UConn Looks to Bounce Back at Home Against Butler

No. 14 UConn is hoping to shake off a tough loss as they face Butler on Tuesday night in Hartford. After having their 28-game home win streak snapped by Creighton, the Huskies are determined to get back on track. Butler, on the other hand, is coming off a much-needed win and will be eager to challenge UConn on their home court.

UConn: Getting Back to What Works

UConn (13-5, 5-2 Big East) had a disappointing 68-63 loss to Creighton on Saturday, ending their impressive home win streak. Head coach Dan Hurley has been clear about the team needing to reignite the hunger and intensity they had in previous seasons. He’s challenging his squad to play with more grit and focus moving forward.

Key Players:

• Alex Karaban has been UConn’s leading scorer, averaging 15.6 points per game, but he struggled in the loss to Creighton, scoring just eight points. He’ll need to step up in a big way to help lead the team back to form.
• Liam McNeeley, who’s been sidelined with an ankle injury, has been sorely missed. If he’s able to return, his 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game could provide a significant boost.

What Needs to Improve:

• UConn needs to clean up their shot selection and turnovers. Hurley has pointed out that a couple of better decisions here and there could have changed the game against Creighton. The team needs to play smarter, not just harder.

Butler: Riding the Confidence of Their First Win in Weeks

Butler (8-10, 1-6 Big East) ended a nine-game losing streak with an 82-77 victory over Seton Hall. This win was a huge confidence boost, especially after a string of close losses. The Bulldogs will be looking to build on that momentum as they take on a tough UConn squad.

Key Players:

• Pierre Brooks II has been solid, leading the team with 15.1 points per game and adding 19 points in the Seton Hall win.
• Andre Screen, the 7-foot-1 center, was a game-changer off the bench, contributing 16 points and five rebounds.
• Boden Kapke also got his first start of the season against Seton Hall and provided solid minutes, scoring six points in 17 minutes.

Challenges:

• Butler is still trying to find consistency, especially on the road, where they’ve struggled (0-4). Playing in UConn’s gym will be a tough task, but a strong performance could help them surprise the Huskies.

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What to Watch For

1. UConn’s Energy:
   • After their home loss, the Huskies need to get back to their aggressive, physical style of play. Their intensity on both sides of the ball will be key to getting back in the win column.
2. Butler’s Road Woes:
   • Can Butler overcome their struggles away from home? If they can replicate their performance against Seton Hall, they’ll have a shot at making this a competitive game.
3. Big Man Battle:
   • UConn has a lot of size in the paint, and Andre Screen will have his hands full trying to keep them in check. Whichever team controls the paint could control the game.

Bottom Line

UConn enters as the favorite, especially with their home-court advantage, but Butler will bring energy and confidence after breaking their losing streak. If UConn can get back to their high-energy, physical play, they should handle Butler. But the Bulldogs are hungry for a road win, and if they can clean up their inconsistencies, they might just pull off an upset.