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    Sunday, April 28, 2024

    Pre-game preview: Indiana

    UConn faces its toughest test of the season tonight againt Indiana in the 2K Sports Classic championship game at Madison Square Garden.

    Both teams are undefeated at 5-0.

    In Thursday's semifinals, UConn escaped with a 72-70 win over Boston College while Indiana rolled past Washington, 102-84.

    Tip-off time tonight is approximately 7:30 p.m.

    Here's a pre-game preview:

    Probable starters:

     UConn, 6-0 jr. guard Ryan Boatright (12 pts, 4.2 assists), 6-1 sr. guard Shabazz Napier (14.8 pts, 8.4 rebs, 6.6 assists), 6-5 so. guard Omar Calhoun (11.4 pts), 6-8 jr. forward DeAndre Daniels (13.2 pts, 3.2 rebs), 6-10 so. center Phil Nolan (2.8 pts, 2.6 rebs)

    Indiana, 6-0 so. guard Yogi Ferrell (19.6 pts), 6-7 sr. guard Will Sheehy (12 pts, 4.4 rebs), 6-7 forward fr. Troy Williams (12.4 pts, 6.0 rebs, 6-8 so. forward Jeremy Hollowell (9 pts, 3.8 rebs), 6-10 forward Noah Vonleh (15.4 pts, 11.8 rebs)

    Noteworthy:

    -- Indiana has won ever game by double digits except against LIU-Brooklyn (73-72).

    The Hoosiers average 94 points per game.

    -- Williams had a team 22-points and eight rebounds in the win over Washington. Ferrell had 20 points and Vonleh added 18 points and nine rebounds. Indiana had 20 offensive rebounds while Washington had 29 total rebounds.

    -- Rebounding a strength for Hoosiers who rank third in nation with 51.8 rebs per game and out-rebound opponents by 19.2 per game.

    -- Indiana is first in the nation in free throws made per game at 29.5.

    -- UConn heavily recruited Vonleh, one of the top freshmen in the nation. Vonleh was a McDonald’s All-America atNewHamptonSchool in New Hamphsire.

    "I recruited the guy...," coach Kevin Ollie said. "He’s doing an incredible job. He’s a great person and great character but he also has talent."

    -- Series: UConn leads 5-3, winning last meeting 68-63 on Jan. 26, 2008 at Assembly Hall in Indiana.

    -- Top reserve: Evan Gordon (6.2 pts, 4.0 rebs)

    -- Hot: Daniels is averaging 23.5 points in the last two games.

    -- Cold: Huskies had season lows in FG percentage (39.3), bench points (9) and assists (7) vs. BC.

    -- UConn attempting to win its ninth championship at MSG, last capturing the 2011 Big East tournament title.

    -- The Huskies are first in American Athletic Conference in shooting percentage (53.6), 3-point percentage (52.6) and free throw percentage (73.2).

    -- Up next: UConn hosts Loyola (Md.) Tuesday inHartford.

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