The UConn Huskies men’s basketball team demonstrated their resilience in just their second game of the season, already shorthanded. The Huskies were missing three starters–Andre Jackson, Jordan Hawkins and Samson Johnson–but still prevailed, notching an 86-57 victory to get two wins in as many games. Junior star Adama Sanogo made his mark, providing the team with a monster 27 points and 15 boards in what could end up being a career year.
“Really proud of the way we approached the game today,” Coach Dan Hurley said. “We’re blessed to be able to play in such an environment with the students. Thrilled with the way we played without a lot of firepower.”
“The thing that’s the most difficult for me is that we didn’t play well defensively,” noted BU coach Joe Jones. “We were behind on every play on defense. Offensively, we need to be more disciplined too if we want to beat a team like UConn on the road.”
Sanogo got things started with an offensive rebound and post hook and the swarming Husky defense forced a travel. The center got another on a nice feed from Hassan Diarra, who has demonstrated his top-notch passing abilities in the past two games. Diarra then proved his shooting abilities, nailing a triple from the top of the key. Sanogo scored another on a nice post hook and Connecticut was cruising at the first media timeout, up 9-0.
“[Sanogo] spent a lot of time on his game,” noted Hurley. “Being able to trust his three. He’s able to get the ball at different places on the court. If Adama doesn't play like he did, it’s a different game. He played like an All-American.”
Alex Karaban picked up right where his teammates left off, getting to the cup on a strong move and then converting on an and-one, but missing the free throw. Clingan made a putback layup and a below the basket flush and it was 17-2 early. Sanogo hit a surprising three and BU’s Fletcher Tymen and Walter Whyte each answered with buckets. Richie Springs, who received unusual playing time with all the Huskies hurt, also netted a nice baseline jumper.
“I’m proud of Richie [Springs] today,” mentioned Hurley. “We didn’t have much time to get him mentally ready to go. He can give us some minutes to hold things down and also show us that he’s good.”
Clingan got a block and a bucket and Alleyne hit a long-ball, but the Terriers responded with a layup. The Huskies picked up a series of fouls as the half wore on, giving BU some easy opportunities to score despite their horrid field goal mark. Springs made an impressive and-one bucket, but continued to struggle from the stripe, missing the freebee. Tymen connected on a jumper and all of a sudden it was a 12 point game with just over a minute to go. A calm Sanogo answered with a hook and then he nailed his second three of the contest to push the lead to 17 at the half.
Boston University started the second a lot better than they began the first, with Jonas Harper hitting an easy deuce and Whyte adding a layup. Alleyne and Sanogo answered, going on a 7-2 run to extend the advantage to 20. The Terriers went on a 6-0 run of their own and it was 49-35 early in the second frame.
Sanogo again proved to be a calming force, but Daman Tate hit a three to get right back at the Huskies. As if the previous sequence was on replay, Sanogo got a deuce to go and Tate added three. Joey Calcaterra added to the damage, splashing a deep shot and Clingan brought the lead back to 21 with an electric slam. Karaban then called bank on the three, Newton hit a mid-range three and it was finally feeling like the Huskies were breaking loose.
Sanogo added to his prolific night with another easy layup, but Harper did his best to keep things competitive with a bucket. Newton started to get into his groove with a longball, Alleyne hit one too and this one was all but over.
TAKEAWAYS...
Diarra again had a positive showing in his first start as a Husky, posting six points and six assists. He’s fit in well as the primary facilitator in the offense and should be able to continue this role until Jackson returns in two weeks.
Another strong performer was Tristen Newton, who got his first double-digit scoring game at UConn. He scored 11 to go along with six boards, but will continue to need to be more aggressive if he wants to make things happen against better competition.
“I loved [Tristen Newton’s] second half,” said Hurley. “He went from an offense where he could take any shot in games he was losing in. Now we’re asking him to be a two-way player and take smart shots. He’s changing and there’s a lot more on his shoulders than some of the other transfers we’ve had.”
Clingan had a very strong outing for his small 20 minutes, adding 10 points and seven rebounds. He nearly threw down a few insane posters, but was fouled on every try. As he gets more time, the CT product should be a double-double threat on the regular.
“Donovan [Clingan] played well,” said Hurley. “These games aren't the easiest for him because there’s so much five-out. He has a lot of potential to get better.”
“[Clingan’s] not playing like a freshman,” noted Karaban. “He’s killing it. He’s been making all of us better.”
The Huskies next go down the road to the XL Center Tuesday for a faceoff against Buffalo in a game that should be tougher.
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