, led by Bouknight, who was 5 of 9. Polley was 3-for-9, Gaffney 3-for-3, and Whaley 1-for-1.
Hurley: “We can throw it in. We have guards that can beat you off the dribble and get to the rim, but you have to have that shooting. You have to have those floor spacers.”
Polley: “We are just clicking right now and playing real good basketball.”
WHAT NEEDS WORK
Smart Fouling: Hard to find fault with this effort from the Huskies, but Whaley and Carlton need to stay out of foul trouble come tournament time. Also, Bouknight took a cheap shot from Bile in the second half and they both got technicals as a result. He’s going to be a marked man from here on out and needs to stay composed.
NOTES
UConn moved up to 24th in the KenPom rankings. … The senior trio of Carlton, Polley, and Isaiah Whaley were honored before the game along with junior Brendan Adams, who will graduate in May. … UConn is 6-0 when Polley scores in double figures. … Akok Akok did not play. … Richie Springs scored his first basket of the season. … The Huskies honored healthcare workers by having some in the stands for the game. Hurley said, “it was great to have the frontline health care workers in the building together, those are the real heroes.”
UP NEXT
UConn's next game will happen in the Big East Tournament on Thursday, Mar. 11 against the winner of the 6 vs. 11 seed. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. and the contest will be televised on FS1.
Hurley: “I’m gonna have these guys revved up for Thursday, I can guarantee you that.”
Check out our postgame coverage to hear the Huskies' top contributors dish on their dominant win!
