Uconn Opens Big East Play with Win Over Butler

Ghosts of Christmas Past Showed up in Hartford

2022-2023 brought Connecticut its first national championship under the watch of Mr. Scrooge (Dan Hurley). Uconn is starting to look like the best team in the country again as Hurley and staff have reloaded the roster. Only one guy from that roster remains, but fans are starting to see the newcomers play like they are possessed by the ghosts of former legends.

Silas Demorie struggled scoring against Butler last night in their Big East opener– dropping in a late game offensive rebound for his only 2 points– his 11 assists, 6 rebounds and back court toughness is reminiscent of Tristen Newton. Butler played aggressive half court defense that made Silas work for every inch and forced the Huskies into some ugly offensive possessions. What seemed like a “C” game for Silas in the scoring department he was still a +26. Hurley had major praise for his point guard after the game, and credited him for bringing the Huskies back to a championship level.

Freshman Braylon Mullins struggled with injuries and foul trouble in the early season, but the more you see him play the more his elite talent pokes through. It’s a tall task for a true Freshman to come in and fill the Jordan Hawkins roll for this team offensively. His activity off the ball and lighting quick release from deep make him a guy that opponents must guard tightly or they will get burned quicker than my numb pinky when left on the grill burner. As this offensive begins to gel late in the season watch for Braylon to showcase his NBA shot making ability. Expect him to draw even more of the defense's attention opening up opportunities for a cutting Alex Karaban and Solo Ball.

In 2022 when Donavan Clingan backed up Adama Sanogo, the pair of Eric Reibe and Tarris Reed are a two headed monster on the inside that few teams in the country can match up with. Tarris Reed has only played in 7 games this season averaging 14 pts and 7 rebounds: Adama Sanogo type numbers who averaged 17pts 7 rebounds in 2023.. Reed is fouling less and staying on the floor more than last year, and when he leaves the court a 7’2” Freshman has stepped in to provide the opponent with no relief. Riebe is playing five more minutes a game than Donavan did his freshman year and is a more polished player at this stage in his career. His fitness and footwork allow him to fit right in with Hurley’s ball screen and dribble handoff style of attack. Butler hung around in the first quarter of the game even with Uconn amassing eight blocks in the first 10 minutes. UConn's strength on the inside was too much to sustain for 40 minutes as Reed and Reibe combined for 22 pts, 12 Reb, and 7 blocks.

The Ghost of Christmas Past showed his face in Hartford last night and began to open the eyes of basketball fans. The newcomers are proving to be as good as advertised and the core returners are molding them into true Huskies. Scrooge will never be totally satisfied, but maybe the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come will foreshadow a smiling Hurley come March.