After losing its first game of the season, will the UConn Huskies rebound to get a road win over first-place Providence in a Big East battle?
TV schedule: Wednesday, January 4th, 8:30 pm ET. FS1
Arena: Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island
It was a historically good start for UConn Basketball, winning its first 13 games of the season by double figures and rising up to No. 2 in the AP rankings. But eventually, all teams will lose a game and that’s what happened last weekend on the road at Xavier. In a hard-fought matchup on both sides, the Huskies ultimately fell, 83-73 to move to 14-1 (3-1) on the season.
Star center Adama Sanogo led the way with 18 points and six rebounds, while Andre Jackson was just two assists shy of a triple-double. They had 23 assists on 28 made field goals and made 13 three-pointers on the night but allowing 54% shooting from the field hurt them in the end.
The Huskies are still definitely a contender in the Big East but aren’t in first place in the standings. That would be their opponent, Providence (12-3, 4-0). The Friars have seven straight victories, including three of four on the road in league play. The latest came in a 74-59 win at DePaul, led by 22 points from Devin Carter, as well as 18 from Jared Bynum.
Bryce Hopkins had just 12 points and eight rebounds, which is an “off” game by his standings. The transfer from Kentucky leads the team with 15.7 ppg and 9.5 rpg and is playing at an all-league level. After last season’s surprise run to the Big East title, Providence and Coach Ed Cooley have once again found a way to overachieve and in a position to fight for another regular season title.
This has become a legitimately important game, as the Friars have the chance to go up two games on UConn in the standings. It also would bring into question how good the Huskies truly are going forward if they go on a little skid. What helps them is that Providence doesn’t have a clear answer to Sanoga outside of Ed Croswell, who is 6’8. Unless Carter and Bynum can go off to have a clear advantage in the backcourt, look for the Huskies to have a bounce-back win.
Prediction: UConn 75, Providence 68