Pre-game preview: Yale
It seems like an eternity since UConn last lost to an in-state foe.
You have to go back to 1986.
That’s when a gallon of gas of 89 cents, Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history and Jim Calhoun was hired to coach the Huskies.
And Hartford beat UConn, 49-48, on Dec. 29 at the HartfordCivicCenter. Earlier that year, Yale, tonight’s opponent, also pulled off a 77-75 (OT) upset on Dec. 2.
Bet those were some fun post-game press conferences with Calhoun.
Since then, the Huskies have won 68 straight games over 28 seasons against in-state programs. They’ve beaten Yale in 13 straight meetings.
None of that matter to the Huskies.
“We can’t overlook anybody,” senior Ryan Boatright said. “We’ve got to take it game by game. We can’t look forward to the next game. We’ve got to come out and compete.”
Here’s a pre-game preview:
Tip-off: 7 p.m. (SNY)
Records: Yale 7-2, UConn 3-2
Last game: Yale beat Bryant, 67-60, Wednesday; UConn lost to Texas, 55-54, Sunday
Series: UConn leads 44-22, winning 20 of the last 21 meetings including 80-62 last season.
Probable starters:
Yale -- 6-0 jr. guard Jack Montague (10.9 pts), 6-4 sr. guard Javier Duren (14.2 pts, 5.7 rebs), 6-7 sr. guard Armani Cotton (6.2 pts, 6.1 rebs), 6-7 sr. forward Matt Townsend (9.4 pts, 4.0 rebs), 6-8 jr. forward Justin Sears (13.9 pts, 8.6 rebs)
UConn -- 6-0 sr. guard Ryan Boatright (20 pts, 6 rebs, 4.5 assists), red-shirt so. Rodney Purvis (9.3 pts), 6-7 fr. forward Daniel Hamilton (13.3 pts, 6.5 rebs), 6-9 so. forward Kentan Facey (5.8 pts, 7 rebs), 7-0 so. center Amida Brimah (9.5 pts, 4 rebs, 3.2 blks)
Noteworthy:
-- Here's an injury update from pre-game: Boatright (left ankle) will play tonight while Purvis (left ankle) will be available. Junior Omar Calhoun (right knee) will be out for the sixth straight game.
-- The Huskies are trying to avoid first 3-game losing streak since losing to Georgetown, Cincinnati and South Florida in a stretch before the regular season finale of the 2012-13 season.
It’s remarkable that UConn never lost more than two straight games last season.
-- The Bulldogs are off to best start since the 2011-12 season. Losses came to Providence (72-66), Quinnipiac (88-85 2 OTs).
-- Common foes: Bryant – both UConn 66-53) and Yale won.
-- Yale chosen to finish second in Ivy League preseason poll.
-- The Bulldogs are experienced, starting three seniors and two juniors. They’ve out-rebounded foes, 39.3-30.9.
-- Montague is shooting a sizzling 53.3 percent (24-for-45) from 3-point land. Sophomore forward Sam Downey (5.9 pts) is the team’s top reserve.
-- Player to watch: junior Justin Sears, an All-Ivy League first team player last season. He had 17 points and 10 rebounds last season vs. UConn.
“We remember Sears from last year,” Ollie said. “He really dominated us in the inside and stepped out.”
-- Hot: Huskies out-rebounded four of first five opponents. Cold: Reserve guard Sam Cassell Jr. is an icy 6-for-27 in the last four games.
-- Boatright is the leading scorer in the AAC while center Amida Brimah is first in blocks (3.2).
-- Up next: UConn enters an exam break, returning to action on Dec. 14 against CoppinState at the XL Center in Hartford.
-- Check back later for more pre-game updates and a post-game breakdown.
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