Coming off a crucial 66-59 comeback home win against the Villanova Wildcats, the UConn men’s basketball team will return to action on the road against the St. John’s Red Storm this Sunday. This is the second time these two programs have squared away this season. Connecticut narrowly lost that Feb 7th contest, 68-62. Despite falling short that time, the Huskies have a few keys to victory on Sunday.
If the Huskies wish to pull out a win, they will need to do a better job containing RJ Luis Jr., who is expected to play. This contrasts with earlier in the week when Johnnies coach, Rick Pitino, noted that the guard was “doubtful” just three days before. In that Feb 7th matchup, Luis dropped 21 points on 10-21 shooting, including the mid-range jumper that buried the Huskies. Despite this, the Huskies should be confident in their guard’s ability to play a higher level of defense. Hassan Diarra has been nursing an injury for much time now while playing a high number of minutes. Despite looking like Dan Hurley’s grandfather when he was a kid, according to the two-time national champion head coach, Diarra has looked better on the hardwood. Not only this, but the fifth-year guard has noted that he also feels better on the court. Look for how Diarra leads the UConn defensive unit, as this will play a crucial role in the outcome of this contest. The guards will also have to look out for the former Seton Hall Pirate, Kadary Richmond, who was the second-half Husky killer the last time these programs met.
The senior Brooklyn native scored all 13 points in the second half of that Feb 7th contest, which was a potent reason why the Johnnies stayed afloat. Look for how the UConn guards contain him early on, as he has exploded offensively in the past against Connecticut during his time in New Jersey.
UConn will look for another big game from Tarris Reed Jr., who comes off an excellent 13-point, nine-rebound day. Hurley noted that “[UConn’s] going to need the best, most ferocious version of Tarris [Reed Jr.].” The Michigan transfer unlocked his true Kodiak Bear self the last time these two programs squared away, with Reed accumulating 12 points and 15 rebounds in over 30 minutes of work. Considering that the Johnnies sport the second-best defense in the country, according to KenPom, UConn needs Reed to be firing on all cylinders.
Of course, Connecticut will be looking for another signature performance from freshman Liam McNeeley, who has looked explosive since coming back from injury. While some freshmen shy away from the big moment, McNeeley seems to embrace it, as he went off for 26 points the last time he was at the “World’s Most Famous Arena,” just two months ago against Gonzaga. However, he was also the Johnnie killer the last time these programs met.
McNeeley dropped 18 points and 11 minutes in nearly half an hour of work in a contest where the Red Storm defense took the “starch out of the Huskies shot,” implementing an overwhelming full-court press. Considering how well it worked last time for St. John’s, forcing 22 total turnovers, look for how UConn responds to this defensive pressure and how they respond. To do so, they need a big night from Solo Ball, who at times looked like the best shooter in the country.
Ball averages 15 points a night on nearly 45% shooting from the field and downtown. Considering that Ball has proven he can heat up with enormous performances all month, the program needs him to put up many shots and play a ball-handler role in beating the Red Storm press.
Sunday is a big day for UConn basketball. Not only are the Johnnies 3.5 games up on UConn in the Big East standings, but with each big win the program’s bracket outlook for March Madness gets better and better. Pulling out a big win over a top 10 program in St. John’s will also inject this program with much confidence, the perfect storm needed before the competition starts ramping up even more.