Jaylin Stewart led six UConn players in double figures with 16 points as Huskies put Maui Invitational struggles to rest with commanding win over Maryland Eastern Shore. (Photo by UConn Men’s Basketball)
By Connor Wilson (@Conman_815)
HARTFORD, Conn. — If the last time you consumed UConn content was more than five days ago, then last you knew the Huskies were off to a 4-0 start with four blowout wins. Everything was business as usual for the reigning back-to-back national champions so far in 2024-25.
Then, the Maui Invitational happened.
The Huskies went winless at the Lahaina Civic Center, dropping three games in three days to unranked opponents in Memphis by two in overtime, Colorado by one, and Dayton by 18 to finish in last place in the 8-team event.
“It was a jarring week, it was a humbling week,” Dan Hurley said. “It knocked us on our butt really good.”
“Shocking” or “stunning” are just two of the words that could be used to describe UConn’s Maui trip. The Huskies just looked a step behind in every game, especially on the defensive end. Whether it be missed assignments or, just plainly lackadaisical efforts, the defense looked nothing like any Hurley team we’ve seen, at least over the past handful of years.
The best way to flush the o-fer in the Aloha State is to simply get back on the court. Less than 65 hours later, the Huskies did just that.
Second-ranked UConn defeated Maryland Eastern Shore, 99-45, on Saturday evening at the XL Center to snap its three-game losing streak.
“It’s nice to put this incredibly long week finally behind us,” Hurley said.
A big emphasis for Hurley early on after the struggles was figuring out a firm rotation of players. He substituted Hassan Diarra for Aidan Mahaney in the starting lineup after the Memphis loss, and players like Ahmad Nowell are now getting more run than ever before.
When tinkering with rotations, it doesn’t help if you’re down a player for a game. Unfortunately for Hurley, he was missing Alex Karaban for the win over the Hawks as the star forward hit his head on the hardwood late in the loss to Dayton.
“I think Alex is pretty good, it’s a pretty mild concussion, I think,” Hurley said. “All of his tests were really clean.”
In his place, sophomore Jaylin Stewart registered the first start of his UConn career. He registered his best overall game of his career, matching his personal high with 16 points to go along with seven rebounds, showing confidence he lacked earlier in the year.
“Jaylin Stewart has flashed,” Hurley said. “He showed flashes in that Memphis game, he showed flashes tonight.”
“You have to uphold the standards for the players that came before us,” Stewart added.
Even in the big win, the offense struggled a bit for the Huskies (5-3). They had a stretch late in the first half where they didn’t score a point for well over six minutes, and missed a bunch of wide-open jump shots.
“The half-court execution, even though we’re not shooting right now, has been solid,” Hurley said. “A lot of things could be better. I think we’ll get that squared away.”
Liam McNeeley had a great bounceback game after putting up a goose egg in the finale against the Flyers. He scored 16 points and got to the free throw line seven times, but shot just 1-of-8 from deep.
“The whole team was excited to get back on the court and get back in the right direction,” McNeeley said.
The center play was below par in Maui, specifically from a foul perspective. Both Samson Johnson and Tarris Reed, Jr. fouled out of each of the first two games. The duo stayed out of foul trouble on Saturday and had a solid night from a production standpoint. Johnson had seven points, while Reed had his fourth double-double of the year with 10 points and 12 rebounds. They also combined for eight “stocks” on the defensive end.
Maryland Eastern Shore came into the day ranked 361st on KenPom, good for fourth-lowest in the country. Having lost by 47 to Illinois and 74 to Arkansas in the past week alone, the outcome was no surprise.
“Competition wise it was a little different (tonight),” Jayden Ross said. “But we still have some things to work on.”
With an opponent on the weaker side, to say the least, it allowed Hurley to let some of his younger players see more court time and develop. Ross had the first double-double of his career off the bench, with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and was very active on the defensive end. Ahmad Nowell played a career-high 17 minutes with five points and five assists. Even Isaiah Abraham chipped in a career-best six points late.
“We need Ahmad,” Hurley said. “That position is a spot where we’re searching, and we need Ahmad to grow up quickly.”
Perhaps most importantly, Mahaney had a great bounce-back game after a rough Maui trip. The Saint Mary’s transfer scored 11 points coming off of back-to-back games where he was a non-factor in the rotation.
At the end of the day, the Huskies picked up a much, much needed win over an inferior opponent, but the schedule picks up from here for good. The defensive effort shown on Saturday against the Hawks is one that is good to build off of with the upcoming two-week stretch of Baylor, Texas and Gonzaga.
“The competition here on out is going to get much harder, which is exciting,” Hurley said.
The 17th-ranked Bears come to Storrs as a part of the Big East/Big 12 Challenge on Wednesday. From there, the games only get harder.
“I don’t look at it as a must-win game in game nine of the season, but it’s a great opportunity,” Hurley said. “We know we’re playing a top level team. You see the way people celebrate when they beat us.”
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