The Huskies are firing on all cylinders a month forward of Selection Sunday. UConn gained its 14th consecutive recreation on Saturday in opposition to Big East rival Marquette, displaying why it ought to be the clear favorite to win back-to-back NCAA Tournament championships.
The Associated Press No. 1 group within the nation throttled No. 4 Marquette 81-53 at residence, UConn’s largest win over the Golden Eagles in program historical past.
ESPN’s Jeff Borzello additionally famous that it was the most important margin of victory in a top-five convention matchup in AP ballot historical past.
College basketball analyst Jay Bilas hailed the Huskies as one of the best group within the nation after the win, specializing in the group’s enchancment on the defensive finish.
Entering Saturday, UConn ranked twenty fifth in scoring (82 factors per recreation) and nineteenth in factors allowed (64.1 factors per recreation). The Huskies additionally had the highest offensive ranking within the nation (123.1) whereas rating thirty fifth in defensive ranking (96.2).
Opponents shoot 39.8 % in opposition to the Huskies, and on Saturday, they held Marquette to 36.8 % (21-of-57) from the sphere, together with 21.7 % (5-of-23) from three.
Offensively, UConn (24-2) senior guards Tristen Newton and Hassan Diarra mixed for 14 of the group’s 24 assists, and sophomore heart Donovan Clingan had 17 factors whereas including 10 rebounds, his second double-double of the season.
The Huskies are outscoring opponents by 16.9 factors per recreation throughout their 14-game profitable streak whereas capturing 40.2 % from past the arc.
Per ESPN Bet, UConn (+550) is the co-favorite to win the nationwide title together with Purdue.
Earlier on Saturday, the Boilermakers had been named the No. 1 total group by the NCAA Tournament choice committee.
However, UConn’s dominant win over Marquette is a reminder that different groups are competing to be second-best.
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