STORRS, Conn. — Things took an unexpected turn just before the game between No. 3 UConn and No. 4 Arizona. UConn announced that their star center, Tarris Reed Jr., wouldn’t play due to a sprained ankle. Reed, who averages 20 points and 9.3 rebounds, is crucial to the team’s success.
His absence was felt as UConn struggled against Arizona. The Wildcats dominated the paint, clinching a 71-67 victory on UConn’s home turf. Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd acknowledged the impact of Reed’s absence but emphasized that his team found a way to adapt.
Without Reed, UConn’s defense faltered. Arizona’s Koa Peat scored early, and Motiejus Krivas established his presence with a career-high 10 rebounds by halftime. Jaden Bradley was relentless, driving to the rim and drawing fouls.
Interestingly, Arizona does not rely heavily on 3-point shooting, ranking low in attempts and success. Instead, their strategy revolves around physical gameplay in the paint. “If you’re not ready for the physical fight, you’ll struggle,” Lloyd noted.
Historically, UConn has dominated teams in the paint, especially during their championship runs. However, Arizona flipped the script. They outrebounded UConn 43-23 and converted 16 second-chance points from 13 offensive boards.
UConn coach Dan Hurley expressed his disappointment, saying, “We got punked.” He emphasized the importance of being in the fight and not just standing by. Hurley plans a tough film session to address the team’s performance.
In Reed’s absence, Eric Reibe stepped up with 15 points, including two crucial 3-pointers in the second half. But Arizona’s frontcourt, featuring standout players like Peat and Krivas, proved too strong. Peat not only scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds but has now become one of the top freshmen in the nation.
Bradley also came through when it mattered. He consistently steps up in critical moments, scoring 21 points in this matchup, including a vital layup late in the game.
With impressive wins over top-ranked opponents like Florida and UCLA, Arizona is a strong contender to take the No. 1 spot in the next AP poll. According to ESPN, this achievement marks only the third time in history a team has scored multiple wins over top-three opponents in their first five games since Kansas in 1989-90.
Coaches and analysts have noted the talent in Arizona’s roster, predicting many of these players could transition to the NBA. Hurley himself acknowledged their potential, adding a layer of respect for the competition.
In summary, this game showcased how unexpected changes can shift outcomes in sports. With Arizona’s physical play and UConn’s adjustments needed without Reed, this matchup was a true test of resilience and strategy.
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