When Columbia arrived at UConn, the Huskies, riding high from two dominant wins, were ready to keep their own momentum alive. They did just that with a commanding 89-62 victory. Solo Ball led with 23 points, while Alex Karaban added 20. Carrying the momentum to the presser, Ball highlighted how the Huskies’ hope to build the season, besides speaking on the team effort.

“I really think it was just the defensive intensity that we came in with. There was a little drop off in the second half. But I think the defensive intensity we had in that first half really just propelled us on offense, and we got out in transition,” Ball told the media before hinting at what helped.

“That’s what we were getting stops. We were getting out of transition open threes, and I mean that’s the way that we want to play. It was fun playing that way. So I mean just to continue that and into the rest of the year.”

UConn played a complete lockdown defense in that first half. They conceded only 27 points while limiting Columbia to just 34.4% FG. Even more improbably, the Huskies committed just 2 fouls the entire half. All while shooting at 60.6% themselves and 50% from the three-point line.

This kind of intensity was not expected even from coach Dan Hurley. “I wasn’t expecting us to be able to do what we did in the first half, to get that level of separation,” Hurley said. “The first 22-25 minutes were an extension of the last game. We showed a level of dominance and defense, 15 assists/two turnovers.” 

UConn did ease off in the second half. Columbia cut the deficit to 19 as the Huskies managed only 10 field goals, a sharp drop from their dominant first 20 minutes. Against tougher teams, such lapses could prove costly. After the game, Coach Dan Hurley called the sluggish finish “human nature” but still pointed out key mistakes from Ball and his teammates.

Dan Hurley fixates on Solo Ball and Co. ahead of a tough stretch

It’s been smooth sailing for UConn so far, starting 3-0 without much resistance. Given their talent and championship goals, that’s hardly surprising. But the second half against Columbia revealed a few cracks in Dan Hurley’s squad.

Even the coach pointed out a need for improvement in Solo Ball and his outside shooting. “Human nature kicked in,” the coach said. Well, once you are within touching distance of a win, there seems to be no point in going at 100%. It could also risk injuries, but it’s not a habit Hurley wants to inculcate in his squad, considering the schedule coming up.

“We didn’t play a full 40-minute game, and now we’re heading into a part of the schedule where if you don’t play a full 40-minute game, like you can’t play.” Hurley said, “You can’t play poorly into the stretch of the schedule that we’re going into for like three or four straight possessions or else the game gets away from you.” 

Just look at UConn’s upcoming schedule. They have No.7 BYU and No.5 Arizona in consecutive games. After a game against Bryant, the Huskies will face No.14 Illinois and No.25 Kansas. A relatively easy game against East Texas will be followed by No.10 Florida. Beyond their defense in this game, Hurley also pointed out Solo Ball’s efficiency, along with the missed free throws, as an issue. 

“Solo went three for nine. I thought he had like nine great threes. You missed 10 free throws,” Hurley said. Ball is coming off a career year as far as outside shooting is concerned. He shot 41.4% last year for the Huskies and 30% on the day when he had a lot of open shots. It was a matter of concern, especially after missing out on 10 free points.

Ball’s threes help build and break momentum, something very important in breaking those rough stretches and building on your good ones. Its importance will naturally increase against better teams. The expectations are already laid out by Dan Hurley, and now it’s time for this squad to deliver.