Uconn Huskies vs Gonzaga Bulldogs Picks and Predictions December 14th 2024

Back on Track, No. 18 UConn Faces No. 8 Gonzaga in NYC Showdown

No. 18 UConn is gaining momentum after a rocky Maui Invitational, and now the two-time defending national champions have an opportunity to further showcase their resurgence against No. 8 Gonzaga on Saturday night in New York.

UConn’s Rebound from Maui Woes

After going winless in three games at the Maui Invitational, UConn (7-3) has responded with three straight victories on the mainland, including a 76-65 road win over Texas and a 76-72 home triumph over then-No. 15 Baylor. Head coach Dan Hurley made it clear the Huskies have been underestimated following their early struggles.

“Maybe the people with the shovels and the dirt, maybe they were too quick to grab the shovel and throw the dirt on us,” Hurley said after the Texas win. “Everything that happened on the Hawaii trip was jarring for the program, but the response since we’ve returned to the mainland speaks to the culture and the championship DNA.”

A key contributor to UConn’s bounce-back has been forward Alex Karaban, who returned against Texas after missing two games due to a head injury. Karaban delivered a standout performance, recording 21 points and 11 rebounds for his first career double-double.

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“All-American level performance,” Hurley said. “He played like a star, and he delivered in every way.”

Karaban leads the Huskies with 16.5 points per game, and he has drained 25 three-pointers this season. Solo Ball (12.9 ppg), Liam McNeeley (12.4 ppg), and Tarris Reed Jr. (11.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg) also provide consistent scoring threats.

Gonzaga’s Recent Stumble

The No. 8 Bulldogs (7-2) suffered a heartbreaking 90-89 overtime loss to then-No. 4 Kentucky last weekend in the Battle in Seattle. Despite leading by 18 points in the second half, Gonzaga couldn’t fend off a Kentucky comeback.

“All of a sudden a lid was on the hoop,” head coach Mark Few said. “We had a lot of really good looks, ones we made in the first half and we’ve made all year.”

Forward Graham Ike shined in the loss, notching season highs of 28 points and 11 rebounds. Ike leads Gonzaga with averages of 15.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Ryan Nembhard has been spectacular as the team’s playmaker, averaging 10.7 assists per game, the best mark in the nation.

Gonzaga boasts six players averaging double figures, including Khalif Battle (13.4 ppg), Braden Huff (12.2 ppg), Nolan Hickman (11.2 ppg), and Ben Gregg (10.0 ppg).

A Historic Rivalry

Saturday’s matchup marks the eighth meeting between these two storied programs, with UConn holding a 5-2 series advantage. Their most recent meeting came in last season’s Elite Eight, where the Huskies dominated 82-54 en route to their first of two consecutive national championships.

The Huskies also secured a regular-season win over the Bulldogs last year, a 76-63 victory in Seattle. Gonzaga will be eager to reverse the trend, but Few acknowledges the challenges of playing in Madison Square Garden against a likely pro-UConn crowd.

“Obviously going all the way across the country and basically playing a home game for (UConn),” Few said. “It’ll be another great environment.”

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Key Matchups to Watch

• Alex Karaban vs. Graham Ike: Karaban’s scoring and versatility will be crucial for UConn, but he’ll have to contend with Ike’s dominant post presence on both ends of the floor.
• Ryan Nembhard vs. UConn’s Defense: Nembhard’s elite playmaking ability will be tested by UConn’s length and defensive intensity, particularly as he looks to orchestrate Gonzaga’s offense.
• Three-Point Shooting: Both teams have capable shooters. UConn’s Solo Ball and Gonzaga’s Khalif Battle will be critical in spacing the floor and providing offensive sparks.

What’s at Stake

For UConn, this game represents a chance to solidify its standing as a top team after an uncharacteristic stumble in Maui. Meanwhile, Gonzaga seeks to avenge past defeats and prove its resilience after a tough loss to Kentucky.

Outlook

With both teams loaded with talent and something to prove, this game has all the makings of a classic. If UConn can continue its strong defensive play and Karaban delivers another All-American-level performance, the Huskies could add another marquee win to their resume. However, if Gonzaga can dominate inside and find its rhythm from the perimeter, they’ll have a strong chance to walk away with a statement victory.