UConn comes up short against Michigan State
Whether it was a questionable late call, fatigue from the double-overtime game the day before, or missing a key big man, the UConn Huskies had some built-in excuses for their loss today, but in the end, Michigan State was just a little better.
The Spartans scored the final nine points to beat No. 22 UConn 64-60 on Thursday in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis at the Imperial Arena in Paradise Island, Bahamas.
Adama Sanogo scored 18 points and Tyrese Martin added 16 for the Huskies (5-1), who went one of 10 from the field down the stretch as MSU surged ahead.
“There were just some mistakes that we made that really cost us,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said. “Listen, to beat a Michigan State team you can’t have those mistakes down the stretch.”
The last two Huskies’ possessions were key. A.J. Hoggard made two foul shots with 30 seconds left to give MSU a 61-60 lead. But UConn turned the ball over on the ensuing possession on an errand Martin pass.
Mailk Hall pushed the lead to 63-60 after two foul shots with 17 seconds left, but UConn did itself in with another turnover. UConn guard Jalen Gaffney was unable to drive the lane and ended up hoisting up an ill-advised 3-pointer that was off the mark.
Tyson Walker sealed the win with one of two foul shots with two seconds left. Gabe Brown led Michigan State with 16 points and Julius Marble added 15.
The Spartans dominated the first half on the way to a 32-24 lead. MSU got 11 points from Brown and was 4 of 7 on 3-pointers. They also outworked UConn on the glass, 25-21, finishing with a 48-42 edge overall.
“Michigan State is really good and we blew it,” Hurley said.
WHAT WENT WELL
Next Man Up: One thing is clear through six games, Tyrese Martin is a warrior on the floor and one of the most important player on the Huskies. Despite suffering a sprained left wrist against Auburn, Martin was in the starting lineup and played an aggressive game from start to finish. He pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds, and his grit alone almost pulled the Huskies to victory.
Tom Izzo: “That Martin kid, I told my kids that’s how you play the game. He played tough and he played hard.”
Dan Hurley: “Really come on and I think there’s room for him to get better. I think he missed on a couple things, converting around the basket or he could have had a bigger game.”
Tyrese Martin: “It’s just a sprained wrist, it was taped and I’m here to play through it.”
A Gritty Squad: The Huskies fell down big early, and despite having many reasons to pack it in, fought right back and by the end looked like they would hold on for a comfortable win. Despite the bad call, UConn also could have played better down the stretch, but their competitive spirit is coming through loud and clear.
WHAT NEEDS WORK
Falling Early: For the second straight game, UConn found itself down 21-10 in the first half after a 3-for-18 start from the field. However, this time the offense didn’t come around. The Huskies were 1 of 9 on 3-pointers as they trailed by eight at the break.
Hurley: “I think they started with more energy. I think that was a little bit expected, I mean you can put the recovery boots on and drink as many Gatorades as you want, but the game we played yesterday, it takes a little bit to wake up. These guys were playing with unbelievable pace and they were on top of us quickly. … They had fresher legs than we had.”
Struggling Without Cole: The UConn guard had a quiet first half with just three points and ran into foul trouble. Cole picked up his third foul with 14:27 to play in the game and went back to the bench. He made two key buckets during UConn’s second half surge, but departed on a question foul late in the second and that cost UConn its field general at the end.
Hurley: “R.J. getting that third foul hurt a little bit. We need him down the stretch in the last two minutes to be out there.”
Late-Game Offensive Execution: Sanogo is a beast inside and a likely first-team All-Big East player, but the Huskies seem to turn to him way too often, especially in crunch time. Sanogo shot 8 of 18 from the field. With Cole in foul trouble and Tyler Polley off his game, going 0-for-5 from the field with no points, Hurley and staff were in a tough spot.
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Hurley on finishing the week strong:
“We have to take care of business tomorrow. Coming out here, we are not going to get exactly what we want but we better leave here two and one. We are all disappointed, but we all have to turn the page.”
MISC. NOTES
The Huskies made one twist to their starting lineup with Akok starting for Isaiah Whaley, who fainted at the end of Wednesday’s double OT win over Auburn due to dehydration/fatigue. The school issued a statement Thursday morning that Whaley would sit out the game after visiting with medical staff prior to tipoff. Hurley said he was uncertain if Whaley could play in Friday’s consolation game. … This was the first game UConn trailed at the half. … Twenty-four points was a first-half low for the Huskies. … Bill Murray was in the crowd, his son is UConn assistant Luke Murray.
UP NEXT
Friday, vs. VCU, 1:30 p.m. on ESPN2