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UConn Basketball: Biggest Takeaways from the Huskies week in Charleston

By Ben Andreatta

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Christian Vital #1 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts in the finals moments of 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. The Huskies won 83-76. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Christian Vital #1 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts in the finals moments of 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. The Huskies won 83-76. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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DES MOINES, IA – MARCH 17: The Connecticut Huskies mascot walks on court in the first half against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 17, 2016 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IA – MARCH 17: The Connecticut Huskies mascot walks on court in the first half against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 17, 2016 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Bouknight is Everything UConn Needed and More

What a debut week for the talented freshman guard. James Bouknight lived up to his hype and was the spark UConn needed. Bouknight averaged just over13 points per game in the Charleston Classic shooting an even more impressive 70%+ from the field and over 50% from three.

Bouknight is unbelievably athletic and has a very high basketball IQ for just a freshman. He had a big shot in the last thirty seconds of double overtime against Xavier getting to the basket and finishing through the contact. His night was spoiled seconds later after being called for a tough reach-in foul sending Xavier to the line to win the game with eight seconds left.

Bouknight wasn’t the only freshman to impress in the Charleston Classic. Akok Akok got off to a really hot start against Buffalo but kind of cooled off offensively the rest of the tournament. Defensively he was a menace, he had six blocked shots against Miami, he’s averaging over three per game so far this season.

He’s a really well-rounded player that will only get better as this year goes on. Hurley has a lot of trust in Akok who has started every game this year and has been rewarded so far.