UConn Basketball: 3 takeaways from tough loss against Kansas

1. UConn fans should not be worried

Yes, UConn lost the game, and yes there were plenty of opportunities this team did not capitalize on, but this was still a positive at the end of the day. Bluebloods are not supposed to take moral victories, but this early in the seasons when you play a team ranked as highly as Kansas you can take one every now and then.

This is a team that was missing one of their top players, that held a top-five team in the nation to the brink in their own gym. Whether or not this team wins this game with Castle in the lineup is pure speculation, but it is hard to imagine they do not based on how this game went. This was also a great game on the schedule to have for the Huskies as they look to defend their crown. It gives them experience against great teams while other teams in their conference are not playing as many top opponents on their schedule.

UConn’s strong nonconference schedule is part of what separated them in their national championship push last year, and this can end up just the same. They also will not fall too hard in the rankings with this being a two-possession loss on the road against what will be a top-three team in the country. The Huskies should still end up being ranked in the top ten once the poll comes out.

So obviously, you would have loved to come out with the win, but you got a quality game under your belt, you got to see Newton show how good he can be, and this team is going through much-needed adversity after an undefeated start. For Husky fans, relax, the common phrase you can’t win them all applies here, and it is now on to North Carolina for them.