🎥 UConn MBB Postgame Media Availability (Michigan State)
The Huskies took to the court on Tuesday night in a top ten exhibition tilt versus #6 Michigan State at a raucous Breslin Center. The Huskies emerged victorious, 78-70. This marks the second straight exhibition win for UConn over Michigan State, as they won last season in Hartford as well. It’s the third straight victory for Dan Hurley and his squad over Tom Izzo’s bunch, though two of the victories didn’t count officially. Most significantly, the Huskies ended the Spartans’ season in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament last season 67-63, and that one did count.
In the game tonight, UConn took an 8-3 lead in the opening minutes after threes from Demary Jr. and Khamenia. The teams traded buckets for most of the first half, and UConn led 30-22 at the break. Nik Khamenia paced the Huskies with 9 points and two threes, while Demary Jr. added 8 points and Jayden Ross chipped in three assists.
It was an especially strong defensive performance in the first half for the Huskies, who forced 10 first half Spartan turnovers and held them to 36.4% shooting. Michigan State star Jeremy Fears Jr. had only five points on 1/6 shooting with four turnovers to only two assists. The Huskies also dominated the boards, grabbing eight first half offensive rebounds.
Michigan State cut the lead to 4 with 11:19 to go in the 2nd half, but an 18-7 UConn run over the next six minutes pushed the lead to 15 after a Khamenia finish. It was the largest Husky lead of the game. Nils Machowski hit multiple threes during the run, Na’Jai Hines had an open dunk on a roll to the basket, and Colben Landrew finished an impressive rebound and-1 putback.
For the game, the Huskies shot 10/25 from three (40%), and were even hotter in the second half, making 6/12 attempts (50%). UConn struggled from the free throw line, only converting 14 of 22 from the charity stripe, including an ugly 4/9 in the first half. The Huskies battled foul trouble from their centers in the second half, as Na’Jai Hines eventually fouled out and Oskar Giltay finished with 4 fouls.
Nik Khamenia scored a career high 19 points on 6/11 shooting from the field (5/8 from the free throw line). He also grabbed a tied-for-team-lead 6 rebounds and dished 2 assists. Silas Demary Jr. added 16 points and 4 assists, Colben Landrew pitched in 13 points and 5 rebounds, and Nils Machowski had 9 points off the bench. Junior County led the team in plus/minus at +10 in 17 minutes.
Next up, the Huskies will play their final exhibition of the season against Purdue on Tuesday, 10/27 at 7pm at the PBA. It will be a 2024 NCAA title game rematch in Hartford.
Box Score:
