Binghamton vs UConn: 2021-22 college basketball game preview, TV schedule
The UConn Huskies look to move to 4-0 on the season. Can a friend and former teammate slow down Dan Hurley’s team?
TV Schedule: Saturday, November 20, 12:00 PM FS1
Location: XL Center, Hartford, CT
Records: UConn (3-0), Binghamton (1-2)
KenPom Rankings: UConn (20), Binghamton (314)
The UConn Huskies have gotten off to a hot 3-0 start. While these wins have come against lesser opponents, basketball is fun again for UConn fans and that is something we should all take a moment to appreciate.
Through three games, Husky fans have been watching what seems like a continuous 120-minute highlight reel featuring high-flying dunks and countless blocks (okay, 21 blocks). UConn has won their first three games by a total of 139 points, winning each game by 51, 35, and 53. These feel more like margins of victory I’m used to seeing from the women’s team.
NEW @UConnMBB HIGHLIGHTS DROPPED 🎴https://t.co/RYsaTj8QgZ
— Storrs South (@UConn6thBorough) November 18, 2021
Presumably, UConn has 40 more minutes to add to this prolonged highlight reel as they take on Binghamton in their final tune-up game before heading to the loaded Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. Let’s do a quick recap of the 3-game season so far.
The offense looks balanced. The team is sharing the ball (18 assists per game) and averaging an impressive 93.7 ppg on 50.5% from the floor, including 37.7% from deep and 73.6% from the charity stripe. This offensive explosion is led by Adama Sanogo, who is pouring in 17 ppg. However, the Huskies have 5 other players averaging double figures: RJ Cole (13.3 ppg), Tyrese Martin (13.0 ppg), Jalen Gaffney (10.7 ppg), and Tyler Polley (10.0 ppg). Andre Jackson (8.7 ppg) and Akok Akok (7.7 ppg) aren’t far behind either.
The defense looks elite. Remember when UConn used to be a dominant defensive and shot blocking team? That time might be back. Through 3 games, the Huskies are holding opponents to 47.3 ppg, and a mere 31.2% from the field while blocking 7 shots a game. Akok is back to his usual business, leading the team in this category with 2 bpg.
On to Binghamton. Hurley seems to be settling in on a 9-man rotation. The starting 5 hasn’t changed and Jalen Gaffney, Akok Akok, Tyler Polley, and Jordan Hawkins round out the squad. Eight players are averaging between 17 to 26 minutes per game. Jordan Hawkins is the outlier here due to injury, but I think we can safely assume Hurley will be ramping up his minutes as he returned from injury to play a productive 8 minutes against LIU. Look for these players to get the majority of minutes once again Saturday afternoon.
Binghamton comes to Hartford after a 1-2 start, with an overtime loss to Columbia. Note that Columbia is ranked 337th on KenPom. The Bearcats are coached by Levell Sanders (does that name ring a bell?) who averaged 12.4 ppg in 113 games while playing alongside Dan Hurley in the backcourt at Seton Hall. Levell started every game for the Pirates from his sophomore season on and is looking to turn around a struggling program.
dark. Next. 2021-2022 UConn Huskies Season Preview
Binghamton last made the NCAA tournament in the 2008-2009 season, going 23-9 before getting bounced in the first round. That was the last time the Bearcats have posted a winning record. Since then, their average KenPom ranking at the end of a season has been 321, with a high of 272. Levell Sanders will have his work cut out for him and so will the Bearcats on Saturday. Needless to say, this should be another dominant performance by the Huskies.