UConn just rolled over old rival Syracuse 72-52 in their preseason exhibition opener at Mohegan Sun Arena, and if you weren’t watching, you missed some real early season insights. This wasn’t some secret scrimmage hidden behind closed doors like the old days. Nope, this was out in the open, for 6,682 fans and the media to see, and it gave us a peek at where this team is before the season even starts.
Demary Jr.’s Shot, Ross’s Hustle: Early Season Takeaways
First up, let’s talk about Silas Demary Jr. Yeah, the dude didn’t light it up from the field, going 3-for-12 overall and just 1-for-4 from deep. But here’s the kicker: the staff *wants* him shooting! This senior leader, a potential All-American, is the least of UConn’s worries. He still snagged five boards and played his signature tough defense. He’s the guy, even when the shots aren’t falling, and that’s a huge sign of confidence from the coaching staff.
Then there’s Jayden Ross. Man, was he amped! He got the start, only his second in 94 games, and maybe a little *too* amped. He picked up two offensive fouls in the first 97 seconds of the game, then a third midway through the first half. Coach Hurley even quipped that Ross “could have fouled out within about five minutes.” But after that shaky start, Ross settled in, playing his typical bouncy, energetic defense over 20 minutes. He even threaded a beautiful lob dunk to Na’jai Hines and scored on a nice drive later on. This is Ross’s season, his chance, and he knows it. You can see the hunger.
As for Nik Khamenia, his main task is clear: fill the enormous shoes of a two-time national champion. We’ll be watching closely to see how he takes on that challenge.
No More Secrets: What These Exhibitions Really Mean
Remember when UConn preseason games were like top-secret government operations? Dan Hurley used to prefer playing Harvard or Virginia in those “secret scrimmages,” keeping everything, even the final score, under wraps. You’d only get dribs and drabs of info, usually internet rumors or an off-the-record assistant coach. Hurley was a master at controlling the narrative, using those tidbits to motivate or boost confidence.
Well, those days are GONE. The NCAA now lets teams play three preseason exhibition games, and UConn is taking full advantage. We got Syracuse Tuesday night, and next up, it’s Michigan State on October 20th, a return game in that home-and-home series. Then, on October 27th, it’s Purdue. These aren’t glorified practices anymore either. Coaches can’t just stop play for instruction in the middle of the action, and the NCAA even frowns on pushing players’ foul limits past five. These games don’t count in the standings, but they are a very real, public gauge of where the team stands.
So, what’s next for the Huskies? They’ll be heading to Michigan State for their next exhibition on October 20th. It’s another huge test against top-notch competition, and you know Coach Hurley will be looking for even more growth from Demary, Ross, and the entire squad. Keep an eye out, because these games are our first real look at what this team can become this season!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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