Just five short years ago, UConn played Arkansas in the PK80 consolation game. They were dismantled and embarrassed, losing by 35 in what many consider to be the low point of recent Connecticut basketball history. Now, Arkansas was the team that UConn had to face to get to the Elite Eight. This time was quite a bit different.
For the 12th time in UConn history and the first time since 2014, the Huskies are still dancing after three games in the NCAA Tournament, once again making it to the Elite Eight. This time, the victim was No. 8 seed Arkansas, a team coming off a convincing victory over 1-seed Kansas. The Razorbacks never got a lead in the game, trailing the whole way, ultimately losing 88-65 in Sin City. Las Vegas, NV may be the city of second chances, but Arkansas won’t be getting one as their stay ended prematurely.
The narrative that Dan Hurley can’t win games once March comes around is suddenly becoming a lot less valid, as he has his Huskies winning games left and right this year by a total margin of 62 points. Connecticut shot 57% from the field and 45% from deep, also notching 22 assists to the Hawgs’ seven. Their physicality was clearly superior, outrebounding them 43-21 and getting 18 more points in the paint.
Jordan Hawkins and Alex Karaban each helped the Huskies get out to a quick 4-0 advantage but Anthony Black, who has been battling a leg injury, put up five points as an answer. The teams went back and forth as Tristen Newton and Andre Jackson Jr. each hit threes to get the lead up to seven.
Jackson and Newton were both spectacular in the effort, each notching very similar statlines. Jackson had seven points, eight boards and seven dimes, while Newton notched six, six and seven, although turning it over four times. The pair each had as many dimes as the Razorbacks team total and really controlled the game, establishing their dominance in the guard spots. Usually one of the two will have a great game in Husky wins, but together they were just far too much for Arkansas to handle.
Hawkins missed the several threes he took in the early minutes, while the Razorbacks took advantage, closing the deficit to three. From there though, Newton hit a logo three, Donovan Clingan got on the break for a dunk and Adama Sanogo went off on the offensive glass to put together a commanding 14-0 run.
Sanogo did his part and more against a formidable Arkansas frontcourt posting 18 points, eight boards and two blocks. He didn’t quite emulate either of his performances in the first weekend, but it was more than enough to get the job done. He’s likely not going to see his name called at the NBA draft, but he’s putting up a historic March Madness run, one that could solidify him among the UConn greats if all goes well the next week and a half.
An Arkansas timeout helped the Razorbacks wake up a bit after the UConn run, but they had trouble making much of a dent. Every Arkansas punch was met by an answer by the Huskies, as they took a lot of free throws down the stretch. Although the Hawgs cut it to 13 at one point, they ended up right back where they started, down by 17 at the break.
Sanogo got a jumper to start the half and although Black sprinkled in a few free throws, the Huskies were rolling. Hawkins and Alleyne each added shots from beyond the arc and all of a sudden Connecticut was up by 29.
Hawkins finally put together a complete game Thursday, torching the Razorbacks in a bevy of ways. He hit three threes and a few shots from inside the arc en route to his 24 points, but the biggest contributor was free throws. The sophomore was 9/9 from the stripe, capitalizing on every chance he got. Even though he wasn’t as efficient from deep as he often is, it was his best March Madness game of his career by far.
After that, everything went wrong for UConn. Black got four quick points and Graham added a three, all before the Huskies could even get the ball onto the other side of the court. Jackson then picked up an unnecessary technical foul and the Hawgs made it a 10-0 run. In response Hawkins added a pair of triples and Alleyne got a few buckets too, helping them reestablish their 25 point lead.
Arkansas went on a six point burst, but Sanogo hit a trio of layups to keep things stable. The next five minutes happened, but it wasn’t particularly competitive as the Huskies won by 23.
Next up is the winner of the Gonzaga versus UCLA game, where the teams will vie for a spot in the Final Four this Saturday.
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