Notes & Quotes: UConn asserts its dominance over Texas

UConn fans could reasonably wonder before this season: who will take the big shot in a tight game?

On Monday night we got the answer: it’s Alex Karaban.

The sophomore forward scored 20 points — including two tough, shot-clock-beating buckets in the second half — to sink No. 15 Texas 81-71 in the Empire Classic championship game at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The Huskies led from the start and had a big lead early but Texas cut it down to four in the second half. UConn responded thanks to Karaban, who hit two shots in a row to bring it back to eight.

Cam Spencer added 16 points with five rebounds and five assists while Samson Johnson scored a career-high 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds for No. 5 UConn (5-0). Tristen Newton was named the tournament MVP after scoring eight points with eight assists and scoring 23 on Sunday.

“It was a big-time game,” UConn head coach Dan Hurley said. 

Dillon Mitchell scored a career-high 21 points for the Longhorns, who were playing without one of their best players. UConn was as well, with Stephon Castle sitting his third consecutive game. Solo Ball started again in his place and finished with seven points in 28 minutes.

The Huskies won the rebounding battle, 40-29. By beating the Longhorns (4-1), they extended their double-digit win streak against non-conference foes to 22 games.

“They’re an elite, top-five caliber team,” Texas coach Rodney Terry said.

Johnson had 11 points by the half to help UConn take a 46-33 lead into the break. His effort and playmaking was a huge lift as Clingan was saddled with foul trouble and perhaps an illness, finishing with seven points in 13 minutes of play.

Newton missed his first six shots and the Huskies overcame that and the foul trouble in large part thanks to Johnson and Hassan Diarra, whose eight rebounds, six boards, and two assists were huge off the bench.

“Those two guys were the most valuable players in this game,” Karaban said. “Without them, we don’t win.”  

Here’s a closer look at the Huskies’ performance:

What Went Well

1. Alexander the Great: After scoring five quick points, Karaban’s scoring fizzled for much of the first half. However, he delivered the big buckets when the Huskies needed them late, twice dropping in shots as the shot clock expired to answer Texas’ threats down the stretch. Karaban was 5-of-8 shooting in the final 20 minutes with two 3-pointers.

Head coach Dan Hurley: “Sports, it’s all about confidence, it’s about preparation. The guy is the hardest worker you’ll ever coach. He’s all about ball. … The guy is an NBA player and he should have won Big East Rookie of the Year last year.” 

Alex Karaban: “I learned from Jordan (Hawkins) and all those guys last year to trust your work and always have confidence.”

2. Seizing the Moment: Last season there were times the Huskies played better with Clingan coming off the bench to spell Adama Sanogo. This time it was Johnson in that role as the Huskies thrived with him in the lineup and Clingan’s +/- was -6. Johnson shot 6 of 8 from the field, pulled down eight rebounds, and added two blocks with one steal in 27 minutes.

Johnson: “Coach Hurley always believed in me. I always had talent, I just tried to stay (positive).”

3. Veteran Bench Presence: Senior guard Hassan Diarra was a key cog off the bench with his all-around effort. He finished with eight points, six rebounds, and two assists, steals, and blocks in 28 minutes. More importantly, he had zero turnovers and was huge defensively against Texas’ Max Abmas (10 points) along with Spencer.

Texas head coach Rodney Terry: “He’s their best perimeter defender.”

Hurley: “The question going into the year was the bench and obviously if we get those types of performances (we’ll be in good shape).” 

What Needs Work

1. Growing Pains: Hurley brought in a great recruiting class to give this team a boost, but this tournament was driven by the veterans. Against Texas, just seven guys saw the court for the majority of the game, the five starters plus Johnson and Diarra. Ball has looked confident but Jaylin Stewart made a three-minute appearance before getting yanked and Jayden Ross did not see the floor at all. 

Highlights

Diarra picked Abmas’ pocket around midcourt and drove to the basket, but instead of shooting he alley-ooped to Johnson for a monster dunk. The play fired up the UConn fans as the team took a 69-55 lead with 9:04 to play.

Johnson: “That’s why you play at UConn. Moments like that and stepping up on the big stage.”

Win Probability

Once again, the Huskies took care of business and were barely challenged.

via KenPom.com

MISC.

The Huskies remained at No. 5 in the latest AP Poll Monday afternoon. … Newton was named to the weekly Big East honor roll. … Texas played without starter Kadin Shedrick (shoulder). He scored 27 points in the semis against Louisville. … UConn started Newton, Spencer, Ball, Karaban, and Clingan for the third straight game. … Freshman guard Stephon Castle missed his third straight game with a knee issue, but ESPN reported he is targeting a Dec. 1 return at Kansas. … UConn won its 11th trophy at MSG and second straight MTE. Hurley’s record is now 11-3 in MTE competition.

UP NEXT

Friday, vs. Manhattan, at the XL Center in Hartford, 2 p.m.