A dominant 76-53 whipping of Purdue on Tuesday night at PeoplesBank Arena completed a perfect 3-0 sweep through the exhibition schedule for the UConn men’s basketball team, leaving zero doubt: these Huskies look absolutely primed for a full-throttle regular season run. The question of whether they are ready for primetime, with the season opener less than a week away, seems to be getting a resounding “YES!”
Freshman Phenom and Seasoned Vets Show Up Big
The dominance started early and never really let up. UConn ripped off a 21-9 lead and held a commanding 35-20 edge at halftime. When Purdue tried to sneak back within 10 early in the second half, freshman Colben Landrew stepped up huge, leading a backbreaking 14-2 run that effectively sealed the deal. Landrew, a 6-foot-7 forward, was simply sensational off the bench, leading all scorers with 15 points, hitting a couple of backdoor cuts off Na’jai Hines’ slick passes, draining a pair of three-pointers, and adding a free throw during that crucial stretch. Talk about making an immediate impact!
He wasn’t the only one lighting it up. Senior wing Jayden Ross looks ready to take a consistent starting spot, pouring in 11 points in the first 10 minutes alone and finishing with 13 points on a perfect 4-for-4 from the field, including two threes, and a flawless 3-for-3 from the foul line. Sophomore big Na’jai Hines, despite some foul trouble, overcame a slow start to drop nine points with his signature lefty hook shots and putback dunks, all while flashing those deft passing skills from the high post. And his backup, Oskar Giltay, picked up the slack early on, chipping in 12 points of his own. This squad has depth, man. Nik Khamenia added eight points and a team-high 11 rebounds, showcasing some serious work on the boards.
Echoes of a Championship and What’s Next
Even Braylon Mullins, seeing his first game action since April’s national championship loss, showed he’s ready to roll. He had seven points and dished out four assists in the first 20 minutes, shaking off the rust and contributing right away. Guys like Junior County, Nils Machowski, and Silas Demary Jr. are also clearly set to play key roles this season, with Demary Jr. always being “ready.”
This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Much like that 2024 national title game, UConn’s length and athleticism absolutely smothered Purdue, holding their 7-4 center Daniel Jacobsen to just seven points. This team is long, athletic, and already playing like a cohesive unit.
Now, the real games begin. The Huskies kick off their official season on Monday at 9 p.m. against Gardner-Webb, then get a national title-game rematch against Michigan in Boston on November 9. With Ohio State, Arizona, Duke, Illinois, Kansas, Virginia, and the Big East schedule looming, the road ahead is tough. But based on what we just saw, UConn looks not just ready, but hungry. They’d better be, and frankly, they sure look like it.
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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