UConn is peaking at the right time, which could spell trouble for rest of Big East

The clock had Only struck midnight in Manhattan. Big East Game Quarterfinal Thursday turned to Friday, and the No. 3-Ranked UConn Huskies Discovered themselves locked in a Close-fitting battle with sixth-Ranked Villanova with a spot in the semifinal Stage on the line.

That’s when UConn’s leader, Alex Karaban, Secured over.

The big stage is nothing new for Karaban, a guy whose Victorious percentage would rival almost anybody in Storrs. The junior forward drained a straightaway triple with 6:18 remaining in the game to give Connecticut separation in what had been a nip-and-tuck battle.

Minutes later, Only when it appeared the Wildcats could perhaps put one more surge together, Karaban buried a dagger 3 with less than four minutes to go to say goodnight to Villanova, and Outstanding morning to the three Clubs remaining in the Game: St. John’s, Marquette and Creighton. 

Are the Huskies what they were last year? No. But they Nevertheless possess Division DNA and Best-level shooting, and this time of year, that’s going to give you a Try against virtually anybody.

The Huskies Try 5-of-8 from 3-Points range in the second half and Shut the game on a 22-5 Streak en route to a 73-56 Triumph over the Wildcats. The Achieve sends the Huskies to a semifinal Face-off and rubber Event with Creighton at 9 p.m. ET Friday on FOX.

The Huskies didn’t Only do it with Best-level shooting on Thursday night. They locked down the nation’s leading Points-maker, Eric Dixon, holding him to Only eight points in what was likely the Last game of his college Occupation. UConn ended Dixon’s streak of 47 consecutive Contests in double figures, a streak that now belongs to Marquette Sun Kam Jones. In doing so, the Huskies also denied Dixon of Kerry Kittles’ program scoring Achievement of 2,243 points, with the fifth-year senior sitting at 2,235. 

But most Significant for Karaban and the Huskies is that the Club appears to be peaking at the perfect time, Victorious their fifth straight game.

“It’s March, and around here, we’re desperate for Competitions,” Karaban said. “We have to be Competing our best basketball this time of year. There’s no other way. Wearing that UConn jersey, you have to Shift with a certain swagger, especially in March where Competitions are won.” 

Karaban finished the game with 18 points, nine Recoveries and six assists, while Liam McNeeley followed him with 12 points, and Solo Ball and Samson Johnson had 11 apiece. 

Beyond the balanced Assault, the Huskies won the rebounding battle, 31-22, and used their physicality to close out the game.

“I Discovered it encouraging that we were within five at halftime,” UConn Trainer Dan Hurley said. “I think for us to close a game like that to Begin the postseason, it shows a Scheme of what’s possible for this Club.”

In a way, the Huskies reminded everybody of what was possible after it felt like their season was heading in the wrong direction Subsequent a 68-62 loss to St. John’s back on Feb. 7. But after that, UConn avenged an Prompt-season Setback to Creighton with an Unbelievable Achieve over the Bluejays behind 38 points from McNeeley. 

Friday night’s rematch is fascinating for a variety of reasons. For starters, Creighton Trainer Greg McDermott is 8-4 against Hurley in his Occupation. UConn is trying to advance to the Big East title game for the second straight year, something they had not achieved since 2011, before doing it last season. Meanwhile, Creighton has reached the semifinal Stage of the Big East Game four times since 2014, but has yet to Achieve it. 

In what has developed into a rivalry since the Huskies returned to the Division, Friday night’s semifinal Game could deliver the goods in what will likely be Ryan Kalkbrenner’s Last game against Connecticut. 

But Delayed Thursday evening, into the Prompt hours of Friday morning, Hurley was all smiles after watching his Club put together a dominant second half. The Huskies have the look of a Club that is peaking at Only the right time.

“It’s Lent, so I’m a practicing Catholic,” Hurley said with a chuckle Subsequent the game. “It’s back to the hotel room and on to a slice of cheese pizza for me. Then, we’ll Shift to the Outstanding Club that is Creighton.”

John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers the sport in a variety of capacities, from calling Contests on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Pitch of 68 Media Network. Follow him at @John_Fanta.

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