Miami Basketball: 3 keys to beat UConn Huskies in Final Four matchup
Defend the three-point line
Considering how strong UConn has looked on this run to the Final Four, it’s pretty surprising that they lost eight games this season. In four of these eight losses, Connecticut shot less than 30% from three-point land.
The Huskies have been red hot from long distance in the NCAA Tournament. UConn is shooting a very impressive 41/98 (41.8%), and they have drilled nine or more three balls in each of the four games. When Hurley’s guys are shooting the ball that well, this team looks close to unstoppable.
Luck is definitely a factor in the three-point percentage defense statistic, but teams can of course limit the amount of open looks their opponent gets. Miami has allowed opponents to shoot a middle-of-the-road 33.4% from deep on the season.
As mentioned in the previous key, UConn likes to get looks for Hawkins and Calcaterra in transition. The Huskies’ offense centers around a lot of off-ball action, and those two deadly shooters barely need any space to get their shot off. Alex Karaban, Nahiem Alleyne, and Tristen Newton all get involved in the action from behind the arc as well.
The Hurricanes will need to communicate well and defend with intensity to stay with these shooters. They’ll also need a little bit of good fortune, and with guys shooting in a football stadium, it’s definitely possible that the Huskies go ice-cold.
Newton doesn’t scare you much from deep, and although UConn has figured out how to counter teams not guarding Andre Jackson, he’s still a guy that you are fine with letting it fly. This UConn offense is so potent, that if Jackson is taking a wide-open three, or if Newton is shooting a contested trey off the dribble, you live with it. There are so many other ways UConn can beat you, so if I’m Miami I’d consider possessions ending with those shots a win.
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Of note: Hawkins sat out of practice on Friday because of an illness. He’s UConn’s best guard and best shooter, so if he isn’t himself, hitting that nine three-pointers mark will be much more challenging for the Huskies.