UConn Struggled in One Key Area vs. Duke

The UConn Huskies are officially sitting on a 33-5 record after winning their Elite Eight game. UConn faced Duke and managed to make a comeback despite being 19 down after the first half.

Still, the Huskies took Duke down 73-72, punching a ticket to their third Final Four in four seasons. However, Dan Hurley is not celebrating just yet. And the reason for that is mainly because for nearly 30 minutes, UConn wasn’t dictating anything.

"Well, I just thought that to start the game, we were a little bit on our heels. I thought we were too defensive defensively. I think we didn’t get after them or try to pressure them or make them uncomfortable. I just think that we probably gave a little bit too much respect to their individual players,” said Hurley.

Duke had a 14-0 run early, hit five first-half threes, and built a 44-29 halftime lead while UConn stumbled to a 1-of-11 start from deep. Even with Tarris Reed Jr. making 12 of the team’s first 16 points, the Huskies did not look aggressive. And that carried into a 50-33 deficit early in the second half.

In the second half, something changed. The Huskies forced 13 Duke turnovers, including an 8-1 margin in the second half, turning defense into a 20-7 advantage in points off turnovers. Malachi Smith came in with nine points and finished +10 in 17 minutes. Meanwhile, Silas Demary Jr. added 11 points and five rebounds, despite having an ankle issue.

As Hurley put it, "And I just thought that Malachi Smith with some ball pressure, Silas with some ball pressure, Jaden Ross, I just thought that we got after them a little bit more and turned them over. Turnovers have been an issue for them, like they have been for us, so just upping a little bit of defensive energy helped us a lot."