No. 4 UConn looks to continue a season-opening surge when it hosts Columbia in the finale of a three-game homestand on Monday night in Storrs, Conn.
The Huskies (2-0) go for their 36th straight nonconference home win. However, it will be hard to top the 35th in that streak, as they followed a 24-point opening win over Division I newcomer New Haven by bulldozing UMass Lowell for a 110-47 triumph on Friday.
In a game that saw big man Tarris Reed Jr. return from a hamstring injury and go for a double-double (20 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks) in his season debut, coach Dan Hurley’s team started on a 44-3 run and led by a program-record 47 points at halftime. For the game, the Huskies shot 60.9% from the field and held the River Hawks to 21.3% shooting.
“I just thought it was an appropriate level of playing angry, being embarrassed with the first game performance and taking it out on an opponent at the defensive end of the court, which is where it all begins and ends,” Hurley said. “We didn’t really have a game (that dominant defensively) last year.”
Reed was one of seven UConn players who scored double-digit points against UMass Lowell — and the playing rotation has yet to include freshmen Braylon Mullins and Jacob Furphy due to injury.
Hurley’s belief in the depth of his team — which includes nearly 60 percent of last season’s scoring returning — shows in the early going. Five Huskies who have played in both games are averaging at least 10 points.
“This is one of the deepest teams I’ve ever had,” Hurley said. “(But) you could see (Reed’s) impact on the defense, the impact on the offense, and he was on a minutes restriction here, so we’ll be able to bump that up.”
UConn and Columbia (1-0) already have New Haven as a common opponent as the Lions opened the Kevin Hovde era on Friday with a 71-53 win over the Chargers in West Haven, Conn.
Like UConn in its win, the Lions were dominant on both ends of the floor. They shot 55.1% from the field compared to New Haven’s 31.6% and held a 41-27 rebounding advantage. They led by as many as 28 points in the second half.
“The guys competed the right way,” said Hovde, an assistant coach for national champion Florida last season. “That was the biggest thing for us. Focusing on defending, rebounding and taking care of the ball. I thought our guys tried to do that.”
Kenny Noland led the Lions with 14 points. Freshman Miles Franklin (13 points) and senior Avery Brown (10) were the other double-figure scorers.
Columbia rosters four seniors and returns most of their production from last season.
“We have a lot of guys that can help us,” Hovde said. “We played 11 guys (on Friday). I think that’s how it’s going to look on most nights. You never know whose night it’s going to be, but our depth is definitely a strength.”
