UConn closing out Florida shows potential last missing piece to redeeming Husky outfit

Alex Karaban and UConn exacted measure of revenge over Florida on Tuesday, improving to 9-1 with one more non-conference game remaining before Big East play begins. (Photo by UConn Men’s Basketball)

NEW YORK — Madison Square Garden has traditionally been a validating setting for UConn basketball, for better or worse.

Last season, it was the Garden that saw the Huskies bow out to Creighton in the Big East Conference tournament semifinals, an effort in which Dan Hurley stated his program “got what it deserved” when eliminated by the Bluejays and denied the chance to defend its championship. In many seasons past, the home of the New York Knicks afforded UConn an opportunity to showcase its potential as a juggernaut, an unlikely contender, or even a team of destiny on a generational hot streak.

Tuesday yielded a similar confirmation for the Huskies, just in a different form.

The fifth-ranked team in the nation avenged last March’s valiant loss to eventual national champion Florida, taking down the Gators in a 77-73 clash that had the feel of yet another NCAA Tournament showdown. Revenge was an afterthought in the minds of the Huskies, though, paling in comparison to the feeling that grinding out another close game against a ranked team that could signify the last piece of a championship puzzle for a third time in four seasons.

“This was a big win for us,” Hurley reflected. “We put together a monster of a schedule. We’ve dealt with some injuries and different things along the way, but to be 9-1 with everything that the team’s been through, versus the quality of teams we’ve had to play against with this schedule, I’m just impressed with what we’ve been able to do.”

UConn had its entire contingent of players available Tuesday, welcoming Tarris Reed, Jr. back to the lineup for the first time since the Huskies defeated Illinois the day after Thanksgiving. Reed operated at 75 percent capacity — per Hurley — but managed to play nearly 24 minutes in the process. Sophomore Braylon Mullins also showed tremendous resolve, battling foul trouble to provide a spark midway through the second half, including a rainbow jumper from the free throw line that proved to be the basket that put UConn ahead to stay.

“I think it’s gonna grow,” Alex Karaban said of the full roster revealing more of what UConn can become as a finished product. “We’re always a confident team, we always believe we’re the best team in the country. But to get two key pieces that we were missing back makes us even more confident, a lot stronger, obviously.”

Hurley echoed the strength of his unit being its depth. Only nine players saw the floor, but each of the nine has been among the most integral parts of the Huskies’ 9-1 start at various points through the first five weeks of the season. While the defensive performance has returned to where it traditionally ranks under Hurley, the coach was also grateful for what his versatile rotation has done with the ball in its collective hand.

“When you have nine quality players, you can survive an off night from multiple people and still get enough scoring production to win the game,” he said. “We’ve got wings, we’ve got point guards, we’ve got two excellent centers. I think when it’s all said and done, and we’re fully healthy, I think it’s a pretty formidable group.”

Solo Ball continued his uptick, scoring 19 points to lead the Huskies, while Karaban added 13 and Reed fought his way to a dozen. Malachi Smith backed up his intangible value with nine assists, and Eric Reibe added nine more points while Reed was hindered by foul trouble. There is, however, one more glaring issue holding UConn back, one Hurley was adamant about addressing and ultimately rectifying.

“My biggest concern right now is the rebounding,” he said. “We were minus-20 versus Arizona with no Tarris, and we gave up 16 offensive rebounds in a game where the goal is to try to hold (Florida) to eight. We were minus-12 on the glass, that’s a concern.”

One more game remains for the Huskies before Big East play, as UConn welcomes Texas into Hartford on Friday. From a record standpoint, a 10-1 showing, while commendable, would not be the best result the program has earned in non-league play, but for the man who designed this schedule, it represents a glowing testimonial.

“For us, the Texas game is a huge game,” Hurley assessed. “This group deserves just the best home crowd we’ve had in a while for that game. This team has really worked for its fan base, and we’ve gotta have PeoplesBank Arena on fire for the Texas game.”

“As great as the ’23 non-conference slate was for us when we went undefeated, this would be our most impressive non-conference performance if we’re able to get (the Texas game), just based on the teams we’ve played and the health of the group.”