UConn into Elite Eight with 30-point win in rematch vs. SDSU،
BOSTON — There has been an ironic mantra for UConn over the past two seasons: The Huskies can't win close games.
Really, it's not that they can't win games with one or two possessions — it rarely comes down to the final minutes for Dan Hurley's team. Earlier this season, the Huskies set the record for most consecutive double-digit non-conference wins. They lead the country in scoring margin.
And on Thursday, UConn put down another marker. The top-seeded Huskies dominated No. 5 San Diego State 82-52 in a national championship rematch, advancing to the Elite Eight with the largest margin of victory in a Sweet game 16 since 2017.
“We suck at winning close games, so you have to choose the alternative,” Hurley joked after the victory.
After three NCAA tournament games, UConn has trailed for a total of 28 seconds. The Huskies led by double digits for 58:27 of a possible 60 minutes in the second half. They won their three games by an average of 28.7 points.
For a program whose run to last year's national championship featured one of the dominant performances of all time — six wins by an average of 20 points — the Huskies have stepped up a gear.
“We just have people who are desperate to win more,” Hurley said. “We have winners. We have 'we'. We also talked about legacy. … These guys are leaving a legacy right now in a place where it's hard to leave a legacy. It's been a historic season in a place that's hard to leave. make history. They're galvanized by it. It's special.
San Diego State did a better job of keeping the game competitive than UConn's first two opponents in the NCAA Tournament, at least early in the competition. The Aztecs took an early lead and went shot for shot with the Huskies for most of the first half, with star big man Jaedon LeDee dominating inside against Donovan Clingan en route to 15 points in the first 20 minutes.
UConn took an 11-point lead nine minutes into the game, but the Huskies went 4 of 22 the rest of the half and San Diego State cut the deficit to four in the final minutes of the first half. time. But two Cam Spencer free throws and a late 3-pointer cut the lead to nine.
An 11-4 run by UConn coming out of the break essentially put the game out of reach, with UConn limiting LeDee inside and getting clean looks around the rim on the other end.
“He made three perimeter shots against Donovan in space and then two breakup field goals. Obviously he had 15 at halftime,” Hurley said. “To hold an All-American caliber player like Jaedon to three points in the second half, I think we just – Donovan made it difficult for him. Samson [Johnson] this made it difficult for him. The guys who were helping the right people on the perimeter were just showing them a lot more bodies and playing a lot better one-on-one defense. We are also a top 10 defensive team. Once again, the best way to not be vulnerable in this tournament is to defend at a high level.”
Clingan and Alex Karaban didn't have their best games, but stalwarts Spencer (18 points) and Tristen Newton (17 points) provided their usual production and the Huskies got a big boost from the student freshman Stephon Castle, who had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and guard Hassan Diarra, who came off the bench to score 10 points and make four assists.
“I just noticed that I kind of missed some opportunities to grab offensive rebounds and make more plays for my teammates,” Castle said. “In the second half, I just tried to make up for it and try to do everything I could to win my game and help my teammates.”
“The balance, basically, to have the four guys in double figures, two other guys with eight, we have a lot of answers,” Hurley added.
UConn will face No. 3 Illinois, which beat No. 2 Iowa State 72-69, in Saturday's regional final, looking to advance to its second straight Final Four.
The Huskies have already surpassed every defending national champion since Florida in 2007.
“That’s exactly where our program is at right now,” Hurley said. “That’s where our program will be.”
