UConn men’s basketball is back in Hartford on Tuesday as it hosts Mississippi Valley State in one final tune-up before the Nov. 19 Empire Classic.
The Huskies have cruised past their competition, as they were expected to, in their first two games. The defending national champions won both by at least 40 points but, as head coach Dan Hurley said after the 107-67 win over Stonehill on Saturday, “There’s a lot that goes into the final score.”
Hurley said the group is still finding its way as a team, noting that he’s happy with the “first six,” which includes starters Tristen Newton, Alex Karaban, Donovan Clingan, Cam Spencer and Stephon Castle, as well as Samson Johnson off the bench. As for the rest – he would love to play eight- or nine-deep as he did last year – the potential is there but the staff is still working out different combinations to figure out the best way to utilize their depth.
“These games are necessary,” he said. “These games are important, we need to be able to play these young guys, these freshmen, get them minutes (and) let them build confidence before we start playing these monster games.”
UConn men move up to No. 5 in AP Top 25 poll; Stephon Castle named Big East Freshman of the Week
Checking in on the freshmen so far, Castle, to no surprise, has had the most impact. A Day One starter, he was named Big East freshman of the week on Monday after averaging 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists through the first two games. Solo Ball was among the first to come off the bench in both games and had seven points, including his first 3-pointer, with two rebounds and a steal against Stonehill. Jayden Ross and Jaylin Stewart have each shown flashes, but they’ve played fairly limited minutes, and center Youssouf Singare has more standing in his way for playing time with Clingan and Johnson ahead of him.
Tuesday could be a perfect time for them to get some game action. While UConn is ranked No. 4 by KenPom’s efficiency metric, Mississippi Valley State is No. 362 – the least efficient team in the nation.
The Delta Devils, out of the SWAC conference, are set to play every one of their nonconference games on the road. Hartford is the third trip on the list, the Devils having already visited LSU (a 106-60 loss) and Oklahoma (82-43 loss), with more Power 6 competition coming up in No. 11 Gonzaga and No. 15 Baylor, among others.
A public Historically Black University, Mississippi Valley State is the first of two HBCU schools on UConn’s schedule this year with Arkansas Pine-Bluff coming to Gampel Pavilion in Storrs on Dec. 9.
What to know
Site: XL Center, Hartford
Time: 7 p.m.
Series: First ever meeting
TV: FS2 – John Fanta, Donny Marshall
Streaming: Fox Sports app or foxsports.com
Radio: UConn Sports Network on 97.9 ESPN
Pregame reading:
- A Husky feast: Led by Newton, Clingan, all five starters hit double figures as UConn rolls past Stonehill, 107-67
- Dom Amore: UConn’s Dan Hurley, at the pinnacle, sets a powerful example for others to strive for wellness
- Former Xavier High guard Jackson Benigni scores career-high in ‘dream’ experience against UConn men
- UConn’s Hurley counting on veterans Hassan Diarra, Tristen Newton to lead in their own way
- UConn men move up to No. 5 in AP Top 25 poll; Stephon Castle named Big East Freshman of the Week
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