MBB: Huskies A Big Riser In Latest AP Poll
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Back at full strength on both their roster and the schedule, the Connecticut Huskies are making their way back up the Associated Press’ men’s basketball rankings.
Back at full strength on both their roster and the schedule, the Connecticut Huskies are making their way back up the Associated Press’ men’s basketball rankings.
The Huskies (13-4, 4-2 Big East) are back in the poll’s first 20 teams for the first time in over a month, rounding out the group after earning a sweep of Butler in their first home-and-home scheduling situation since 1994. UConn was one of the poll’s best gainers, as they moved up five slots, bested only by the six earned by No. 18 Tennessee, who earned a win over previously 13th-ranked LSU.
Last week saw the Huskies beat the Bulldogs by a combined 36 points in their two matchups. The first was a 76-59 win in Hartford that was previously scheduled for New Year’s Day but delayed due to issues with the ongoing health crisis. Adama Sanogo, fresh off Big East Men’s Player of the Week honors, earned a double-double for the third consecutive contest with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Thanks to his efforts and another double-double, a 12-points, ten-rebound showing, from Andre Jackson, the Huskies held a double-digit lead for the final 25 minutes of action, leading by as much as 21.
The rematch on Thursday in Indianapolis was considerably closer, with Butler even holding a 28-24 lead. But a 23-point advantage in the second half, primarily built by Tyrese Martin’s 25 points in the least 20 minutes allowed them to coast to a 75-65 triumph. For his efforts, Martin was named to the Big East’s men’s basketball honor roll, which saw Marquette’s Justin Lewis succeed Sanogo as the Player of the Week.
This week, the Huskies will host the Georgetown Hoyas in Storrs on Tuesday night (8:30 p.m. ET, CBSSN) before batting DePaul in Chicago on Saturday evening (6:30 p.m. ET, FS1) to close out their January slate.
UConn is one of five Big East teams ranked in the latest poll, with No. 22 Marquette joining the proceedings thanks to an active six-game winning streak, all but two of those wins coming against ranked competition. No. 14 Villanova leads the way, three spots ahead of Providence. The Huskies are currently placed immediately ahead of No. 21 Xavier.
The poll features a new No. 1 this, as the SEC’s Auburn Tigers topped the rankings for the first time in program history. Previously top-ranked Gonzaga slides in at No. 2 while Arizona, Baylor, and Kansas respectively round out the top five.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags