Uconn knows that it at least dressed a village in next week’s Big East tournament. Now it’s about sowing.
Either way, Huskies can start topping again, and the twice defeated champions try to end the regular season with a fourth straight victory when they are worth Seton Hall Saturday afternoon in Storrs, Conn.
UCONN (21-9, 13-6 Big East) may end up on the second, third or fourth depending on what develops against a team to which it took a surprising overtime loss to three weeks ago.
Huskies will handle at least the third seed by beating Seton Hall. If Creighton loses to Butler Saturday and there is a three-way tie with Marquette, Uconn will get the No 2 seed.
A loss in combination with Marquette who beat St. John’s would push Huskies to No. 4 and possibly set up a semi -final matchup against the red storm, the regular seasonal champions.
“We think that when you play or exercise on Uconn, in March and you get things to roll, you are convinced that you will win,” said coach Dan Hurley. “We have a mental advantage of many people in March.”
Huskies shared 12 matches between January 8, 23, lost twice to St. John’s in that span and blew a seven-point lead at the last minute of the regulation in Seton Hall. Since its mediocre performances, Uconn has beaten Georgetown, Providence and Marquette.
The last two matches have also seen better defensive views. The Huskies followed up and allow 40 percent shooting in a victory 75-63 on Providence by allowing 43.9 percent, including 3-AV-22 from 3-point intervals, in a 72-66 victory over Marquette on Wednesday that was delayed on the roof of a leak.
Alex Karaban band a season high with 21 points and shoots 22 out of 48 in the last four matches. He is also 9-AV-21 from 3-point reach after walking 6 out of 47 from deep in his previous nine matches.
Seton Hall (7-23, 2-17) finishes its worst regular season since 1982-83 and has lost five straight since surprising Huskies. The Pirates lost three straight by 10 points or fewer but shot 35.8 percent in their loss of 79-61 to Creighton on Tuesday, the 16th time they shot less than 40 percent.
“I thought we topped and I thought we were playing some really good games. Even though we lost, I thought we were giving us a chance to win,” said Seton Hall coach Shaheen Holloway. “… Creighton came in and just jumped on us from the door.”
Isaiah Coleman got 18 points and has received double figures in the last seven matches, including 23 in the first meeting with Huskies.
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