Busting Brackets
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UConn Basketball: 2019 keys for Charleston Classic matchup against Buffalo

By Ben Andreatta

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 03: Jonathan the Husky, mascot for the Connecticut Huskies, performs against the Oregon State Beavers in the second quarter during the semifinals of the 2016 NCAA Women's Final Four Basketball Championship at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 3, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 03: Jonathan the Husky, mascot for the Connecticut Huskies, performs against the Oregon State Beavers in the second quarter during the semifinals of the 2016 NCAA Women's Final Four Basketball Championship at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 3, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 15: NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 15: Alterique Gilbert #3 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts after the Huskies get the rebound in the second half of the game against Syracuse Orange during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 15: NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 15: Alterique Gilbert #3 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts after the Huskies get the rebound in the second half of the game against Syracuse Orange during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Force Buffalo Guards to make mistakes

Jayvon Graves and Ronaldo Sagu have done a lot of the scoring for Buffalo so far in their three games. Both are shooting well from distance so UConn will need to make sure they close down well on the shooters. Buffalo is one of the highest-scoring teams in the nation early on so UConn will need to play good defense as they did against Florida.

UConn did a good job containing Blackshear and got him to foul out, that may have been the difference down the stretch. With the potential addition of Bouknight to the backcourt, UConn needs to bring the energy on both sides of the ball. Anything they can do to disrupt Buffalo’s guards and force turnovers.

UConn needs to create havoc on defense and force the guards to turn the ball over. Segu has been such a positive impact off the bench and done well-taking care of the ball so far this year, he’s the primary ball-handler for Buffalo when on the floor.

UConn has given up 74 points a game so far this season and they definitely need to improve on that for the rest of the season. The 59 they gave up to Florida was a start but Buffalo has been scoring almost at will to start the year.