Matchup Preview: Huskies hosting Providence tonight at Gampel

The UConn Huskies are firing on all cylinders as the top-ranked team in the country fresh off a demolition of Xavier at the XL Center on Sunday, 99-56. Tonight, they host a Providence College team that is not too terrifying but still a competitive bunch.

Donovan Clingan made his first start on Sunday since the Dec. 20th injury that kept him out for five games. Since his return to action against Creighton, his impact has been immediate and profound. The big man’s return has UConn looking like one of the top defenses in the country, after already demonstrating that its scoring ability is elite.

Dan Hurley’s squad is third nationally in KenPom offensive efficiency and 24th defensively. Clingan’s ability to rebound, block or prevent shots, and create more space for shooters has brought a spark to a UConn lineup that was already thriving.

On the season, UConn’s relative offensive strengths have been rebounding and shot selection. The Huskies are fifth in the nation in eFG%, fifth in two-point field goals, and 14th in offensive rebounding percentage.

On the opposing bench, Kim English leads a Providence team that is 14-6 with wins over Marquette, Butler, and Seton Hall, while also losing four league games in a row to start January. The losing streak coincided with the season-ending injury of forward Bryce Hopkins, a preseason first-team All-Big East selection, and they have since won three straight.

The Friars are ranked 49th in KenPom, on the strength of a defense that is 10th in the nation in efficiency, the highest mark in the Big East. More on the matchup below.

UConn vs Providence Preview

When: Wednesday, January 31, 8:30 PM ET

Where: Gampel Pavilion — Storrs, CT

TV: FS1 (Tim Brando, Donny Marshall)

Radio: UConn Sports Network – 97.9 FM

KenPom Prediction: UConn 75, Providence 63

Pre-Game Notes

• UConn has won its last five meetings against Providence at Gampel Pavilion, and leads the all-time series with the Friars, 47-31, after winning two out of three contests last year.

• Devin Carter leads the Friars with 18.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, all team highs. He is the one UConn needs to stop tonight.

• Tristen Newton’s 15.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game are also all team-highs.

• The 6-foot-9 Josh Oduro is the Friars’ second-leading scorer and rebounder, at 14.6 PPG and 6.7 RPG, while guard Jayden Pierre has been stepping up over the last six games, averaging 11.8 points and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 42 percent from three.

• Providence is second behind only UConn amongst Big East teams in scoring defense and field goal defense.

• The Huskies have won 25 of their last 26 at Gampel Pavilion.

• Alex Karaban and Cam Spencer are both shooting over 40 percent from behind the arc on the season. Spencer is at a ridiculous 45 percent.

Statistically, UConn has a heavy offensive advantage. Providence has an edge in preventing teams from getting to the free-throw line and is slightly better defensively, but UConn matches up fine on that end and has been much better there with Clingan back (not surprisingly).

via TeamRankings.com

Additional News & Notes

Rip Hamilton’s No. 32 is going to be retired at a ceremony on February 24th before the game against Villanova at Gampel Pavilion. Donovan Clingan will keep wearing the number through the end of this season.

We also did a Big East power rankings and overview of key storylines in the league. In this one we address the age-old question: Is Marquette good?

ICYMI, Emeka Okafor, Ben Gordon, and the 2004 championship guys were in the house on Sunday. For many of them, it was their first time back since their playing days as a Husky.

For Gordon, it was a great first step as he had encountered some personal challenges over the last several years. We have a short clip with him here, and a full video interview coming out later. It’s great to see him doing well.