NEW YORK – The win on Thursday brought some sunshine on a day mother nature landed a haymaker. Well, at least for UConn fans. The Huskies, following two easy wins in the safe confines of Gampel Pavilion, came to New York to meet Syracuse. A stern test for Danny Hurley and company. A test ultimately graded as one passed with flying colors.
The championship on Friday was eagerly anticipated. Iowa, a semifinal winner over Oregon, stood in the way. Those in the UConn camp approached the game with optimism and high hopes.
On this evening on the “big stage” it was not to be. Iowa handed the Huskies their first loss of the season 91-72. The Hawkeyes of the Big Ten virtually put on a clinic at UConn’s expense.
In the early going UConn was competitive. As the half wore on Iowa’s ability to attack the basket changed the complexion of the game. The attack on the rim gradually opened the perimeter and the Hawkeyes took advantage of the open looks.
“Credit Iowa,” Hurley said. “They are a tough matchup with that inside/outside (combination).” As proficient as Iowa was, the Huskies’ shortcomings also contributed to the rout. The defense did not adjust, the offense made poor decisions, all adding to a lopsided loss.
“There are times your offense is not working as well.” Hurley said after the Iowa contest. “On those nights your defense has to be working. Defense and rebounding-those are things that keep you in the game when your offense is sputtering.”
Hurley credited Fran McCaffery’s changing defenses as a contributor to the offensive woes. UConn did not move the ball or share it as well. “We got down and tried to take a 7- or 8-point shot,” Hurley lamented. At times when the Huskies looked primed to make a second half run, they settled for a hastily attempted three rather than look for a better shot. On the night UConn, paced by Jalen Adams’ 20 points, shot an abysmal 4 of 26 (15%) from three.
Looking back, a nice run by the 3-1 Huskies who appear to have taken on the personality of the energetic, driven Hurley. Maybe at times too energetic as two technicals in the Iowa game sent him to the locker room with seventy one seconds remaining.
“I did a poor job in a short (one day) turnaround in preparing us for a team that will be a factor in March,” Hurley confessed. “If you said six months ago we would come in here and beat Syracuse… I am thrilled but not thrilled with the job I did preparing (for Iowa).”
The UConn mentor made a good point citing the Iowa game was the first one this season his group had to play from behind. Looking at a deficit is no time to panic and it’s something his team will have to learn along the way.
“We have good guards,” Hurley said. “We are still searching for a (consistent) four or five to help us inside.” Eric Cobb, a 6’9” senior (16 against Iowa), has played well to date. He needs help on the interior.
“We dug too deep of a hole tonight,” Hurley said. “We hoped going into the game to get two. It just didn’t happen, but we are all going to learn from this.”
Chalk it up to a learning experience, build and move on. “We just have to get back in the gym,” Hurley said. “Get back, go to work and get better.”
